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Message started by Dave on 07/22/12 at 04:39:45

Title: Cool Harley at AMA Vintage Bike Show
Post by Dave on 07/22/12 at 04:39:45

My wife and I went to the AMA Vintage bike show at Mid Ohio yesterday. Lot's or really cool bikes and a lots to see and do. One of the bikes that really caught our attention was this Harley that used a modern engine, lights, brakes and controls - but was built to look like a really early bike. The size was considerably bigger than an early bike would be - as it had to work with that big engine. The brass headlight had a modern sealed beam hidden inside.
http://i50.tinypic.com/1688zvc.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/syaw50.jpg

Title: Re: Cool Harley at AMA Vintage Bike Show
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/22/12 at 05:33:36

I like the idea, & its well executed, I like the color scheme allright, the base color w/ creme contrast, but the blue doesnt knock me out,,mite be period perfect tho, for all I know, I probably would have tried to make the exhaust look more period & less performance.

I sure thot Schwinn had some excellent paint schemes back in the day. With their Base & Creme schemes, ,

Title: Re: Cool Harley at AMA Vintage Bike Show
Post by Cavi Mike on 07/22/12 at 21:01:09

I'm a bit confused as to why they'd use that sport-bike canister for a muffler. With the amount of fabrication involved in that bike, I'm baffled by the lack of a custom-fab muffler as well.

Title: Re: Cool Harley at AMA Vintage Bike Show
Post by teabowl13 on 07/23/12 at 05:39:23

That muffler caught my eye too, but I gotta say, all nit-picking aside; That's pretty slick!
I gotta wonder how that rides. It sure would be a sight to see something like that fly by on the freeway at 80mph!! Just humming along smooth as glass...

Thanks for posting these! I really miss getting out to MId-Ohio. It's just too far away from me now. I'm jealous. Don't be afraid to post more photos from your trip. I'd love to see them!

Title: Re: Cool Harley at AMA Vintage Bike Show
Post by WD on 07/23/12 at 16:24:03

That canister muffler IS a period correct style, just a bit oversized. Early mufflers weren't anything fancy.

Shame the builder poisoned all that work with an Evo Sportster engine... an Ironhead Sportster or K model flattie would have been perfect. An Ironhead with Knucklehead rocker boxes (pretty easy conversion) would have been beyond perfect.

Can you imagine that with one of Flathead Power's replica Indian Scout Jr (30.50 cubic inch) flathead engines... bike-gasm. Not sure they make that one anymore though since S&S bought them out...maybe Kiwi has it now.

Title: Re: Cool Harley at AMA Vintage Bike Show
Post by Dave on 07/24/12 at 07:35:43

4B7A7E7D7068732E2C1F0 wrote:

Thanks for posting these! I really miss getting out to MId-Ohio. It's just too far away from me now. I'm jealous. Don't be afraid to post more photos from your trip. I'd love to see them!

I really didn't take many photos. I only took pictures of this Harley, a Gold Wing Cafe Racer that had big carbs on it.......I have a neighbor that took his 4 carbs off his Goldwing and put a single VW carb on so he didn't have to synch carbs anymore.....I wanted to show him this Goldwing.

Title: Re: Cool Harley at AMA Vintage Bike Show
Post by arteacher on 07/24/12 at 09:32:30

"Goldwing cafe racer" seems to be a bit of an oxymoron to me. ;D

Title: Re: Cool Harley at AMA Vintage Bike Show
Post by teabowl13 on 07/25/12 at 00:03:35

THANKS DAVE! Actually I used to own a '75 Goldwing for a while. Great bike, but I didn't love it enough to keep forever. I've seen that carb conversion done a few times with the old Goldwings, and the single VW carbs too.
I was amazed myself at how many "Cafe Racers" were being built out of those old things. Even the lightest one around must weigh as much as two of our Suzuki's plus a stout passenger!

Glad you enjoyed the weekend! Cheers.

Title: Re: Cool Harley at AMA Vintage Bike Show
Post by arteacher on 07/26/12 at 16:14:08

Something about it was bugging me and I finally figured out what it is: The fenders are too modern for the tank. It needs bigger fenders, not the tire huggers it has.

Title: Re: Cool Harley at AMA Vintage Bike Show
Post by WD on 07/26/12 at 18:35:00

Pretty accurate for late teens or early 20s. I've had bikes from 1915 (Henderson), 1920 (HD Sport Twin), 2 from 1928 (Indian Scouts), one from 36 and one from 38 (both Indian Chiefs). They all had fenders that looked too small. Basically just the spare tire ring off an old sedan. Or widened bicycle fenders stamped out of heavier tin.

It could use another inch or so fender gap to be more period.