My Project and a few questions

[ashman]

Nice looking Featherbed/Harley combo, I have been thinking about something like this set up, but am thinking of using a Evo Sportster motor instead of a heaver iron head, I have a project Slimline already, just need to find a motor.

Ashley

 

[dave M]

Ashley, I have been doing some internet research about engine mounting in respect of chain alignment, optimum fore and aft position etc.(actually very little leeway here). From what I have read it seems that the Evo engine is physically a bit larger in several crucial areas and will be difficult if not impossible to fit in a slimline frame without some difficult frame mods. Even with the ironhead It looks like most people cut a notch out of the lower frame rail on the right hand side where the oil pump sits.

Having said all this, it is a fun project and a reasonably priced option compared to many other projects.

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

Currently thinking about buying a 961, which brought me here again. Over the last few years the Norley has evolved, and now has improved suspension and a new livery..

 

[ntst8]

Gorgeous, to me the black tank is perfect. My back hurts just looking at the clip ons though.

 

[baz]

Nice looking Featherbed/Harley combo, I have been thinking about something like this set up, but am thinking of using a Evo Sportster motor instead of a heaver iron head, I have a project Slimline already, just need to find a motor.

Ashley

I know this is an old post and don't know if you are still thinking about this
But from what I have read the Evo motor is actually heavier than the iron head!
Not sure if this is true or not but it'd be an amazing feet if true!
Anyone know?

 

[Fast Eddie]

Currently thinking about buying a 961, which brought me here again. Over the last few years the Norley has evolved, and now has improved suspension and a new livery..

That looks the bollox !

 

[Fast Eddie]

I know this is an old post and don't know if you are still thinking about this
But from what I have read the Evo motor is actually heavier than the iron head!
Not sure if this is true or not but it'd be an amazing feet if true!
Anyone know?

That would be odd. But who knows, look how much heavier a Hinckley Bonnie is compared to a 60s 650 for example !

Even if heavier, the evo lump would be a good choice IMO, they can be breathed on to be proper goers.

 

[ashman]

I know this is an old post and don't know if you are still thinking about this
But from what I have read the Evo motor is actually heavier than the iron head!
Not sure if this is true or not but it'd be an amazing feet if true!
Anyone know?

Hey Baz the idea of putting a Evo Sportster motor into the Slimline Featherbed is just that, have done a bit of homework when I first thought about it and having to mod the frame rails to fit it was just not on, so the 650 Manxman motor will be going into my project bike, use what I have, my Manxman project has been sitting for way too long since I bought it in boxes, but will be starting on its soon.
I can't see how a Ironhead Sportster motor would be lighter than an Evo Sportster motor, cast iron vs alloy???
Even a Wideline frame would have to be mod to fit an Evo motor, cutting up a perfect original Featherbed frame is just not on for me, I have both frames so will be sticking to all Norton.
But it was a good idea at the time.

Ashley

 

[MichaelB]

Currently thinking about buying a 961, which brought me here again. Over the last few years the Norley has evolved, and now has improved suspension and a new livery..

LOOKS GREAT!!
The Ironhead looks completely natural in there.
GREAT JOB!!!

 

[worntorn]

That would be odd. But who knows, look how much heavier a Hinckley Bonnie is compared to a 60s Bonnie!

It depends on the Hinckley Bonnie in question.
The new 1200s are pretty light if you look at the Speed Twin or Thruxtons.
434 dry iirc.

Once the estart was added to the Meridan Bonnie T140 it weighed 441 dry ( according to google)
Of course still no balance shafts so lots and lots of vibes, no abs, traction control and missing about 50 bhp!

With all that considered maybe the current Hinckley bikes are pretty light.

I agree the 865s weighed a ton though. I guess that was the first attempt and not a bad one at all, very durable bike.

 

[Fast Eddie]

It depends on the Hinckley Bonnie in question.
The new 1200s are pretty light if you look at the Speed Twin or Thruxtons.
434 dry iirc.

Once the estart was added to the Meridan Bonnie T140 it weighed 441 dry ( according to google)
Of course still no balance shafts so lots and lots of vibes, no abs, traction control and missing about 50 bhp!

With all that considered maybe the current Hinckley bikes are pretty light.

I agree the 865s weighed a ton though. I guess that was the first attempt and not a bad one at all, very durable bike.

Yeah you’ve argued this before.

You can cut it anyway you like Glen saying add a starter motor etc, but the point is, a 68 Bonnie is a hell of a lot lighter than a Hinckley. That’s all.

 

[acotrel]

The day the frame arrived, I put the engine in, took two of us, but it went in without too much swearing on my part.. oh and I'll be changing those gofd awful 'custom' pushrod covers too..

View attachment 49938

View attachment 49939

That motor actually looks good in there. But getting a decent gearset might be a problem. It is no longer a Harley, and probably will not be used like one. With 18 inch wheels and the centre of gravity a bit back, it should not be heavy handling. Interesting !

 

[ashman]

I think if I remember right Don Pender built an 865 Triumph motor in a Featherbed frame, fitted good but he had to cut and mod the top side rails for when he wanted to pull the valve covers off to do the valves for servicing, it looked good as well, I am hooked on Featherbed frames from a early age at 17 when I road my mates 750 Commando/Featherbed, it was a good bike to ride but my mate Don was a bit of a rough builder and his ideas of having a hot motor was too much and become very un-reliable, I built mine completely different to Don's ways, after he sold my the featherbed frame back in 1979 he started to built Tritons into the Featherbeds frames he had.
He still can't believe how reliable mine has been for over 44 years I built it.

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

The Evo XL engine is lighter than the older Ironhead, I believe its about 20lbs difference. But the Ironhead XL1000 complete bike is lighter at 515lbs than the later rubber mounted XL Evo at 550lbs

Today, I went to look at the new Nortons, couldn't go for a test ride due to bad weather. But once I heard the bike fire up, I didn't need to.. so I bought it, arriving next week a black 961SP, the one in the centre of this picture.. The dealer said they had sold 33 961s so far this year, along with quite a lot of the V4 models too.