Hrdly-Dangrs' Project Sportster Drag Bike

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

Well, finally a pic of my Iron Head Sportster 'Drag Bike' project I've been working on. Right now its set up to run legally on the street, (barely...w/ temporary forward foot pegs, lights, small mirror and a horn that goes Beep!.. Ha!) There's no generator, so it runs 'Total Loss' electrics, (waiting on the Joe Hunt Magneto) Been twisting the throttle at the stop lights and one or two sections of Rt23 and Rt80 while I make adjustments. Still a lot of work to go!! Been busy working on the rear aluminum struts and fender supports as well as the rear shifter/brake sets. Putting the NOS Aluminum wheels and hubs together at this time also. Will get started on the Fiberglass 'false' fuel tank shell and rear fender soon. Lot's to do!! Remember I'm keeping it to 'Period' Parts and HP Mods only, so there's more researching and parts scouting yet to do also. No hurry....as I want it to be correct to show at AMCA and hopefully a dependable/consistant Racer! Check the 'Parts Wanted' site for some of the things I still need....It changes as I find the parts and add/change others. Thanks L.A for re-sizing the photo for me!! Someday I'll fiqure out how to get it done myself...don't hold your breath though...cause I have a small brain and thick skull!! Takes some time for these new fangled electronic stuff to sink in!! Ha!...Later..:cool: ..Hrdly-Dangrs........NOW LET'S TALK SPORTSTERS......

[61 panman]

Hrdly,
That is sharp..!!!! to put it mildly. It must be a blast to ride. I hope you bring it to Harmony this year so we can check it out in person. RIDE ON
Doug

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

Thanks Doug. It's been a fun project to date. I have a spot at Harmony and will be bringing the Sporty with me. Does make for a great Street bike and 'Bar Hopper'. But it's destined to be a legit Drag Bike....Should have the 18" R and 19" F NOS Aluminum wheels on it by then as well as the Aluminum rear struts and rear sets. I don't know, theres something about these old Ironhead Sportsters....Maybe the sound and vibrations....whatever....All I know is whenever I jump on this bike and run it thru the gears I feel 17 years old again!......:cool: .....Hrdly-Dangrs

[L. A.]

would you mind if I posted the pic on another site? I've got some friends who would love to see this bike! :rolleyes:

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

Sure......:cool: ...Hrdly-Dangrs

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

I Recently spotted a set of XR-750 style aluminum front motor mounts for sale on e'bay. The seller had made several for a customer and had 1 set left over. Unfortunately I missed bidding on them. Fortunately I kept his e'mail address and after contacting him I commisioned him to make me up a set for my Drag bike project. However, mine will have a series of holes drilled in them to lighten them further and go along with the 'Pecker Head' theme of the bike. These will be made from aircraft quality aluminum so they should hold up well. While these parts are being CNC machined, they are a Period correct mod and could be produced by the machining tools of the time. They're due to ship by Saturday or Monday. If these come out well, I will likely collaberate on the aluminum rear struts and rear sets I'm working on. The combination of these components will easily drop another 10-15 lbs of the bikes weight and provide me with the corrrect seating/shifting stance I'm looking for. One more step to getting this bike on the track & down the 1/4 mile! I'll up-date and report back with the results of the front mounts after fitting them to the bike. Maybe worth a pic too....Later...:cool: Hrdly-Dangrs

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

Been a busy Summer, what with getting a local Car/Motorcycle Show up and going, so I haven't done much to the Sportster Drag Bike project. Mostly just hauled it around to a few shows and ran it thru the gears on Rt23 and Rt80! I did get the front motor mounts in...really nice! Complete with holes of course!! Will put them on over the winter along with the Rear Sets and Struts. I'l get a pic of them up for you to see this week. The 18" and 19" aluminum wheels are all trued and polished and awaiting their new tires. Keeping with the Period Modified theme, I'll use an Avon Speedmaster on front. For the rear, I'll likely use a street/strip Dunlop for actual drag racing. I've been in contact with an old biker buddy of mine that still has his original Avon Drag Slick rear tire/aluminum 18" wheel combo off his 74" stroker MUCH MODIFIED Sportster from the late sixties. (YES...He still has the Sportster too...untouched and unridden since around 1980!!) He'll loan me the wheel combo when I bring the Sportster to Harmony next year to remain Period Correct. Won't be long and I'll be eligible to show it in the Competition Class as well as the new Period Modified Class .....PERIOD CORRECT.....YOU BET!! Looks like its going to be a busy Winter too! In Keeping with the 'Period Correct' Sportster Drag Bike Theme.... I have manage to score an old Bolens Tractor, vintage late 60's which I plan to use as my Pit/Tow Vehicle and Parts Chaser. Neat looking little thing. Reminds me of a '32 Duece Roadster. Soon as I seen it....Visions of 'Rat Fink' and 'Maltese Crosses' immediately jumped into my 48 going on 9 years old brain!! Somebody had done a fast 'red' paint job on the front hood and the rear fender/seat assembly. Naturally, I can't leave well enough alone, so...break out the striping tape and layout a nice 50's scallop design...mask off and paint some great white scallops...and outline it in some nice purple pinstriping....COOL....Now, drill a couple holes in the upper left and right front corner area of the hood and pop in a couple of glass 'blue dots'....WOW....got to layout a Bad Ass Maltese Cross (in Black of course) outline in white pinstripe on the red grille....NEAT.......and lets put one on the back for the hell of it....hhmmm....I know....lets put a matching 'Pecker Head' decal right in the center of the rear Maltese Cross....YEAH....outline it in white pinstripe too......WHOA.....somethings missing.....A SKULL...Got to have a SKULL.....OK...found a nice one with red glass eyes...eight ball sized...put it right on that tall lever....you know the one that drops the mower cutting deck (thats no longer there....nope...don't need that anymore...no grass on the blacktop)..... and lets not forget the '8-Ball' for the shifter.....NICE! Starting to look like a Pit/Tow Vehicle! Pop on a new chrome tow ball and make up an extension for the rear frame...need a place to bolt the old wooden Coca-Cola crate to for all the parts I'm looking for....Yep you guessed it....."Lots More To Come".....Need a couple of old MC headlamps for the front and maybe a cats eye tail/brake light too, paint the wheels red and blah..blah...blah....NEVER ENDS!!....SPECS??....Nice old Wisconsin 'Thumper'...8.5 H.P., Single Cylinder, Air Cooled, FLATHEAD, Cast Iron Engine w/Aluminum Head and Bendix Carb....similiar to the old 'Mustang' Motorcycles engines.....drives a 6 spd Hi/Lo, no synchros w/reverse, adjustable 'Posi' type rear transaxle!.....It loves to pull the front wheels!!.....Just like the Sportster!!.....C-O-O-O-O-L MAN!!....I think I'll break out the TIKI glasses and mix me some Rum and Cokes....I may not think STOCK....But I'm PERIOD CORRECT!!....:cool: Hrdly-Dangrs.....PS....tried putting on a pic but it turned out crappy. Will take more pics tomorrow at lower pix level on camera....should make for better photo here.

[L. A.]

You need parts????????????

Lotsa m/c swap mets comin up!
Walneck's, Olney, etc.
:D

[k. anderson]

just informed my chapter,
sunflower... kansas, oklahoma, nebraska n colorada...
..that i am in the process of putting togather a
...vintage drag bike.
have been attending the truitt & osborne bike drags for over 20 years... not that i would ever go mid 10's 125 mph, on a lay down frame.. 72/73...
but already have a pit girl... aka (jungle jim n pam)...

http://www.legacy.com/Kansas/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=2070739

looking for a younger rider, with health and life insurance.
plan is to roll it out of the van at the next t&o race..
3rd weekend of august...

anderson engineering...
kk

[k. anderson]

....

something like this
only at the bike drags...

...
with a vintage drag bike


http://www.junglepam.com/photos.html


will be at the lonestar shoot out sunday for the finals
ahdra

riding out there on a new fat boy (rental)
and i do not like new harley's or very many of the people that ride them,
but iwill try anything twice
kk

[AdminGuy]

OK! I'll give it a hole shot. I'm 37. 5'10", 190lbs., straight leg inseam 30", full leathers w/ armor, will travel, circuit road racing bkg., able wrench, always helpful, no baggage, easy going. Was pushing fr eng. dragster into converted school bus at 14yrs old. Lightem' up!

[mmoore]

hrdly maybe you can help me need to find info and parts got a s&s b model allegely early 70s with a super bowl float bowl need a acc. pump kit to fix it cant seem to find one yet were these a aftermarket bowl?

[koanes]

The accelerator pump bowls I installed long ago were made by the "Cafe Parts Co." or something like that. They use the Bendix carb pump, Accel makes a good one. I think the later bowls made in China used the Bendix pump as well.

[VPH-D]

Weren't the aftermarket bowls also sold by someplace called Accello-Bowl? Or something like that? Did Zippers sell a bowl with a pump, or was it just some kind of mid-range jet? Is there any reason you couldn't use a Super 'E'?
VPH-D

[mmoore]

I would not mind a g or e but my magneto is something i dont want to part with I only have 5 wires on this bike and no battery as simple as I can get. I tried to contact s&s to see if any mods would let a g fit but they havent replied yet (since last fall)I do want to try to keep it period modified correctly

[VPH-D]

If you're into period modified, why not try an S&S G, or GAL carb?
I think they clear the magneto with use of the 1" spacer. Or is that what you are running now?
VPH-D

[mmoore]

going to run this s&s b model with a adjustable main jet so I can run gas or alcohol as we have 85%alcohol 15%gas available at gas stations here in iowa. I might have to adjust it for straight gas if i get out of state. lean out the main and im ready for the gas again.so I got a 1968 ironhead flex fuel bike with no sensors or electrics to screw up on me.

[HarleyCreation]

Is that bike what they call a "sleeper"?

I'm getting interested in older Sportsters....

[mmoore]

shhh! Iowa state patrol just got a fleet of those new dodge chargers that can run 140+MPH just trying to keep up! the spacer will work on the b model this one has a pump so it was ready but now the heads are going to be polished just as soon as I build my flow bench(using a large shop vac and some big vacume gauges) A old ironhead in a second gear wheelie is fun!

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

WOW, would you believe how much time has gone by since I first post this Thread.

Been meaning to take this sticky photo down, but figured I'd leave it up for inspiration...MY OWN THAT IS...HA!!

As to whether I've actually completed the project...the answer is NO...not yet. Still collecting parts and manufacturing (myself) the parts I want to use on this bike.

Meanwhile, this 74XLCH so-called "Drag Bike" has been relagated to street use only...especially since I sold off my BT project last year (don't ask). Although the 74 hasn't Officially seen the local Drag Strip...'YET'.... Its sure is fun blasting off from the red lights around here. Surprised some of those jap multi's now and then.

I have to say though that its been damn reliable and has taken one hell of an abuse these past couple seasons. From full on throttle runs to Yes, even having to suffer the installation of a OEM white 'Buddy' seat to accomodate the missus!!! Yikes.

Since Winter will be upon us before we know it, I think perhaps I'll hole up this year in my shop and get those much needed parts finished. The rear sets/strut combo are going to be priority one.

I'll take the bike down to its nuts and bolts and check out wear patterns and replace/rebuild whatever is needed. The barrels have held up good and to me they are 'seasoned' and I'll clean them up with a fresh bore/hone. If I can afford it, I'm considering a new S&S crank...again if I can afford it. That would be a real luxury item for me. Might be out of the question thou since the project was always a backyard garage 'Period Correct' street legal Weekend type Drag Bike.

By-the-way...in case anyone has considered drilling holes thru their Heads fins like I have but fear cracking of the fins.....to date no fins have broke or cracked from vibration. So give it a try if you like the look. I did all the heads fins both vertical and horizontal where i could get a drill bit thru on this bike.

I have nothing but good things to say for the S&S 'E' carb. Just a great carb and 'Period Correct' in looks. I've Only used the Tear Drop air filter, but will re-jet and put on the 4' Velocity stack once I get it to the track.

In the weight department, I should be able to shed some more lbs off the bike by next season thru various aluminum/fiberglass parts. Of course I have been able to shed 20lbs off the rider portion of the total Rider/Bike weight combination. Belive me that's harder then replacing steel parts with home made aluminum ones...HA!!

Well that's it.....REMEMBER....IRONHEADS RULE!!...and

NEVER GROW UP NEITHER...YOU'LL JUST FIND YOURSELF GETTING OLD....:cool: Hrdly

[mmoore]

I would like to see a pic of your drilled fins been thinking about doing that also.

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

MMoore, I have to correct my sentence on that last post....It should read that I drilled both the 'HEADS' fins.

I will correct the last post. After re-reading it, it appears that I was saying I also drilled the cylinder fins...which I did not at the time...BUT I will be doing that this year.

I have a couple of photos...I will try to post them here on this thread in the next couple minutes....If I can't I'll e'mail them to you.

I always like drilled out fins...just a real Hot Rod type thing one did back in the old days. :cool: Hrdly

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

OK, here goes...a photo of the left side of the heads.

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

Heres another shot, different angle...this one gets a good shot of all the fins.

I want to drill the cylinder fins also. The trick is going to be lining up the holes with the heads. Bolting the head to the cylinder for initial marking should do it for some of them, but not others because as you can see by the photo I can't get a drill bit or pencil thru all the holes to make the line-up mark on the top cylinder fin. :cool: Hrdly

Hey...how do you like that Primary cover?? That's a whole story in itself.

[mmoore]

very nice the heads look great(except the red rocker nuts always hated them) silver on black cyls is not common around here looks sharp love the primary also I been thinking of how to fabricate a cover for my 68 It will be easy as I dont have a button starterI have a primary belt a spacer and a tin cover now well I better get my drill ready this winter

[mmoore]

ps use a L shaped scribe to line up the holes

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

Ok, here's the story on this primary cover since you mentioned a primary belt and spacer on yours.

When I first picked-up this bike my sole intention was to build a weekend 'Period Correct' 1974 Sporty Drag Bike. In my head I pretty much knew what I wanted to do to it and the period H.P parts I wanted to use and would need to find.

Enter the Primo belt drive system. I wanted a belt drive, which were available for the early Ironheads but not being manufactured anymore. Of course I went to searching and after a short while found one on E'bay sans the belt itself. Next a little measuring and checking of needed teeth/length belt I needed and bingo, I found a new belt. that would fit.

With that done I turned my sights to the aluminum Primary cover itself, I knew how I wanted to cut it and of course it would be lightened further with holes. That accomplished I set the finished primary cover aside.

What I did not know at the time was that I would have to make a couple mods to the front sprocket...namely turn down the back side of the sprockets external ridge where it slips over the crankshaft and inside the front crankshaft seal. (I learned the hard way about this by not checking and 'ASS'uming it would just go same fit as the stock metal tooth sproket.)

The early Belt Drive sprocket has a wider crankshaft/seal boss O.D. diameter which will not allow it to go into the 1974 crankshaft seal. In other words if you try to bolt it on without checking seal fit, you will crush the 1974 crankshaft seal...TRUST ME ON THIS ONE....Ha!

OH and by the way...The original advertisement for this early Belt Drive listed the 74XLCH inclusive for the mod....WRONG.

Having tapped and plug up the common hole between the transmission and primay cavity and making a breather tube for the transmission thru a drilled hole in one of the rear tranny motor mount bolts, bolting on the whole belt drive set-up...mind you before I realized the issue about the seal/front sprocket thing. I set off down the road for a test run.....

Beautiful...unbelievably quiet and smooth....I'll order a couple extra belts right away. The weight differance between the stock metal sprocket/chain set-up and the aluminum hub/belt set is a lot. Wow I thought this is great!! a couple lbs off the primary drive system will definitely make for quick revs and more gained H.P. Yeah Great....

Great alright....that is until I got back to the shop where upon looking down to check my handi-work I see my left pant leg and newly cut primay cover full of oil. What the hell??

Put the bike up on the lift and as I was going over the mods I'd made to keep oil from getting into the now open primary side I decided to take off the belt drive set-up and have a closer look.

Here's what I found out.

1. Crushed the crankshaft seal....ok I'll have to turn down the front belt drive pully as mentioned earlier....no problem just put it on the lathe. Problem solved.

2. Oil getting onto the belt and primary and everywhere.....But from where??....Front seal???...no, surprising not even though the seal was crushed...no oil leaking there. Then where??

3. Surprise!!....oil was weeping out from the clutch basket shaft where it enters into the Clutch basket. Why??...beacuse the 71 and later XLCH has a different clutch Basket set-up which doesn't include the earlier style clutch hub seal.

Remember, the earlier Sporty could run a dry Primary belt set-up and open primary because of the type of enclosed clutch cover...you know that tin 'Baby Moon' type cover that bolts to the clutch basket with a thin paper gasket.

Yep turns out the trans oil on the 1974 will weep out thru the clearance in the clutch hub shaft and bearing area and centrifical force will throw the oil all over the spinng clutch basket onto everything in sight

Who Knew..certainly not me at the time.

Only solution would be to dismantle the transmission pull the shaft from the clutch basket area and machine in some type of groove to install a seal of some type, plus replace the tranny bearing with a shielded one....PHEW...not going to happen for me anytime soon I figured.

So I sold off the belt drive (with appropriate warnings as to what year XL'x it will and will not fit) on E'bay. removed the initial mods I made and Installed another unmolested primary cover and went back to a wet clutch...for now.

I have a nice wall hanging of a cut-down and drilled out 74 XLCH Primary cover. :cool: Hrdly

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

Originally posted by mmoore
I been thinking of how to fabricate a cover for my 68 It will be easy as I dont have a button starterI have a primary belt a spacer and a tin cover now well I better get my drill ready this winter

Since you have the belt drive system with the 1"or so spacer, what about using a flat piece of aluminum, cut out a hole at the rear portion just enough to clear the clutch basket and tin cover, then drill it full of nicely spaced holes and finish off with nice hand polishing or maybe even have the flat aluminum cover done up in an engine turn pattern leaving it solid or adding drilled holes. :cool: Hrdly

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

Originally posted by mmoore
ps use a L shaped scribe to line up the holes

Good idea. I'll use it. Thanks. :cool: Hrdly

[mmoore]

that would work! cut ironhead in it and add a led lite to lite it up inside going to make a few drawings now thanks

[mmoore]

by the way I got a early iornhead frame (pre vin) been cut on rear top just in back of the shock mount wasting space in my garage

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

When you say rear top just before shock mount...do you mean just the shock mount on either side have been cut off or is the top seat post area gone too??

Can a hard tail section be welded on?? You know the ones that are seen on e'bay...I forget who makes them..but they've been selling them for many, many years now. :cool: Hrdly

[mmoore]

the shock mount is still there but the strut part is gone cut right behind the shock mount it had a bolt on hardtail before me

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

What do you want for it?? :cool: Hrdly

[mmoore]

mmoore56@netins.net got to go to work now contact me

[Hrdly-Dangrs]

Will do....I'll e'mail you tomorrow night. :cool: Hrdly