Evo to Ironhead [Archive] - The Sportster and Buell Motorcycle Forum

painless

5th January 2006, 04:47

A newbie here - and I have a S2 evo engine I would like to mate into an ironhead rigid frame.
Anyone have any ideas or sources that can help me with this transition -
Even if you tell me it ain't possible, that'll be OK too!
Great site - and thanks for the help in advance!
Painless in South GA

GSB_77_XL

5th January 2006, 05:15

Any thing is possible if you have the time and money. Sorry I couldnt be more help.

GSB_77_XL

5th January 2006, 05:15

BTW welcome to the forum

IronMick

5th January 2006, 05:25

I am not a mech nor do i have direct experience with what you wish to do. It has been asked here a couple times in the past. The answer above is typical: it "can't" be done partly because the engine mounting points are incorrect. If you fix that you will then run into another ? problem. Etc. Enough money tho and you can do it. I guess it is possible but not practical.

74FeHeadXLH

5th January 2006, 05:29

Y2K

5th January 2006, 06:20

why not just get a rigid frame made to accept the Evo motor....not trying to be a smartass...but the rigid frames will be almost identical once bike is built, so just get the frame made for your motor

Not sure but if that's a Buell motor I don't think it'll work.
I beleive the S2 Buell is rubbermount and won't bolt into an evo Sporty either.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong :smoke

Desertfox

5th January 2006, 10:17

jamman

5th January 2006, 11:42

try www.paughco.com they build what you need or set up frames for what you need. thier frames run about 650 to 700, they can advise you on what mounts you need to mate the 2. It is possible. If it is not a rubber mount you should not have much problem.

showmebandit

5th January 2006, 13:35

Only trick to putting an EVO motor in an Ironhead frame (sans rubbermount motors) is moving the FRONT mounts...the rears on a 4 speed frame will bolt up....to a five speed evo motor....not the front though...they have to be manufactured...peace

jamman

5th January 2006, 23:03

painless

6th January 2006, 01:24

THATS what I needed to know, SHOWMEBANDIT - thanks for the help.
Does that mean the alignment from front to rear sprocket is OK then?
To everyone else - thanks for all the input! You guys are the BEST!
The reason I am asking what I am is I am attempting to build a bobber with what I have on hand - very little $ output! I have a Buell engine and access to a hardtail ironhead frame.....this should be interesting!
Thanks again, and I will update you as this beast comes together!

Painless in SoGA

Y2K

6th January 2006, 04:23

THATS what I needed to know, SHOWMEBANDIT - thanks for the help.
I have a Buell engine and access to a hardtail ironhead frame.....

Painless in SoGA

Not sure but if that's a Buell motor I don't think it'll work.
I beleive the S2 Buell is rubbermount and won't bolt into an evo Sporty either.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong
__________________
Electraglide Roadtripper

Quote:
Originally Posted by showmebandit
Only trick to putting an EVO motor in an Ironhead frame (sans rubbermount motors) is moving the FRONT mounts...the rears on a 4 speed frame will bolt up....to a five speed evo motor....not the front though...they have to be manufactured...peace

Once again I believe that Buell engine is a rubbermount and has totally different mounting than a solid mount evo.

painless

7th January 2006, 18:29

Thanks Y2K, but the S2 ins not a rubbermount. I can actually slap it right into any sporty frame from 86 on up. However, I happen to have an ironhead frame I can use.
I have run into several examples of this being done, since I posted this message, and they all point to the same issue - front engine mounts.
If I could find someone that had a picture of what they did to modify, it would surely be a help.
Thanks for your input, Y2K - I will keep you posted!
Painless

Y2K

7th January 2006, 19:26

Thanks Y2K, but the S2 ins not a rubbermount.
Painless

Should be pretty straight forward then,have you considered trading off the IH frame and getting an EVO? I would think that would simplify things a bit. There's always someone looking for an IH frame out there with $$ :smoke

There's a few of 'em on ebay including a ridged paughco.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harley-Davidson-Sportster-100th-Anniversary-FRAME_W0QQitemZ4601042825QQcategoryZ10064QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-HARLEY-DAVIDSON-XL883-SPORTSTER-FRAME_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35562QQitemZ46018 43262QQrdZ1

jamman

7th January 2006, 19:28

Crank case for the S2 is the same as a sporty crankcase? If this is the case, then just buy motor mounts for ironhead. They were the identical from 1954 to 1979, They change with 1980 to , although the same bolt pattern, to the holes for hiway pegs ana or the oilfilter, They stayed this way until early 84, mid 84 , They changed to the newer style. Part number 5-52 at www.jirehcycles.com 877-681-0448 for 26.95 And these will certianly give the starting points to modify if need be

Y2K

7th January 2006, 19:48

Crank case for the S2 is the same as a sporty crankcase? If this is the case, then just buy motor mounts for ironhead.

I'm still not convinced,I rode an S2 and I'm sure it was rubber mount.
Just read this...it's on a '95 S2 and tells of the swingarm being bolted to the engine and uniplanar (rubber) engine mounts . :dunno
Might be a good question for Nalin Racing.

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcbuell/1995s2.html

A source of worry for Buell was the inherent vibration of a 45 degree V-twin. But this is one area where Erik and his team of engineers studied long and hard: What they needed was a way of allowing the motor to shake freely so that the evil forces of vibration wouldn't tear the bike apart, yet use the engine as an integral, strength-enhancing part of the rolling chassis. The result was the patented Uniplanar mounting design that accomplishes both tasks with efficiency and simplicity. First, the swingarm bolts directly to the motor for rigidity, and a system of three torsion bars spaced at 120 degree intervals around the motor allows the motor/swingarm assembly to shake in only one plane, in-line longitudinally with the bike and the front wheel (telescopic forks let front wheels move in one plane longitudinally, so why not let the rear wheel do it too?), and prevents movement in any other direction. Thus, the engine/swingarm unit can't "flex" transversely, so handling integrity is maintained. The torsion bars -- which don't support any of the engine's weight once the bike is assembled -- keep the Harley motor from shaking you to bits at high rpm, while a series of rubber mounts bolt between the frame and engine/swingarm, and are the final link between the front and rear wheels.

jamman

7th January 2006, 19:55

but it is still a sporty crankcase right?

Y2K

7th January 2006, 20:14

but it is still a sporty crankcase right?

No, not if it's rubbermount and the swingarm bolts to the engine.
I think the internals are Sporty but the case is not.
Just like the BT transmissions are different between rubber mount bikes and solid mount bikes.
That's also the main difference between '04 and later Sportys and earlier.

miller

7th January 2006, 20:14

Here's a newer Buell engine in an Ironhead frame that just popped up on evilbay. Is this what you're after?
Eric

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harley-Buell-Sporster-Bobber_W0QQitemZ4602768564QQcategoryZ10062QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Y2K

7th January 2006, 20:20

painless

9th January 2006, 16:20

Thanks, Miller - That bike was saved in my archives as an inspiration, and is exactly what I am looking to do.
Painless

NXC1978

17th January 2006, 21:31

Painless- let us know how it is comming, problems, etc. when you get the motor mounted. I would like to do the same thing (Put a late model sporty motor into an early rigid frame). I love the Santee sporty frame, but they only make it for ironheads!!!:angry

dirtyone

18th January 2006, 23:55

painless have you tryed mcworx yet.they build sporty frame with buell
powerplants in them.they build iron heads to evo's they got some cool
bikes too.