o/t - so i got my first harley

[rev616]

a few weeks ago i posted about how my dad found me a 49 panhead...well i went and looked at the bike labor day weekend when i was back in michigan..the bike wasnt a panhead.it was a 49 45" FLAThead..i was dissapointed about it at first,then i realized that is was just as good if not better.it kicks over and has compression.its pretty much stock,except the front end is off a sporty (going back to springer).the lady said it needs wiring,but we'll see when i move back to michigan i guess.it has a title.complete engine,and trans.tanks and rear fender.clutch and handshifter.dash and speedo.she wants $2500 for it.

i saw an auction end a few days ago,for a 42 45",no title,no eads,no carb,non original front end.the final price was $1925...so it looks to be like im getting a good deal.i think i may even beable to get it cheaper.its being held for me...i cant wait to graduate and move now.i am planning on a mild (reversable) bob-job

[dixiedog]

You got a GREAT deal, sell the sporty fork to get some money for the springer. IMHO, the fat 16" tire in front on a springer with no fender and a bobbed rear fender looks killer.

[willowbilly3]

Sounds like a good score. Those 45s are tough as nails and maybe more forgiving that a big twin. I know of guys whose old ladys ride trikes and they run them flat out everywhere they go ( mostly trying to keep up) Still you can build it to run the speed limit pretty easy. The only one I ever had was a 42 trike and I loved it for bombing around the ranch or bar hopping. Mine would only go about 53 flat out so I never took it out on the open road much.
Is it a WL or a WLA (army)

[CTFuzz]

Those "45'S" are great fun and very easy to get parts for....you gotta understand though, they are not fast but you can run it rough all day!!!! the thing I like about a tank shift is no one asks to take the bike for a ride http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Good luck...............

[RockyMtnPits]

You will dig that 45, and you can make it run down the road just fine. Mine was .070 over and running the original linkert M74 and would keep right up with a buddies WLDR.. Cruise at 65 no problem.
Sounds like you did fine with yours as far as price. Is it a "G" motor or "W" motor?
You can see pics of my old 45 in the link below my name.

[rev616]

[ QUOTE ]
You got a GREAT deal, sell the sporty fork to get some money for the springer. IMHO, the fat 16" tire in front on a springer with no fender and a bobbed rear fender looks killer.

[/ QUOTE ]

thats what im thinking too.that or a skinny 21" filling up most of the springer.we'll see

[rev616]

[ QUOTE ]
You will dig that 45, and you can make it run down the road just fine. Mine was .070 over and running the original linkert M74 and would keep right up with a buddies WLDR.. Cruise at 65 no problem.
Sounds like you did fine with yours as far as price. Is it a "G" motor or "W" motor?
You can see pics of my old 45 in the link below my name.

[/ QUOTE ]

im going to gear mine for faster speeds i think..i dont yet know what the motor is.i will find out in 8 weeks.im hoping i get home and it turns out to be an 80" haha.the cool thing is that i will be fresh out of school.i go to motorcycle mechanics institute.my last class is early model,6 weeks of bikes from flat heads up to shovel heads.they have 3 flatheads and the teacher i hear is a flathead freak.,its just too bad i dont have the money to pay the bike off and send the engine and trans here so we can rebuild them at school.oh well.im way excited and cant wait to get home..

whats up with the secret stash pictures? why not hook a brotha up with one of those front ends in the springer pile? haha

[rev616]

its the stock motor,so im pretty sur eit s W motor.man one year older and i would have had a chance of it being an 80" flathead.i guess they stopped them after 48 and only had 45" in 49

[Tony Bones]

S&S still makes a kit to stroke them. This was originally done w/ an Indian flywheel. It involves some machine work and is expensive.

A cheaper way to go for some oomph is to have your cams reground, bump the compression a bit, and run a Mikuni. This combo. w/ a different sprocket will produce a pretty quick and highway friendly bike...well, quick for a 45.

Nice score.

Here's a little inspiration for you:

[Flat Ernie]

T&O still make a stroker flywheel for them. Indian Chief wheels are around, but you're money ahead with S&S or T&O.

There's lots of info on cranking these up a little bit - you'll never have a screamer, but you can get 'em to run fairly well.

Cams can be re-ground & a couple folks are reproducing the WLDR cams (not a lot hotter - especially considering the price)

Compression can be had by milling the heads and/or using pop-up pistons (a-la K-models & WRs).

Another good "driveability" upgrade is the swap to a pre-unit Brit tranny. You just get 4 closer ratio gears instead of 3 wider ones - nothing gained at the top end, but a little easier around town.

Check out the flathead forum on http://www.flatheadpower.com - lots of info there. Also check out Victory Library at http://victorylibrary.com - they sell some books that have lots of hop-up tips.

Lastly, do a search for 45s or WLs on here - plenty of posts in the recent past (6mo-1yr) on 45s

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif