27 JD Restoration

[Steve Swan]

It's been said it takes a village to raise a child. in this case it's taken a group of men from around the world to bring 27JD 11090 back to a complete machine. i went through my receipts and my email and in no particular order, made a list of every person i could think of or remember who has helped me along the process.

THANK YOU TO ONE AND ALL FOR HELPING ME BRING BACK THIS MOTORCYCLE FROM THE DEAD.

Tom’s NOS Parts
Steve DeCosa – tool roll
Colorado Cadmium Plating
Tim – Painter’s Supply, Fort Collins, CO – master paint formulater
Johnny Sells – Vintage Motorcycle Works
Bob Luland – The Good Old Motorcycle Parts Co. – fine parts, sage help & advice
Kurt Rommel – Little Bear Auto Body, Bellvue, CO
Scott Owens – Owens Group (MgSO4)
Design Metal Mfg. crank case repair
Tom Feeser – Replicant Metals
Marcin Okla-Anuszewski - silk screen Sparton horn date plate, craftsman
Buchanan Spoke & Rim
Competition Distributing
Truett & Osborn Cycle, Topeka, KS
Snyder’s Antique Auto Parts
Coker Tire
Roger Long – Sparton horn parts and conservation
Mark Masa – Link Engineering, new cam and clutch parts, sage advice
Jon Neuman – Sagebrush Cycles –front forks, sage advice
Marshall Nix – Black Hills Polishing and Plating
Tom Cotton – Liberty Motorcycle Specialties, DLX38 conservation & sage advice
Michael Breeding
David Butts – riveting work
Marty MacCallum – frame repair
Flatland Motorcycle Company
Rocky Mountain Supply, Fort Collins, CO
Mikael Amroth – Antique Bike, obscure little parts I couldn’t have finished without
Chuck’s Parts
Ray Arndt – Ray’s Motorcycle, Fort Collins, CO – said, “Why don’t YOU build it?”
Richard “Wiff” Withey, Fort Collins, CO, machinist buddy, saved my ass
Al Larsen, Fort Collins, CO – lifelong buddy - sage advice
Joe Drociuk – very patient while offering his invaluable sage advice
JD Yahoo Groups – an incredible group of fine fellows devoted to the H-D JD
AMCA Forum – an incredible group of fine fellows with sage advice
Jiri Filipek – rear sprocket
Al McRoberts – clincher rims
Mike Javernik – fin repair
Phoenix Restoration – correct 1926 patent year tool box decal
John Faraci – sage advice
Harbor Vintage
Peter “Tommo” Thomson – original tools for the tool roll and sage advice
John Brookes – encouragement and advice
Terry Marsh
Bill Christensen – oil pump check valve
J. Napierala Speedometer Shop
Many others – my apologies if I did not remember how you helped me.

Last but not in the least, these two men -

Vernie A. M. Swan. Thanks Dad, for buying my first motorcycle when i was 14. For saving your original can of Olive Green touch up paint all those years from 1927 to 1986. And, for taking ALL those pictures I stared at so many times for six decades. Your pictures kept my dream alive to someday own a 27JD so I could experience the motorcycle joys of your youth. 1906-1991 – RIP

Robert W. Paulette – for letting me spend so much of your time with you in your shop so many different times. For offering your wisdom and guidance when I was a youth, for so generously sharing your knowledge of machine and tool work with me. 1911-1997 – RIP

(And……… The internet. What can I say. Much more effective than post cards, letters, back when too many long distance phone calls had to be part of the monthly budget and fruitless trips.)

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[Steve Swan]

Thanks John !

i finished JD11090 last night. What a pleasurable odyssey it has been. in the picture of the cockpit, you'll note an Indian Head Penny and a Indian head Nickle. The penny is 1906 for my dad's birth year and the nickle is 1927. i walked around the lift or sat on a stool at a couple different angles, feasting my eyes and the memories for about 4 hours after i finished. front range Colorado is now in monsoon season, temps in the upper 40's and lower 50's and pretty much some form of daily precip, so not sure when the first ride will be. i think later today, i will go up and start it, just to know it is fully ready to roll.


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[TechNoir]

Wow Steve, it just keeps getting better and better.

Congratulations x 2. One for getting so close the finish line on the JD and the second for the good news about the forthcoming cataract removal. I have 2 relatives who have had this done in the last 12 months and they say it is fantastic to get done.

Well done.

John

[Steve Swan]

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[Steve Swan]

the front end's finished ! the tanks will be finished next week. i'll have my 1st cataract surgery Thursday and then my 2nd on June 12. will be interesting, as i'll have 20/20 at 2 miles in my left eye and 20/20 at 2 inches in my right eye. will be an adjustment to no longer have my very close up vision. BUT......... i AM really looking forward to not having to wear glasses when i ride a motorcycle ! have worn glasses since i was 57 years. i'll just buy different strength readers for what i need to see closeup.

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[Steve Swan]

Beautiful, Steve, way too nice!

Thanks Rich ! i intend to turn it into a used motorcycle !

[frichie68]

Beautiful, Steve, way too nice!

[Steve Swan]

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[Steve Swan]

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[Steve Swan]

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[Steve Swan]

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[Steve Swan]

today i installed the horn and headlight. here are a few pics including some detail close up shots.

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[Steve Swan]

i got my nickle parts back today for my original air pump. i feel very lucky to have found such a probably rare accessory.

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[Steve Swan]

stunning so far. will love to see it when your finished. great work.

Thank you for your kind words !

i expect to have the remainder of chassis body parts in the next few days. when a build is in it's final stage and one has assembled as far as one can assemble, does anyone else walk around the project staring, studying and reflecting.......... for hours ? it can't be just me........

[nuklhd]

stunning so far. will love to see it when your finished. great work.