Some of you may remember I've had this old (1976) Ironhead Sportster kicking around for oh, about the last 34 years or so. I finally well and truly broke it at last year's Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts' Isle of Vashon TT, one of our big local vintage events. It spun the drive side crankpin in the flywheel. As a result, I spent this last winter rebuilding, as well as transforming, the old girl.
Here are a couple of "before" pictures. Pretty much a stock '76 except for some Andrews cams, Wiseco forged 10:1 pistons, and an S&S Super E carb, along with a GMA front brake:
This winter's project turned into far more than just a simple rebuild. I developed a particularly bad case of the "while I'm in theres..."
The motor now has the same Andrews R5 cams (a new set) and Wiseco 10:1's. In addition, it has S&S wheels and rods (stock stroke), Jim's "big axle" lifters, Manley chrome moly pushrods, Kibblewhite valves, and headwork by Baisley (roller rockers, porting, massaged combustion chambers) down in Portland.
Not content with just hot-rodding the motor, I converted the bike from an XLH electric start to an XLCH kick start, dispensing with an awful lot of weight and complexity. In addition, I converted it to right hand shift, as H-D and God himself meant all Sportsters to be. So, here she is, with her fresh makeover, ready for another 30+ years of faithful service:
I can't believe how much smoother and quieter (mechanically, anyway) it is. I'm looking forward to putting some miles on her this summer.