Ironhead my rigid frame has my ironhead off-center & off-balance

[NewAmerica]

i guess i should just reiterate that i'm new here and certainly new to these old ironheads. something about this machine has got me fixed with a vision for my project.

i have a custom built paughco rigid frame. wide tire, 38 degree, 2.5" Backbone stretch, 0" dowtube stretch, and a 4" stretch out back to practically drop this thing to the ground.

the rear motor mount lined up fine, but when i got to the lower front mounts, i found a problem. the original long ironhead mounts can't be used with this frame. it has tabs to use the later style mounts, also found on the evo. not problem with the length of these, the holes match up fine. the problem can be seen in the pics below. the engine seems to be offset about 1/2" to the left and looks very off-center in the frame.






if you look closely at the L/H motor mount in these shots, it sticks out about 1/2" to the left from the mounting tabs, and the same goes for the R/H mount too.


does anyone have good shots of their ironhead mounts in an aftermarket frame to look at?

is there another rear motor mount that i can use to recenter this thing or has anyone seen this before?? once i have this figured out i will be ready to finish my overhaul of the engine.


thanks in advance everyone!!


- and IronMick, if you think this is in the wrong section please let me know, or move it. thanks!

-Andrew

[maverick]

Dude you got me, but welcome to the forum, and just keep tuning in I am sure there is someone on here that can help you as this is a very good place for information!

[NewAmerica]

i don't know what's wrong with it?? blows my mind. the other thing is that those motor mounts are supposed to be on the inside of the mounting tabs according to paughco...

[Hot Rod Sporty]

If it's a custom built frame, I'd say someone f'd up the downtubes during the build... Have you called Paughco?

[Monte03]

Favor the Rear Motor Mount First pulled up tight with the bolts in place, if that meets up clean with the Rear wheel then you need to make up the spacer 'Gap' on the front , if you notice an early Sportster frame it is offset,
a fairly easy job for a Machinist/Welder once the measurements are take,
Hey Dude Welcome to Customizing!

[NewAmerica]

hot rod sporty - i haven't called paughco yet. but probably should.


monte - i had the rear mount tight before i did the front. i'm going to line up the rear wheel and put the chain on it in the morning. according to paughco it is supposed to fit my 180 tire without using an offset sprocket. if it works i'll leave it, if it doesn't then it will have to be modified. thanks for the advice!

[Campsurf]

Welcome to the forum;

Monte03 is right, you have to have the rear snugged up first. Take some pics of the rear.. it also appears your mounts are not stock. I suspect that it is a tight fit and you haven't finessed it enough. Once you have the rear snugged up, study it. The first time I did a stock mount I didn't get it right and I remained miffed until I stepped back and went at it a little differently.

Is the engine offset to allow for the wheel? Very interesting.

Jim

[snowman]

Set up the rear first, like the others said. Then if it's not right, call Jason at Paughco and tell him what you have...

Welcome to the forum from Michigan!!!

[miller]

Sportster motors don't sit square in the middle of the frame, and from the pics yours doesn't look too bad. I have read about several people having to make motor mounts for Paughco frames, and you might end up having to go that route.

[54-FLE]

When I mounted my engine in my frame I had the same problem only worst. I had to cut out the back mounting plate all together and got a new one from the frame manufacture then bolted the new plate to the rear mount and then set it all in the frame until all was a perfect fit and then tack welded the plate, removed the engine and took it to a welder for tigging. I then had to cut spacers for the front to line up. Like already mentioned welcome to the world of bike building/fabrication, I don't remember too many things that actually just bolted up like its suppose to.