I have rebuilt many iron head sporty motors over the years ,one was timed over a standing mile at 138mph , weak points are oil leaks from pushrod tunnels , use early  model cork gaskets , not rubber ,

starter motors are weak point s make sure bendix is perfect and brushes and commutator are clean,
if generator model make sure regulator is in tip top condition or it will get messy and expensive , dead generator and battery etc , kick start conversion is worthwhile

4 speed box should have reinforced trap door and welded supports to output shaft bearings if the motor is tuned as they are very prone to cracking the cases, even as standard

fit a mikuni or su carb for easy tuning and relaibility ,

go for bigger gearing and it will cruise sweetly at 70mph with lttle vibration.

make sure primary chain shoe is in perfect order .change oil regularly  fit an aftermarket oil filter and cooler .

watch out for wet sumping it can be deadly to the crank and the oil spring valves in the pump gallery are weak ,,,,, I put inline shutoffs in the feed lines (remember to open before running engine)

keep to standard compression if you want longevity ,


I love iron head sporties but the later evo ones are more bulletproof .

Thanks guys. I ordered the larger one today the 12 cell Ballistic. I have the option of mounting it way up front by the oil filter theres a nice notch that it will fit in to if I mount a plate on the highway peg or next to the main beam between the oil tank and the rear cylinder. The fender had to stay thin for the tire travel since I am still running the shocks, I have an inch of clearance with me jumping up and down on the bike between the tire and fender/frame rails when fully compressed. Thanks Jerrys I will look into all that.

i've wanted an old harley for a while, no garage though so just one bike for me. one day...

I painted it this weekend and now for the final assembly. I figured its a good time to tidy up the wires and run new stuff since its apart, so final assembly will be slow going.  The turn signals really work nice with the reshaped old frame work.

 

This post is really making me want to tackle that bobber project I have been tossing around.  My wallet hates it.

Next I need to upholster the seat, throw on some drag bars and mount the new speedo. The tank that came on it doesnt really fit the look I want but Im going to see what it looks like after the upholstery and what some pinstriping does to it. I got it fired back up after installing the badlands modual that controls all the lights and cleaned up all the other ratty wiring. The oil tank fit like a glove and the 12 cell ballistic battery fires it up like a champ. Very happy so far except maybe for the tank.

How about this version of the venerable peanut tank?

 
Flat tracker style or small peanut.
You're making me want one again.

I think the peanut has the right shape but man are they small. Ive been eye balling some slightly stretched ones that have a nice taper. Instead of ending so abruptly where it exposes the frame before the seat like the existing. Or maybe its the brown of the seat padding throwing my eye off, I should get that covered asap to see how that ties things toghether. I will hopefully do that by this weekend.

Quote from: alfisti on April 02, 2013, 10:05:00 PM
How about this version of the venerable peanut tank?

Only if there is an XR1200 under it!

I'd find a '90s vintage OEM Sporty peanut tank, assuming you want the petcock bung on the left for clearance reasons.

Here she is outside and upholstered. I'm going to swap tanks with my buddy ironically he was about to order a tank like mine for his bike so that works out perfect. On its maiden voyage Sunday I found that the shocks are shot  they would bottom out and there is oil getting past the seals. I guess a few years rotting in a shed will do that. These are 12.5 " so I might go to the 13.5" shocks to gain another inch of clearance just to be safe. Hopefully in the next week or so I can get these parts swapped out and give it another run.

 

Quote from: alfisti on April 02, 2013, 10:05:00 PM
How about this version of the venerable peanut tank?

That's not a tank, it's a plastic cover that goes over a plastic tank.