!914 Twin HD Cannon ball request

[Slojo]

Jim
I still go to work regularly not every day. This may all looks easy from your perspective, it is not. Every part needs to be fitted or I won't use it. There aren't any sloppy loose fitting parts on this machine it is right and tight. I am putting forth all I have, physical, metal and economical to maintaine my work this build and accompanying article. There hasn't been time for extracurricular activities. Davenport, my goal for completion is nearing soon if all goes well the motor will be in by the end of this weekend and running before next Friday.

I have made a new brush and spring for one of my magnetos and have it running on the bench right now. It will be run in for a few days prior to installation.

The pedal crank starter assembly appears to be working well now, between that and the brake stay two troubling problems have been resolved. Throttle cable and sliders are finished. Clutch linkage is all connected and working well including the friction washers and pivot stud on the hand lever. The clutch throw out bearing is of my own construction, after plating I finish ground the mating surfaces, when it is functioning you can't here it rolling. This will be a sweet machine to ride.

Dinner is over time to get back to work.
Joe

[c.o.]

It's lookin' like we're caught up until Joe is finished in the shop tonight!!!

[Slojo]

Several more parts taken to the platters this evening to go along with the cylinders dropped off earlier. This does not bring the plating to 100 percent but close enough for now. I can not finish detailing this project until after the Cannonball event is complete,,,time.

Pedals are now mounted, This brings the chassis to near completion until the motor is installed where then, the peripherals will be finish assembled.

Joe

[Slojo]

"Snatch defeat from the jaws of victory."

Just as all was going so well, Diamond plating came through as they said they would, my parts were ready by three PM for pick up. It appeared the cylinder were going on tonight which means the motor was also to be installed tonight. Then...

I just finished a fourth angle valve seat cut finishing the valve job. Chris could not get his tooling in to finish the top side of the valve seat so a 15 degree offset tool was made and into the Okuma to make the final cut. It worked perfectly. Left behind was a slight casting flaw that should have been removed a long time ago. This is where I fouled everything up slightly kissing the valve seat with a 2" 90 degree angle hand grinder.

This would not be so bad except Chris is not available tomorrow to re-cut the surface. Tomorrow is a hot rodders paradise just north of Detroit (Royal Oak), the annual Woodward Dream Cruise. Some of the best Hot Rods are brought in from around the word to participate in this event it is big.

Some things should have been attended to prior to when they actually were completed. The valve seat is not the only issue that was improperly handled. I also over looked seating the fuel valve in the bottom of the gas tank. This is something I do on all needle type valves. A steel rod gets machined to a 45 degree point just as the shut of needle. I then lap the valve seat in the same fashion as a cylinder valve seat. This nearly guarantees a good seal when turning off your gas. Less leaks more safety.

Joe

[c.o.]

[Buzz Kanter]

Joe, you leave me speechless. What a truely amazing thing you are doing here. Can't wait to see you and ride with you in 3 weeks. Well done and thanks for sharing with us all.

[Slojo]

Steady Rollin (Bob you out there?)

Buzz
I also look forward to ridding along side you and your fine ride Dave and you have prepared for this fantastic upcoming event. I am glad you are enjoying this ride.

This morning sent me off to Jackson ( I'm going to Jackson,,, Johnny Cash) A good customer behind the 8 ball in a bad way.

Next was Chelsea and Ann Arbor to investigate a few bicycle shops for lights and a speedometer. A tail light was purchased and one headlight. I may run two or three headlights, variety and preparedness are my reasons for this.

Once returned to my only current place of comfort, my shop (I have some kind of fever and am jittery, stressed, uncomfortable unless I am in my shop building this Gray Ghost into reality) a pair of spark plug adapters were spun up on the Okuma with secondary work finished on the Monarch lathe. These adapters allow me to walk into your average Harley Davidson Boutique and purchase modern 12 mm spark plugs that fit the bike. I have done this in the past, the heat range is usually not to far off, if anything a little on the hot side. With the primitive carburetor spark plug heat range is not possible to nail throughout the rev range.

A piston is fitted to the rear rod ready for rings to be installed. Cory may get some photos posted tonight of the piston. Ceramic top and Teflon skirts coat the entire piston other than the ring zone. These are CP pistons and are a bit on the heavy side for what I require. I decided not to put them on a diet due to time restraints.
Joe

[c.o.]

here we go.........

[Bill N.]

Joe...
Once the Cannonball is over, my wife finishes night school, and I'm allowed back out to play....I've got to shoot over to your place and apprentice for a week ! I have little shop experience but recognise great skills when I see it...

See you in a few weeks @ Kitty Hawk !

...This would've made a great video series... Better than the stuff on SPEED and DISCOVERY channel by far!

[Slojo]

Monday morning already

I worked late trying to salvage the unproductive weekend. The motor did not go together yet, problems with mixing parts from different years. There is not enough room to run the adjustable exhaust lifters. It would appear that 1915 and later cylinders are taller than 1914 and earlier, something to look into latter. The straight dowel pin style lifters of 14 and earlier will be made tomorrow. I think I will but some 7/16" dowel pins and grind them to the desired size in order to get the exhaust lifter pins finished without the delay of heat treating. This allows me to get back to assembly.

While at it new intake push rods were made along with their lower bucket adjuster. The carburetor was assembled. I lapped the needle valve and seat to assure a better seal. I may make a new bowel nut if time allows, the old one is chewed up a little.

Today was a push in preparation of motor assembly many little things required attention and got it.

Exhaust valve springs are problem, I have three different wire sizes and three different lengths. After studying parts books they identify only one style or type of spring from 1911 to the late twenties.

Joe

[Slojo]

We have bugs in our new forum software. "years. years" above was not what I wrote in my article and does not appear when editing is attempted.
Joe

[c.o.]

It also looks as though the w and the e key stick........

[Chris Haynes]

here we go.........

So Joe,
As the wrist pin is almost into the ring grove I have to ask, How big is this engine?

[Slojo]

Chris

As mentioned earlier in the article the stroke was increased 1/8 inch per side giving a 1/4 additional stroke yielding a 66 inch motor. The stroke was increased out of necessity to clear the 1 1/4 inch crank pin and its larger nuts.

I desired a contemporary for today style piston that is why it has the high wrist pin. I could actually cut 1 1/2 inches out of my rod and cylinder length with this piston still able to clear the flywheels. The piston is heavy and structurally sound. It could use some lightening but I passed on drilling holes due to time restraints.

I am on dinner brake and will be posting latter.

Joe

[Slojo]

Closing in

Today a trip to the east side to pick up material for the exhaust lifter pin then off to the west side for lash caps (stay out of the hub, center side).

A pass through a centerless grinder then into my surface grinder, O.D. grinder and demagnetizer later the exhaust lifter pins were ready to install. Next the Ti. ex. valves were cut to finish length and lash caps were modified to fit the new valves.

With everything ready I just need to confirm a question on rings prior to final assembly.

Joe