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techtalk:ih:engmech09a [2021/06/10 21:14]
hippysmack ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation
techtalk:ih:engmech09a [2024/01/02 04:33] (current)
hippysmack [All Else Fails]
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-====== IH: Engine Mechanicals - Sub-09I ====== +====== IH: Engine Mechanicals - Sub-09A ====== 
-===== Removing / Installing Motor Mounts =====+===== Sequence of Installing ​IH Motor Mounts =====
  
 ===== From the Service Manuals ===== ===== From the Service Manuals =====
- 
 The ironhead factory service manuals lay out the procedure for '​stripping the motorcycle for repair'​. \\ The ironhead factory service manuals lay out the procedure for '​stripping the motorcycle for repair'​. \\
 This covers the procedure for removing / installing the motor and also includes the motor mounts. This covers the procedure for removing / installing the motor and also includes the motor mounts.
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   - Install the right crash bar bolt (if equipped).   - Install the right crash bar bolt (if equipped).
- 
   - Install the two bottom rear engine mounting bolts   - Install the two bottom rear engine mounting bolts
   - Install the two top rear engine mounting bolts and regulator ground strap.   - Install the two top rear engine mounting bolts and regulator ground strap.
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   - Install the two top rear engine mounting bolts and regulator ground strap.   - Install the two top rear engine mounting bolts and regulator ground strap.
   - 57-78: \\ Install the 2 top bracket support bolts (one on each head) along with the bracket assembly and the top engine support bolt located between the cylinders. \\ (Be sure reinstall the correct amount of shim washers as removed).   - 57-78: \\ Install the 2 top bracket support bolts (one on each head) along with the bracket assembly and the top engine support bolt located between the cylinders. \\ (Be sure reinstall the correct amount of shim washers as removed).
- 
  
 ===== Further Explanation on Installing Motor Mounts from XLForum Members ===== ===== Further Explanation on Installing Motor Mounts from XLForum Members =====
- 
 When following the manual procedures, it's possible and actually common to tighten everything up only to find the motor position has cracked the rear mount. \\ When following the manual procedures, it's possible and actually common to tighten everything up only to find the motor position has cracked the rear mount. \\
-Your motor needs to be "​cradled"​ in the frame. ((Tim The Grim of the XLFORUM ​http://​xlforum.net/​forums/showthread.php?​t=1659782&​page=3)) \\+Your motor needs to be "​cradled"​ in the frame. ((Tim The Grim of the XLFORUM ​https://www.xlforum.net/​forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/​154551-iron-vibrations/​page3?​t=1659782&​page=3)) \\
 If it's just put in and tightened up it could be out of alignment and stress one area more than others. \\ If it's just put in and tightened up it could be out of alignment and stress one area more than others. \\
 That can set up a harmonic that gets worse at a specific rpm range. That can set up a harmonic that gets worse at a specific rpm range.
-The way the rear mount is designed, it determines the motor location. ((ryder rick of the XLFORUM ​http://​xlforum.net/​forums/showthread.php?​t=1384261&​page=2)) ((http://​xlforum.net/​forums/showthread.php?​t=1384261&​page=4)) \\+The way the rear mount is designed, it determines the motor location. ((ryder rick of the XLFORUM ​https://www.xlforum.net/​forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/​130889-rolling-basket-case-saga-now-it-s-the-rear-motor-mount/​page2?​t=1384261&​page=2)) ((https://www.xlforum.net/​forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/​130889-rolling-basket-case-saga-now-it-s-the-rear-motor-mount/​page4?​t=1384261&​page=4)) \\
 **The rear mount has to be tightened first, then the other mounts**. \\ **The rear mount has to be tightened first, then the other mounts**. \\
 It's possible to probable that most rear mount breakage can be attributed to improper assembly techniques, broken frames or loose / missing mounts. \\ It's possible to probable that most rear mount breakage can be attributed to improper assembly techniques, broken frames or loose / missing mounts. \\
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 ===== All Else Fails ===== ===== All Else Fails =====
- +There is sometimes some wiggle room on the rear mount. ((ryder rick of the XLFORUM ​https://www.xlforum.net/​forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/​187256-hard-to-get-engine-in-new-hardtail/​page5?​t=2000446&​page=5)) \\
-There is sometimes some wiggle room on the rear mount. ((ryder rick of the XLFORUM ​http://​xlforum.net/​forums/showthread.php?​t=2000446&​page=5)) \\+
 Loosen all the bolts slightly and give it a yank in the direction you need hold and tighten. \\ Loosen all the bolts slightly and give it a yank in the direction you need hold and tighten. \\
 DO NOT pull things into position or jam bolts in under pressure! \\ DO NOT pull things into position or jam bolts in under pressure! \\
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 Put it together right the first time, or you will be forever breaking down. \\ Put it together right the first time, or you will be forever breaking down. \\
  
-Another way to do that is to hang the motor by the center (head mount) on the frame. ((simeli of the XLFORUM ​http://​xlforum.net/​forums/showthread.php?​t=1683489)) \\+Another way to do that is to hang the motor by the center (head mount) on the frame. ((simeli of the XLFORUM ​https://www.xlforum.net/​forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/​157364-motor-mount-bolt-on-lower-rear-not-threading?​t=1683489)) \\
 Use no washers,​leave the front mount bolts out and the front mounts loose at the engine. \\ Use no washers,​leave the front mount bolts out and the front mounts loose at the engine. \\
 Start all of your rear mount bolts but don't tighten them up yet. Start all of your front mount bolts but leave them loose. \\  Start all of your rear mount bolts but don't tighten them up yet. Start all of your front mount bolts but leave them loose. \\ 
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 Snug up the front mounts but not tight. Remove the top mount and add washers until you have about 1/32" play at the top mount. \\ Snug up the front mounts but not tight. Remove the top mount and add washers until you have about 1/32" play at the top mount. \\
 Tighten front mount bolts, frame and engine. Tighten top mount and you are done. \\ Tighten front mount bolts, frame and engine. Tighten top mount and you are done. \\
 +
 +===== And a Little Sage =====
 +Please note that a well tuned IronHead does not make any noise. Rather it is a symphony of sounds and, when well set up, you can hear all of them - the valve train, the intake, the exhaust. ((IronMick of the XLFORUM https://​www.xlforum.net/​forum/​sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/​189431-ironhead-noise-i-know-i-know?​t=2018764&​highlight=Symphony))
 +
 +A few decades back, I rode with a bunch of established riders that gathered at an indy shop on Sunday mornings. One day a young longhair showed up on an XL Roadster and asked if he could tag along. I was usually up front as the " Road Captain " and he was catching dust in the back. He gathered respect soon enough and I paid some more attention to him and his lovely wife. I noticed how long he had to crank the starter before it would run and then sometimes pop, spit and stall. I had my '76 CH with an extensively modified Super B, 10.5 Wiseco'​s,​ Morris Mag and 2>1 Jardine header. We would all wait for him to get running and then start ours. 
 +Mine would lite right up and do the symphony. ​
 +His would shake, rattle and roll.
 +It was that way for most of that season and he seemed to think that's how it was supposed to be.
 +I finally felt comfortable enough with this person to ask if I could tune up his bike and he agreed.
 +We did a top to bottom adjustment/​tune up while I instructed him on how to keep it running right. It ran smooth, started easily and did the potato potato.
 +He called me as soon as he got home and couldn'​t believe the new power and how much better it sounded at stop lights. ​
 +He had the symphony. ((Tim The Grim from the XLFORUM https://​www.xlforum.net/​forum/​sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/​189499-noise-vs-symphony-long-post-from-an-old-fart?​s=48f65af3f853cf3505d2ed16f702bb61&​threadid=2020041))
 +
 +The next Sunday I was on route to the shop/ride, rounding a curve on a highway and saw 2 riders on the shoulder. One in a full out leather suit with a sport bike and the other my longhair pal.
 +He was accelerating off a ramp, digging on the power and the symphony as never before. He hit third and his big end rod bearings grenaded. His motor had run so bad for so long it just could no longer take the power it was actually designed to produce. The sport bike rider had stopped to help.
 +For all you guys that are new to the righteous world of Ironheads and their various peculiarities...
 +Noises, as unpleasant as they may be , need to be diagnosed and addressed as soon as possible. Damage is being done anytime a motor isn't running correctly.
 +Don't just assume it's an old design and supposed to be noisy.
 +If you don't have the symphony, find someone who can help you get it. ((Tim The Grim from the XLFORUM https://​www.xlforum.net/​forum/​sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/​189499-noise-vs-symphony-long-post-from-an-old-fart?​threadid=2020041))
 +
 +**Installing your Iron Head Engine**. \\
 +
 +Let's break the mount install into two procedures. ((DR DICK of the XLFORUM https://​www.xlforum.net/​forum/​sportster-motorcycle-forum/​sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/​ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/​173827-crankcase-drain-plug/​page4?​t=1864035&​highlight=Ironhead+Crankcase+Drain+Plug&​page=4))
 +
 +  - **Mount to Frame**. You see that the mount has a machined surf that sets an a machined shelf on frame. That interface is what sets the mount '​square'​ to frame.
 +  - **Mount to motor** interface sets motor square to mount. Add the two together and the motor sits square to frame. That's important as it sets the motor'​s center of gravity over the frame centerline . = a light feel on the road.
 +
 +  * 1. **Mount to Frame**. ​
 +    * When you install a motor in the frame, the first thing is to do is drop the mount on that shelf.
 +    * Then you install the 2 upper bolts with their lockwashers. As you draw those bolts up the motor rises off the frame tubes.
 +    * Once the top bolts have almost drawn the mount to kiss frame casting, you go for the lower bolts and lockwashers.
 +    * That's where the issue (if there is one) will show in lower bolt misalignment.
 +    * The dry fitting is to make sure the mount holes align with the frame holes and all 4 bolts catch thread. If they dont catch, now is the time to rectify.
 +    * When the actual engine is installed, you will do the same - top bolts almost drawn and lowers started, then tighten top bolts. ​
 +    * Motor is now registered correctly. Tighten lowers.
 +
 +Make sense so far? \\ The below procedure get's done on the bench previous to motor install.
 +
 +  * 2. **Mount to motor**
 +    * 7 fasteners, three studs/nuts, 2 bolts with lock washers, and two oil tank stand-off with lockwashers.
 +    * Slip mount in place and reinstall the 3 studs then remove/​loosen nuts so mount is free on studs.
 +    * Install the two top bolts and lock washers. Tighten to crush lock washers 1/2 way. Do the same with the standoffs.
 +    * The 1/2 crushed lockwashers will keep the mount in contact with case.
 +    * Now tighten stud nuts (don't forget the clip for chain oiler). ​
 +    * Now tighten the 2 bolts, then the standoffs. be careful here too. Screw machine stock again the stand offs wont take as much torque as regular bolts. Following this assures the mount registers to cases correctly.
 +    * Install kicker shaft and big gear. Tighten nut and bend lock tab.
 +    * Kicker shaft oil seals have been obsolete. What do you have for this?
 +    * Once kicker shaft is in, install motor in frame. Do top end re-assembly and primary assembly with motor in frame.
 +
 +That's how to get motor in frame correctly. But,prior to motor install make sure kick stand and tab is up to the next 50yrs of service. Bent tabs allow bike to lean excessively. Bikes that lean too much are hard to start and can break crankcases if stand head flexes into case during kickstarting.