Gnarley-Davidson

[degaine_designs]

I just bought an engine for my bike, so I guess the build has started. I had thought about getting a 4-stroke kit, then I saw something awesome on youtube: Johnson Iron Horse - YouTube so I bought one. It was made in the 30s or 40s. Its a 4-stroke and pretty awesome, imo.

I guess it'll be a bit more work to get the bike up and running, but at least it'll be unique.

I'm calling the bike the Gnarley-Davidson because I've wanted a Harley for a while now, just can't afford it and I'll be getting a Sportster peanut tank for the bike. Yeah, yeah so the only Harley part'll be the tank, but Hardly-Davidson is so overused. Heh.

- Z

Here's a sketch of what I have in mind for those that haven't seen it.

[thegnu]

thats going to be a challenge to get in a bicycle frame if thats the route you go , but a guaranteed hit when it fits an works .
Gary

[chainmaker]

Thats going to be a nice ride. I see you are going to use Monark forks, just make sure you get a set that have been re-welded in the crown area. Unwelded ones have been known to collapse while riding.

[degaine_designs]

Originally Posted by thegnu

thats going to be a challenge to get in a bicycle frame if thats the route you go , but a guaranteed hit when it fits an works .
Gary

Thanks, yeah, may need to have a new bottom tube made that stretches downward a bit. I'll find out tomorrow when I get the engine (two weeks early!!!). I'm stoked, to say the least. Now I need to save for the next set of parts.

[degaine_designs]

Originally Posted by chainmaker

Thats going to be a nice ride. I see you are going to use Monark forks, just make sure you get a set that have been re-welded in the crown area. Unwelded ones have been known to collapse while riding.

Yeah, thanks for the heads up. I had planned on getting them from Venice Motorbikes as well as other parts.

[curtisfox]

Thats going to be AWESOME love them old kick start.............Curt

[degaine_designs]

Originally Posted by curtisfox

Thats going to be AWESOME love them old kick start.............Curt

Thanks Curt! When I got to the post office today and they said its still out with the carrier and the slip they put in the mail today to pick it up had the wrong date. They put today's date instead of tomorrows for pick up. I was so bummed.

[curtisfox]

watched the video and the rotation is that you will have the engine slanted toward the front. Shroud on the left side,and you can drive off eather side. Thats KOOOOOL......Curt

[silverbear]

I like that engine a lot. Was that the same company that made the outboard motors? About what horsepower would it be? I see in your illustration chain drive. Belt would be nice I think. However you do it, it's going to be unique. I like seeing different motors being used, especially the old ones.
SB

[degaine_designs]

Originally Posted by curtisfox

watched the video and the rotation is that you will have the engine slanted toward the front. Shroud on the left side,and you can drive off eather side. Thats KOOOOOL......Curt

Those were all things I noticed when I saw it. I was like "I HAVE to have one of those."

Originally Posted by silverbear

I like that engine a lot. Was that the same company that made the outboard motors? About what horsepower would it be? I see in your illustration chain drive. Belt would be nice I think. However you do it, it's going to be unique. I like seeing different motors being used, especially the old ones.
SB

I believe it is the same company, based on what I've read while researching the engine. I haven't found anything specific to my model, but I've seen 5/8 HP, and 1.38-2.5 HP. The site that says 5/8 HP says it runs at 1750-1800 rpm, so I need to find a centrifugal clutch that will work with it.

The sketch was done way before I had decided what engine I wanted and whether or not I wanted belt drive. I've pretty much decided to go with a chain.