hi, im currently getting my dads old wl 45 going. i think its 1948 but not sure. i only started replacing the fuel line and cleaning the carburetor and i was just wondering.. if the clutch is the pedal on the left side, then what does the left handle bar grip do? it turns that bell shaped thing on the right side of the engine, but i have no clue what it does. help very apreciated.
@oOOpIIIqOOo The bell shaped thing is an ignition timer (sort of like a distributor on a car). The left twist grip advances and retards that ignition timer. You want the ignition retarded some when you kick start the bike so it doesn't kick back on you and hurt your leg! When you are riding down the road you want the ignition fully advanced, or the engine will run too hot. I should have mentioned retarding the ignition in the video, but I forgot because I have an auto-advance timer installed.
@mcflathead thanks, you really helped me out here! just one more thing, turning the grip towards me (as in opening the throttle with the right grip) delays the ignition right?
@oOOpIIIqOOo I'm not absolutely sure. Take the cap off the timer. Kick the engine over to see which way the cam turns. I believe it turns clockwise? When the timer body rotates against the direction of cam rotation (counterclockwise?) ignition will occur earlier. When the timer body turns with the direction of cam rotation ignition will occur later. If I'm right (may not be) the cable pulls advanced and pushes retarded, so knuckles back should be advanced? Do you have spark? Clean the points.
@tootiredtocare1 In reality the neighbors actually pretty good about it. I guess because in the summer the smoke helps keep the mosquitos at bay for a while...
This made me laugh, not at you but at those old bikes. That is good advice on not locking your knee, I ended up on the other side by doing that. If you get a chance check out my vids I have a 42 an 80 and a 96 2 of them are kick starts.
I picked mine up as a word of mouth basket case for 2 grand! Unchopped '38 frame and right hand case. The rest of it is from the early forties. About 80- 90% there!He said it came from Australia. Luckily, with the Big Twin Flatheads everything fits everything! Couldn't get the money out fast enough! Can't wait to ride it! Thanks for vids! Very professional production!
Thanks for the info. I also have a '53 Servicar that I ride daily. You can almost start it with one finger! Once you get those flatties set up, they just run, and run, and RUN!
@nortonaavs Not currently an AMCA member. Used to go to the Davenport meet every fall but the WL Bonneville racing effort has conflicted with it for the last 7 years (see my other vids). A few years back my buddy Ted had a real nice 38 UL bobber. A young customer was in his shop admiring the bike and asked how hard it was to start. He turned the ignition on and just brushed the kicker with his heel. The bike started! He wryly told the kid "Apparently not that hard." Only ever happened one time.
You forgot to mention retarding the spark. Never saw a set of saddlebags like that! VERY cool!! I have a '46 UL I'm putting together. Nicely produced Video!
@nortonaavs Thanks. You're right about the spark. I forgot... mine has an auto advance timer. The bags are 60's accessories off ebay. Keep watching and you will eventually see some for sale. You're going to love that '46 when you get it going. (like to see a video!) The big flatheads can run surprisingly strong. Between the primary belt ratio and the 25 tooth tranny sprocket mine just purrs at 75 mph and only 3200 rpm. (I've got a tach in the speedo) FLATHEADS FOREVER!!!
@usabadone Thanks. I work pretty hard trying to make the videos creative. As for the old Flathead, next winter she's going to get a fresh top end and some new paint (a reward for getting me through a 2500 mile trip last summer with no breakdowns)
hi, im currently getting my dads old wl 45 going. i think its 1948 but not sure. i only started replacing the fuel line and cleaning the carburetor and i was just wondering.. if the clutch is the pedal on the left side, then what does the left handle bar grip do? it turns that bell shaped thing on the right side of the engine, but i have no clue what it does. help very apreciated.
oOOpIIIqOOo 1 week ago
@oOOpIIIqOOo The bell shaped thing is an ignition timer (sort of like a distributor on a car). The left twist grip advances and retards that ignition timer. You want the ignition retarded some when you kick start the bike so it doesn't kick back on you and hurt your leg! When you are riding down the road you want the ignition fully advanced, or the engine will run too hot. I should have mentioned retarding the ignition in the video, but I forgot because I have an auto-advance timer installed.
mcflathead 1 week ago
@mcflathead thanks, you really helped me out here! just one more thing, turning the grip towards me (as in opening the throttle with the right grip) delays the ignition right?
oOOpIIIqOOo 1 week ago
@oOOpIIIqOOo I'm not absolutely sure. Take the cap off the timer. Kick the engine over to see which way the cam turns. I believe it turns clockwise? When the timer body rotates against the direction of cam rotation (counterclockwise?) ignition will occur earlier. When the timer body turns with the direction of cam rotation ignition will occur later. If I'm right (may not be) the cable pulls advanced and pushes retarded, so knuckles back should be advanced? Do you have spark? Clean the points.
mcflathead 1 week ago
@tootiredtocare1 In reality the neighbors actually pretty good about it. I guess because in the summer the smoke helps keep the mosquitos at bay for a while...
mcflathead 2 months ago
This made me laugh, not at you but at those old bikes. That is good advice on not locking your knee, I ended up on the other side by doing that. If you get a chance check out my vids I have a 42 an 80 and a 96 2 of them are kick starts.
63busfreak 2 months ago
Wouldn't. Change. A thing
usabadone 4 months ago
Yep, pretty amazing.
I picked mine up as a word of mouth basket case for 2 grand! Unchopped '38 frame and right hand case. The rest of it is from the early forties. About 80- 90% there!He said it came from Australia. Luckily, with the Big Twin Flatheads everything fits everything! Couldn't get the money out fast enough! Can't wait to ride it! Thanks for vids! Very professional production!
nortonaavs 4 months ago
Thanks for the info. I also have a '53 Servicar that I ride daily. You can almost start it with one finger! Once you get those flatties set up, they just run, and run, and RUN!
Are you an AMCA member?
nortonaavs 4 months ago
@nortonaavs Not currently an AMCA member. Used to go to the Davenport meet every fall but the WL Bonneville racing effort has conflicted with it for the last 7 years (see my other vids). A few years back my buddy Ted had a real nice 38 UL bobber. A young customer was in his shop admiring the bike and asked how hard it was to start. He turned the ignition on and just brushed the kicker with his heel. The bike started! He wryly told the kid "Apparently not that hard." Only ever happened one time.
mcflathead 4 months ago
Beuatiful machine you have! Nice vid!
GJN2 4 months ago
You forgot to mention retarding the spark. Never saw a set of saddlebags like that! VERY cool!! I have a '46 UL I'm putting together. Nicely produced Video!
FLATHEADS FOREVER!!!
nortonaavs 4 months ago
@nortonaavs Thanks. You're right about the spark. I forgot... mine has an auto advance timer. The bags are 60's accessories off ebay. Keep watching and you will eventually see some for sale. You're going to love that '46 when you get it going. (like to see a video!) The big flatheads can run surprisingly strong. Between the primary belt ratio and the 25 tooth tranny sprocket mine just purrs at 75 mph and only 3200 rpm. (I've got a tach in the speedo) FLATHEADS FOREVER!!!
mcflathead 4 months ago
Good video. Thanks. Nice bike
usabadone 1 year ago
@usabadone Thanks. I work pretty hard trying to make the videos creative. As for the old Flathead, next winter she's going to get a fresh top end and some new paint (a reward for getting me through a 2500 mile trip last summer with no breakdowns)
mcflathead 4 months ago