27 JD Restoration

[Steve Swan]

Excellent build Steve. I just read the whole thread. Thanks for sharing. I love the paint can story.

Kevin

.

Thanks,Kevin. i regularly follow your PP thread, i enjoy it alot.

Yes, i remember that paint can since i was 6 years old and my Dad telling me about his Harley Davidson. it sat on a shelf in his garage for decades until he died 1991.

[Steve Swan]

So, i am fitting together the chassis. all the parts are going together with only a minimum of adjustments.

however, i do not seem able to mount the horn properly. when i have the left side bolted to it's bracket i have at least 1" of gap on the right. because i cannot seem to fit the horn, i am led to believe:
1. i am assembling things wrong,
2. missing parts, or
3. the reproduction parts are not made to spec.

i would appreciate your help. thanks in advance.20160122_211102.jpg

[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.

20160127_150555.jpg20160127_150650.jpg20160127_150738.jpg20160127_150753.jpg

[Steve Swan]

20160127_153643.jpg20160127_153658.jpg20160127_153857.jpg20160127_153914.jpg

[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.

26caljd.1.JPG26caljd.7.jpg26jd front end top view.jpg26caljd.3.jpg

[Steve Swan]

Luland.5.jpgLuland.23.jpgLuland.12.jpgLuland.19.jpgLuland.18.jpg

[Steve Swan]

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

[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.

20160128_200142 (1).jpg20160128_130214.jpg20160128_122814.jpg20160128_141346.jpgphoto 3.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.

20160128_200309.jpg20160128_200327.jpg20160128_200345.jpgphoto 1.JPGphoto 2.JPG

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

20160215_220006.jpg20160215_220022.jpg20160215_220047.jpg20160215_220115.jpg

[gww]

excellent.........

[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.

20160217_115502.jpg20160217_121235.jpg20160217_095102.jpg

[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]

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