'27 JD Cut Down Project - SWAN

[TechNoir]

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

[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.

[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.

T&O Flywheels 20190107_182254.jpg20190107_190053.jpg1940's Era Switches.jpg20190107_190139.jpg

[nuklhd]

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

[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....

[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]

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 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 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?

[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]

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]

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

[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.

[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.

[Rubone]

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

Communist!!