Progress .

we're not to sure about the WIDTH of the Primary on some of these modern Harley Davidsons . Youd think they could take a leaf out of Velo's book . The one below's not as wide .



The traditional driving position seems superior too .

Why yes, clearly both Oxbridge men....

A single row primary chain will cop a lot of abuse, even when it does not have a chain oiler.

The NARROWS . looks like easy ratio changes too . Clutch access might be a bit awkward , but you dont access the clutch to often these days . And its not that inaccesssable .


After All , some people actually enjoy working on machinery . If its well made . Youd wonder nobody else thought of it , after all , theyre happy enough to use their gear selectors .

This'd mean there was somewhere to put your left foot on a Hardley Ableson , rather than 6 foot out to the left . Not to mention a few others .

Inspiration for the Tri Rocket III ?

Velocettes are a perversion. Everything is done to get narrower crankcases and everything suffers. A Velocette Thruxton is a beautiful bike, but they are like a Vincent - a mechanic's nightmare. On a Vincent, every bolt is a special. It is done so you are completely dependent on the supplier. It might be good business, but it is a bastard.

If ya wanna play the blues well ya gotta pay the dues , and you know it dont come easy .






With the wonders of modern tecnology , you would think replicateing these would make the cheap & affordable ! .
Cant see the point in building something inferior 50 or 60 years later . Perhaps theyre now lifestyle accesories ? .

Note , the Norvin is on Dunlop Race Tyres ( KR's ) Trigonics . Just the thing for running the curves .

The ' Point & Squirt ' was for the stuff that wouldnt stay on the road round a bend with a few lumps in it . AND
if someones not competant with spanners the shouldnt be let near valuable equipment .

Just about any cycle has its shortcomings & deficencies . Mostly in the riders & mechanics .

Thing is , these'd see off comparable contempory designs . You can look at it as Read blew the Honda trying it on
the Duc. , and they were both just getting in the way of the ' Real Race Line ' trying to outgun it . Weave & wobble
if they were on it themselves . AS IN the DUCATI LAP TIME was better than the oppositions !
Also he outguns the kwacker into the bend ,
likely just not intrested in wearing it out or breaking it by holding it up at redline unessesarilly .

All the big rice burners needed to be tricked up , welded roller cranks , etc etc , to be competitive .
Whereas with the poms it was self defeatism , slackness & incompetance that did for them .

The peasants thought their designs were junk , Im wondering if now adays they think their current junk is designs ? .

THIS is of course realising that ' traffic density ' means your full attentions NOT on the road itself , nowadays , so
developing ejector seats for motorcycles could be highly profitable . Whereas riding them might not be a good idea .

I always wondered about the gargantuan size of HD primary drive cases...

Todays Harley needs to be that width. They run primary chain screaming tight to counter act the tension of the final belt drive, they do have a auto tensioner!
IMHO

Agree that a Velocette is a PITA to repair. But I found Vincent much easier and easy to get parts to. Compared to modern sport bikes, where you have to spend considerable time getting all plastic off, old brit bikes are fairly easy to fix. On modern Harleys I have no opinion, not the kind of bike I like. Prefer a decent lean angle and a bike I can get on the wheels after a spill without help.

On modern Harleys I have no opinion, not the kind of bike I like. Prefer a decent lean angle and a bike I can get on the wheels after a spill without help.

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Theres Harley's and theres Harley's . Think youve got to Roll your own . Parently , after the Cafe Racer , they switched to that frame , so theyre no longer as homicideal .


The Olde Side Valves can get up and go . Low top weight - so for a project - if youre into engine work , theyve got some potential . Not sure if this isnt the new helium filled Harley ?



Some Bloke had a 2005 Aluminium one that looked o.k. , not a ot of room on it , but a reasonably competant cycle , by the look . Could always throw one of those Gold speed triple front ends on one .

Matt Spencer said:

XLCH was the Cowboy Version , in a dirt track frame it might almost start to make a Motorcycle .

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We called them "Skirtsters"

Matt Spencer said:

XLCH was the Cowboy Version , in a dirt track frame it might almost start to make a Motorcycle .

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That's georgeous, different bars required and job done.

When Don Emde came to Australia, I was practicing on Calder Raceway when he was also. The XR750TT Harley racer was a half-decent effort. It was a pity itv ran the timing side bearing in the moter. It meant I did not get to see it race against the top guys I was in Repco corner at the same time as Emde, and the Harley had much more go than my bike. Probably as quick as a Z900. That Sporster motor now comes with a 5 speed gearbox, but top gear is an overdrive. There must be a close-ratio cluster for that motor.

I met a guy who built an XR750TT road racer out of bits he had bought off the internet. It would probably be worth doing, but the right frame is horrible. I don't think buying a Sporster and trying to convert it, would be the way to go.