NOS Parts have Arrived

Hi

The NOS parts have arrrived.

Rear Axle Roller Bearing Sleeve Kaput!

Hi

The rear roller bearing sleeve of my WL is kaput!  If you look closely you will see that the small roller bearing sleeve is really pitted.  I spoke to Doepie about it and he suggested that I replace the sleeve.

So - I have ordered a new roller bearing sleeve.

Front Hub Restoration

Hi

This is what the front hub look like in the parts manual.

Exploded View of Front Wheel and Hub

 

I have just fitted the wheel bearings and the brake shoes. 

Fitting the Toolbox

Hi

Here is a photo of the mounted toolbox. 

Fitting the 1941 Only Toolbox Bracket

Hi

According to Palmer, the 1941 WL's were fitted with a 1941 only toolbox bracket.   Here is a photo of the one on my WL.

 

 

Proper Rear Stand Shoulder Bolts Fitted

Hi

I know this might sound totally anal, but I have managed to get 2 @ rear stand shoulder bolts for the WL - I temporarily fitted normal bolts. But normal bolts does not allow the rear stand to swivel properly.

 :-(

But this speaks to the restoration approach that I am following - to get the motorcycle back to as near as possible to the original factory condition.

Luggage Rack Fitted

Hi

Yesterday afternoon I fitted the luggage rack.

Luggage Rack is from 1941

Hi

According to Palmer, the luggage rack of my WL is also from 1941.

Page 727 of Palmer's Book

The luggage rack on my WL looks like A above.

This is consistant with all of the other parts on my WL

Parts Painted

Hi

I have sprayed the parts that I have sandblasted this morning.

Luggage Rack Restoration (Part 2)

Hi

I have sanded the luggage rack and it is ready for painting.

Parts for the Speedometer Restoration have Arrived

Hi

I have ordered a bezel and the gaskets for the Speedometer from Speedo_Rat on eBay - the parts have just arrived.

Wheel Restoration (Part 4)

Ditto for the front hub.

Wheel Restoration (Part 3)

Hi

I have just finished sandblasting the rear hub.

Luggage Rack Restoration

Hi

I have already had the luggage rack in the rust remover. This morning I will sandblast it and it should go into the paint booth this afternoon.

Wheel Restoration Part 2

Good morning

I have dismantled the rear wheel as well.  Some of the parts were a bit rusted and I have been using the Rust Remover to get rid of the rust.  I hope to have the rust removed by Saturday.

This Saturday I want to sand the hub, spokes and rim and get it ready for painting.  I might not get to a point where I can paint the parts - that might only be done next Saturday.

Once I have painted the parts, I will take the wheels to a guy to re-spoke and properly true the wheels.  That will allow me to put some new rubber on the wheels.

Wheel Restoration - Dating the Rims

Morning.

Yesterday we sanded the rims to get rid of the last bits of rust.  I noticed a punch mark on the rims and read up on it.  According to Bruce Palmer, both rims of my WL were manufactured in JANUARY 1941!  Here are some photo's.

The photo of my WL rim indicates:

•  that the rim is a Kelsey-Hayes rim made in the USA;
•  that the rim was manufactured in 1941 (the 41 stamped to the left of the rim size);
•  that the rim was manufactured in January (the 1 stamped to the right of the rim size).

Wheel Restoration Part 1

Hi

Most of the frame, engine and gearbox parts have been restored and have been fitted to the motorcycle.  My attention in the next week or three will be to fully restore the wheels.

The first step in this restoration process is obviously a total dismantling of the wheels.  Here is a photo of the front wheel dismantled.

The rest of the process will be as follows:

• Sandblast all of the parts;
• Paint the rim and hub in the desert khaki colour;
• Install new stainless steel spokes;
• Fit the brake and axles parts, ensuring that the play on the axle bearings are exactly right;
• Fit the wheel to the bike.

Fuel Tank Fitted

Hi

This morning I have fitted the fuel tank, gear lever and some nuts and bolts.

Fuel Tank Restoration (Part 3)

Hi

Yesterday I lined the fuel tank with a fuel tank epoxy liner.

This is me swirling the epoxy gel around the tank to ensure that the entire tank on the inside is coated

Foot Boards Fitted

Morning 

I have just fitted the foot boards. 

A Build Overview 2016-01-07

This is what the 1941 Harley Davidson WL look like at the moment.

Primary Cover Fitted

Hi

The primary cover has been fitted.

Fuel Tank Restoration (Part 2)

Hi

I have cleaned all of the rust from inside and outside the fuel tank with the rust remover.  The stuff is amazing!  I then used a wire brush on a drill to clean the metal.  For the difficult-to-reach parts (where the gas shut-off valve screws into the tank, as well as, the indents in the tank) I used a Dremel tool.  I then cleaned the tanks with a clean rag soaked in thinners and sprayed it with a primer.  Sounds easy, but it took about 8 hours to do.

Here is a photo of the fuel tank before I laid on the grey MS Primer.

Oil Tank Fitted

Good morning 

This morning I have fitted the oil tank and the oil lines.   Here are some photos. 

Oil Tank and Primary Chain Cover

Hi

This is what the oil tank and primary chain cover looks like.