A different sort of Harley custom
Discussion
On my fantasy custom list (details of other bikes on the list are available on request 
) is a cross between a Harley big twin and a 1960s British bike.
Just found this on eBay, and it seems that someone else had the same idea.
I think it looks remarkably different from all the other big H-Ds, standard or custom, that I've seen, although the changes are quite minor.
"Mine" would look even more British, with a seat similar to a BSA A10, handlebars and headlamp brackets and tail light/number plate like a 1960s Triumph, a Gold Star silencer, and a different colour scheme, but otherwise, it's my bike.
Does anybody else have an idea for a custom - of any type - that's a little different from the norm?
) is a cross between a Harley big twin and a 1960s British bike.Just found this on eBay, and it seems that someone else had the same idea.
I think it looks remarkably different from all the other big H-Ds, standard or custom, that I've seen, although the changes are quite minor.
"Mine" would look even more British, with a seat similar to a BSA A10, handlebars and headlamp brackets and tail light/number plate like a 1960s Triumph, a Gold Star silencer, and a different colour scheme, but otherwise, it's my bike.
Does anybody else have an idea for a custom - of any type - that's a little different from the norm?
Here you go:
i think there's not one piece of Harley Davidson in it. Just the 45 degree v-twin concept is there.
Anyway, speaking of customs one wants to buiId I want to restomod a Ducati 888 with an 1198 engine, like Biggelar has done: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3086585291...
i think there's not one piece of Harley Davidson in it. Just the 45 degree v-twin concept is there.
Anyway, speaking of customs one wants to buiId I want to restomod a Ducati 888 with an 1198 engine, like Biggelar has done: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3086585291...
Edited by rodericb on Friday 14th February 23:51
Edited by rodericb on Friday 14th February 23:53
I built this a few years ago, I'm still upgrading it, better shocks and forks are planned next
While a chap I know up in Dundee has built this BSA A7 with a Harley ironhead engine like mine, but with a BSA gearbox, Norton clutch and CB750 front end. To use the BSA box meant cutting off the back end of the engine, as its unit construction, unlike the big twins..
While a chap I know up in Dundee has built this BSA A7 with a Harley ironhead engine like mine, but with a BSA gearbox, Norton clutch and CB750 front end. To use the BSA box meant cutting off the back end of the engine, as its unit construction, unlike the big twins..
Edited by Merch131 on Sunday 16th February 16:06
Merch131 said:
I built this a few years ago, I'm still upgrading it, better shocks and forks are planned next
While a chap I know up in Dundee has built this BSA A7 with a Harley ironhead engine like mine, but with a BSA gearbox, Norton clutch and CB750 front end. To use the BSA box meant cutting off the back end of the engine, as its unit construction, unlike the big twins..
Haven't seen that ironhead flat tracker before. Like it.While a chap I know up in Dundee has built this BSA A7 with a Harley ironhead engine like mine, but with a BSA gearbox, Norton clutch and CB750 front end. To use the BSA box meant cutting off the back end of the engine, as its unit construction, unlike the big twins..
The Harley engine/BSA gearbox combination reminded me of a hillclimber that was built in the '90s. Google did it's stuff, and...
Patrick Hook's Spirit of Semtex
History & specs >>>> http://people.exeter.ac.uk/pbhook/harley.htm
Not the usual use of a big twin.
Edited by gareth_r on Sunday 16th February 17:55
gareth_r said:
Haven't seen that ironhead flat tracker before. Like it.
The Harley engine/BSA gearbox combination reminded me of a hillclimber that was built in the '90s. Google did it's stuff, and...
Patrick Hook's Spirit of Semtex
History & specs >>>> http://people.exeter.ac.uk/pbhook/harley.htm
Not the usual use of a big twin.
That was doing the hills when I was racing. The Harley engine/BSA gearbox combination reminded me of a hillclimber that was built in the '90s. Google did it's stuff, and...
Patrick Hook's Spirit of Semtex
History & specs >>>> http://people.exeter.ac.uk/pbhook/harley.htm
Not the usual use of a big twin.
Edited by gareth_r on Sunday 16th February 17:55
Paddy turned up at Wiscombe with ‘Kevin Schwantz wheels’ ‘Kevin Schwantz forks’ ‘Kevin Schwantz carbon brakes’.
The brakes didn’t work until they got some heat in them, which was just before the last bend, where they locked, throwing Paddy off - much to the amusement of the watching riders until they realised the mass of Harley Ferguson was sliding towards them!!
gareth_r said:
Merch131 said:
I built this a few years ago, I'm still upgrading it, better shocks and forks are planned next
While a chap I know up in Dundee has built this BSA A7 with a Harley ironhead engine like mine, but with a BSA gearbox, Norton clutch and CB750 front end. To use the BSA box meant cutting off the back end of the engine, as its unit construction, unlike the big twins..
Haven't seen that ironhead flat tracker before. Like it.While a chap I know up in Dundee has built this BSA A7 with a Harley ironhead engine like mine, but with a BSA gearbox, Norton clutch and CB750 front end. To use the BSA box meant cutting off the back end of the engine, as its unit construction, unlike the big twins..
The Harley engine/BSA gearbox combination reminded me of a hillclimber that was built in the '90s. Google did it's stuff, and...
Patrick Hook's Spirit of Semtex
History & specs >>>> http://people.exeter.ac.uk/pbhook/harley.htm
Not the usual use of a big twin.
The bit about downdraught carbs is reiterated by the Top squirt fuelling on the new KTM Duke 1290.
The French company Avington make some cool Harley engine sports bikes.. While Arch make high end big twins
https://www.archmotorcycle.com/
https://www.archmotorcycle.com/
graham22 said:
That was doing the hills when I was racing.
Paddy turned up at Wiscombe with ‘Kevin Schwantz wheels’ ‘Kevin Schwantz forks’ ‘Kevin Schwantz carbon brakes’.
The brakes didn’t work until they got some heat in them, which was just before the last bend, where they locked, throwing Paddy off - much to the amusement of the watching riders until they realised the mass of Harley Ferguson was sliding towards them!!
I fear that you have got your memories mixed up! The only reason I took the carbon brakes off was because I got fed up of all the know-it-alls who kept wailing on about how they'd never heat up enough to work. The reality was that the brakes worked extremely well at the speeds we were doing on the hills. Paddy turned up at Wiscombe with ‘Kevin Schwantz wheels’ ‘Kevin Schwantz forks’ ‘Kevin Schwantz carbon brakes’.
The brakes didn’t work until they got some heat in them, which was just before the last bend, where they locked, throwing Paddy off - much to the amusement of the watching riders until they realised the mass of Harley Ferguson was sliding towards them!!
It is true that I binned the bike at the Martini hairpin one time - but I never came off when the carbon brakes were fitted. No, the occasion you're referring to was a couple of years before I'd even acquired them, and the only reason I had to lay it down then was because of all the idiots who insisted on queuing up in the safety run-off area because they were too impatient to get back down the hill to consider the implications of what they were doing. As a consequence, I had nowhere to go when I got the approach to the corner wrong...
For those who're interested - the bike is now eight inches longer than it used to be as I've modified it for use on the sprint track by lengthening the swing arm. As a result, it no longer stands on end leaving the line. I've also fitted a magnesium-cased Quaife six-speed 'box (don't tell the wife what that cost...). This was done for two main reasons: a) because even with the biggest front sprocket and the smallest rear sprocket fitted, the grass track 'box in the bike was way under-geared for the 1/4 mile - the new ratios give me a much appropriate top speed; and b) the change action on the old box was typically AMC - you had to throw the lever about three inches every time you wanted a new gear. The new 'box changes just like a modern Jap bike, something I could really have done with on the hills!
Edited by Paddy_SP on Wednesday 28th October 20:14
Merch131 said:
The French company Avington make some cool Harley engine sports bikes.. While Arch make high end big twins
https://www.archmotorcycle.com/
There’s one of those near me somewhere , I’ve yet to track the owner down .https://www.archmotorcycle.com/
Paddy_SP said:
...................................For those who're interested - the bike is now eight inches longer than it used to be as I've modified it for use on the sprint track by lengthening the swing arm. As a result, it no longer stands on end leaving the line.
Hello Paddy,I just read about the history of your bike, could it be that your first tube-framed version was in action at Avon Park 1989 when the european H-D Superrally was held there ?
I was visiting with a delegation from H-D Germany and, being a quartermile fan, watched the RWYB sessions,
was fascinated by that machine and talked to the builder/rider, even took some photos I think.
Where do you plan to roll into the beams, and in competition or just RWYB for ET sakes ?
Paddy_SP said:
I fear that you have got your memories mixed up! The only reason I took the carbon brakes off was because I got fed up of all the know-it-alls who kept wailing on about how they'd never heat up enough to work. The reality was that the brakes worked extremely well at the speeds we were doing on the hills.
It is true that I binned the bike at the Martini hairpin one time - but I never came off when the carbon brakes were fitted. No, the occasion you're referring to was a couple of years before I'd even acquired them, and the only reason I had to lay it down then was because of all the idiots who insisted on queuing up in the safety run-off area because they were too impatient to get back down the hill to consider the implications of what they were doing. As a consequence, I had nowhere to go when I got the approach to the corner wrong...
For those who're interested - the bike is now eight inches longer than it used to be as I've modified it for use on the sprint track by lengthening the swing arm. As a result, it no longer stands on end leaving the line. I've also fitted a magnesium-cased Quaife six-speed 'box (don't tell the wife what that cost...). This was done for two main reasons: a) because even with the biggest front sprocket and the smallest rear sprocket fitted, the grass track 'box in the bike was way under-geared for the 1/4 mile - the new ratios give me a much appropriate top speed; and b) the change action on the old box was typically AMC - you had to throw the lever about three inches every time you wanted a new gear. The new 'box changes just like a modern Jap bike, something I could really have done with on the hills!
Good to see that it's still being used.It is true that I binned the bike at the Martini hairpin one time - but I never came off when the carbon brakes were fitted. No, the occasion you're referring to was a couple of years before I'd even acquired them, and the only reason I had to lay it down then was because of all the idiots who insisted on queuing up in the safety run-off area because they were too impatient to get back down the hill to consider the implications of what they were doing. As a consequence, I had nowhere to go when I got the approach to the corner wrong...
For those who're interested - the bike is now eight inches longer than it used to be as I've modified it for use on the sprint track by lengthening the swing arm. As a result, it no longer stands on end leaving the line. I've also fitted a magnesium-cased Quaife six-speed 'box (don't tell the wife what that cost...). This was done for two main reasons: a) because even with the biggest front sprocket and the smallest rear sprocket fitted, the grass track 'box in the bike was way under-geared for the 1/4 mile - the new ratios give me a much appropriate top speed; and b) the change action on the old box was typically AMC - you had to throw the lever about three inches every time you wanted a new gear. The new 'box changes just like a modern Jap bike, something I could really have done with on the hills!
Would the standard AMC gearbox survive behind that engine, or are the Quaife 'boxes especially strong?
Benni said:
Hello Paddy,
I just read about the history of your bike, could it be that your first tube-framed version was in action at Avon Park 1989 when the european H-D Superrally was held there ?
I was visiting with a delegation from H-D Germany and, being a quartermile fan, watched the RWYB sessions,
was fascinated by that machine and talked to the builder/rider, even took some photos I think.
Where do you plan to roll into the beams, and in competition or just RWYB for ET sakes ?
Yes, you are quite right - I did run at Avon Park in '89 - I sort of remember talking to some German guys, but I have to admit the memory is a little hazy! I just read about the history of your bike, could it be that your first tube-framed version was in action at Avon Park 1989 when the european H-D Superrally was held there ?
I was visiting with a delegation from H-D Germany and, being a quartermile fan, watched the RWYB sessions,
was fascinated by that machine and talked to the builder/rider, even took some photos I think.
Where do you plan to roll into the beams, and in competition or just RWYB for ET sakes ?
As for running it these days - Weston Zoyland in Somerset and Smeatharpe in Devon are the likeliest places for me these days as I live in that part of the world!
gareth_r said:
Good to see that it's still being used.
Would the standard AMC gearbox survive behind that engine, or are the Quaife 'boxes especially strong?
I suspect that the standard AMC 'box might well have vanished in a puff of dust on the line! The case for the Q4 grasstrack box was about an inch thick and everything inside it was super-strong - the only Norton part on it was the outer cover. The magnesium Q6 version is similarly proportioned, but with the benefit of modern design and machining techniques. I've only done two shakedown runs on the bike since installing it though, so don't have any times to compare yet.Would the standard AMC gearbox survive behind that engine, or are the Quaife 'boxes especially strong?
Paddy_SP said:
Yes, you are quite right - I did run at Avon Park in '89 - I sort of remember talking to some German guys, but I have to admit the memory is a little hazy!
As for running it these days - Weston Zoyland in Somerset and Smeatharpe in Devon are the likeliest places for me these days as I live in that part of the world!
Good to read that my memory did not fail me - quite a surprise considering the amount of strange smoke coming out of my tent at those times.As for running it these days - Weston Zoyland in Somerset and Smeatharpe in Devon are the likeliest places for me these days as I live in that part of the world!
I have seen lots and lots of custom bikes, H-D and others, live and in magazines / videos,
but yours was such a bold statement and engineered so well it earned a place in my memory.
What is the weight of the bike now ? Do you have a (daytime) MOT and plate or is it track-only ?
Those tracks I never heard of before, they may not be of Avon or Pod quality but be greatful that they exist,
and give a playground for bigger toys, in Germany we were somehow a bit short of functioning small airfields after WW2.
Sorry for going a little O/T, but glad that the world is a small village somtimes.
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