VL Knuckle Racer

Hi guys,
Here's a picture of my new build: it's a 87ci Knuckle in a VL frame (modified).

Just put the first 350 miles on last weekend. Runs great and handles very easy



For more details go to http://www.harleyparts.ch/HDMac/project_9.htm

HDMac,
GREAT work man !
JKE

I dig the work on the tanks. The speedo is very clean. How is the heat with the returning oil? I often wondered what needs to be done to dissipate it or if that is something that just needs to be tolerated. Damn I love that build.

That certainly flips my switch. Great job!!!

Great vision and execution. I luv it.

Sweet! How does it handle? Is that an eighteen inch wheel on the front?

[Pa]

Superb example of mechanical, functional, and eye appealing engineering !! Pa

Great job on on the bike and it's presentation. Never can get enough of "how to" pics and stories.

Dick

Thanks guys for your comments!

To the questions: The oil in the tank did not get real hot at all, although it was relatively cold outside when I did the first long ride (only around 40). Also the oil lines do act like an oil cooler (see picture below). Both wheels are 18in and the bike is really easy to handle due to its low weight. It's real fun on a winding mountain road, which we have a lot in Switzerland



Mac

A brand new 87ci Knucklehead from V-Twin and stock 4speed HD tranny.

I'd sure like to hear how the V-Twin motor performed from crate to road. Did you have to make any repairs to the motor? The V-Twin 8-ribbed cam cover looks real. Good for V-Twin. Great site you built in Switz, and the people and the pics. Have fun rolling.

So far I did not have tp repair anything. The pinion gear seems to be a little tight and I will have to check that. There is that typical howling sound. I guess the just used the standrd size with no checking? Other the that, so far so good. I keep my fingers crossed!

I think V-Twin is careful about what they send to Europe. I don't know where you got your motor, whether from W&W Cycle in Germany or not. We were there in 2000 and were taken on a tour of their complex and R&D. I asked them about returns to V-Twin and they told us, "If we get a bad part from V-Twin, we don't return it, they just tell us to keep it and they send us another one".
I don't know anything about pinion noise. Post the news when you find out.

Plumber, where is your post? - Thanks for putting it back on.

Nice art work. I noticed a head light and no tail lights and no plate. will it be legal to ride on the streets. thats to nice to leave parked or for off road only.

John

Pinion Gear Removal – ‘39-53
The ‘39-53 pinion gears were a push or free sliding onto the pinion shaft, but should have no perceptible lash. Even a slight lash will usually result in noisy operation for which the other timing gears are often held responsible. To correct such a condition will require replacing the pinion gear and or pinion shaft. There is no nut holding the gear in place, like there is on ‘54-72 assemblies.
- Vol.2 M&O Guide

Does your motor have this pinion shaft? You can't feel for pinion lash without removing the pushrods and gears and oil pump & everything in there. You'd get an insight into how the motor was built, by time you got clear down to the pinion pool in the gearcase. If so, do so forensically for record of what-to look-for, or just ride it.

Thanks for the info. I let you know as soon as the motor is open. Mac

I needed to remove the info. It's all going to be in Vol. 2 and going to print soon.

The VL Knuckle Racer got 1st place of the 'Custombike readers choice' at the Custombike show in Bad Salzuflen, Germany