I have questions about my '39 WLD...

[joel58pan]

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This WLD is new to me. I traded a '58 basket case for it. I know pans and shovels and XL's but have never owned a 45 flathead with a 3spd trans. Assuming I'm on level ground, at what speed should I be shifting from 1st to 2nd? How fast can I go before I shift to 3rd? I know I can't run at high speed without backing off the throttle often to splash oil up into the cylinders and pistons. Just how fast can I expect to go and/or cruise in 3rd comfortably, without hurting anything? How slow can I go in 3rd and 2nd before shifting down?

[Rub]

So, from your thread I get the impression you never rode any of your other stuff, or only very tentatively, right? Because if you had ridden anything normally over the years these questions would not exist. All riding is basically feel and intuition. Speed has little to do with it , especially with the wide ranges of gearing on these bikes. Al these bikes were built to be ridden by all kinds of people. They are not as fragile as some would have you believe. I personally thrash my 45. And it thrives!! Just ride it and all your questions will be answered.
JMHO
Robbie

[c.o.]

All riding is basically feel and intuition.

I would have to say that Robbie nailed it. Get on that great little 45 and ride it!!! When you get the feel of your gearing figured out, it'll be a breeze. You'll have a sweet spot in high gear and I'd say if you're cruising stay with in it's range. It'll let you know when you're pushing it too hard and I'd back out of it a little bit if it starts screaming!!! Snap the throttle shut occasionally on the highway and your engine will love you for it. Spend some time in the saddle and the bike will tell you what it likes.

[Tom Lovejoy]

That's an awesome 45! hope you have a blast with it :-)

[adjusterr]

6-9-2011 10;23;01 PM (620 x 479).jpgEnjoy your 45, you are not going to hurt it, remember, the WLA was the military version and it served our country well. Keep good oil in it and snap the throttle shut occasionally and you will have a ball. If you get to the point where you need a motor re-build check out www.americancyclefab.com. They built an 84" stroked flathead motor for my 1942 Bobber. I built the bike so I could ride interstates and their motor will run at 70 mph with no problem. They also hold the record for the World's fastest flathead. They are now running a 45 flattie at Bonneville. Good luck with your 45, it's a great ride.

[joel58pan]

Thanks for your input. I do know all about the feel and intuition. I've put 10's of K's of miles on my other bikes, but they were all 61" or 74" with a 4spd trans and foot shift. Never had a 45" with a 3spd trans and tank shift, foot clutch. I'm just a little aprehensive about how much I can push this little 750cc, 3spd. When this fresh motor is all broke in can I expect to get 55mph out of it? I'm riding it and still learning.

[c.o.]

It's not unreasonable to think you'll get 55mph out of your bike. It once again all comes back to how your bike is geared. I was tooling along one day on my old 45 and ended up with a crowd of "new" Harleys around me. When I got to the next town, I stopped at an auto parts store for some oil. The folks on the "new" bikes pulled in beside me to ask all the "questions" and marvel how someone would ride such an antique. One of the guys mentioned that I was cruising along pretty good and I had to ask him how fast as my junk re-pop speedo was broken. He said I was at a steady 65mph. Needless to say I was pretty surprised! You will just have to see what the old girl will do after you break it in. Best of luck and don't worry too much. Harley built those bikes for durability. You'd have to really beat the hell out of it to break it.

[Rub]

My 45 runs 65 easily with bursts to 75 if I feel like it. It is also bone stock and not some lightweight "bobber" or such! I wring its neck regularly. They will generally rev higher than Big Twins. And i live at 7500ft with everything going up from here!
Robbie

[c.o.]

Well there ya go. Can I use the excuse that my bike was a detuned ex-military machine Robbie??? I might have been able to get a little more out of it but was too busy enjoying my "time trip" that it never occurred to me. I'll have to get my hands on a 45 again one of these days. It was just too much fun. Oh, and Holy Crap "7500ft"!!!! Man, I didn't realize that if I drove south from place toward New Mexico, that I'd be running uphill!!!

You'll have to report back to us on how yours does after it's broken in Joel!!

[Ohio-Rider]

When to shift? The traffic light turns green. You get halfway thru the intersection and shift to second, (keep hand on shifter) as the first phone pole goes by shift to third.

Mine perfers to be wound up tight much more than being lugged. It purrs like a kitten at 60mph but when approaching 70 she's just about tuckered out.