dual exhaust / tire questions

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radarv
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dual exhaust / tire questions

#1

Post by radarv »

I'm wondering if there was/is a dual exhaust set up for 49-57 rigid frame pans ( one on each side of the bike.) also I'm wondering what you guys run for tires on your rigids. I've been told only bias ply for early bikes. would any modern style tires cause any handling issues on a rigid ? I welcome your comments. thanks, radar
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#2

Post by RUBONE »

Superior made independent duals for Pans and Knuckles. H-D made their own starting in '54 which will fit any rigid Pan.
The Superiors are still available, the H-D are hard to find. Paughco made a set-up too, don't know if it still exists or not.
I run independent duals on my '47 FL.
Tires are a personal deal. Lots of guys run Avon SMs, some run Shinkos, some Coker repops in various tread patterns. I have run Beck pattern Cokers for years, the trick is to PUT AIR IN THEM! Too many guys try to run them low like old Goodyears and they handle like crap. They need to be inflated properly so the sidewalls don't flex. Here's my '47 with Cokers and dual exhaust.
Robbie
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#3

Post by Panshovevo »

Nice bike, Robbie.
Regards,
John
radarv
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#4

Post by radarv »

thanks thats what I was wondering on the exhaust. as far as tires , I have a set of dunlop mt-90/16 wwwalls that I was thinking about putting on my pan. just didnt want issues with ridability. very nice ride robbie. radar
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#5

Post by FlatHeadSix »

radar,
about the only "issue" you'll hear regarding modern tires is that they are not as tall as the original 5.00x16, most of the guys that run them report that ground clearance is reduced and you tend to drag your stuff on the pavement when cornering hard. So, if you don't mind dragging your pipes and floorboards once in a while, there really isn't any problem running them on the early rigid frame bikes.

mike
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#6

Post by radarv »

thanks. I kind of wondered about that. did you guys see what that original 48-52 speedo sold for on ebay the other day? when it ended it was at $860.00 . boy was I shocked! I didnt think it was worth near that but I guess you dont find them too often. radar
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#7

Post by RUBONE »

did you guys see what that original 48-52 speedo sold for on ebay the other day? when it ended it was at $860.00
Good cores are high and hard to find and restoration of them is expensive. Lots trade hands at $1000+!
Robbie
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#8

Post by radarv »

ouch! I guess I wont be looking for one of those anytime soon then. If I was building a 100 point bike I guess I would. mabee someday though. for now I will buy a police special black face from j&p for $67.00, It'll do what I need it to do
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#9

Post by Bigincher »

radarv wrote:ouch! I guess I wont be looking for one of those anytime soon then. If I was building a 100 point bike I guess I would. mabee someday though. for now I will buy a police special black face from j&p for $67.00, It'll do what I need it to do
Yes it will--- for awhile. Nobody reproduces the '48-'52 speedometer, at least not yet....
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#10

Post by john HD »

mr. bordas can assemble one for you for considerably less.

you may want to contact him. he has built two for me that have worked perfectly. he also makes drive cables from nos components.

john

his contact info:

john bordas

11800 w. 38th ave.
wheat ridge co
80033

303 420 4510

j.bordas@att.net
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#11

Post by john HD »

this thread has some photos of work john has done for me and one he serviced for a friend.

https://www.hydra-glide.net/phpBB3/view ... 47&p=32180

back to your other question, member dave swanson has a very original 56 with true duals on his bike.

sounds and looks great!

john
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#12

Post by FlatHeadSix »

john HD wrote:mr. bordas can assemble one for you for considerably less.
yep, John Bordas is the best there is if you want speedo work done, and done right, at a fair price. He is very easy to work with, reasonable turn around time, excellent communication, and, above all, top quality finished product.

But, as Robbie already said, it ain't cheap, but his work is good and his prices are fair.

mike
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#13

Post by radarv »

thanks john & mike for the info. I will get ahold of him when I get that far on my bike. I'm not trying to be cheap, I just had no idea that those brought that much money. thanks again, radar ps. big incher, I think alot of people would be interested in a repop if someone out there was to undertake making those.
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#14

Post by Bigincher »

radarv wrote: ps. big incher, I think alot of people would be interested in a repop if someone out there was to undertake making those.
There's a guy that sells various repop speedometers on eBay (don't recall the seller's name) and I asked him about 1948-52 repros several months ago. He said he was working on them and they'd be ready 'soon', but I don't know when that might be. I think if there were decent repops available, the price of the OEMs might come down a little...
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Re: dual exhaust / tire questions

#15

Post by john HD »

seller "old rugged" aka ressurrection cycle aka steve lemay has been selling repros of some early and military speedos.

other than the obvious difference in the number of wheels on the trip meter they appear to be nice looking units.

what he uses for parts internally is unknown to me. i think i remember that his speedos use the standard cable with the male end as oem units.

he is a good guy and i have bought a bunch of stuff for my wla from him. over the phone and in person at davenport.

the price for his units are very reasonable compared to nos or rebuilt units.

john
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