1942 WLA Bobber Build

[alanc48]

I, like Eric, also have a build thread going on Buzz's forum. I'm building a Bobber around a 42 WLA engine and using some civilian and some military parts. At this point I am fixing a disaster of a frame that I got and the I will be back on track. I won't bore you guys with all of the pics, just bring you up to speed with a music less montage.

[alanc48]

After photobucket finishes with their maintenance. Love the new name of the thread, the only thing I could post in the Legendary category would be Legendary screw ups.

[bob43wlc]

After photobucket finishes with their maintenance. Love the new name of the thread, the only thing I could post in the Legendary category would be Legendary screw ups.

Now that is funny Al! Keep up the good work and you'll find yourself a nice ride!

[Tom Lovejoy]

Very cool, give us mere mortals a chance to show what were working on. I am excited to see this, well done.

[alanc48]

So I started with a set of 42 WLA cases



Got my conn rods honed



Assembled and balanced the flywheels, conn rods

[alanc48]

Assembled the flywheels with the bearings in the case halves





After getting my cylinders back from the machinist I lapped in the valves and assembled the valve gear

[alanc48]

I then installed the piston and rings on the small ends and made sure they were square



Piston clip installation tool, a must have



Piston squaring plate, another must have



Installing the jugs, had to be real careful of the piston rings



Installation complete

[alanc48]

Next was cam gear timing. I marked the lines on the gears with a white paint marker so they were easier for me to see



I set the lash on the valves, threw the heads on with original gaskets sprayed with copper gasket spray, left everything loose, installed the intake manifold with a rebuilt M-88 carb, and here she is.

[alanc48]

Next up was the tranny (I am 90% done with it! had a hell of a time finding the right shifter drum.) I am mainly using the manual and this build from another forum which has been invaluable http://www.sscycle.com/tech/viewtopi...45+trans+build

I'm going to spare you guys the details and blow right through this

First thing I did was clean everything up, chased the holes and made sure everything fit





Clutch gear and bearings



Installing the seal with the special tool



Checking the endplay after installing the mainshaft and clutch gear



I then installed the cluster gear and counter shaft, proper clearances were obtained by changing out the spacers after checking endplay. At this point I had taken this thing apart and put it back together about 20 times

[alanc48]

And almost there, i still need to install the drum I just got along with the shifter forks.

[alanc48]

I'm now working on the sheet metal and frame. This pic shows the alignment tool used for the reserve gas valve rod installation (another tool you can't live without.)



I welded the mounts for the trim and badges on the tanks (that's a repop badge, I was goofing around with different color schemes.)



Heres a pic with the tanks and a later fender installed. I found somebody who needs that fender and tail for their 1952 build so that's gone now. A bobbed military fender is going on.



And finally, where I'm at. The frame had a chopped sportster (or something) neck welded on and somebody had modified the rear frame ends.



I have the proper frame ends and I am currently waiting for the framehead casting I bought to come in to put this baby back to original.

[exeric]

You take much better pictures than I do Alan. I think projects like your's are the best thing you'll see on a forum because even though the bikes are different, you can learn from the applicatations, and solutions. Glad you found a neck casting; that will really kick your project into gear.

[alanc48]

You take much better pictures than I do Alan. I think projects like your's are the best thing you'll see on a forum because even though the bikes are different, you can learn from the applicatations, and solutions. Glad you found a neck casting; that will really kick your project into gear.

Thanks Eric, the hardest part about taking the pics is not getting smegma on the lens. I can't believe how hard it was to find that frigging casting, when all is said and done I still will be well under what frames are going for on flea bay right now. The build can hit high gear now that the frame will be repaired, I'll spend some more time cleaning it up and painting it then it will start looking like a bike!

[len dowe]

Nice work Alan. I see you have the tank trim installed. Where did you find your neck casting?
Len.

[alanc48]

Nice work Alan. I see you have the tank trim installed. Where did you find your neck casting?
Len.

Thanks Len, I tweaked the trim in and got it to stay on. I might tweak it a little more, I don't want it popping off when she finally runs although it may be enough when there is paint on the tank. I got it from a company in the Netherlands, cost a few samolians