My 1926 Harley J Motorcycle Cannonball Bike

[Buzz_Kanter]

Got some time today in the garage with the 1926 Harley J.

Installed a mirror on the left side of the handlebar and messed a bit with the rear fender. Plan on having it installed along with the tail light and license plate this weekend. Not a lot of work, but I am taking my time on this one.

[Buzz_Kanter]

I hate to admit it, but I dropped this bike on the garage floor a couple of times today. It was so frustrating. I had the bike on the rear stand and jacked up underneath to get the front wheel off so I can remount the front fender. Turns out it has to be higher than I thought as the fender has to slide up and past the rockers on the bottom of the fork legs, and they had to be high enough for the slots in the fender to fit and slide over the fork legs of the springer forks.

Once I got the bike jacked up I got the front wheel off no problem but as I was trying to wiggle the fender into place the entire bike tipped and fell over. It looked like slow motion to me and I had enough sense to get out of the way and not be hit by the falling bike. Have you ever tried to pick up and stabilize a motorcycle lying on its side on the garage floor with no front wheel. It isn't easy or fun. Especially with your heart pounding triple time.

I was able to wrestle it back up and get it balanced, but I did manage to drop it again once more before I was able to mount the fender and front wheel back in place. Fortunately I did not do any serious damage. I scrapped the mirror, handlebar and brake lever. I am lucky it was not worse. Sure would be happy never to have to do that again!

[Chris Haynes]

After you raise the bike put automobile type axle stands on each side of the bike under the front footboard support rod. Makes it real stable.

[50indian]

I'd be so pissed at myself that I would mount the fender and wheel on with it on its head. I have experience with losing a bike off of a lift.
It was much more fun to watch the OCC boys do it a couple of times on TV

[rand]

hell,ain't like it was never down.But after you get your piece of treasure,it does hurt.Did you say you bent that -mirror ? lol

[Buzz_Kanter]

I had closer look at it this afternoon and see I also punched in the primary cover. I'll have to pull that off and carefully hammer it back into shape.

[tomfiii]

Some times it can be better to back bike up on table.

[Buzz_Kanter]

Here is what the bike looks like this week.



I have most of the old parts reinstalled back on the 1926 Harley J after having stripped it down earlier in the year as a racer. Still looking for a decent 6-volt horn and an entire speedometer assembly. I believe the 1926 Harley used a 100 mph Crobin set up. Also have a new seat on order.