Old Guys X Autocycle

[indian22]

I'm splitting my time riding & tuning on the two bikes with the recently modified (reed valve /window piston & third port performance upgrades) engines. It's going well; the one in the Skyhawk frame (GT-5 38 mm stroke) I feel confident to wind out & it likes it, as do I! So I'm calling it done and very good.

The motor in the X-celsior Schwinn is the 40 mm long stroke & the first one of these I've owned. The mods on this motor closely mimic those on the 38 mm motor, but it's fought me along the way. Over the last two days I've ridden it for several hours interrupted with tuning and cooling breaks, and assorted adjustments etc. Even with all this riding the motor stills feels tight so I really haven't run it up past 6,000 rpm range yet. It has good torque through the lower & mid range band, starts well cold or hot, but not nearly as easy as to fire up nor as lively as the GT-5. I've not put as many hours of riding on this engine as on the first one completed, so I'm being patient.

I've only one real riding complaint on the Schwinn and that is a sheet metal buzz at about 4,500 rpm. Since fender and chain guard etc. have been ruled out that just leaves the fuel tank as the source of the buzz, but I'll also be looking at the engine mounts as the main cause.

It's still just about having fun and our weather here is & has been awesome, very Fall like with forecast of more to come...so I'm riding as much as possible every day. Best and coolest Summer weather ever recorded here in Indian Territory also one of the wettest Summers. Green, cool and beautiful. Rick C.

 

[xseler]

I can attest to this being the most pleasant summer in my memory!! Seems like we hit triple digits only a couple of times ---- a far cry from 90+ days in a row!!

 

[indian22]

Xseler we've been weather blessed! I'm heading out for an afternoon ride in a few minutes. I hope the X-celsior/ Schwinn is about ready to give up bothering me with pesky minor problems. I solved the annoying vibration! It turned out to be the fuel tank & was quickly cured by the insertion of several rubber strips between the bottom of the tank and lower bar. The tank was tight but was picking up a harmonic at mid range rpm & it was pretty loud. Still finding a drop of fuel on the tank every couple of days??

I'm hoping this week to get enough riding time to finish break in. Now that it's buzz is gone I can hopefully ride for longer periods of time. Rick C.

 

[xseler]

Xseler we've been weather blessed! I'm heading out for an afternoon ride in a few minutes. I hope the X-celsior/ Schwinn is about ready to give up bothering me with pesky minor problems. I solved the annoying vibration! It turned out to be the fuel tank & was quickly cured by the insertion of several rubber strips between the bottom of the tank and lower bar. The tank was tight but was picking up a harmonic at mid range rpm & it was pretty loud. Still finding a drop of fuel on the tank every couple of days??

I'm hoping this week to get enough riding time to finish break in. Now that it's buzz is gone I can hopefully ride for longer periods of time. Rick C.

I'm on vacation next week and taking my bike to the mountains of New Mexico --- specifically north of Pecos to the Holy Ghost area. At that elevation, the temp looks to be low 70's during the day and low 40's or high 30's at night. In other words, just perfect!!

 

[indian22]

Great area that you will enjoy. I came within a heart beat of buying land to build a home on a stone throw away in Santa Fe in 1994, but decided to retire in my hometown and care for my ageing parents. One of the few good decisions I made that year. I like the high desert but love it here!

Hope you bring a bike or two. Rick C.

 

[indian22]

Took a twenty mile cruise on the X-celsior yesterday and along the way the modified motor finally found it's mojo! It now runs right through the 6,500 rpm mark & really gets on pipe...nice and smooth feel at that point. I resisted running it on up, but know there's a lot left. I got a good plug read on return, enough rich that next time out I'll spin it on up without worrying about going lean. .75 jet in the SHA is about right...4 strokes just right cruising at around 4,000 rpm, so I'm pretty rich at that point for sure. I'll probably leave it tuned as is, altitude here is right at 1,400 ft. The motor in the Grubee Skyhawk liked the .70 jet better probably due to not running an expansion pipe on it, but I plan on changing that in a few days 'cause it ran better at mid range especially when I tested the X-celsior baffled expansion pipe on it earlier.

I'm really glad I took some time to rework these two motors as I feel it was a big success...even though the Skyhawk engine already had a reed and smaller piston window installed for a couple of years, the larger 1" window is performing better all around and that GT-5 motor also runs cooler than before.

Motor temp on the X-celsior Schwinn yesterday read about 260 degrees f. immediately after the longer ride, but it was a cool afternoon 83 degrees or so & the last couple of miles back to the shop were covered at 20 mph or so, fast enough to pass a Road runner, a real live one and not the '60's muscle car. I'm certain the motor long stroke engine was running hotter than that earlier in the ride, though I don't think even low 300's to be really too hot for a China girl in Summer.

Rick C.

 

[indian22]

I took the Skyhawk out for a lengthy run of some thirty miles through the rolling countryside yesterday morning and I'll repeat on a different route this morning, but probably not for quite as long a distance. GPS average of 31 mph, which was reset after leaving town, with no stops and only one turn around. I did my best to find the sweet spot for cruising and keep it there uphill, downhill & on the flats (which most not familiar with Indian territory except for the Interstates will find it hard to believe) that are not that common or very lengthy when encountered. I attempted to hold a steady speed over all terrain & the GPS graph showed I didn't often fall off the pace or exceed it . Top speed was 37 mph (long steep hill & let the bike get ahead of me) and minimum was 19 mph on a couple of curves, except for the turn around. Remember this bike is geared with a 10 t & 48 t and running 26" x 2.125" tires. This thing eats up long inclines.

Cool morning mid 70's 60 % humidity, 7 mph wind coming and going so really great riding conditions and no problems encountered on the ride. Though these modified engines are at least twice as fuel hungry as the stock motors at their respective cruise speeds. Still having fun, Rick C.

 

[indian22]

I now have expansion tubes on both reed modified engines and both are now running my muffler conversion setup. I've run both to an indicated 11,000 + rpm & they achieved it easily and appeared able to continue climbing. As both bikes are geared low, 48 tooth driving 26" wheel & 44 tooth on 24" wheels, GPS speed recorded at an indicated 11,000 rpm was similar on both at about 45 mph. Plenty fast but that's not the point that makes them fun to ride. Both bikes pull from dead stop with no pedaling & can be ridden without bucking at 7 mph & no pedaling on hills. As I'm using the inexpensive rpm/hour meter the rpm # is just an estimate, but I'd say fairly close given the speed recorded with my known gearing. The mufflers also really deaden the chain saw, ring ding racket. Bad news is they use twice as much fuel as an unmodified engine & it may get worse because it looks like I'm running just a bit lean on both motors, so I'll up jet both to .75 & .80 respectively & re check. Good news is they are three times more fun to ride now. I've now got enough power to help me get out of harms way & that's kinda' important to me.

It would seem that cruising at 8,000 rpm would not overly strain either of these two motors for extended rides as I recently averaged 31 mph on a long ride (30 miles) & 8,000 rpm is where I kept her running during that outing. I'm running 40:1 mix currently in both semi synthetic and corn free premium gas. Of course if I were commuting long distances I'd think it wise to drop down to a 36 tooth & cruise the same speed at around 7,000. I think there is enough power with this setup to do just that and still not have to pedal.

Engine longevity? I'm a conservative Old Guy so my numbers may not match your own, but I'll report back if she blows!! Remember the Grubee GT motor already had 450 hrs. on her reed valve modified engine when I rebuilt and modified her top end this time round. So I would expect she will be the first to let go, but hope it's a long way off though close to home. Rick C.

 

[indian22]

I have a 4 spring Harley style fork in hand that I'm thinking about using on my Excelsior Auto- Cycle Schwinn. I'm currently running a Sunlite dual spring fork, but really think this might look nice. Rick C.

 

[MEASURE TWICE]

Sturdy looking hardware! I cringe when my cheap mountain bike shocks bottom out occasionally when off road riding.

 

[indian22]

Sturdy looking hardware! I cringe when my cheap mountain bike shocks bottom out occasionally when off road riding.

MT I'm pleased with the construction and materials used in the fork. I'm waiting on a 27 mm crown race and a 1" steer tube before I install....thought I had both already but couldn't locate. I did however have the 1" headset and 1 1/8" to !" bearing reduction cups.

I'm I\working on a few modifications to several of my current bikes and also completing some basic service maintenance at the same time. The Sunlite dual spring fork on the X-celsior function and look fine, but I really like the look of this 4 spring design & I'll probably use the Sunlite forks on the Grubee GT frame which is currently running a mountain bike spring/hydraulic fork which could use a rebuild at this point; plus the dual spring fork will lend an entirely different look to the frame. Really just some light projects to keep me busy. Rick C.

 

[indian22]

Four sping fork went on my old straight leg triple tree frame instead of the X-celsior. Rides nice. Also the u

n-sprung girder fork arrived & it's going on the Grubee frame to replace a mountain bike spring and hydraulic fork that needs a rebuild and I was ready for more of a classic look in a fork. Rick C.

 

[curtisfox]

Sure looks nice, good quality ..........Curt

 

[sportscarpat]

Hi Rick,
Looks like you really have these bikes figured out. The springer fork looks cool and functional. How is it under braking?

 

[indian22]

Lol I figured an experienced biker would ask just that question, just didn't know which one! Pat you already know the lifting sensation one has to feel under moderate braking using this fork design & axle to rocker location. When coupled with the greater brake grip of the disc as opposed to a drum, Archer for example, the feedback to rider is pronounced! I expected it and yet was still kinda surprised by the sensation. After a couple of days riding & stopping scores of times braking still feels odd, but makes me smile at the 100 yr. old design. That said the bike stops about as well as it did with the rigid fork using the same disc and rotor. I didn't include a panic stop (thankfully) though I braked heavily a few times with no chatter or hop. Any modification to brakes and steering bare close monitoring over time & caution while testing...so I will..

I've got to admit I bought the 4 spring fork because it looked cool and appeared robust as well. Functionality will either prove out or not over time and miles, but it seems to handle & ride much like the Sunlite dual spring fork...except for the braking sensation. One thing that could be seen as a negative is that the fork legs strike the straddle tube & greatly decrease the turning radius, not enough to be a problem riding, but is limiting at low and walk speed where one is just steering & lean can't be readily utilized for turning. 3" tires on 26" wheels will have clearance with this fork, if overall height doesn't exceed 28"...I'm running 2.235" x 26 for your reference.

No building today, just riding & writing. Rick C.

 

[fasteddy]

The fork sure adds to the look of the bike.

Steve.

 

[indian22]

The fork sure adds to the look of the bike.

Steve.

Thanks Steve, I bought these for the X-celsior Schwinn, but the legs are longer than on the dual Spring Sunlite forks & the 24" x 2.235" tires somehow looked wrong with the 4 spring fork. I'd never been happy with the straight leg, triple tree fork on my Indian Outlaw bike & think they definitely add a more classic look to the build. I also traded odd saddles & the huge hairpin leather saddle was a great improvement to comfort and looks as good as the smaller hairpin saddle. I believe overall dimensions are 10" wide and 13" long...supports really well & isn't as "springy" ...I hate to bounce in the saddle on a bike & super poor form on a horse as well! I have a leather tool roll to fit inside the rear springs, but I need to dye the leather a darker brown first.

I doubt I'll mount a front fender though I think it would look good. As you know I'm not too fond of fenders due to safety concerns, but well secured they do add something special to many builds. Rick C.

 

[indian22]

Since I ride my bikes daily & year round I notice "things" & some start to bother me in varying degrees. I suppose that leads me to these periodic re-works etc. of my old rides. Quite often one change leads, even demands, additional changes.

I removed the high, moto cross looking mountain bike forks on the Grubee frame yesterday. The replacement, solid, girder fork legs are shorter and the result is a lowering of forward frame height of 3.5" & a modest change in fork rake etc. Trail still appears to be well on the positive side, but I ran out of time & didn't measure. These changes on a short wheelbase bicycle frame can alter handling quite a bit & if weather permits I'll ride some today to test. At low speeds I'd not expect to feel much change but at 30 mph plus that might change...caution.

I doubt I'll paint the steel fork.

Also the saddle angle to frame was greatly altered & I'll need to drop the tail of the saddle 2" or more to keep from sliding forward on it. Handle bars are way out of whack as well & when the bars are properly located the clutch & brake levers can be rotated into a comfortable operating position. Even the legs of the drive off stand need to be lowered a couple of inches or more as the rear tire is way up in the air (I prefer the rear tire to make slight contact with the ground when "on stand" to stabilize the bike in our frequent high winds").

I'll post some before and after photos of the changes.

 

[indian22]

First photos before and after fork change. Still need to lower seat height, adjust cable lengths and bundle neatly as well as adjust the engine mounts to get the motor angle correct....then adjust drive chain length etc. This little fork change has been a bit of work!

As the photos show there is a huge difference in stance going to the shorter fork assembly & the feel of the ride is quite different, not bad just different....it rides more like the X-celsior now (24" wheels) not quite as quick to throw around as the X but real sporty. I've got to get the rear of the seat adjusted down so I'm not straddling the tank. I ordered some fine thread rod to get enough adjustment for the task. Rick C.

 

[curtisfox]

WOW! that is really a drop, i bet there is a difference in feel. Sure looks good though, like it.........Curt