Ironhead Magneto Sportster Tries To Restore a 1953 K Model?!?! (Photos and Story Included)

[Chuckthebeatertruck]

Originally Posted by doodah man

Looks like you’ve got that special early style oil slinger on your generator.

Everything is special about 1952/53

[sportsterpaul]

Momma said I was special cause I rode the short bus..............

[brucstoudt]

the parts assortment looks exceptional.the gas tank and chain guard caught my attention first.good eye doodah man,early daisy wheel oil seperator

[thefrenchowl]

Hi Jerry...

Nice find and at last, a proper bike in your collection!!!

I see you rear hub will need major attention...

Loads of people know about the K gearbox problems (or, more accurately since few had the joys to own and fiddle with a K model, just read about it...), but few if any talk about the really weak 52 and 53 rear hub.

The flange ring that holds the brake and sprocket is thin and is just silver brazed on the hub. The pull of the spokes plus the pull of the chain tend to make the ring part company with the hub over time and usage.

I can see yours has had some weld tacks added but it still seems very skewed. There's not much you can do if you want to keep the OEM look, but you can make a backing smaller ring properly welded/machined after on the hub to have a good back support to relocate and re-braze the drive ring...



Patrick

[Moon Wolf]

Did I miss them, or are you missing the dash a key switch parts? I think I might have an early rear wheel someplace if there are issues with yours.

[Magneto Sportster]

Originally Posted by Moon Wolf

Did I miss them, or are you missing the dash a key switch parts? I think I might have an early rear wheel someplace if there are issues with yours.

Dash and key switches are attached to the top tree on the frame, so that is covered. You don't happen to have the correct jiffy stand, do you?

[Moon Wolf]

I have a box of jiffy stands. Do you know what the 53 stand looks like? All my K models are 56s.

[Magneto Sportster]

Originally Posted by Moon Wolf

I have a box of jiffy stands. Do you know what the 53 stand looks like? All my K models are 56s.

Here are some photos. The main difference seems to be the lug where the stand attaches to the frame. Notice the comparison photo - the one on the left is what I am after:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2nFRFm4]

[IronHeadRon]

Originally Posted by doodah man

Looks like you’ve got that special early style oil slinger on your generator.

What do you mean, is there an oil slinger design prior other than and if so what makes it special?


Also, to OP:

I think your friend is being generous (well, overestimating; not sure it's generous advice) unless that forth gear is way high, 60 is pushing it on on an ironhead right?! so to go 60 mph at redline at 6300 rpm or less (unless it's way undersquare, I can't find your redline or gear ratio easily, but unless one is significantly higher.....I have to check my math but I'm pretty sure we won't be going that fast unless we change something drastic, you do you but if your not blowing right past redline, I think your at least riding it)


Without getting into teeth and ratios I can go by this

So 6300rpm × 40mph/2000rpm = 126mph
OK, I must've messed something up before, on an old ironhead anyway 60mph * 2000rpm/40mph = 3000rpm, again based on thier rough estimate in the electrical testing.

Huh, should I delete all this, or could it possibly help......idk, screw it I'll eat come crow incase it helps. I think everything I siad above, I'll put it in italics, is wrong

[Magneto Sportster]

Originally Posted by IronHeadRon

So 6300rpm × 40mph/2000rpm = 126mph
OK, I must've messed something up before, on an old ironhead anyway 60mph * 2000rpm/40mph = 3000rpm, again based on thier rough estimate in the electrical testing.

Huh, should I delete all this, or could it possibly help......idk, screw it I'll eat come crow incase it helps. I think everything I siad above, I'll put it in italics, is wrong

I'm not sure I follow everything you are sayin, but my 900's cruise 65 mph with a 21 tooth in the front, no problem.

However, a '53 K is a 750 and come in somewhere around 30 horsepower in stock configuration. It will probably cruise along a 50 - 55 mph nicely. But that's just a guess. Also, it was supposed to be a joke.