Getting power out of a harley

My old mans 68 bonnie (red) and my 500 daytona

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And my 500 tiger...

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Crap photos but they are photos of photos...so best I can do.

And the shovel sporty I built out of a box of bits and spent a small fortune on....

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Now the t150 trident in various stages of building.... the black car in background is the 68 monaro I was building at the same time..

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Lots of handmade parts inc forward controls , custom guard , seat , oil tank etc...

My Cb 750 k4 I think it was ... with 4 into 1 exhaust to release the extra power... And fzr 1000.... And the black bike is old mans vfr 750.... Note the triumph herald in the shed and my escort 1600 sport in driveway..

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The Harris bonnie in various stages of rebuild from stripped frame....

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The black bike in background of that pic is my r6 which I also raced occasionally.

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The harris ended up with a Black and gold pinstripe paint job like the bonnie special but haven't found those pics yet.

More of the r6...the last pic in race trim...

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XJ550 with black paint , swapped out front guard and fitted clip on bars after this pic taken..

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Cbr400 rr with custom paint...

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Daytona 955 again which I spent 40 hrs polishing rims and swingarm etc by hand...my fingers bled for days after that....

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And rz350.... With the nearly finished monaro which had roll cage also fitted and the very worked Chev small block 412 ci engine before fitting. The rear rims were 15in by 15 inch...

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The seat to the right and the board on the left which is on a pool table give some idea of the size/height of engine.

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Originally Posted by mudgripz

Stayed up way too late last night looking at reviews, and then comparisons of Indian v Harley. I think all of the reviewers came down for the Indians - more modern tech, more power over base models, better performance etc. Harley remains as biggest selling american V-twin thumper, but Indian a very real alternative. Indian does alot of flat-track racing in US and that tech has improved their road bikes with several reviews commenting these things perform well for a heavyweight twin, and with handling that is actually quite good.

The 123hp Indian FTR1200 model is a strong performer for its 230kg weight with 3.4 seconds to 100kph, 7.3 secs to 160kph, and 11 second quarter at 119mph. That's alot quicker than most sportscars - unlike Harley. The Harley V-Rod produces up to 125hp stock but weighs round 304kg - and that's alot of metal to move. The Indian FTR 1200cc comfortably beat the 1800cc Harley in sprints.

Harley will remain the best seller for foreseeable future for big american twin fans - people certainly enjoy them. But if buying I'd definitely be trying out the Indian. Its almost like a hybrid - as though an engineer from Ducati went over and did some redesigning...

Cameron - easy way to get more power from yr 'Harley' might be flog it and play with an Indian!! Shearer - that KTM 790 Duke looks the goods - much lighter and apparently with excellent handling. We are spoiled for choice these days with big road bikes - some great machinery to choose from.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5XtYqNpLSY

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My Bro had experience with indians and he rode Truimphs right up until his first indian...now he has had 3(?). I liked the look of the FTR too, but am a little wary of the plastic fuel tank under the seat up against the rear mudguard......but I would not say no if a option of a ride on one was offered

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Originally Posted by Ftx325

And the shovel sporty I built out of a box of bits and spent a small fortune on....

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Very very close to a twin of the one I had - right down to the narrow bars, is it a ‘81?
Oh, Mine did have twin front discs.

I believe Indian has new models coming based on the FTR1200 platform. More low ride cruiser style etc but with the lighter weight and higher power of the FTR. Worth a look when they come out..

Nice nice bikes there FTX... I am surprised no-one has mentioned the Z1 900 Kwacka - that was another big leap forward in its day after the earlier milestone CB750F

I can't remember exactly but think it late 70's
Was a long time ago when built it... probably 30 yrs around about...

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Originally Posted by mudgripz

I believe Indian has new models coming based on the FTR1200 platform. More low ride cruiser style etc but with the lighter weight and higher power of the FTR. Worth a look when they come out..

Nice nice bikes there FTX... I am surprised no-one has mentioned the Z1 900 Kwacka - that was another big leap forward in its day after the earlier milestone CB750F

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The Z series is legendary. The retro Z900RS would be worth a look.
https://www.visordown.com/news/new-b...t-refresh-2020

That Kawasaki Z900RS looks AMAZING... make a beautiful cruiser. Always did.

Be good if honda also produced a retro style CB750 with modern motor etc - that would be popular. Or perhaps a retro CB900?

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Originally Posted by Ftx325

And the shovel sporty I built out of a box of bits and spent a small fortune on....

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Nicely done. Small correction though, a 'shovel' is a different kettle of fish entirely. You had an an XLH Ironhead there and the year would have been after 1976, been a right disc brake bike. Like the Mikuni carb and electric foot. Wish mine had a button to push.

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Originally Posted by Ftx325

Now the t150 trident in various stages of building.... the black car in background is the 68 monaro I was building at the same time..

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Lots of handmade parts inc forward controls , custom guard , seat , oil tank etc...

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I see mischief there...it's the first hardtail Trident I've ever seen.

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Originally Posted by Ftx325

My Cb 750 k4 I think it was ... with 4 into 1 exhaust to release the extra power... And fzr 1000.... And the black bike is old mans vfr 750.... Note the triumph herald in the shed and my escort 1600 sport in driveway..

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My 1974 Honda Four twisted it's camshaft in half. Still ran on two and got me the 100km home.

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Originally Posted by Ftx325

XJ550 with black paint , swapped out front guard and fitted clip on bars after this pic taken..

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Cbr400 rr with custom paint...

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Daytona 955 again which I spent 40 hrs polishing rims and swingarm etc by hand...my fingers bled for days after that....

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Those CBR400R front brakes were the dogs' dangles in 1992. I would have thought that after fitting clip ons to the 550, you'd have given more though about polishing the Trumpies wheels...:D

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Originally Posted by Finnwolf

Very very close to a twin of the one I had - right down to the narrow bars, is it a ‘81?
Oh, Mine did have twin front discs.

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The twin discs appeared in 1978.

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Originally Posted by mudgripz

I believe Indian has new models coming based on the FTR1200 platform. More low ride cruiser style etc but with the lighter weight and higher power of the FTR. Worth a look when they come out..

Nice nice bikes there FTX... I am surprised no-one has mentioned the Z1 900 Kwacka - that was another big leap forward in its day after the earlier milestone CB750F

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The Z1 903 was a huge leap for mankind. I also had the KZ1000 in 1977 and the Z1 smoked it with it's bigger carbs and more pointy cam profile.

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Originally Posted by mudgripz

That Kawasaki Z900RS looks AMAZING... make a beautiful cruiser. Always did.

Be good if honda also produced a retro style CB750 with modern motor etc - that would be popular. Or perhaps a retro CB900?

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Honda did a CB1100 retro in the early 90's and possibly a Jap import in 750. Wide rims, twin shock etc.

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Originally Posted by outlander

The twin discs appeared in 1978.

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I was going by the battery location and the oil filler location, my iron head was an ‘81 and apart from that extra disc (which made for exciting panic stops!) looked identical to the pictured one.

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Originally Posted by Proudkiwi

There isint a police car in the country that can hit the speeds you’re talking about.

And you would have been charged with reckless driving in those circumstances, not given a ticket. Regardless of how lazy the cop was. That’s without getting into the fantasy where they said ‘it’s obvious you’re a good rider by the way you’re driving’

It just didn’t happen.

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There use to be police cars that would do that speed easily,down our way any how.Yrs ago our local copa was give a twin turbo suparoo,highly chipped.He was scare of it a bit till the local machanic took him for a drive in it on the canel road.The fire siren went one day and our copa was 3 doors up from me.Well that suparoo flu down our street.I thort wtf he will kill himself in it.He never did try it out flat but it wasn't governed,but the machanic said it would do 250-260 ks easily.

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Originally Posted by outlander

Nicely done. Small correction though, a 'shovel' is a different kettle of fish entirely. You had an an XLH Ironhead there and the year would have been after 1976, been a right disc brake bike. Like the Mikuni carb and electric foot. Wish mine had a button to push.

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All I know is that it was not a very inspiring bike to ride in my opinion and wished I hadn't swapped it for the bonnie cafe racer I was 90 per cent finished building but at the time I was made an offer I couldn't refuse for the cafe racer which included the harley in pieces and way too much cash.
The cafe racer was oil in frame 750 with the english breadbox tank and a replica tailpiece with molded in side panels from the flat track harley. Race cams , big two into one headers with muffler underseat, hand made rearsets, drilled discs with japanese forks and twin disc brakes , the list goes on. Everything was modified or custom. Painted it a metallic gun metal grey and she was a beauty. Never even got to ride it ....

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Originally Posted by Finnwolf

I was going by the battery location and the oil filler location, my iron head was an ‘81 and apart from that extra disc (which made for exciting panic stops!) looked identical to the pictured one.

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You guys know more about Harley's and the various models than I ever will or care too if I'm honest. I just liked the idea of owning one and loved building stuff and modding bikes and cars. It was after I sold the harley (3 weeks after finishing it, I really didn't like the ride) I bought and started building the trident , probably to prove it didn't have to be a Harley to be a cool standout cruiser. And dare I say it was a better bike in all respects to ride. Faster, better braking and cornered like on rails. Even with the hardtail,which was from an early triumph which I shortened slightly and then just bolted on to the trident frame using original mounting points, it handled like a dream... until you hit a big bump in the road!
The trident could be turned back to standard in a day. Everything was bolt on.

Amazing how this thread has meandered away from it’s title, just like a pub conversation, nice!

And amazing how many shooters are also riders.:thumbsup:

From bikes to V8s,Bathurst screaming V8s,music to my ears.Go Waters, in yr black beast.Time for a beer of many.Enjoy guys.

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Originally Posted by Finnwolf

Amazing how this thread has meandered away from it’s title, just like a pub conversation, nice!

And amazing how many shooters are also riders.:thumbsup:

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I'm on my 40th bike now, a tricked-out SR500 cafe-racer, custom crank,rod ,piston flywheel etc. I've owned many of the bikes mentioned and wished I'd kept some that I could never afford to buy today. Making something unique, is so much fun, there are enough people on here, to warrant a bike-dedicated 'Title' where we can post more photo's etc..

You don't think that might upset a few others as this is a hunting/shooting forum... not bikes?
Try it...start a bike pic thread @rewa
:cool:

Pretty sure there is one already.:)
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....easties-53145/

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Originally Posted by rewa

I'm on my 40th bike now, a tricked-out SR500 cafe-racer, custom crank,rod ,piston flywheel etc. I've owned many of the bikes mentioned and wished I'd kept some that I could never afford to buy today. Making something unique, is so much fun, there are enough people on here, to warrant a bike-dedicated 'Title' where we can post more photo's etc..

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Google ‘Suzuki XN85’.

I had one and it was one fun bike, nimble and that surge when the boost kicked in was smile inducing!

(And yet allegedly I’m a one-eyed Harley owner by some...)

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Originally Posted by Finnwolf

Google ‘Suzuki XN85’.

I had one and it was one fun bike, nimble and that surge when the boost kicked in was smile inducing!

(And yet allegedly I’m a one-eyed Harley owner by some...)

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85 Hp eh. Must have felt like a rocket compared to the Harleys.:D

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Originally Posted by Shearer

85 Hp eh. Must have felt like a rocket compared to the Harleys.:D

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Chalk and cheese...

Both had points I liked and enjoyed.

A bit like my Finnwolf and my Norinco 7.62X39.

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Originally Posted by Finnwolf

Google ‘Suzuki XN85’.

I had one and it was one fun bike, nimble and that surge when the boost kicked in was smile inducing!

(And yet allegedly I’m a one-eyed Harley owner by some...)

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Well, you learn something new every day. The XN85 completely slipped past me, I never new it existed till now. Thats what makes these 'deviations' interesting. I met an older rider last week, with another bike I'd never heard of; Indian Apache, 60's era. When Royal-Enfield bought 'Indian', and redesigned/badged their 700cc twins, for the USA market. This one looked American and British at the same time. A lot of people cant get past the Gang-retard/Harley 'thing'. Which sort-of becomes self-fulfillng if you encourage that portion of society to be main owner/riders of the same. (By not buying them etc). As many keep echoing here, if it brings a grin to your face, go for it, lifes too short, and most people would have to agree that there's nothing else that sounds like a big vee-twin, even if it is only on 'the-straights' (Dukes aside) ...and Aprillias, Buells Et-Al.. Cameron should try the Rotax-Buell, almost a Harley..and What a Harley-that-handles, eventually becomes

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Originally Posted by rewa

Well, you learn something new every day. The XN85 completely slipped past me, I never new it existed till now. Thats what makes these 'deviations' interesting. I met an older rider last week, with another bike I'd never heard of; Indian Apache, 60's era. When Royal-Enfield bought 'Indian', and redesigned/badged their 700cc twins, for the USA market. This one looked American and British at the same time. A lot of people cant get past the Gang-retard/Harley 'thing'. Which sort-of becomes self-fulfillng if you encourage that portion of society to be main owner/riders of the same. (By not buying them etc). As many keep echoing here, if it brings a grin to your face, go for it, lifes too short, and most people would have to agree that there's nothing else that sounds like a big vee-twin, even if it is only on 'the-straights' (Dukes aside) ...and Aprillias, Buells Et-Al.. Cameron should try the Rotax-Buell, almost a Harley..and What a Harley-that-handles, eventually becomes

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The Harley fires one piston and then the other at 315 degrees. Then the second at 405 degrees. Hence the potato sound, love or hate it's unique.
To my ear, other twins all sound like a single to me.

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Originally Posted by berg243

harleys have their place as we all like to ride something different but its the noise that some make that is absolutely ear shattering loud and gives rise to the " hey look at me i'm a fu*$wit obnoxious wan&er and showing off my small c*ck syndrome " .probably half the harleys i have heard in the last few weeks would not even be allowed on the racetrack due to exceeding the sound limit which is higher than what is allowed on the road which gives rise to the few fuck it up for the rest and this contributes to people thinking harley riders are just wan&ers.

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Spot on.

Well we're not going to enjoy riding the two wheeler (whatever flavour it is) from Taupo to Turangi on SH1 anymore. Just read the local rag and see NZTA have dropped the permanent speed limit to 60 or 80 kph for almost the entire distance. Muppet driving skills rule:(

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Originally Posted by XR500

Well we're not going to enjoy riding the two wheeler (whatever flavour it is) from Taupo to Turangi on SH1 anymore. Just read the local rag and see NZTA have dropped the permanent speed limit to 60 or 80 kph for almost the entire distance. Muppet driving skills rule:(

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same happening this end of the world...chopping back all the speed limits because of all the dipshits who should never be behind the wheel constantly crashing. Leave it at a hundy and let the gene pool sort itself out I reckon....
That said it usually seems to be the poor bastard who was doing nothing wrong that becomes a mobile chicane and comes out worse of than the idiot who caused the incident.
Ban all cell phones in cars.

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Originally Posted by Ftx325

same happening this end of the world...chopping back all the speed limits because of all the dipshits who should never be behind the wheel constantly crashing. Leave it at a hundy and let the gene pool sort itself out I reckon....
That said it usually seems to be the poor bastard who was doing nothing wrong that becomes a mobile chicane and comes out worse of than the idiot who caused the incident.
Ban all cell phones in cars.

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Amen to that last line!

And what’s the story with all modern vehicles being fitted with distracting touch screens?

Yeah, just back from a fortnight's work in the SI and felt like ripping the bloody thing outa the car. FFS if I want to listen to the radio let me turn a dial or punch a button, not have to multiple tap a fricken screen that constantly thinks it needs to update you with shite and changes brilliance all the time. Talk about distraction for sure.

Then there's all the couriers and truckies that work for businesses too tight to invest in RT's, so they are on the cell phone half the trip.:pissed off::pissed off::pissed off:

Anywho, boy that West Coast highway is just made for biking. Did it twice back in my teens, once on an XR500 and once on a GS450. All the Marlborough Sounds roads and all of the Haast Pass were gravel, and that XR.......yeah baby:D:D:D