1911 Indian

[Lurker]

Cobra, the bike looks better than ever. The black tires really complete the look, it is more cohesive now.

What tubes are you using? My tires should be here in a few weeks and I am unsure of what tubes to use. If you used motorcycle tubes what size are they and where did you get them?

 

[cobrafreak]

Cobra, the bike looks better than ever. The black tires really complete the look, it is more cohesive now.

What tubes are you using? My tires should be here in a few weeks and I am unsure of what tubes to use. If you used motorcycle tubes what size are they and where did you get them?

Thanks. They truly are bulletproof. Very hard to mount though due to the stiffness of the bead. I got one motorcycle tube for one wheel and one of my old bike tubes for the rear wheel. I wanted to see how they worked and fit. They are both fine. The motorcycle tube is thicker and has a metal stem with a nut for the stem. If I could do it over I would just use the bike tubes. The metal stems are really not long enough through the rim and it is hard to inflate them. Just use metal valve caps and you will be good enough for anything you would throw at it.

 

[RickS]

Thanks. They truly are bulletproof. Very hard to mount though due to the stiffness of the bead. I got one motorcycle tube for one wheel and one of my old bike tubes for the rear wheel. I wanted to see how they worked and fit. They are both fine. The motorcycle tube is thicker and has a metal stem with a nut for the stem. If I could do it over I would just use the bike tubes. The metal stems are really not long enough through the rim and it is hard to inflate them. Just use metal valve caps and you will be good enough for anything you would throw at it.

I used Duro motorcycle tubes, 2.75/3.00-21, and the metal valve stems are 7/8" long. No problem inflating the tires. These tubes are heavier duty than bike tubes and not that expensive, at $10.50 per tube.

 

[Lurker]

Thanks Cobra and Rick. I think I will go with those motorcycle tubes. I would feel much safer with them.

 

[cobrafreak]

I replaced ANOTHER spoke on my rear wheel yesterday. I have been averaging one spoke every 3 weeks or so. An of course the spoke that needs to be replaced is on the sprocket side requiring me to "beat" the sprocket off. I hate to do this. It takes almost an hour to do. Enough is enough. I built these wheels with 12 gauge spokes, not strong enough for 8hp. I pulled the trigger and ordered two Worksman wheels with 11 gauge spokes. I will put my new Sturmy Archer 90mm dynamo brake hub up front and I like the rear hub brake that Sportsman Flyer sells. I will probably paint the Worksman Wheels Bloodstalker Red as the rest of the bike is. Yes, the red Indian motorcycle color is called Bloodstalker red. Cool name I'll probably be running these new wheels within 30 days. No more broken spokes, I hope.

 

[cobrafreak]

My friend clocked me on the bike today with his motorcycle. I did 51 mph, a personal best. I had no wind and it was on flat ground. I tucked myself down to the tank for less wind resistance. If I had a performance cam, advanced the ignition timing, and had a smaller sprocket in the back I could do faster, but this is just to show the potential of the clone engine in a bike. I'm happy.

 

[professor]

With the open exhaust and intake and re-jetted, the clone engines make a bit over 9 hp.
According to a dyno test report over at 4 cycle karting website.

 

[cobrafreak]

Interesting. I wonder what the total possible peak hp is when you go full out with every performance mod possible. I just did the re-jet, con-rod, valve spring, and flywheel. I just wanted longevity rather than full out power. And I'm breaking 12 gauge spokes! The Worksman wheels will be better. But bottom line, 51mph! Woo Hoo!

 

[MotorBicycleRacing]

With the open exhaust and intake and re-jetted, the clone engines make a bit over 9 hp.
According to a dyno test report over at 4 cycle karting website.

Do you have a link to that dyno test?

Interesting. I wonder what the total possible peak hp is when you go full out with every performance mod possible. I just did the re-jet, con-rod, valve spring, and flywheel. I just wanted longevity rather than full out power. And I'm breaking 12 gauge spokes! The Worksman wheels will be better. But bottom line, 51mph! Woo Hoo!

At the Recent Willow Springs race the 6.5 clone motor built by
Affordable Go Kart lapped the 2nd place 9 hp Morini in the 12 lap final.

agk told me it was a 20 hp motor they built for go karts. It is possible
to get more hp but at the expense of reliability.

 

[brett7777]

I will put my new Sturmy Archer 90mm dynamo brake hub up front and I like the rear hub brake that Sportsman Flyer sells. I will probably paint the Worksman Wheels Bloodstalker Red as the rest of the bike is.

Couple of questions-did you source your Worksman parts directly from Worksman, or from somewhere else?
-are you going to use powdercoat on the wheels, or something else?

 

[cobrafreak]

Couple of questions-did you source your Worksman parts directly from Worksman, or from somewhere else?
-are you going to use powdercoat on the wheels, or something else?

I did not order my Worksman wheels from Worksman. I did a Google shopping search and found a better deal at Gridline Express which is an industrial company. There are places you can buy Worksman Wheels that you wouldn't think you could.

I will not powder coat the wheels, just paint. I would never find an exact match for Bloodstalker Red in powder coat and it wouldn't match the rest of the bike. Ever seen a car with a fender that is "supposed" to be the same color but it is a degree off? It stands out like a sore thumb. The originals were just painted. It will be fine.

 

[cobrafreak]

Worksman Wheels Arrived!!

Look at the difference between my old 12 gauge spoke standing against the 11 gauge Worksman wheels. Trust me when I say this, if you are making a motorized bike you should start with Worksman from the start. It is as strong as a motorcycle wheel without a doubt. These wheels will be the strongest thing on the bike!

 

[Ruby478]

wow looks like im gonna have to change my spokes

 

[brett7777]

I did not order my Worksman wheels from Worksman. I did a Google shopping search and found a better deal at Gridline Express which is an industrial company. There are places you can buy Worksman Wheels that you wouldn't think you could.

I will not powder coat the wheels, just paint. I would never find an exact match for Bloodstalker Red in powder coat and it wouldn't match the rest of the bike. Ever seen a car with a fender that is "supposed" to be the same color but it is a degree off? It stands out like a sore thumb. The originals were just painted. It will be fine.

Thanks for the info, that's great.
So I assume you paint the rims before lacing. Does that mean you need to take extra care with them when lacing & putting on the tyre? (to not scratch the paint). Do you find you are able to do all that without scratching it?

 

[brett7777]

Now that Ive arrived at this thread from my email link, I see you bought the wheels already built up.
Will you have to mask off the spokes when painting the rims?
btw, congrats on finding some wheels that will handle the horsepower of your bike

 

[zean]

Excuse me cobrafreak. I'm asking, it looks as if your boardtracker has the right amount of red; the red wheels, is that too much of the same color? I don't know if chrome is appropriate, black wheels don't look clean with your good looking black tires. Thankyou.

 

[harry76]

Now that Ive arrived at this thread from my email link, I see you bought the wheels already built up.
Will you have to mask off the spokes when painting the rims?
btw, congrats on finding some wheels that will handle the horsepower of your bike

Dont ever mask the spokes on a rim unless you want to waste half a day..... go buy drinking straws, get a small pair of scissors and slice the straws lengthways, now the straws will sit over the spokes (without any tape) and doesnt take long at all...... and the straws can be reused

 

[cobrafreak]

All old Indians had the rims painted the same color as the bike. Very little chrome was on them. Probably to save money. I will take apart the wheel to put my 90mm front dynamo drum brake on, so it will be apart anyway. You don't need to dismantle the wheel to paint the rim. Just mask over the nipples and use paper or straws for the spokes.

 

[Mr.B.]

You must mean nickel plating,

Chrome plating wasn’t available until the late 1920’s and not common until the late 30’s...

-Kirk

 

[cobrafreak]

Yes, shiny stuff

 

[MotoMagz]

All old Indians had the rims painted the same color as the bike. Very little chrome was on them. Probably to save money. I will take apart the wheel to put my 90mm front dynamo drum brake on, so it will be apart anyway. You don't need to dismantle the wheel to paint the rim. Just mask over the nipples and use paper or straws for the spokes.

Cobra,Any problems with spoke length when switching front hub out?