Motor work on a 1916 H-D

[exeric]

I have learned that when I take a motorcycle apart, it is wise to stay on course; provided I don't walk everything off a cliff. Most motorcycles come apart easily, so it doesn't take long to have a motor-less frame. My goal is to have a decent running motor which it has not been. It did run, but very hard to start, and ran poorly when it did. It has a rebuilt (hot) magneto, and a L&L carb in place of the mysterious Schebler. I am far from being any kind of engine mechanic, and in spite of Harley-Davidson's excellent J era motor assembly guides, I never got it to run well. So, I have a theory that it has low compression, even though it needed a healthy kick to get anything out of it. Even with low compression, I would think it would at least stay running but low on power. I'll get into that when this project is further along, so, this is where I am at right now.

augj1a.jpg aug16b1.jpg aug16c1.jpg

[exeric]

By the way, I did hug my Harley today and I can tell you that motor is a lot heavier than it looks, and I am weaker than I thought . . . Did hork it onto the bench though.

aug16e1.jpg aug16f1.jpg

[PaulCDF]

Nice Eric; always and inspiration you have me looking at my 741 parts pile Indian and trying to inventory and give myself some illusion of organization. Like that engine stand.

[exeric]

I've made steel engine stands that become useless hunks of garbage that you have too much work into and can't bring yourself to throw away. I won't shed a tear when this wooden stand has served it's purpose.

[PaulCDF]

I hear you; I get running around "in the weeds" around a project trying to create "the perfect setup" when I should just sit my A** down and get to work.

[exeric]

Will a 1917 and later J series cam work in a1916 motor? I have the later 4 lobe cam in my '16 motor with the later cam followers. I have been told that a '17 and later cam and followers will work in the earlier twin motors but I'm trying to make sure I cover the bases, and why this motor isn't running well. I did find the piston rings were quite stuck with thick oily goo so I wonder if that was a problem. As I have said many times, I am not a motor guy so any advice would be appreciated.

[exeric]

I'll keep posting until someone tells me I'm screwing everything up. I washed the aluminum cases, and covers in ALL detergent and lightly scrubbed with a low aggessive 'Scotch-Brite' pad. The steel parts will be cleaned with diesel fuel.

aug22b1.jpg aug22a1.jpg

[knucklehead 61]

yes, the 17-29 type 4 lobe cam is a drop in for 15-16 (& possibly 11-14 twins as well) & is a performance upgrade.
J motors like a lot of advance. too little will make them hard to start.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

They are heavy. Heck, even prewar singles are heavy.

Be nice to those pistons. I wrap rags around conrods to avoid any risk of knocking a skirt.

I adore making up simple wooden boxes for stands. I’ve tried the steel stands and sold them on. I like just putting together a simple h or a box.

While a lot of guys scoff at 5:1 or 4:1 bikes, when you have cylinder volumes of 500cc or more, you’re getting a lot of stuff moving. I find I often need to boot “low” compression bikes more than I’d think.

I once had a flatty with hairy cams that barely developed 80psi on a compression gauge. It had fantastic leak down numbers, though. It was a stout bike to start. It also ran very sweetly and pulled quite well. I never disassembled it. I simply tuned it and enjoyed.

[chuckthebeatertruck]

I like your photos, Eric. They have a very nice quality that suits the motor well.

[JoJo357]

I'm enjoying the progress and quality pictures Eric~Keep it going & Great Luck.

*M.A.D.*

[PaulCDF]

Looks Great Eric keep posting

[montuckymatt]

Love these pictures. Sometimes just looking at the things around the bike are almost as good as the bike. Garage walls and workbench’s tell stories too. Lovely all around.