27 JD Restoration

[Steve Swan]

Getting closer.... pistons installed, upper end buttoned up. next, need to make a tool to go in to top cyl mount to measure BTDC.20160229_161516.jpg20160229_154925.jpg20160229_154940.jpg20160229_154949.jpg

[Steve Swan]

so, i've actually made quite a bit of progress the past week. first i need to say, i cannot seem to stop myself when in the middle of processes to take pictures. i seem to get in my "zone" and can't quit until i am finished...... so, my 'build' does not have a lot to show for how i am actually getting things done. it seems nearly every repro part i am using requires 'adjustment' to fit properly.

i installed sealed bearings in my transmission and fitted Jon Neuman's VL countershaft gear kit, so i did not fit the large and small brass oil retainers. adjusted the main shaft end play to around .003".

the clutch is built from Bob Luland's very fine parts, Mark Masa's very fine clutch hub sprocket. the clutch hub bearing kit is from Comp.D and the race it's self was about .020" too wide so needed to be ground down to turn freely when the clutch main shaft nut was tightened.

in my previous pics, i showed the exh.valve stems being too long, the cylinders would not fit on crankcase base. i cut them down free hand to .010" over stock so my friend could face them off square in his valve grinding machine. then i had to cut off about 6 threads length from the inlet push rods, now the cylinders seat on the crankcase base.

Monday, i plan to get pistons in the bores, then get the upper end assembled.

i also got my little 3/16 copper tube for the tail light wire installed. i am using a Tom Feeser tail.stop light setup, so i am going to have to get creative and deviate from original wiring to accommodate 2 wires going through that little tube.... i think i'm going to use that high tech hi-ampere very small gauge thin strand silver speaker wire or something like it. not really familiar with that type of wire, but it should work for the tail/stop light, i'll cover the wire with cloth sheathing so it can't be seen.

i would like to thank David Butts for doing all my clutch riveting work. (i will call you tomorrow evening David, sorry i have not returned your call earlier....)

i'm also starting a new thread on timing gear covers, seems i'm a little confused on which cover is correct for 27....

i should have my 20" clincher wheels back from Buchanan's around the middle of March ! going with ss spokes and nickle plated nipples.....

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[Steve Swan]

Thanks Mark ! It's kind of like decorating a Christmas tree..... in slow motion !!!! more pics to come !

[MassHarley]

Steve the bike is looking great! Keep up the great work, each time you add a part it helps with the motivation to continue!

[Steve Swan]

got my brake linings installed.

mock fitted cyls, exh.valve stems a little too long. talked with Andy at Comp.D who i purchased valves from. he said it's typical to have to take a little distance off the stems. my extra length is enough that i'll have to free hand grind some of the distance off so my friend can do the squaring off in his valve grinding machine.

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[gww]

excellent.........

[Steve Swan]

i feel like i've entered the promised land. Assembled my lower end last night.

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[Steve Swan]

here's 4 of the latest pics of my painted crank cases, transmission, rims and hubs. man 'o man ! i am really impressed with what a beautiful color Olive Green actually is. it may help that green's my favorite color........... but i cannot help but think when striping is on, the green will be even more beautiful ! or just call me crazy, since i am the one who has to live with the one and only color H-D offered in 1927 ! using Dad's can of touch up paint to match original color makes me feel in a way, almost like i am resurrecting his 27....

i used Glyptal on the inside of the crank cases. only place i am going to use it. installed a few parts on the cases. will let the Glyptal cure til Monday evening, then plan to set left case in the engine stand, then assemble lower end.

getting to point where i will be installing timing gear cover, i will be having questions about the 2 same size small round spacers that go on 2 of the long screws that hold gear cover on to crankcases.

hope to make contact with Buchanan's this week, get my rims/hubs boxed up and sent to them. also, Tuesday, should be getting my 3.85x20 diamond tread clincher tires and tubes from Coker. will be a real milestone to get road ready wheels on bike. and engine and trans in frame. Am doing a good job of not getting overly excited !

Also, will get transmission assembled while i am waiting for wheels to return from Buchanan's

Good stuff !20160214_024047.jpg20160214_022552.jpg20160214_000528.jpg20160214_000521.jpg

[Steve Swan]

i also ran my horn wire and installed the horn button. and pics of the frame at Mary MacCallom's when he was repairing and straightening the frame.

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[Steve Swan]

Today i Parkerized a few parts, intake manifold, front and rear wheel parts and a few nuts, washers. easy and fun ! i draw filed the forging the transmission sits on, it cleaned up really fine with minimal work, there are some pits but nothing that will affect fit or function. i fit the gear shifter lever to the tank and to the shifter guide. also, i am enclosing some pics of when Marty MacCallom straightened the frame.

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[Steve Swan]

and of the 271927 JD._2.jpg1927 JD.0.jpg1927 JD.jpg1927_Harley-Davidson_Model_JD-sep1.jpg

[Steve Swan]

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[Steve Swan]

i thought i'd post some pics of a couple relatively unmolested 26's and a what looks to be a nice 27 restoration. i have been using these bikes as examples for guiding my work.

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[Steve Swan]

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[Steve Swan]

sometimes i'm too smart, i figured out the "non-issue" why the spacing was off for the horn brackets. i tightened down the 4965-25 headlight mounting brackets/rods and the spacing issue for the horn brackets solved it's self.

more pics of more progress today. Tomorrow, painting crank cases, trans case, hubs, rims and a few other parts Olive Green.

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