Ironhead 1967 XLCH stroker project

[11B40]

"I’ll definitely be doing the reinforcement of the trans corner with the ring you refer to. I don’t want to blow it up when the going gets tough!"

Don't be surprised to find that there is already a small crack present. There was in mine and it was only about 5 years old when I did the mod. After epoxying the hardened ring on, it could be power shifted @6K over and over and held perfectly. It is amazing to me that some people don't do this. I've seen Sportsters saw the cases in half when the case let go. When I was riding you could still buy new cases from HD or send them down to the guy in Fremont who would weld them back together. Not anymore.

[Keithybloodygeorge]

Originally Posted by 11B40

Don't be surprised to find that there is already a small crack present. There was in mine and it was only about 5 years old when I did the mod. After epoxying the hardened ring on, it could be power shifted @6K over and over and held perfectly. It is amazing to me that some people don't do this. I've seen Sportsters saw the cases in half when the case let go. When I was riding you could still buy new cases from HD or send them down to the guy in Fremont who would weld them back together. Not anymore.

I’m very curious as to the condition given how common these issues are. I think the 67 up were maybe a little stronger from some reading on here but either way I’ll do the modification. I could weld it up too I guess but the ring sounds like a nice neat solution with minimal fuss and I’m no gun cast alloy welder so not sure how hard it would be to avoid distortion issues



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[Chuckthebeatertruck]

I'm happy with a 3 gram spread. 1 is outstanding, and a little surprising for out of box pistons.

What is your total weight, pin, clips, rings, etc. just curious.

[Keithybloodygeorge]

Originally Posted by Chuckthebeatertruck

I'm happy with a 3 gram spread. 1 is outstanding, and a little surprising for out of box pistons.

What is your total weight, pin, clips, rings, etc. just curious.

I don't have all the parts in hand yet Chuck but I'll weigh them all when the rings come in

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[Ferrous Head]

I’m very curious as to the condition given how common these issues are.

Very, very common. The fix by HD wasn't until they dropped the tranny speedo drive. If you look at that section of the case and compare it to the 73 up you can see exactly what a bad idea that speedo gear placement was.
And alloy isn't steel. Over time between the heat cycles and vibrations it just gets weaker.

I tried the ceramic coating on pistons one time years ago. I can't give you any kind of definitive answer as I holed a piston in the first race, before I had enough time to get a grip on it's usefulness. (Holing the piston was totally my fault changing the timing in the pits by ear with a new electronic ignition system.)
I went over to Methanol after that and haven't bothered since.

The worst thing about all of this is you have to get everything right. At one time. Engines are like chains, weak links. They break and the whole plot gets dropped into the sea. Painful when you just spent a fortune on your shiny new anchor.

[Monte03]

Originally Posted by 11B40

"I’ll definitely be doing the reinforcement of the trans corner with the ring you refer to. I don’t want to blow it up when the going gets tough!"

Don't be surprised to find that there is already a small crack present. There was in mine and it was only about 5 years old when I did the mod. After epoxying the hardened ring on, it could be power shifted @6K over and over and held perfectly. It is amazing to me that some people don't do this. I've seen Sportsters saw the cases in half when the case let go. When I was riding you could still buy new cases from HD or send them down to the guy in Fremont who would weld them back together. Not anymore.

... Was the Guy in Freemont Donny Rich? ( Rich Products )

[Keithybloodygeorge]

Originally Posted by Ferrous Head

Very, very common. The fix by HD wasn't until they dropped the tranny speedo drive. If you look at that section of the case and compare it to the 73 up you can see exactly what a bad idea that speedo gear placement was.
And alloy isn't steel. Over time between the heat cycles and vibrations it just gets weaker.

I tried the ceramic coating on pistons one time years ago. I can't give you any kind of definitive answer as I holed a piston in the first race, before I had enough time to get a grip on it's usefulness. (Holing the piston was totally my fault changing the timing in the pits by ear with a new electronic ignition system.)
I went over to Methanol after that and haven't bothered since.

The worst thing about all of this is you have to get everything right. At one time. Engines are like chains, weak links. They break and the whole plot gets dropped into the sea. Painful when you just spent a fortune on your shiny new anchor.

You're making me nervous here Ferrous! Hopefully I can avoid any similar issues 🤞

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[Keithybloodygeorge]

Not a great shot but hopefully my basic head port clean up from a while back is enough to flow a little better when this stroker setup goes in in a few months time




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[Keithybloodygeorge]

Originally Posted by Chuckthebeatertruck

I'm happy with a 3 gram spread. 1 is outstanding, and a little surprising for out of box pistons.



What is your total weight, pin, clips, rings, etc. just curious.

Hey chuck I’ve ended up at 466 and 467 grams total for each piston, rings, pin and clips. Scales are only accurate to 0.5 at this weight so could probably be more accurate but I’m guessing they aren’t gonna stray too much


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[Chuckthebeatertruck]

Um, that is a fantastic weight spread out of the box. I'd go buy a lottery ticket.

Mine were considerably off!