of my Sloptail. Some of y'all might remember that I bought a new HD crate motor to stick in my '87 FLST. Finally got around to starting the swap about 2 weeks ago. Slow goin' 'cause I changed jobs and am gettin' plenty of OT, plus still taking a class (last one for my degree).

Tonight I removed the last motor mount bolt, the left rear one. I'm leaving the inner primary in place bolted to the tranny so it was hard to get to. Had to use shallow swivel socket and a wobble-extension on a 3/8 drive ratchet, coming in from underneath. On top it was an extra longoffset box wrench. Worked pretty good, and I'm glad I didn't have to remove the inner primary.

I will start cleaning the frametomorrow, and yanking the old voltage regulator. The motor is a '99 (all the HD crate motors are '99 versions) and has a 3 phase alternator which requires a different regulator. I may or may not keep the ol' Keihin butterfly carb. It's been pretty dependable, and I know how to tweak on butterfly carbs. If I end up replacing it I will go with an S&S E. Also haven't decided on the ignition. Electronic is nice, but points can be fixed anywhere there is a parts joint that sells stuff forold Chevies.

Years ago I saw a bike in Easyriders mag that had an English style rear fender mounted directly to the swingarm. Buddy and I did one similar, flat fender vice ribbed, on an early '70sSporty. Small solo seat made it look ****. Thought about doing something similar to the Sloptail using an old fender brace I have left over from my old '72 chopped CH. But since the Rocker came out I'm kinda turned off on the idea. So now what?

I do have a leftover front fender that I might carve up and use on the rear. I've got a Nightster side mount license bracket coming, and am planning to convert or make new rear turn signal/tail/stop lights out of some other old junk in one of my leftover parts bins. Yes,I think that'll do fine - front fender flipped around, and a leather tip in place of the bulky chrome junk. With the fender flipped it'll look similar to a Deuce rear fender. Hmm, wonder if that's where HD got their idea?

Sure glad I have THE MAMA's Nightster to ride while I get to play in the shop! (MAMA ain't that happy about it, though. )

 

pococj,

I like to know how the engine swap turned out. Was the voltage regulator the only thing you had to change out? Did the new engine come with new alternator? Was this a new crate engine or did you do the engine swap program? If swap-did you get the same vin number? Just wondering for future options. To me, the engine swap program sounds like a very good deal from what is advertised. Around $2500-3000 for a new stock engine is not bad. I like tosave some money and just buy one to store.
Any other opinions on this?

dave

 

I've been waiting for this post. It seems like a real long time since you bought the crate. I'd love to see it in. But, please tell me that you will use a paint gun, and not that rattle can crap that you used in the past. A new powerplant deserves a nice paint job.

Joe

 

It's not a swap. I just bought a motor outright. $2995 + taxes. So far the only diff is the alternator as far as having to change things. I might pull the old motor down and get the cases repaired, then do a rebuild on it.

 

It has been a long time, but first it was too nice to tear it down, then I changed jobs, blah, blah, blah, etc. Still only get to work on it an hour or so every other night. But I got 'til whenever to do it.

Nope, no paint gun. Waste of good money! The MAMA's new Nightster already has 3 chunks outta the paint on the tank and the front fender has one chunk outta it. Another 6 months of ridin' around here andI'll have to rattle can it!

 

She is going to kill you if you use $5.00 paint on a brand new bike, damn I may have to slap you

Joe

 

Ha, I'll use two cans. That'll make it a $10 paint job.

 

poco u might want to try a cv carb,best thing i done to my fxr.nightrider gives the best diagram and fix for em.the money is right also,got mine for 35 bucks off early twinkie. total cost for whole changeover was under a 100

 

I agree -- I replaced my stock Keihin butterfly with a CV and SE air cleaner. The difference was amazing -- well worth whatever whatever cost and effort went into it.

 

It's on the agenda as a discussion item. Gotta check and see what it'd take to modify it for a single throttle cable set-up. I have an internal throttle cable and ain't gonna go back to the dual mess.

Hers's a couple quick pics of the old front fender jammed into the rear. Got some cuttin' and grindin' to do.

[IMG]local://upfiles/670/B2D15748881B4264BB4A9D2EF7C6B3BB.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/670/C02CE61847FC43E39E9C9CD850B0FBE7.jpg[/IMG]