1927 J update

[ChrisLewis]

Few more pictures of the bike, tank and fenders due back this weekend, and just the wheels to lace and put rubber on, then it is hopefully finished.
Should be able to fire it up next week, (going no where without wheels though).
will take some photo's with the tin in place and post.
not much to do, attach the advance and retard once I put the de compression lever on, connect all the fuel and oil lines, tail light and wheels.

[JoJo357]

I Can 'harley' wait to see it finished Chris--Damn Fine job!!! *M.A.D.* *P.S. L()()ks like an OIF 71' Bonnie hiding behind the J?

[exeric]

That is stunning, Chris; and I love the color. The 1927 is my favorite of the 'Streamlined' JDs, but I don't know why

[ChrisLewis]

Thanks for the comments, and yep that's my old 71 bonny. Back in the day I thought that it was the fastest thing on the planet !
looking for an 850 Norton Commando next, (re living my twenty's !).
Daily ride is a HD Breakout plus the Triumph, sold my WLA as I couldn't get on with it, the riding position seemed to cramped for me, only did 80 miles after a total re-build before I had to let it go.
I had the fourth evolution engine softail in the UK, (30+ years back) came with a four speed box, chain driven, and a kickstart, (should have kept that one). Must have been the last model built with a kickstart. That was back when Triumphs and Norton's where getting trumped by the Jap bikes, and HD's where only seen on American films !
Hope to post some more pictures next week.
Chris (England)

[ChrisLewis]

Hi Eric.
Me to !, I reckon its due to the front end having no brake, thus cleaning the whole front end up, Also the lack of factory options such as a speedo, and ammeter cluttering the tank area.
All of the above I could have done with on several occasions.
great fun though, Sorry officer I couldn't stop very quickly as I only have a back brake (that hardly works), and I didn't know I was speeding as I don't have a speedometer, got to go as I don't know if its charging, Have a nice day !!

[Steve Swan]

that rear brake only FORCES me to THINK about WHEN and WHERE i want to stop. an emergency stop = CRASH ACCIDENT

[whp]

Chris/Steve,

You're very right about that rear brake... Was going down a hill towards a stop sign last Saturday and immediately burned up my rear brake capability on the J. Thought that was the end and was about to ditch it into the river, luckily as it heat up it caught again and slowed me down enough to check for cars coming on the cross street. Then plowed through the sign. NO idea how these bikes were ridden in hill country.

Can get around just fine, it's the stopping that is a bit terrifying.

[Steve Swan]

Probably why the term murdercycle was coined....

[exeric]

All go, no whoa I had a similar situation years ago on my '20J. I came to an intersection, and was going to run the stop sign since there was rarely any traffic on that street. Of course there was on this occasion. I slammed on the brake, the tire rotated on the rim and ripped the valve stem out of the tube, and slowed me right down.

[TechNoir]

I cant imagine how much worse these bikes would be at stopping with a fully loaded sidecar attached.

John

[JoJo357]

My sPeEdWaY Bikes have zero brakes Chris--What is the Problem? haha. Years ago, i had a 1925 JD with a WLA front brake/rim unit setup. Worked pretty g()()d, as long as you used both front and rear in staggered unison, like you're supposed to. I didn't do the modification, it was done by the previous owner, but it was relatively easy, with no butchering either, and it looked like it was factory. Also Race Motorcycle lining/shoes/pads work really well, if you can match something up. C'Ya, *M.A.D.* *P.s* I might have had modified SBS Brakes, not sure. Scandinavian-Braking-Systems.