Lurker's V-twin build

I got some motorcycle tube for them and that made them a bit harder to mount than a normal tire but not too bad. I have had some road bike rims that put up more of a fight than these did.
 
Rich and I fought one Simplex tire on an aluminum Worksman rim, and once on I made the comment "I hope I never have to take that tire off". Filled it up with air only to discover I pinched the stupid tube! There I was, 5 minutes later, taking that stupid tire off!
 
My old downhill racing rims were almost impossible to mount the Simplex on due to the extra high raised ridge to lock the tire on. I ruined two of Cokers suggested motorcycle tubes in the process. IMHO they are the wrong tube for this tire. Much too much rubber. Mounting the Simplex tires on the Worksman wheels were the easiest tires I have ever mounted. No effort at all. Amazingly easy. I am through with the motorcycle tubes however. 26x2.25 bicycle tubes work excellent. Glad you didn't have any issues mounting Lurker.
 
I still can't believe they were easy to mount, like Pat says, we fought, cussed, soaped, streched, grunted, cussed some more to get ONE tire mounted on a worksman rim. And like Pat says, then we reversed the process to remove ONE tire to fix the tube. Next time, we leave the tire in the sun for an hour before we start.
 
Finished modifying the fork this weekend and took a few a photos. The photo with me in it is just so you can see the scale of the bike, I'm 5'9''. I was also able to get my rear rim and hub to the bike shop for them to build so I should have that some time this week too. Its nice to finally make some progress on this thing. However I am having a hard time deciding on a engine. ARGH! decisions decisions.
 

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Good to see you moving forward Lurker. I was at a kart racing site today looking for the existence of billet ARC connecting rods for the new Harbor Freight Predator 212cc clone engine and I noticed they sold billet connecting rods for the Vanguard engine. So I can presume from this that, #1-The rods in the Vanguard are probably like the rods in the clone engines, they are designed to run no faster than 3500 RPM's. If you take the governor out it will grenade itself without the performance rods in it. It's good to know that they are available though. I don't know if you are planning a build for vintage looks only or one that has the vintage looks & speed. If it is the latter I would get the engine that has billet performance rods with automotive type rod bearings available. Without getting past 3500 RPM's you are just going to have torque without speed. Oh, NR Racing is the name of the web store with the Vanguard billet rods.
 
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Lurker, i really liked your previous bike and i know this is going to be great..... but can i offer some constructive criticism, at least from my point of view?

To me i know you are going to want to build your own design but somewhat staying true to that era, but i cant get past those springer forks, they look more like something off a 60's/70's chopper, i think they look a little out of place on a BTR, but maybe im wrong...... if you do keep these forks could i suggest making some different shaped rockers (i think thats what they are called - the piece that the forks, fork legs and wheel bolt to) because they are almost celtic shaped and once again very chopperish.

Dont mean to seem critical but i know your standard of work and to me the forks look outta place and wondering your thoughts...... either way keep up the great work - im just being a little picky
 
Harry thank you for the criticism I really appreciate it especially when it comes from someone like you. I guess I should have been more clear when I said "finished modifying the fork" I meant getting it to fit and roll. I under stand what you are saying about the chopper look, but I can assure you that it is the chrome that is deceiving you. Once I get some paint on there it should pull the look together. Some of the teens Harleys had something similar to this setup. The linkages will also get the once over to make them more vintage.
 
You are probably right Lurker, i dont doubt youve given it a lot of thought, once you paint and maybe stripe those forks they will blend right in.

I wonder if when you make your new linkages if you made them an "L" shape kicking upwards that would make the gap between your front tyre and fork legs a little closer and may look better.... do you think?
 
Here is a picture of a 1910 Harley Davidson with a fork that is very similar to Lurkers' ride. The springs are tall. I like the additional mechanical linkage that the Harley has. Look very industrial. I like the direction you are going with it.

Harley-Davidson67CW0834.jpg
 
I sure like where this build is going, Lurker. It will be interesting to see how your v-twin engine progresses. Just getting rid of all the sheet metal and cleaning up the flywheel will make the engine more vintage looking. Do you plan on a charging system and electric starter?
 
cobrafreak said:
Here is a picture of a 1910 Harley Davidson with a fork that is very similar to Lurkers' ride. The springs are tall. I like the additional mechanical linkage that the Harley has. Look very industrial. I like the direction you are going with it.
Click to expand...

That extra linkage is actually a couple of a early style friction disc shock absorbers. Most likely a after market bolt on. It's a cool detail!

-Kirk
 
I am going to have to have some sort of electrical system to make it street legal but I haven't given it much thought yet. However I think I will keep with the electric start that will be a nice feature to have. I would eventually like to make one of those friction shocks but for now I just want to get it running and driving.
 
That engine is humongous!, it reminds me of stuff I used to draw while not paying attention in school!
I love it!
best of luck with the build... post a few more pics of that bad boy.
FR
 
You said you were not going to do a front brake, right? For a lighting system you can get a front dynamo hub with or without a drum brake that will power a SuperNova E3 front and rear light and contain a capacitor that will still illuminate in low power mode for 10 minutes when stopped. Super bright and always on. Small enough that you can hide the lamps in vintage hardware. This is what I did. You wouldn't need to put anything on the engine and you could hide the wires up the inside a fork tube.
 
The engine has a alternator so finding a source of power isn't the issue its more about where to put a battery and lights. I guess I shouldn't have made it an afterthought but I'm sure it will all work out in the end.
 
cobrafreak said:
Here is a picture of a 1910 Harley Davidson with a fork that is very similar to Lurkers' ride. The springs are tall. I like the additional mechanical linkage that the Harley has. Look very industrial. I like the direction you are going with it.

Harley-Davidson67CW0834.jpg
Click to expand...

Holy Moly!! Is that the real McCoy? that is awesome :)
 
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