Thanks Ron for nice sentiment---having finally given up on 3 of the 4 sportster based projects I have been obsessed with,if you or any other cub member were interested--I could make research info available for you on these projects.
I think however, you do yourself a disservice--as Clint Eastwood said in Dirty Harry--and I agree-- "a man has got to know his limitations"....this has certainly been my mantra,for the tricky bits, but I am sure you could do the same as me(ie: find someone suitably skilled for other bits) Apart from simple fabrication ie: engine &/exhaust brackets /wiring/wheel building etc. that I did myself........everything specialised was done locally.(except Stu hand making copies of his XR swing arm /engine mount for goliath in his shed in Bedlington, and the grinding of cams by Phil Joy in Essex)
Therefore, whenever my bikes have come under scrutiny ,again to quote Allan Girdler--" every good thing you see on the bike --was not done by me"...sums it up.
list of projects are as follows:
1.Baja sportster (Larry Berquist version--Bornhurst R/R version) circa. 1971-73
2.Turnip Eater(Leo Payne--also 1/4 horse variant) 1965--1968
3.Lawwill lightweight TT factory bike(also KR R/R) 1964 -1971
4.Jim Belland Goliath(Brelesford TT factory bike,then a commuting bike ,before being amateur raced by Vance Breeze)1967-1988 aprox.
Finally despite Patricks concerns I think it is worth taking a gamble-I modded this aftermarket (with thick crown),AE piston(given to me by Richard stringer) as the original 1957 7:1 are not available and the iron XR tuning guide for Larry,s bike as well as Mert / Jim approach to TT tuning required a low profile piston-so far so good but 1/4" was certainly a lot to take off!
Also because pistons for early type 900-- large recess was machined for 115/16" intakes.(main benefit ,full burn & ,I can kick start sitting in saddle!)
I would suggest a separate thread for each project should anyone out there be interested.
I think however, you do yourself a disservice--as Clint Eastwood said in Dirty Harry--and I agree-- "a man has got to know his limitations"....this has certainly been my mantra,for the tricky bits, but I am sure you could do the same as me(ie: find someone suitably skilled for other bits) Apart from simple fabrication ie: engine &/exhaust brackets /wiring/wheel building etc. that I did myself........everything specialised was done locally.(except Stu hand making copies of his XR swing arm /engine mount for goliath in his shed in Bedlington, and the grinding of cams by Phil Joy in Essex)
Therefore, whenever my bikes have come under scrutiny ,again to quote Allan Girdler--" every good thing you see on the bike --was not done by me"...sums it up.
list of projects are as follows:
1.Baja sportster (Larry Berquist version--Bornhurst R/R version) circa. 1971-73
2.Turnip Eater(Leo Payne--also 1/4 horse variant) 1965--1968
3.Lawwill lightweight TT factory bike(also KR R/R) 1964 -1971
4.Jim Belland Goliath(Brelesford TT factory bike,then a commuting bike ,before being amateur raced by Vance Breeze)1967-1988 aprox.
Finally despite Patricks concerns I think it is worth taking a gamble-I modded this aftermarket (with thick crown),AE piston(given to me by Richard stringer) as the original 1957 7:1 are not available and the iron XR tuning guide for Larry,s bike as well as Mert / Jim approach to TT tuning required a low profile piston-so far so good but 1/4" was certainly a lot to take off!
Also because pistons for early type 900-- large recess was machined for 115/16" intakes.(main benefit ,full burn & ,I can kick start sitting in saddle!)
I would suggest a separate thread for each project should anyone out there be interested.