Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

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flatheadDave
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#91

Post by flatheadDave »

RUBONE wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 1:54 am Nice score. What are your plans? And I want the tanks and rear fender off the blue one.... :mrgreen:
Im going to get it started, or try, this weekend. I am torn between keeping it like this, or getting a replacement fender and adding a head light....

I kinda like the funkiness of it. I won't be "repainting or restoring" but maybe pull the engine, check it, put it back in and start it.
RUBONE
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#92

Post by RUBONE »

flatheadDave wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 10:05 pm
RUBONE wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 1:54 am Nice score. What are your plans? And I want the tanks and rear fender off the blue one.... :mrgreen:
Im going to get it started, or try, this weekend. I am torn between keeping it like this, or getting a replacement fender and adding a head light....

I kinda like the funkiness of it. I won't be "repainting or restoring" but maybe pull the engine, check it, put it back in and start it.
I like it like that as well. Reminds me of my first 45, I was 15 years old and paid 50 bucks for it with a blown gearbox. I bought a rebuilt box from the dealer for $25 that someone had left and never picked up and I was good to go.
Image
flatheadDave
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#93

Post by flatheadDave »

RUBONE wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 10:22 pm
flatheadDave wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 10:05 pm
RUBONE wrote: Tue May 19, 2020 1:54 am Nice score. What are your plans? And I want the tanks and rear fender off the blue one.... :mrgreen:
Im going to get it started, or try, this weekend. I am torn between keeping it like this, or getting a replacement fender and adding a head light....

I kinda like the funkiness of it. I won't be "repainting or restoring" but maybe pull the engine, check it, put it back in and start it.
I like it like that as well. Reminds me of my first 45, I was 15 years old and paid 50 bucks for it with a blown gearbox. I bought a rebuilt box from the dealer for $25 that someone had left and never picked up and I was good to go.
Image
$50 bucks! Those were the days! I have heard similar stories of flatheads being at outlet supply stores in the 80's for $100 each.

damn, Rubone - you have some awesome pictures in your image shack!

Thanks for keeping this site going.

Flathead Dave
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#94

Post by RooDog »

Never had my 45 running. Sold it and took that money and bought a 61" Panhead, with foot shift and was doing just fine until the tranny got stolen while it was out of the bike.... I don't remember what happened then to that Panny....
....RooDog....
45Brit2017
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#95

Post by 45Brit2017 »

Got the gearbox in my 45 now. As it’s a 2-bolt unit, it needs something doing about the chain line. Found this Matchless back wheel in the workshop, and it seems to fit straight in with a little work on the spacers..
075C556E-FF52-45D9-9E63-3ACB6EE971CA.jpeg
075C556E-FF52-45D9-9E63-3ACB6EE971CA.jpeg (102.13 KiB) Viewed 3130 times
flatheadDave
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#96

Post by flatheadDave »

45Brit2017 wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 8:50 am Got the gearbox in my 45 now. As it’s a 2-bolt unit, it needs something doing about the chain line. Found this Matchless back wheel in the workshop, and it seems to fit straight in with a little work on the spacers..

075C556E-FF52-45D9-9E63-3ACB6EE971CA.jpeg
You put a bolt trans into a 3 bolt bike? I didn't know this was possible. Do you need to machine anything? or does it fit right in? All the same parts? Thanks for the pic too
Flathead Dave
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#97

Post by RUBONE »

flatheadDave wrote: Fri Jun 05, 2020 11:32 pm
45Brit2017 wrote: Wed May 27, 2020 8:50 am Got the gearbox in my 45 now. As it’s a 2-bolt unit, it needs something doing about the chain line. Found this Matchless back wheel in the workshop, and it seems to fit straight in with a little work on the spacers..

075C556E-FF52-45D9-9E63-3ACB6EE971CA.jpeg
You put a bolt trans into a 3 bolt bike? I didn't know this was possible. Do you need to machine anything? or does it fit right in? All the same parts? Thanks for the pic too
Flathead Dave
Primary chain line is the same, drive side is 7/16" wider. Use a two bolt rear brake drum and make an appropriate spacer. Or use a custom wheel set-up as 45Brit did.
45Brit2017
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#98

Post by 45Brit2017 »

If you use a 2-bolt brake drum (hard to find, and expensive when found) you will need to change the brake shoes to front shoes, change the actuating cam and pivot to a front wheel type, make a set of spacers to suit and modify the axle to accommodate the revised axle internal profile. It’s doable, but easier to find a Japanese or British back wheel and make top-hat spacers to accommodate the Harley axle slots.
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#99

Post by 45Brit2017 »

Reverting to an older problem with this bike, it tends to drain from the oil tank into the sump, through the piston skirt lubricators. I’ve now sourced an inline non-return valve - opens automatically when connected, break to seal both lines - so I fitted that, I just have to remember to connect it when starting the engine.

I was going to fit a tap, but this is handier because it allows me to drain the tank easily as well.
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#100

Post by 45Brit2017 »

I’ve now got the complete 2-bolt transmission and back wheel set up. I need to fabricate a couple of spacers to replace the washers I’m presently using to make up the length, but it looks good.
Peet038
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#101

Post by Peet038 »

Hi all,

I'm Peter, from the Netherlands. I have been working on on a '47 WL for quite a while. I bought it in 1991and it is actually my first motorcycle. It was imported from Austin and had a Sportster rearwheel and drum, a 1963 G engine, transmission and tanks. I rebuild it to look a WL and drove it untill the "pong" sound in the engine became to loud :-)
I'm restoring it for the second time, doing it proper this time, trying to get as much NOS or original parts as i can. Because it will be a frequest driver, i use a primary belt. I'm working on the fenders right now. I found two original fenders in poor state, but they were affordable and worth the try. The front had been in an accident and got bend inwards by the forks. The rear was used on a VL and had a piece cut out on the right side to clear the chain. Plus it had a doorhinge welded to it..
The picture below shows where i am ay the moment.
20200711_173207.jpg
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RUBONE
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#102

Post by RUBONE »

Great project Peter! Good luck on your hunt!!
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#103

Post by tomcat »

Can you use a VL rear fender on a WL?
RUBONE
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#104

Post by RUBONE »

tomcat wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:57 am Can you use a VL rear fender on a WL?
The chain cutouts are on opposite sides, some of the dimensions differ. So without some cutting and fitting, no.
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Re: Any good WL/WLA/G Projects going on

#105

Post by Peet038 »

As i mentioned, my rear fender was used on a VL and had a piece cut out on the left side to clear the chain, and the original clearance on the right side was hammered out. Getting it somewhat back to original was quite a chore. A good, original VL fender will sell for good money. If you have the opportunity, use a WL fender (bought with money you got from selling the VL fender :D ). Please do not butcher usable original parts..
RUBONE wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:04 pm
tomcat wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2020 11:57 am Can you use a VL rear fender on a WL?
The chain cutouts are on opposite sides, some of the dimensions differ. So without some cutting and fitting, no.
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