'27 JD Cut Down Project - SWAN

[Steve Swan]

I've seen J cutdowns with modified knuckle tanks, and Super X tanks. I think that is an area where your creativity, and resourcefulness can run wild. Low budgets have also produced great works of art. Throwing money at a bike isn't a guarantee of quality.

Thank you Eric for hopping on board my cutdown/bobber whatever choo-choo train! i welcome your thoughts! i have to admit i really like the flowing graceful look of the standard frame and tanks over the actual Finnegan Speer cutdown frame. and i like the look of the standard battery box filling in the space between the seat post and rear cylinder. i made a decision on the wheels. i sent my rear hub to Buchanan's. they are going to lace one of their 21" aluminum (black anodized) Sun rims, a 2.15 (WM3) and when the time comes, i am going to fit a 21" front wheel with disc brake off something like a 125 or 250 modern-day MX bike. the tires i am going to use are Kenda 90/100-21 657 Challenger's. the mounted diameter of the tire is 28.1", the height and width is 3.7" which i think will go good with my desire to have a look reminiscent of the teen's-early 20's era wheels, 22" i believe. i really like the skinny bicycle look of the large diameter rims/tires... not sure what i would use for fenders, something very plain and smooth. or maybe with a bead running down the middle. there are some interesting fenders on the internet. i will post pics of the Kenda's and the interesting fender i found, but i imagine i need to find a fender that is 21" to fit the radius of the tire even if i am only using a shortened length.....? if any of you guys have ideas, please feel free to share them with me! about all i know for sure is i want the overall appearance to be parts used from the teens to no later than pre-WW2 with exception to modern rims/tires and front brake, so i guess that would also mean a modern front wheel from a dirt bike but with a WM3 rim to accommodate the 90/100 Kenda. also, i think i forgot to mention, my primary finish on the majority of the ferrous parts is Parkerized. i Parkerized the rear hub and the generator frame, end caps, etc and i think they all look really sharp.

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[Rubone]

Throwing money at a bike isn't a guarantee of quality.

Communist!!

[exeric]

I've seen J cutdowns with modified knuckle tanks, and Super X tanks. I think that is an area where your creativity, and resourcefulness can run wild. Low budgets have also produced great works of art. Throwing money at a bike isn't a guarantee of quality.

[Steve Swan]

Ha! it means spend what i have now because if i don't, i won't have it later. thanks for the facebook tip on Matt.

[Rubone]

You can probably get Matt on Facebook! As for "fixed income" I'm not sure what that means, as mine is broken!!

[Steve Swan]

Thank you for your reply Robbie! would the best way to get ahold of Matt Walksler be through Wheels Through Time website? i will put Jethro in my file for future reference. another thing i notice quite different with these cutdown frames is that casting at the seatpost tube, it is a "double-barrel" sort of affair. is that casting a special part made for the cutdown? it doesn't look like a part off of a loop or later frame. the one constraint i have is being on a bit of a fixed income, so whatever part turns up that i can talk myself into affording is the part i will likely wind up with. i am afraid the cutdown frame and tank combo are going to be out of my league cost-wise, nonetheless, i shall check them out.

[Rubone]

Most of the tanks were made from original tanks sectioned and chopped. Not something to do to a pair these days. Matt Waklsler built a cutdown a few years back, he may have some insight. Jethro Smith may be able to make you some. Replicant Metals also has several types of J tanks.

[Steve Swan]

Steve, I to am only 5'9" but that doesn't mean that shorter or taller people can't fit these frames ( moving footboards, seat, adjust the bars, etc). A regular j model is tall for me with a 28" inseam. A cut down frame sets more like a knucklehead frame which was sort of their first frame to be dropped in the seat area for a lower center of gravity. If you scale out Eric's frame picture by blowing it up to about the scale of a full size j frame you'll have your dimensions in front of you. Think Kinko's! You can do it. Rich

what is used for gas tanks on these cutdown frames? they look like they are special, home made. or were they a tank people bought back in the day? are these tanks being made today?

[RichO]

Steve, I to am only 5'9" but that doesn't mean that shorter or taller people can't fit these frames ( moving footboards, seat, adjust the bars, etc). A regular j model is tall for me with a 28" inseam. A cut down frame sets more like a knucklehead frame which was sort of their first frame to be dropped in the seat area for a lower center of gravity. If you scale out Eric's frame picture by blowing it up to about the scale of a full size j frame you'll have your dimensions in front of you. Think Kinko's! You can do it. Rich

[Steve Swan]

Steve, I'd find a stock frame in fair condition and modify it to match the photo of Eric's. No one I know makes them today. They have to be made like they used to be, by the owner as Sam Oppie, Lance Tidwell, John Cameron, and the rest are long gone. Forks should be even easier. Love all the stuff you've gathered for the bike. Keep at it. Regards, Rich

Thanks Rich. i have been told those cutdown frames were originally made by or for short guys in the 5 foot tall area and are too small for taller guys, maybe like myself who is 5'9" i am debating just going with an original frame, of course i have no frame, but after surfing the internet looking at bikes with cutdown frames i think i like the appearance of the factory sport solo tanks more than the cutdown tanks. do you know who has specs or measurements on these cut down frames? when it comes to a frame, i certainly have not made my mind up. sort of hoping i can connect with someone who can either share more info or steer me in that direction.

[RichO]

Steve, I'd find a stock frame in fair condition and modify it to match the photo of Eric's. No one I know makes them today. They have to be made like they used to be, by the owner as Sam Oppie, Lance Tidwell, John Cameron, and the rest are long gone. Forks should be even easier. Love all the stuff you've gathered for the bike. Keep at it. Regards, Rich

[Steve Swan]

I look forward to these updates steve. keep em coming.

Thanks nuklhd! i forgot to mention my cylinders are with Jon Neuman being bored and fitted with Venolia pistons and rings. he is fitting rollers to JIMS pins and Carillo rods and fitting new rollers to the drive shaft and bushing. it sounds like i should have everything back in a couple or three weeks, then my buddy and i will balance and true the flywheels. i will post pictures of the process when the time comes. i still need to find a frame and forks....

[nuklhd]

I look forward to these updates steve. keep em coming.

[Steve Swan]

i thought i'd post a couple pics to give a vague idea what direction my '27 cut down project seems to be going for the moment... i got this cool pair of automotive switches off ebay for $10, i am guessing they are 1940's era....? they fit inside the original switch panel perfectly, when i have a set of forks i will make up a bracket or brackets to attach the panel to the upper fork clamp. and... my new flywheels arrived today! when the time comes, i am planning with a local buddy's help to balance and true the flywheels. my 1915 Model T headlight and mount with Spreadlight lens should be here maybe by the end of the week. last week i sent out the 29 "JD Jugs" to get bored and fitted with pistons.

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[Steve Swan]

Looking good Steve. I was just wondering the other day how this project was getting on

To mis-quote John "Hannibal" Smith: I love it when a plan starts coming together!

John

Thanks John for your kind words. yes, it is in the embryo stage.