Opinions wanted
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 507
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From: Cleveland, OH - Longing for Savannah, GA
Opinions wanted
Hello,
I have 2 issues I can't decide on and was hoping you people could shed some light and help me out. I am finishing a 74 Ironhead build and am debating a couple things. First of all, this bike is a kick/electric. I understand these were nicknamed the Milwaulkee Crippler for a good reason. I am thinking about covering the whole starter assembly section and making it a kick only, but with adding compression releases. ...I see there is a kind that thread into the spark plug ports as one unit. Does this make sense to you guys? I figure not many people would even know how to start the damn thing anyhow (relating to the theft factor). Would there be any disadvantages?
Secondly, I will try to attach some pictures, but I am debating putting clip on bars on the bike instead of the clamp/drag bar route. I see that the bars may hit the tank forst of all and secondly, I wanted to achieve that old flat track / bobber look and I think the lower the bars, the better....you tell me.
Thanks in advance for any input.
[IMG]local://upfiles/8740/59979BE7CF2D4E36816C47C178B49653.jpg[/IMG]
I have 2 issues I can't decide on and was hoping you people could shed some light and help me out. I am finishing a 74 Ironhead build and am debating a couple things. First of all, this bike is a kick/electric. I understand these were nicknamed the Milwaulkee Crippler for a good reason. I am thinking about covering the whole starter assembly section and making it a kick only, but with adding compression releases. ...I see there is a kind that thread into the spark plug ports as one unit. Does this make sense to you guys? I figure not many people would even know how to start the damn thing anyhow (relating to the theft factor). Would there be any disadvantages?
Secondly, I will try to attach some pictures, but I am debating putting clip on bars on the bike instead of the clamp/drag bar route. I see that the bars may hit the tank forst of all and secondly, I wanted to achieve that old flat track / bobber look and I think the lower the bars, the better....you tell me.
Thanks in advance for any input.
[IMG]local://upfiles/8740/59979BE7CF2D4E36816C47C178B49653.jpg[/IMG]
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Opinions wanted
Nice looking project bike. Looks like it is ready for paint.
If you want to convert the bike to a kickstart only, about all you need to do is remove the starter and solinoid and put the cover plate across the backside of the primary cover. There is an added advantage(s) though if you care to spend the money:
Going to K/S only will enable you to use a center mount oil tank. It will enable you to use the smaller battery size (XLCH) and mount the battery on the left side. All of this really cleans up the appearance of the machine in my opinion. To me, a Sportster should look tall and very thin, another reason I would never put a 16 inch rear wheel on mine.
I know nothing of any kind of compression release being available. You do not need it either if there is such a thing.
As for the handlebars: If it were me I would not do clip on bars. They may hit the tank. They are short and so you have very little leverage. Flattrack bars would be nice. They are wide enough to provide leverage, needed by a dirt tracker and they have a bit of rise. Go over to the FLATHEAD section and see the photo of my 1955 KR flatracker. That will show you what flatrack bars are. Clip on bars were a second set of bars that we had on the road race bikes. They bolted to the lower fork bolts and allowed you to lay on the gas tank and keep your arms in close. Never used them going through turns however!
There is my 2 cents worth. Hope your project is satisfactory. It looks like it will be...............piniongear
If you want to convert the bike to a kickstart only, about all you need to do is remove the starter and solinoid and put the cover plate across the backside of the primary cover. There is an added advantage(s) though if you care to spend the money:
Going to K/S only will enable you to use a center mount oil tank. It will enable you to use the smaller battery size (XLCH) and mount the battery on the left side. All of this really cleans up the appearance of the machine in my opinion. To me, a Sportster should look tall and very thin, another reason I would never put a 16 inch rear wheel on mine.
I know nothing of any kind of compression release being available. You do not need it either if there is such a thing.
As for the handlebars: If it were me I would not do clip on bars. They may hit the tank. They are short and so you have very little leverage. Flattrack bars would be nice. They are wide enough to provide leverage, needed by a dirt tracker and they have a bit of rise. Go over to the FLATHEAD section and see the photo of my 1955 KR flatracker. That will show you what flatrack bars are. Clip on bars were a second set of bars that we had on the road race bikes. They bolted to the lower fork bolts and allowed you to lay on the gas tank and keep your arms in close. Never used them going through turns however!
There is my 2 cents worth. Hope your project is satisfactory. It looks like it will be...............piniongear
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 507
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH - Longing for Savannah, GA
RE: Opinions wanted
Thank you piniongear for the input....we are on the same page on some aspect, but a bit different on others....I like the center oil tank mount for sure, but are there different styles available? Also, I know the sporties were meant to be a bit taller and thinner, but I wanted to try and make mine a really low-slung road burner. I may just keep the bar assembly that is on it now and extend some 1/4 inch extentions to the fork stops to ensure no banging against my tank....funny, but I thought the clip ons would be able to get adjusted forward or upward to prevent hitting the tank (more mobility than the stationary regular assembly). Thanks for the advice. I did find the compression release/spark plug combo unit on Ebay, but need some input from some folks (if any) regarding their effectiveness.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 775
Likes: 2
From: OC California
RE: Opinions wanted
Nice looking rebuild ya got going there man. What year is the front wheel hub? That does not look like the single disc on mine for sure. There have been many a day push starting my machine I wish I had a kicker as well as the electric start but when the button works it is priceless. I also like the sleek look and feel of the bike and am opting to keep the 18" rear wheel. That is just what my taste is though. Check out J&P for oil tanks they have a good selection.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,472
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Opinions wanted
There are clip-ons that fasten around the fork tube between the upper and lower triple trees. You can adjust them to any angle you want.
What year are the forks? I always liked the old slim forks, but never liked the "is-this-thing-gonna-stop" front drum.
Forget the compression releases. You really don't need them. Keep it tuned up, and don't let the kick start components wear out. The "dreaded" Sportster knee is more of a good story than reality as long as you do these things.
What year are the forks? I always liked the old slim forks, but never liked the "is-this-thing-gonna-stop" front drum.
Forget the compression releases. You really don't need them. Keep it tuned up, and don't let the kick start components wear out. The "dreaded" Sportster knee is more of a good story than reality as long as you do these things.
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