The "high compression" model was 6 to 1...that should explain it. ..like any other motor, money makes more horsepower. One modification from the old days was to put a sportster top end on a 45 bottom. It was called a magnum. That got em breathing!! A friend of mine still owns and races his dads 1930's 45 racer. His dad was a factory sponsored rider..."Leo Anthony". Leo Jr. has used that bike in the vintage races at Daytona. It hauls ass!!!
I picked up a pair of 45 WLA's in the early 70's. $60. for the pair. They were in the basement of a motorcycle shop (Hodaka) in Cohoes NY. Went home and got a good HD 6 volt battery, a couple sets of points, tools and some clean gas and was able ride them both home...one at a time.... Those days are long gone. BTW I've rode many Indian and Harley 45's, I've seen several vintage bike races with 45's. First, Indians were a better bike and second they just ain't fast. They may look it when they are racing each other but..... As someone already stated. 45 restoration 45 restoration has a lot of aftermarket and some NOS stuff. A lot of aftermarket stuff sucks so be careful. If you should order anything from Warren, at 45 rest. Tell him I sent you. He may charge you a little more but the parts will be top notch.
The last one I had was a 1937wla....I had other bikes to ride, so it sat. Slow and uncomfortable, but cool looks.
rocky, 88 mph? that's flying ,the best my 65 pan ever did was 89 streching the rods in the top of 3rd gear. hatch awsume bike!
6:1 !!! EEEEK How much can you take off the heads? How much can the rods/crank handle? Whats max RPM? ... might talk myself outa the motor LOL!
I've never hopped one up, but I am going to look into it for this one. I know the motors are almost indestructible, but they are low revving.
Try to find a copy of "Questions and Answers" A Mechanical Manual for Beginner and for Experienced Motorcyclist" This was the bible of Harley and Indian before you could find E-manuals. The one I have now is a repop done by Antique Cycle Supply Inc. Cedar Springs, Mich. 49319 (616) 636-8200 LINK This one has a copyright of 1985. Lots of spec's and good information. Theres a nice section on The Essentials of Speed which covers mostly Flatheads. Everything you ever wanted to know and you can do most of the work with hammers and files. (Kidding)
Just for fun, walk into your local Harley Davidson Mega-Mart and ask the guy at the counter (wearing his Official Harley Davidson Counterperson Coustume) about your 45 Flattie. Ask him what parts or litterature he has available for them. I did that last year and it woulda been hillarious if it wasn't so pathetic! Here's a "Dealer Trained Parts Specialist" that had no CLUE what I was talking about...he thought about it for a minute, then said "I don't know what you mean by '45', but I assume you're asking about a PANhead???". I giggled inspite of his ignorance, then came back with, "Naw....just show me where the Harley Davidson underwear, coasters, clocks, puzzles, jewelry, toys, games, salt & pepper shakers and socks are." Then, Einstein wrinkles his brow deep in thought and says "We have stuff like that all over the store." At that point, I HAD to laugh out loud!!! Wicked cool scoot, Hatch...but don't expect the Weekend Yuppie Bikers to let ya join their little Coffe House Harley Gangs...you're STILL a Gay Bitch! (with a cool bike!!)
Funny thing Hack...I called the dealer yesterday to see if they had a battery in stock.....got the young whippersnapper on the line...took ten minutes...had him totally frustrated....I could hear the background chatter and it was hilarious. NOT A CLUE!!!!!!!
You have to admit, those old scooters look damn good all cleaned up and painted too. You could do to match the roadster Hatch, skull graphics and all.
Oh yeah...can't wait to show up on this greasy old thing at the first gathering.... piss off all the divorced orthodontists when nobody looks at their evo.....see no evo, hear no evo, speak no evo!!!!
[ QUOTE ] see no evo, hear no evo, speak no evo!!!! [/ QUOTE ] Classic...that NEEDS to be on a t-shirt!!!
You'll be hard pressed finding many Shovelhead parts at the local HD dealer. I needed a set of manifold adaptors for a shovelhead. (They are a pair of hard plastic O-rings that convert O-ring heads or manifold to Rubber band) I went through the entire parts dept before they started bringing out the mechanics. None knew what it was. Finally the owner came out and told me they didn't carry them. Talk to the parts people. Find one that knows their Ass from their elbow, and stick with him (or her) Lucky for me an old bike friend is working for that dealer now.
Back in the eighties I worked at a HD dealership for the summer. Now a 3rd generation dealer and they all know their stuff. Just a two hour drive to get there.
Isnt that with most stuff? ... craftsman tool: It broke I want a new one! ... um... what is it? Chevy dealer, I need starter bolts for a sb 350... uh non on the parts shelf... go check at the ford body shop down the road they carry stuff like that! I dont get it...
So whats involved in adding some apes to the old style springers? I've been looking and cant find any that... bolt on.
gotcha... same design as the rest of the tripple trees? Just the two studs out 'n the open? ... Is 3k about right to rebuild one of these flattys? Kinda insane pricing... for what they are imo
I miss mine everyday . It is out there somewhere taunting me silently , hopefully still on the road .
i have all the parts to put together a 45 magnum. i'm at the point now where the cases have to be opened up for the sporty jugs and new holes drilled to bolt them down. because the two motors are so similiar, i was wondering if since i was into the cases already, if i couldn't use the sportster wheels and rods also. the set i have are lightened, polished and balanced, alot of work already in them. i got them from a flat tracker. even got a set of cool wr tanks. they're flat sided and narrower than the street version. the stock 45 frame does have to be opened up to fit the magnum motor in it.
the magnums are known for being.........well......less than reliable the cases arent up to the task unless you baby it, but who wants to do that?
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