!914 Twin HD Cannon ball request

[Rubone]

Joe,
Maybe we can all pitch in with some donor Sportsters. Will any year work??
Robbie

[c.o.]

[silentgreyfello]

Joe, did you have to grease the dies to prevent gauling the tubing as it gets pulled into the radius? They turned out beautiful!

[Slojo]

Robbie
My first bike (purchase in 1977) is a 1970 XLCH it weighed in at about 500 pounds gassed up ready to go (I still have that bike). I know these late model Sportsters are really Superglides in disguise, 1200 cc, 600 pounds, physical size. We could probably do with 18 % less bikes in the stack up. Any offers?
SilentGreyfello
In my haste (Dinner time) and excitement (first press like olive oil) the thought of lubrication did not present itself until I heard the first squeak out of the operation. All following presses will be lubricated prior to forming the tube. No damage occurred to the die or frame rail, the shape and finish is perfect. Thank you for the compliment.
Joe

[Matthew N. Olse]

Joe,
I have used never sieze on my 6 inch aircleaner dies in the past with good success. Your tubing die turned out really well. Hopefully I can see it in person before wauseon this year.
best,
Matt Olsen

[Slojo]

Matt
I look forward to having you over again. Many things have changed for the better since your last visit. Forget the couch perhaps the Loft will be open for your stay, by then my bedroom addition may be finished.
You guys are doing a great job with Ryan and his bike, keep up the good work. When the opportunity presents itself, encourage the kid to read and type, have him send me a smoke signal it would be good to hear from him.
Joe

[gary.h]

joe that is awsome,making tools as you go along to make parts,i imagine one would have a undescribable feeling between the heart and the stomach when accomplishing the task at hand in ressurecting a machine with a soul waiting to breathe again..i know i would,youve must of had it from the start of this project ,too cool..merry xmas to ya joe and all the best.

[Slojo]

Back on frame repair

Gary
Thank you for the kind words and Merry Christmas to you and all else out there.
Over the years of my bike building way before it became fashionable or profitable you could find me building on average a bike every year or two. Often the build process would take three months, some times double that.
Typically making parts and tooling to make parts has been a must for bike building. In these modern bike building times things have become much easier for those who do not have the machinery or background needed to make or repair their motorcycles. There are so many cottage industries and people manufacturing parts for the bike industry both modern and vintage that most anyone willing to give it a try can build these old machines.
Personally building bikes can lead to incredible yet simple pleasures. The finished bike offers the builder options such as ridding, showing, demonstrating and conversing. With this project I have gone one step farther than ever before with my bike building. Through this forum provided by the AMCA that step is encouragement. It appears this build has encouraged others to blow the dust off from some old projects that require closure. Good luck to all who join in the water is fine.
Oh yes the frame repair, not enough to report on other than its in progress again (night off).
Joe 12-24-2009

[Eddie G]

Joe
I am enjoying this build. As a shadetree restorer I have to stick with the modern stuff (40s-60s) but find the tech side very interesting. Do the rules allow a pacer? Just thinking.

[Slojo]

Eddie (The Indian Guy)
All whom know me well also know that not only do I like to keep these old machines running, ridding and displayed I also find it necessary to keep the old rivalries alive. Unfortunately an Indian pace bike might constitute a possible violation of my self imposed rules. No Indians and Harleys under the same roof. No offence intended, but as a pace bike participant in my Gray Ghost Rider team this might constitute bikesexuality (in other words bikesexual activities) something I cannot tolerate.
In the past and unquestionably the future ridding with dyed in the wool Indian guys (Rocky and Tony) has and will be fascinating. Although I insist long live the completive nature of Harley /Indian rivalries. This you can still see through the summer at vintage motorcycling racing events all over the country (world).
Actually I do hope those in the regional areas with vintage bikes (all brands) join in and show support while we pass through their towns. The rules do not prohibit pacers.
Eddie, I am happy to have you along during this build and afterwards. Enjoy the ride.
Joe

[jurassic]

sidecar escorts

we are going to start a program where locals in the area we are traveling thru can ride along for a day or more as escorts for the slower moving bikes. in order to help make the smaller ,slower bikes more visable to traffic, we are looking for later model bikes or sidecar rigs that can escort these riders along while not getting in the way or endangering them by putting alot of 4 wheelers in the mix.currently we have about 7 sidecar rigs that will be with us all the way.the sidecars and flatbed sidecars will serve a multitude of purposes,such as escorts,supply haulers,bike rescue,film and press crew services,and sponsor advertising.we are still looking for more volunteer sidecars. as the majority of our support crew will be traveling the interstate,and not on the actual route ,these escorts will be indispensible. you can contact us thru the website if you would be interested in volunteering.

[c.o.]

(in other words bikesexual activities)

That term still makes me chuckle... I like many others am guilty of such activities... I should confirm however that it's only applicable to motorsickles.......

[Slojo]

Lonnie
Thanks for chiming in on the escort service (Humm?) That helps to make things crystal clear.
Cory
Glad I can put a smile on your face for all the help you are providing on this article.
Now where did Eddie the Indian guy go? Hope we haven’t lost him.
Joe

[silentgreyfello]

we are going to start a program where locals in the area we are traveling thru can ride along for a day or more as escorts for the slower moving bikes. i.

Lonnie, I just hope it doesn't come to where there is a m/c club at every juncture that is wanting to ride shoulder to shoulder! Then instead of enjoying the scenery, we are looking at Larry's backside on his softail! I am sure it will be fine in moderation, but I don't know how you can control it. just my 2 cents!

[Slojo]

The challenge of quality oval taper frame rails

Silentgreyfello
The plan is vintage bikes although what if late models take over? The mix of modern bikes and vintage brakes is not a good one especially if the modern motorcyclist is un-familiar with vintage brakes.
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Experiments on fabricating tapered oval tubes filled my day today. What I would give for a mint condition frame. Actually the frame rail repair is a good thing because I think the end results will be safer than the original frame.
Originally as a machinist by trade I suffer with close enough and focus on just right. Actually my first frame rail taper oval tubing is coming out fair. The rail is certainly usable yet I think I can do better so further experimentations will take place.
I tried to compress the 7/8x.188 wall tubing cold. With the effective stack of 160 1970 XLCH Sportsters the tubing did not deflect (I should have tried a stack of Electraglides or better yet Boss Hogs). With a rose bud torch and an appropriate blend of Oxygen and acetylene the tubing yielded to my persistence. I thought a 40 ton press was all the force in the world when it comes to motorcycle fabricating. I was wr. wr.wr. forget it.
Following photos are of my experimenting with forming the tapered oval tail section of the frame rails. First press the tube oval. Then weld the end closed for center-drilling. Finally turn the excess off and grind to the desired shape. The grind to shape is where things go wrong as it will need to be finished by hand to achieve the variably shapes. There are several other ways to accomplish the desired results. Another attempt at an alternative method will be tried tomorrow.
Joe