Well, I am nearly done with the '71 Bonneville project (see1st pic), so am getting myself psyched up to rebuild the '51 FL Pan-Shovel--hopefully in time for next year's riding season.

The 2nd photo shows the Pan-Shovel in its current iteration (but for the hydraulic clutch I've got installed just now). The only aesthetic change I've been contemplating per another thread is a sissy bar and a new, low-profile S&S Super E air cleaner that I recently designed and am nearly done fabricating. It's a more classic-looking design that should retain my knee-to-tank preference for riding position. I may add a windshield per another new thread, as I want to visit a friend in the Ozarks, but we'll see...

At any rate, the main reason for this thread is to get help and advice rebuilding the bottom end. So, whenever I get up a head of steam and start tearing her down, I would appreciate help with inevitable questions I will post about anything that isn't clear to me in the manual as I inspect the damage and assemble a list of parts.

Thanks very much.

 

I'm not a big Brit bike fan, but that Triumph looks absolutely sweeeet! Nicely done.

 

Miss my old BSA's, was down in your area a couple weeks back, Taos was interesting. San Fransico got nothing on that town far as population demographics go.

 

Thanks, man. I needed something to zip around the canyons with and loath new bikes. What can I say?

I think I'm going to repaint the sheet metal on the Pan-Shovel while the engine is out.

 

Yeah, the OIF models extended to some BSAs I think. The Rocket 3 is an amazing bike in the twisties, I hear, and far too fast for its brakes (I designed a DIY 11.5" front disc for this one using a 2000 Sporty hub, narrow-band PM stainless rotor, and CNC-machined Wilwood caliper adapter. (see pic - before I decided on clip-ons and a fairing)

Sorry I missed you. I'm sure you avoided me like the plague, given that I'd have put you to work on the '51 FL rebuild.

Seriously, though, maybe next time--and I will definitely appreciate your advice and tips as I rebuild The Paint Shaker.

 

May be back down that way spring time, things I want to see are a one day twice a year or scheduled ahead of time gigs, I didn't know about till we got there. Want to do the Nuke sites tours, grew up with that hanging over my head as a kid. Firms up I'll give a shout, hook up a coffee or a beer or something.

 

Sounds good. If this bottom-end rebuild proceeds at a very un-Joel-like pace, I'd conceivably have two (4-speed) bikes running by either Spring or Fall, so we could do a morning run up HWY 14 to the Mineshaft Tavern behind the Sandias for a cheeseburger, or out HWY 550 past El Cabezon to Cuba, etc.

 

So, I'm trying to get some projects done to make space in the garage to start this engine rebuild next month (if the crick don't rise). Couple of things:

First, on the strength of Twisted Biker's recommendations in Max's '65 rebuild thead, I ordered a set of those Japanese rods he mentioned ($114 delivered - wow). I'm holding off on ordering more stuff until I see just how bad things are, but as I was just within spec re: rod shake when I first bought this bike and went through it, seemed like these were a good purchase.

Second - a question: what does the bottom end of a '51 FL engine weigh? I see that Max pulled the heads and then hooked a couple of bolts to the jugs to remove the engine with a hoist--and I can certainly do that. But wonder if I removed the jugs and pistons, whether I could just lift the engine out of the frame and onto the bench by hand...? Reason I ask is my hoist is out back and a hassle to wrestle into the garage...

 

I used those RPLS rods in my 82 FXR. The old timer who built the motor was skeptical at first, but when he measured them up he was impressed and had no problem using them..

 

Johnjzjz and I both swear by them, for a stock to mild build can't beat them, I've never had issues. Honestly I will take the RPLS over S&S rods. Have a couple sets on hand.

Whole engine is about 130lbs if I remember right. Lower end only under 70lbs without the genny.