| Author | Message | ||
     Silas_clone |
I love my front brake on the M2. With all these "chopper" types dismantling Buells, I got to thinking if it were possible to install a Buell front end from a wreck-etc., on my ironhead? Is the Buell a 1" stem? | ||
| Oldog |
Sials, more important is the IH frame made in a way to accept the tapered bearings that fit the stearing head? I will check this afternoon to see what size the stem shaft and bearings are (Message edited by oldog on December 02, 2005) | ||
| Silas_clone |
The steering head has ball bearing fork cups that can be knocked out and replaced with timken style cups. The fork stem length is another issue...and really not much of one. The only real issue is that of the stem diameter. I am not sure if a stem larger than 1 inch will fit. The '73 front end is heavy and floppy. I like the bike, but really like stopping better. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I remember seeing someone out there that replaced the front end of his ironhead with a GSXR750. Looked cool but I of course have no idea of what he had to do to get there. | ||
| Silas_clone |
Where are the best salvage yards? | ||
| Oldog |
Silas sorry about the delay in getting the measurements for you yes the stem is right at 1" the timken bearings measure cup od 1.981 +/- .002 cup ht .420 +/- .010 cone id 1.001 +/- .002 cone ht .580 +/- .010 NOTE dimmentions taken with Dial calipers, these are for reference IF you need them closer contact a bearing supplier for cataloug dimmentions. the Buell X1 lower "cone" is a press fit to the stem | ||
| Silas_clone |
Oldog...thanks for the effort. I wonder how good this old ironhead could be with a modern front end. I have an 80's era top end, an older CV carb. Maybe add an electronic ignition? Hafta keep the kick-starter. Like to build it up again. | ||
| Silas_clone |
Surfing thru the "new wave" [for me, anyway, I am used to chrome go-fasters]...http://www.bankeperformance.com/flattrack/tripleclamps.html I guess with these baby's I could assemble any type of quality front end to fit my Ironhead? | ||
| Philip |
after an unfortunate meeting with a cadilac grill, i adapted a z-1 front end to my 72 ironhead. this was in 1976 so the front end was only two years old an modern tech for the day. i machined the stem from an ironhead tree and the stem from the z-1 tree. after machining a bushing it was all pressed together and welded. worked fine and still lives in my garage today. the z-1 stem was too big in diameter and length, the buell stem might not be too long. on of my projects now is to graft a gpz 1100 front end and rear wheel and brake onto my 74 z-1. just takes time and money, right? good luck philip | ||
| Road_thing |
Hey Philip--check out this morning's Wall Street Journal. The major manufacturer of surfboard blanks just closed his shop in CA--price of boards is gonna skyrocket! rt | ||
| Bomber |
if the stock stem is too long or too large in diameter, it's not a huge effort to make another one of the right dimensions (sez one who's done just that) -- now, if the new trees use a stemm that's way to small, it's a lil tougher (much time at the Berry Bearing counter may help) | ||
| Oldog |
silas: you can use a propane tourch to heat a buell lower tree and with judicious use of a hammer and brass remove the steel stem from the aluminum lower tree, IF the stem is mild steel then as bomber indicates it can be shortened. consider looking on Evil Bay for a buell front end trees and brake setup would the IH look sick with the ZTL or what! | ||
| Bomber |
I've never seen a stem made outa anything other than mild steel, or aluminum -- the stresses in that area just don't required anything stouter, I'm thinkin | ||
| Oldog |
Bomber I was shocked when I saw the aluminum stem on the Banke site. It would be a steel one for me. Silas could have it shortened at a local shop, or have a new one made if needed I would guess that he night be looking at 150$ to 200$ ( I had a steel pin, with 2 sections made localy, the tolerences were not as close it ran just over 200$ ) looking at the 01X1 stem I would surmize that it started life as either 1.5" or 1.75" barstock, relieve drill and tap one end, turn a 1" journal at the "top" for a slip fit of the bearing,turn the middle to about .99" - .010" mill a lock slot near the bottom. the bottom bearing is a press fit as is the tree bottom a large shoulder is present on the "bottom" end to help hold against the tree bottom, the 2 bottom diameters tree and bottom bearing are close tolerence | ||
| Bomber |
Dawg -- you're right, not a lot of majik in that part, tho there are a couple of tolerances to hold -- aluminum would be OK, I'm thinkin, for a fairly light scoot (it woul dhave to be a fairly stout alloy) -- not a great deal of energy going through there -- the couple I made, toughest part was the threading at the top -- having never cut thread on a lathe before, much less metirc on an 1914 American lathe, I gave up after a couple of trials and bought a BIG die (the most expensive part of the entire saga) -- the couple I've made all had mild steel as stockers, both in the doner triple trees and the receiving bike, so I used mild steel as well -- | ||
| Oldog |
bomber: I would be shocked that a lathe of that vintage especialy american would have the right gears in the QC box to cut metric threads. why did you not make a nut to go with the stem? and use inch threads? I thought that entropy labs had milling equipment? I would not use alum for a street bike stem sounds like a good choice for a roadracer. | ||
| Philip |
i heard about clark foam going out of business. it was the big topic at surfhouse. i was just talking to a shaper about a new board for rachel. might have to do with what we have now for a while! i am thinking that retirement might have gotten a little bit closer with the quiver i'm hoarding!! they said he supplied 90 to 95 percent of the blanks. work is he got tired of fighting with the epa and agreed to destroy his molds and fold up to get out of hot water. i'm sure china will pick up the slack since they don't have to abide by emission laws. i hope we can make it the get together jan 22. work is killing me with no end in sight. the dallas guys are talking about something in january, is that around the same time? maybe they could drag daves to brenham. later philip | ||
| Road_thing |
Philip--the dealer convention is in Dallas on, I think, the 21st. I'm trying to get DaveS down to the ranchito, but his time is limited and he probably con't make it. Blake says he'll be there and I'm hoping for Tramp and Cochise and maybe a couple other guys from up north. We've been talking about it on the "Texas Riding" thread over at ATC. Try and make it! rt | ||
| Bomber |
could be another visitor to the Home for wayward boy from up nort . . . .. | ||
| Road_thing |
That would be most excellent! I've always wanted to meet Peter Egan in person... | ||
| Bomber |
I'll bring him wid ;-} how far from Austin is the Ranchita? | ||
| Road_thing |
About 90 miles. All paved, 'cept the last mile or so...  This is great news! I mean, even if Egan doesn't show up, the combination of Blake and Bomber on the property simultaneously should make this a BWB event of epic proportions! Might have to break out the good Scotch... I'm working on Court, too. I figure if I promise to let him glue my dog to the tractor, he'll be there in a heartbeat... rt | ||
| Philip |
with a crowd like that i might have to hook up a trailer to haul enough pies!! philip | ||
| Bomber |
Pie? | ||
| Philip |
yes, pie! there is a very good pie place in my neighborhood. the usual suggestions include dutch apple, cherry and lemon meringue. any others? looking forward to meeting everyone who comes. philip keep track on the houston storm front |
