What engine do I have?
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
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What engine do I have?
Name is Rob and i just picked up a 1969 XLCH Chopper. 12" longer forks, 32 degree rake, S&S Carb, and 50 over.....my problem is wht motor do i have? its a 900, the guy i got it from called it a SpoonHead.....Where do i get a Gasket set from and wht are some things i should be looking for with such a Bike. i can take pic's if need be. Could someone pls help. I will admit this is my 1st REAL BIKE and i Want to make it my own.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bellville, Tx
RE: What engine do I have?
What is a "Real Bike". If you're not a very experienced rider you will probably kill yourself on it. 32 deg rake is not enough to run 12 over forks. The bike will be real top heavy and the slow speed handling will be atrocious. If it has original brakes(drums) it is doubly unsafe at any speed. Bikes are dangerous to start with, don't add to it by riding a death trap.
Consider shorter forks and a disc up front, then atleast you have a chance of survival. Good luck!
Consider shorter forks and a disc up front, then atleast you have a chance of survival. Good luck!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: What engine do I have?
ORIGINAL: Captnhowdy
Name is Rob and i just picked up a 1969 XLCH Chopper. 12" longer forks, 32 degree rake, S&S Carb, and 50 over.....my problem is wht motor do i have? its a 900, the guy i got it from called it a SpoonHead.....Where do i get a Gasket set from and wht are some things i should be looking for with such a Bike. i can take pic's if need be. Could someone pls help. I will admit this is my 1st REAL BIKE and i Want to make it my own.
Name is Rob and i just picked up a 1969 XLCH Chopper. 12" longer forks, 32 degree rake, S&S Carb, and 50 over.....my problem is wht motor do i have? its a 900, the guy i got it from called it a SpoonHead.....Where do i get a Gasket set from and wht are some things i should be looking for with such a Bike. i can take pic's if need be. Could someone pls help. I will admit this is my 1st REAL BIKE and i Want to make it my own.
Ironhead Sportster. If it's really 12 over on a 32 rake, consider getting some 2" over tubes to replace the long ones. It'll handle much better. Curious as to why someone would actually rake a frame only 2 degrees? That's beyond strange, and makes me wonder if it's raked at all, or you misunderstood, or it's a typo.
With a .050 overbore the cylinders are getting really near the end of their life. IIRC, an older Ironhead can take a max of .070, but maybe someone else can verify that.
Be very careful of the parts from V-Twin, aka Taiwan Tedd. Some are good, some are just OK, and some are junk. Tedd has also been sued for ripping off other's designs and having the stuff made by cheap foreign shops.
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1st Gear
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RE: What engine do I have?
Real Bike as in my 1st Harley......1973 Tri and 2002 Honda 900rr where my first Bikes .....but i dont consider them a real bike....Am i wrong? lol
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Heart of Dixie
RE: What engine do I have?
This may be old school speak (but I'm old school), but if you like the 12" over front end, leave it on. Just make sure the bike is mechanically and structurally sound before you ride it. All that talk about how dangerous long front ends are is overblown. Sure, a shorter front end handles better, but long forks aren't the death trap some would have you think they are.
I rode a bike for years with 10" over tubes, struts, and stock rake. I had no problems with it, am still riding 35+ years later.
I rode a bike for years with 10" over tubes, struts, and stock rake. I had no problems with it, am still riding 35+ years later.
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
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From:
RE: What engine do I have?
I have a 69 XLCH too. Extended springer front end and drum brakes on mine. I've only ridden it a few times though so far.
You should post some pics of yours in the "Show us your inronhead" thread when you can.
Mine has a bolt on hard tail and it gives the stock frame 32 degrees of rake. You might have the same set up.
You should post some pics of yours in the "Show us your inronhead" thread when you can.
Mine has a bolt on hard tail and it gives the stock frame 32 degrees of rake. You might have the same set up.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: 500 miles south from Artic Circle
RE: What engine do I have?
ORIGINAL: pococj
With a .050 overbore the cylinders are getting really near the end of their life. IIRC, an older Ironhead can take a max of .070, but maybe someone else can verify that.
With a .050 overbore the cylinders are getting really near the end of their life. IIRC, an older Ironhead can take a max of .070, but maybe someone else can verify that.
cylinder wall is about 0.03 thick on top
