1968 Atlas rare find

If you can't find dished pistons try putting a decompression plate under the barrel. My Atlas is so much smoother. I have actually found some +40 dished pistons so might try them if I ever need to strip down the engine again but very happy with it as it is. I also have a single Mikuni and EI which all goes to make it ' a very nice machine to ride'.
 
rare indeed, only ever saw one in the flesh, in my lifetime ..so far,

preacher in north bay ~ 77-8 just happened to pull it out of a shed (think he owned it), to fire 'er up,

& i just happened to be there,

i remember that moment/time vividly, to this day,

kids today can only imagine those times & mostly could care less
 
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Update: I have limited time in the shop due to my job and its been a busy summer buying/selling bikes and parts. Well here is the latest update. I was to the point of starting the bike for the first time in 48 years. Set up the GoPro to record it and figured I better check the valve clearances just to make sure they were ok. I mean, 455 miles, does it really need it? Probably not, but better safe than sorry.

As I removed the valve cover dome nuts, I noticed one was different than the rest. Strange.....so carrying on, I checked all clearances and found the left valve was WAY too much. I adjusted the clearance, turned the motor over with the kickstarter slowly and checked again. This time its WAY too tight. I also heard a metallic snap every time the valve opened or closed. I got my flashlight out and looked into the valve spring cavity and low and behold, the missing dome nut was lodged right beside/inside the valve spring. I retrieved it with a magnet and looked closely for any damage. No damage could be found, so I once again set the clearance and turned the motor over again to recheck. Same thing. Ah hell, the head has to come off to see whats going on.

Pulled the head off and found the pushrod was bent. All the valves, pistons and head look excellent, so no damage there. The cam followers look fine. I ordered a new pushrod from Baxter cycle and received it the next day along with a new copper head gasket. Cleaned up the head, reinstalled, torqued and oiled everything up and set clearances again and shes good to go. I went ahead and put on new fuel lines, checked for a good spark in both cylinders, all is a go. Now she is sitting patiently for me to find the time to start her up again. Its almost a religious moment for me so I am making sure all is ready before my first attempt. Wish me luck.
 
Don’t get too religious, it’s a motorbike, fire it up and ride it !!
 
So, I would assume that the first owner (or his dealer) removed the valve covers as part of the first service, dropped a nut, couldn’t find it, and replaced it. Some time after restarting, the nut wedged against the spring and jammed up the valve such that the pushrod got bent, the rough running and / or noise meant the bike got consigned to the back of the shop ‘to be looked at later’.

50 years later as it turns out !
 
So, I would assume that the first owner (or his dealer) removed the valve covers as part of the first service, dropped a nut, couldn’t find it, and replaced it. Some time after restarting, the nut wedged against the spring and jammed up the valve such that the pushrod got bent, the rough running and / or noise meant the bike got consigned to the back of the shop ‘to be looked at later’.

50 years later as it turns out !


Exactly my thoughts too! I actually tried calling the original owner, after much searching for the name on the title and found his number. He must now be in his 80's, but so far I cannot reach him if he is even still alive. I traded for this bike with a friend, that had another friend pick the bike up, so I don't know the history of it.

And the good news is displayed in this YouTube video as my first attempt to start this fine machine after 48 years at rest. And yes, it was a religious moment for me. I will put a couple miles on the 50 year old tires as they still hold air and then I want to display it at the next AMCA show in Fremont Nebraska this coming February. After that point, I am going to ride the machine like it is intended to be ridden and let the people see it in its natural environment instead of sitting idle on a trailer being carted to bike shows. This one will be ridden. Check out the video.



https://youtu.be/8L5d9S-En48
 
Update on 1968 Atlas:

I have been riding the Atlas on short rides and working some bugs out, fine tuning, and I am amazed at how good it runs. Small issues like the chain guard is bent and the chain is hitting it. The odometer DOES work, which was a pleasure to see as I added miles to it. The tach is not working as the needle is broken and glass cracked. This was damage to the early accident so I didn't expect it to work. The headlight, when turned on, pegs the ameter. This was also early damage so not sure what's goin on there. I did put new tubes inside the original tires and remounted them as the original Avon tubes would not hold air more than a few days. Repaired the broken choke lever and right foot rest. I've got an oil leak underneath I need to attend to. All in all an amazing machine.
 
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