I've got a 45" WLA bobber that is fun but EVEN the bombcanned flame paint job won't get it going fast enough. Does anyone know if it is the BSA or Triumph******* that can be adapted.
how fast do you want to go? mine will run 80. a different trans will still have 1 to 1 ratio high gear. go with a bigger motor sprocket for more top end, SU carbs are the best, use hi compression aluminum heads, copper headgaskets, the large intake and then WR cams if you can. The B&H foot shifter will allow you to run off and leave other 45s but do not increase top speed
Manyolcars is correct...in the old days stock 45*******s were replaced with the big twin*******, not for more top end but because the 45 trans (as you know) has the primary on one side any the drive on the other. With this set up the trans tends to twist in the frame but using the big trans(74"-80") with both chain on the same side (left) the trans will stay in place.......I have put rather large trans. sprockets on 45 inchers but you do loose most of the low end.....bottom line, they ain't fast. CT.
thy are called 45 for a reason.... but any 59 or down pre uunit bsa or trump will fit... how bout putting a evo sporty unit on the frame u will go real fast
I've heard you can stroke the flatties with the crank and rods from a indian chief, or something like that. gives you something like 58" if you want to get even crazier you could look into adapting a kh/kr top end, better breathing yet
Just sell it to me cheap and you can take the cash and buy a used rice-rocket and go as fast as you want!
Now.....THIS is a good tech post!!!!!...any more ideas??......Manyolkars...are you talking about the WR intake?...can I just clean out my WL? I have the aluminum heads...how about a small amount of milling on them? Thanks.....hatch
All the easy stuff has been mentioned: Motor Sprocket bigger (stock for most Solos was 29 - they make 31, 32, 33) - you lose some off-the-line, but gain freeway speed capability. 1st gear is pretty low, so it isn't too bad. Better carb - SU is probably best, but Mikuni is cheaper. Drag pipes Tranny swap - pre-unit Brit bike*******s can be adapted to get 4-spds. Doesn't necessarily help top end (depending), but definitely better ratio spacing! If you want to get into it some - they are repro-ing DD/DR & WR cams these days. They ain't cheap for the set, but... You can also use K/KR or early Sportster cams, but this requries machine work to the cases. KK cams will also work (if you can find some) Then there's the 45 magnum - not or the faint of heart as it requires serious & major alterations to your engine. If you're just after more top end, step up to an 18" rear rim a-la WLA. It ain't much, but it's a little... Good luck!
If you want more power... use pipes that connect... ya get some scavanging like on a set of headers. My .02
Thanks Ernie...What is the original application of the SU that works on these?...are they available "new"?? I'm looking to keep mine a flathead, so that leaves out the sportster top end conversion. I didn't know the hot cams were being re-popped...that would be a help. I'm not gonna ride like I was on my old stroker, so the stock trans is OK for me. But...the top end gearing is something I will do. Good tips.....thanks....hatch
[ QUOTE ] Thanks Ernie...What is the original application of the SU that works on these?...are they available "new"?? I'm looking to keep mine a flathead, so that leaves out the sportster top end conversion. I didn't know the hot cams were being re-popped...that would be a help. I'm not gonna ride like I was on my old stroker, so the stock trans is OK for me. But...the top end gearing is something I will do. Good tips.....thanks....hatch [/ QUOTE ] Sifton still makes hot cams for all the flatheads. Most of them are old Connely grinds. Can't remember the numbers but I'm sure that they know. We used to use the SUs carbs from a Volvo (about '59 or so) if I recall they were about 38mm. You can get 40s from an older Jag, but they were overkill on the small motor.
The SUs came on Brit cars as previously mentioned. I don't know if you can get 'em new or not. I've never used one and am more familiar with the Mikunis due to my ATC racing days as a kid. They're cheap & plentiful. 45 Restoration 45 Restoration has the repop DR cams (I think), but they get over $400 for the set. They also sell a Mikuni kit, but you can piece it together yourself for much cheaper. 45 Parts Depot 45 Parts Depot is supposedly repoping the WR cams, but their website says "coming summer 03", so I don't know if they've got them or not. To be honest, I don't know what the difference is between DR & WR cams and would imagine they'd be similiar, if not identical. Victory Library Victory Library has books/booklets & parts (including stroker flywheels just like Indian Chief) KNS Cams KNS Cams regrinds your cams. Info on the victory page. Good Luck!
My dad has a stroked Sport Scout, 57ci with cheif wheels. I think the Indian trick is for indian only but, I think you could try UL 80" wheels or the JD 74"ers. The DR cams are the same(I think)as the WR, but there was a difference between pre war and post war WR cams. There was a guy in No. California named Barry Shunk(sp?)he was a cam grinder that did mostly flat head stuff, both the H-D and Indian, his cams are still around think lots or overlap and Mild lift WTFO throttle. -Jesse
Well my plan for the bike includes Indian chief flywheels which strokes it to 54 inches (which I already have) and the better breathing K-model upper end (which i still need to find) Any help on finding the K upper? or the*******. I still have some carb and brake work to do but next summer it should be going reliably. It aint bad for a high school graduation gift though.
[ QUOTE ] I think the Indian trick is for indian only but, I think you could try UL 80" wheels or the JD 74"ers. [/ QUOTE ] Lots of folks used the Chief flywheels in the WL engines. Not sure you could even close the cases on a set of UL wheels. Remember the 45 engine was considerably smaller. Someone is, however, repoping the stroker wheels and Victory is selling them (can't find the original supplier) for reasonable (~$260) Lots of folks just change intake cams as the exhaust outflows the intake by quite a margin stock. As mentioned, you can machine the cases to accept early Sportster (pre 70) cams which opens up a lot of options if you're really hard-over. Is Sifton still around?
Since a K model is a flathead, how much HP would you gain for the expense involved??..If you are gonna change the top end, why not use the sportster (magnum) conversion?
[ QUOTE ] If you are gonna change the top end, why not use the sportster (magnum) conversion? [/ QUOTE ] cases arent up to the task, unless you like putting around like an old man.........which negates any power increases but I'll digress to some more knowledgeable people........
Well I might just be a punk 18 year old kid but I really know my 45 harleys. First of all the big twin trannies will not work because they are backwards of a 45, the chain goes out the other side Next I Aint runnin one of them New fangled Mikuni Thangs chief flywheels will drop into a 45 but the shafts are different so with a slight modification or switching shafts you get 53 or 54 cubes K model cylinders will bolt on a 45 A 45 magnum is just a high priced bomb 45 cases will not stand up to a newer sportster upper Anyone know the specific english trannies (years+makes) which can be used? Can any one help me find a K upper or the right english*******
I would still like to know how much HP increase do you get with a K model topend??...I think I might know where I can get one, but is it worth the expense?
Maybe I'm reading you wrong, but don't get defensive - no one said differently. You're just getting a lot of opinions and good questions. Oh don't let that stop you - swap wheels to a left-side drive. They can be made to work. If you're willing to stick K cylinders & Indian flywheels in yer engine, why let something as trivial as changing your drive side bother you? Remember, SUs are foreign too and Mikunis, while newer than SUs, have been around quite a while - a lot longer than you! Not loads, but better than port/polish/relieve stock flathead probably. They redesigned the ports quite a bit on the K I believe. While I've never done it, I don't think it's quite a bolt-on mod though... Good Luck!
For being a punk 18 year old you may know your 45's but you don't know jack about*******s(this coming from a punk 20 year old), a pre unit******* is a Direct drive constant mesh just like a big twin*******, both of them the power comes in on the left and leaves on the left. Don't be such a****** about a Mikuni not being trad enough, so put a*****in Amal on it and quite whinning. -Jesse
Thanks Flat Ernie I didn't know that the Cheif wheels fit right in. I know that shaved or porkchoped UL wheels will fit in them, but unshaved wheels will go right in a Pan or a Shovel with not much of a problem, sorry my mistake. -Jesse
Well, "fit right in" might be a bit optimistic, there will be some minor machining involved from what I understand (I've never done it!), but size-wise they're a good fit. That's why if I decide to go stroker, I'm going to use the new stroker wheels - they're set up to accept all HD pins & shafts, so it IS a bolt-in. Tell me more about cutting UL wheels (not that I'll ever find a set, but hey...) Is it only the thickness/width that needs to be shaved? I thought the OD would be too big by enough of a margin to make it unfeasible.
Any of you guys fooled around with the idea of beefing up the cases? Weld in some more metal like they welded up the WWII battle ships? Two big honking pieces of steel, lay a weld on each side and build it up! Just as strong if not stronger then the surrounding material. You guys know where they crack? What kind of clearance is needed? I guess the other that you could do is make a steel girdle for the bolts on the cases if thats where they crack... Other one you could do is weld the oil passages compeletly shut going to the top end, run external oil lines up to the top... Just throwing out ideas, I'd like to build one... just dont have enough info on em
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