27 JD Restoration

[T. Cotten]

Steve!

A hearing impairment makes telephones difficult for me, but you can always email me direct at libertynightshift@gmail.com

A big rubber stopper gets you most of the way: http://virtualindian.org/11techleaktest.html

Although a testplate upon the manifold is most convenient, a stopper is the only way to test the inlet nipples separately.

Any stone unturned hides something that will bite you...

....Cotten

[Steve Swan]

Tom, i will thoroughly read the link you sent me. Then i will email you any questions i have. Thank you so much for your comments. I don't want to leave any stones unturned !

[TechNoir]

Re: Leaktest

A big rubber stopper gets you most of the way: http://virtualindian/org/11techleaktest.html

I noticed that the link has a syntax error. It should be:

http://virtualindian.org/11techleaktest.html

John

[T. Cotten]

Thanks TechNoir!

I should just cut'n'paste instead of typing, but force of habit, against a failing memory, got the better of me.
(After sixteen years, you would think I would have had it memorized...)

....Cotten

[Steve Swan]

It's been awhile since i posted, the temps have been in the upper 90's every day til this past weekend. My friend, Al Larsen and my youngest son Sam, we went out east of town 60 miles, for the first longer test ride. The engine was driven at speeds between 25 and 40 mph. overall, i have to say the run went flawlessly and was a 100% success. sans DLX38, i bubble tested the intake system, no leaks. i smoke tested with carb on, there as a leak between carb and manifold, both of which were both freshly milled flat. the gasket material had to be the culprit, so i used 3 bond to seal the gasket. the front inlet rocker clearance had tightened from the first 3 mile run to barely .001" After these minor adjustments, the engine will start reliably 1st kick and very responsive to advance/retard. from idle to underway, the throttle response was immediate, a very slight spitting through carb which was cured by turning hi-speed needle out 2 notches. burn on front and rear plugs uniform and identical. i think i am on the way to having a good solid JD. you can youtube videos at Swan 1927 JD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As2-wAmG-Us

[Steve Swan]

for your (and my) viewing pleasure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbEGg-TabUI

[Steve Swan]

It's been a while since i posted, so i thought it good to update all those who have helped me so much getting my JD on the road.

i had a couple minor setbacks fter my 1st test run back in August, none of which were fortunately of any serious consequence.

The short of it, i went for my 2nd test run today, 21 miles 1st run, 6 miles 2nd run. Both went flawlessly. i started the engine 4 different times. 2 prime kicks with switch off, started 1st kick cold 2 times. started 2nd kick hot engine 2 times. warm up took about 3-4 minutes and taking off in 1st gear with no hesitation, no spitting out the carb or popping from the exhaust. has a lovely idle, "chuffing" evenly at full retard and responds very nicely rolling into full advance. the shift into 1st gear is perfectly silent and shifts smoothly from 1st to 2nd to 3rd. had some nice longer hills, a couple with decent grades, slowing down and lightly lugging engine, acceleration was smooth, great power, wound up turning slow speed needle 1 notches richer and high speed needle 2 notches richer. varying the throttle, ran speeds of 35-50 mph, with a little steady speed work around 40 mph. ALL GOOD. both spark plugs were equal in color, each a nice light tan on the insulator. no smoke out the exhaust. shined a light into spark plug holes to see what i could of bores and saw no abnormal signs of wear. before i started out, i gave the crank case 4 shots of oil and when i turned around at mile 10.5, i gave it one shot for the way back. i drained the oil when i got back and had a little over half full in an 16 ounce cup. the rear brake only certainly forces one to be ever mindful when preparing for stops ! a couple miles underway, i was much more comfortable this 2nd round and had a confidence in the bike and myself. alot goes on with these old fellows when they're running and at speed ! i have a sense of satisfaction and relief and do feel ready to begin the final restoration which will make for a really great Winter project. i will be posting pictures when the time comes. A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who have helped me get my JD on the road. Can't help but think of my Dad and what he experienced, in particular his ride the Summer of 1927, when he rode from Cincinnati to Hartington, Nebraska, much of which i am sure was on unpaved roads for 850 miles. my 32 year old boy was with me, he drove behind me and really enjoyed the experience. i got a kick out of watching his eyes widen and seeing his big smile when the old fellow started on the 1st kick for the first run !

Sincerely,

Steve Swan

20161102_213331.jpg20161103_143641.jpg20161103_143655.jpg

[Steve Swan]

Thought i'd post a couple pics of my Dad during '27 on his '27. i posted these on another thread a while back, but don't have these on this thread.......Dad asleep on the road.jpgDad upon awakening.jpgrotc lh.jpgrotc sidecar.jpghhslh.jpg

[Steve Swan]

Dad made and sold Brown Bobbi Greasless Donuts when he went to the Univ.of Cincinnati.... he took the side car body off the frame and built this delivery car.bbfrt.jpgbbr.jpg

[frichie68]

Fantastic photos and family history, definitely deserves a big LIKE!

[pfindlay]

Steve, thanks for a great thread and all the tips you've been able to pass on.

I'm making slow progress on my 25 JD and wondering what you did about aligning the cases? I saw a post way back where you were asking about the HD alignment tool. Did you find one,or use another method?

Peter

[Steve Swan]

in the end, i was not able to find locally the experience and tools that i necesary to align the cases to the completed flywheel assembly. i wound up sending my entire lower end to Truett and Osborne in Wichita to do that job.

[Steve Swan]

OK !!!!

TOMORROW MORNING i go to the man who does my paint work to pick up my frame, forks, rear stand, handlebars and other parts not requiring striping !!!!

i will begin posting pictures of the build. i am planning and expecting the build process to be a somewhat slow one, as i am going to be as methodical and deliberate as i know how to be, as well as i am waiting for a few parts to come back from the man who does my nickle plating. And, i don't know when the striped parts will be finished, i would guess over the next month or so, the striping will be by hand, so will take some time, as the man who does the striping will come to the painter's shop to do his striping work.

[TechNoir]

How exciting!

John

[painterdale]

It must feel like Christmas at your house, Steve! How's it look?
Dale