2016 Motorcycle Cannonball

2016 Motorcycle Cannonball

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Finishing the Build

I had previously done a lot of work getting ready for this stage. The cylinders were bored and .020 over pistons were fitted. I again choose to use a modern Aluminum piston with an oil control ring, which were sourced thru Arius. New exhaust valves and guides were fitted, along with new intakes for the valve towers.

 
With the top end complete, the tedious task of setting the magneto timing and the correct valve overlap began. As with the 101, the cam ring on the magneto was worn, and had to be finessed to get both cylinders firing at the correct degree. A lot of time was also spent timing the valves, but eventually all fell into place.
 
 
 
I plan on running the original Hedstrom carburetor, so it was disassembled and cleaned. It is a very early design, simple but surprisingly effective. The intake nipples were cleaned and faced, and everything sealed.
 

New clutch linings and metal plates are fitted, along with new springs. This clutch will have to be right, for it is a known weak point on these single speed bikes.


It takes 3 drive chains on one of these Indians, and new 520 was fitted. Trying to find chain narrow enough was tricky, but all went smooth on installation.