Very First Build, Murray Valiant

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D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga
Well gents, it's been a long time coming but I've finally started my first
motor install! When looking for a bike to motorize, I wanted a cruiser -
preferably something with a classic antique look. I found a Murray Valiant!
Springer front, fenders, wide comfortable seat with lotsa vintage looking
springs, this bike had it all- including a low price tag.

I begin...
 
D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga


It's taken for ever to get the time and place together to begin.

My poor project starts with;
adjustments to the front spring
tire replacement
wheel bearing cleaning & re-packing
tightening the steering head
general fiddling with fenders and such
replacing a part that controls seat angle.
 
D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga


The instructions begin with installing the
aft sprocket, so I may as well begin here.

Doh! It seems the bearing dust cover is
larger than the hole in the sprocket!



I feel silly for not anticipating this! Oh well, because I'm forced to
work out of my motel room, there's no chance of enlarging the hole.
 
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D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga
I install without the dust cover, only to notice the
next issue. There's a clearance issue with the brake
arm and the sprocket bolts!



Removing the washers improves, but doesn't fix, the problem.



This blurry image was intended to portray the 'before' view of
the soon to be bent brake arm.



A little tweaking and...



VIOLA! That should do nicely!


 
D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga
Moving on...
Next, I'm instructed to mount the motor.
I check the mounts to see if they'll fit the frame.



The aft mount fits fine, I'll have to use the adapter for the forward mount.
I included the following pic just to show my method for removing the studs.

 
D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga
It's taken a lot longer to get to this point than I'd figured.



I think I'll have to prop the tank up there just to make
myself feel some accomplishment. Note the interest
shown by my dog on the bed.



Not taking any chances, I check for pedal clearance:




Pedals look ok, I hand tighten the mounts. An inner
tube will hopefully reduce damage to the paint.

 
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D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga
Now to remove the hand grips. Warming them with a
hairdryer certainly seemed to help.



No pics of the two index holes I had to drill, I made
the mistake of assuming the dowel would be right
between the two screws I temp installed on the
lower half for location. Missed it by 1/8". No problem
with the second hole, just a goofy mistake brought
about by my impatience.


 
D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga
I install the clutch cable



Can't say I'm terribly fond of this arrangement,
guess it'll do till I devise a better plan.



Leaving the adjustment a little loose till I know
more about how it's supposed to work.

 
D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga
Down to the chain. Had to put a socket on
the sprocket & turn it to install. The chain
won't simply slip over.



Had to borrow a file to remove a few extra links.
I have fond memories of the EMGO chain breaker
I had in the nineties.



... and then, the tensioner...

 
D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga
The next new issue, chain vs. fender...



What luck! I adjusted the fender & gained
a little clearance, only to discover chain vs. tire!
I reckon what I'll do is, remove and reverse
the aft sprocket, hoping I get lucky and avoid
chain vs. frame. If the frame becomes an issue,
I'll probably alter the fastener stack up to widen
the frame a bit.
Wish me luck.

A quick review shows no mention of the coil installation,
will update soon.

Hopefully I'll be doing fuel mixture & gearbox
lubrication research shortly.
dance1
 
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bluegoatwoods

bluegoatwoods

Active Member
Jul 29, 2012
1,581
6
38
Central Illinois
Excellent!

And it's good of you to post photos. It always helps to see what's going on.

Along the way I could see 'pitfalls' that have bitten many of us on the butts. I can't begin to list them; there's too many. But when you're resting from your build, just keep reading these threads. As many as you can. And you'll see things that make you think, "That applies to my bike".

But I'll offer one suggestion. Look to your rear axle for the tire/chain clearance issue. The nuts that lock down your bearing cones are often of two different widths. Switch the wider one to the chain side and it'll buy you a bit more room for that chain.

Good luck.
 
D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga
I've reversed the bias on the aft sprocket. It's a
Wide World of Sports moment... "The thrill of
victory, the agony of defeat."

Success!


Failure!


I'm going to try brutal force and simply stretch
the rear wheel mount outward with a different
fastener stack up. Currently, it's assembled thus:
 
D

D Pope

Member
Jun 20, 2013
32
0
6
Savannah Ga
I think the time for pulling wrenches has
gone & I enter the time for finesse &
technical expertise. For give me for having
left out installing the spark plug & carburetor.
Both were pretty straight forward, unlike the
exhaust pipe. I'm afraid I committed the sin
of tweaking it on the head. Time will tell if
I've gotten away with it.


 
KnockKnock

KnockKnock

New Member
Sep 10, 2013
79
3
0
CenTex
D Pope said:
Crankcase Lubrication?
2door said:
It doesn't have an oil filled crankcase. All lubrication comes from the oil you mix with the gasoline.
Tom
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I wouldn't have guessed it, but I learn something new everyday here.

@ OP: Be sure to do a search on fenders. I too am a big fan of fendered cruisers, but fenders (particularly the front) have homicidal tendencies. There's more than a few stories out there of folks doing the over-the-handlebar-summersalt and/or face-plant, but there are members here that have methods for reinforcing them to be safe(r[?]) too.
 
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