1916 Harley Cutdown Build Cut Down Motorcycle Discuss 1916 Harley Cutdown Build in the MOTORCYCLES forums; Hi Guys, Thought I might start a new thread about the cutdown I'm building here at the museum. Its going to be a heck of a fun project. Just finished ...

[MattWalksler]

Hi Guys,

Thought I might start a new thread about the cutdown I'm building here at the museum. Its going to be a heck of a fun project.

Just finished rebuilding the motor. It was kind of a mystery motor put together with lots of different parts. We found it at Wauseon in June. 1915 HD cases (with a factory 1916 serial number oddly enough). It had 1913 flywheels, heavy duty JDCA rods, and the best part.......Domed, aluminum Ford pistons out of a 37-42 6cylinder.

When we tore into this thing, it was apparent that it'd been together for a long, long time.

I found a great pre-1920 frame (not sure exactly what year). Mostly straight, but needed a little lining up.

Below are a few pic of the motor rebuild and the frame.

[MattWalksler]

[Buzz_Kanter]

Matt, I love it and appreciate your sharing the photos and info as you can.

Seems this forum is moving from heavy on Panheads and Shovelheads to a lot more much earlier stuff - mostly old Harley JDs.

[Bigincher]

Too cool, Matt! I'll be following your thread here with great interest!

[MattWalksler]

Thanks guys!!!

As far as J-models go, they're a blast to ride. We've got a JD cutdown at the museum thats about as fun as it gets. With a hopped up motor, quite possibly HDs best power to weight ratio.

My buddy John and I will be chopping on the frame next week. I'm not sure if I'll tell you all how we cut it down though But if you guess right, I'll won't keep it a secret. It took me hours (and removing the tanks) to see what'd been done to the one here at the museum. It was actually pretty fun figuring it out.

I'll be posting pics of the frame work next week. I'll also be rebuilding the tranny, so will be sure to include some photos of that as well.

Here's the cutdown at the museum

[Dave Morrill]

Matt,

That's a great project! Wonder where I can get a set of those Ford pistons? Did they just run the top two rings like the picture shows?

[nuklhd]

now this is gonna be fun to watch.

[MattWalksler]

Originally Posted by Dave Morrill

Matt,

That's a great project! Wonder where I can get a set of those Ford pistons? Did they just run the top two rings like the picture shows?

I've got no clue as to where to get pistons like that. I don't get much into cars.

The previous builder of this engine ran those pistons with 2 rings, although they are made for 4 rings. So as we're trying to figure out what to use, my dad grabs a set of "61 Panhead Rings. They fit perfect. We decided to run all three.

Ground out and put a light polish on the valve pockets, and shimmed all four valve springs. Whoever built this motor, trimmed down the valves and polished them too. They updated the motor to a four lobe cam as well.

Does anyone have a line on an intake manifold for a set of 18/19 cylinders that fits the big schebler carb?

[Dave Morrill]

Matt,

Would that be for a 1" Schebler or the 1 1/4"? I've got an 1 1/4" intake that came with my JD. I think its a 74ci JD intake, that's been chromed. It fits my 21 cylinders, not sure if it would fit the earlier ones. Let me know if you want to try it.

[MattWalksler]

Dave,

Thanks for offering to help. Could you please take 2 measurements for me? The width of the manifold (not including the brass washer if it hangs over), and the outside diameter of the manifold ?ports? that meet the cylinder?

I think it may fit, as a lot of the manifolds that are just barely too big have a '23 casting number.

Thanks Dave