Norton / Harley Ironhead Cafe Project.. Build thread

Made some progress today, but its feels like I've made one step forward and two back...

I finally found an exhaust specialist (Quill racing) who could expand my 16 gauge tubing, and a good job they did too..



This should have been the last piece of the jigsaw, but I wanted to raise the downpipes a little and tuck them in closer to the engine, in addition to bringing the megas forward to allow the rear wheel spindle to be removed without having to remove them first.

The RHS went ok, I cut 7cm from the downpipe, I'll get it welded when everything else is ready. Compared to how it was, I've gained ground clearance, can access the spindle and it looks better..



I also picked up a few stainless exhaust springs, which I'll use at the exhaust ports, I don't trust the way HD designed this, so going for a belt and braces approach..



What I didn't realise is that by moving the RHS mega forward and up slightly, it makes it impossible to do the same with the LHS mega, and still have them both at the same height and angle. I can do one or the other, but not both with the way the LHS downpipe has been made. Its not a huge difference, but it needs to be fixed. Not sure how yet, may have to build the LHS all over again. :(
 
your bike is looking really incredible ! personally I wouldn't worry about having them the same on both sides, after all your bike looks different on each side as it is...
I think it is correct to have each pipe the same length but to have the muffler in identical position on each side BAH....
it is an asymmetrical; work of art it is made to be that way
it's not like a parallel twin that is easy to have equal length both sides
 
Having the mufflers asymmetrical on that build will make all the cool be overlooked by everyone that sees the bike. You're on the right track correcting that issue. You know what you are doing , so continue on that track. You are the only one that can say what it was "made to be".
 
I just lost a few hours of my life going through this build thread in detail - fantastic work thus far! Your attention to detail is amazing, and I really like the way you are keeping the whole classic Triton look while incorporating the ironhead engine. Don't pay any attention to the people who feel the need to interject and critique every single post - I am really impressed with what you are achieving , especially the fact that you seem to be fabricating a lot of the parts yourself with a minimum of tools.

I built a Harley cafe racer a few years ago, but it wasn't even in the same league as yours:
1200cafe.jpg


PacificCoast.jpg


At any rate, keep up the great work - I'll be following this thread with interest!
 
o1marc said:
Having the mufflers asymmetrical on that build will make all the cool be overlooked by everyone that sees the bike. You're on the right track correcting that issue. You know what you are doing , so continue on that track. You are the only one that can say what it was "made to be".
wrong
you can only see one side at a time most people wont even notice or care
besides a true race inspired machine is not built with emphasis on something like the mufflers "looking the same" on both sides that is putting looks ahead of pure function
maybe you best even up the pipes on your bike they don't look the same ::)
 
xb33bsa said:
wrong
you can only see one side at a time most people wont even notice or care
besides a true race inspired machine is not built with emphasis on something like the mufflers "looking the same" on both sides that is putting looks ahead of pure function
maybe you best even up the pipes on your bike they don't look the same ::)

Mine are not intended to be, were not designed that way and are exactly as I wanted them. They would be if I had them split from side to side. When you have a bike the caliber of mine then I might listen to your criticism. You have nothing to offer when it comes to my bike.
Your theory of mufflers contradicts your criticism of mine, so which is it? Who are you to tell a builder how his build was intended to be. This guy has gone to great lengths to see that they are matched up. You think he should change that because of your critique? ;D
 
Hey guys, chill out :), Its true that if you looked at the bike from either side, you probably wouldn't notice the difference in position of the exhaust. But from behind you certainly would. Though the point I was trying to make is that I'd know they weren't how I wanted them to be, so I'll keep going till I get them how I see them in my minds eye. I sat looking over at the bike earlier, and I think I have a solution.. then again a 2-1 would've been a lot easier :p

There is always a trade off in Form Vs Function, in this case I'll gladly give up a couple of BHP to get it looking how I want. After all if I wanted function at all costs, I wouldn't be building a bike with an Ironhead 4 speed engine and a frame designed before I was born. I'd just go out and buy the latest ZX10R1GSXRCBRRRR, but where's the satisfaction in that that.
 
Bevelheadmhr said:
Hey guys, chill out :), Its true that if you looked at the bike from either side, you probably wouldn't notice the difference in position of the exhaust. But from behind you certainly would. Though the point I was trying to make is that I'd know they weren't how I wanted them to be, so I'll keep going till I get them how I see them in my minds eye. I sat looking over at the bike earlier, and I think I have a solution.. then again a 2-1 would've been a lot easier :p

There is always a trade off in Form Vs Function, in this case I'll gladly give up a couple of BHP to get it looking how I want. After all if I wanted function at all costs, I wouldn't be building a bike with an Ironhead 4 speed engine and a frame designed before I was born. I'd just go out and buy the latest ZX10R1GSXRCBRRRR, but where's the satisfaction in that.

I agree with this 100%. Is your bike gonna be fast? Yes. Will mine be fast? Yes. Will they hang with a Busa, hell no. But it's an apples and oranges comparison. I doubt the difference in pipe length will amount to one horsepower with what these motors make but in most cases a bike on the street rarely, if ever, sees 100% of what it is capable of. It's the dare to be different attitude that make these builds thrive. The fact that you are building something that will heavily out perform in every aspect that of the original bike.
 
o1marc said:
Your theory of mufflers contradicts your criticism of mine, so which is it? Who are you to tell a builder how his build was intended to be. This guy has gone to great lengths to see that they are matched up. You think he should change that because of your critique? ;D

This is an interesting retort, from a guy who can't let a single update from the OP go by without adding his two cents and a critique. I'd really love to just enjoy this build thread without the added 'value' of your running commentary, quite frankly.
 
Buster said:
This is an interesting retort, from a guy who can't let a single update from the OP go by without adding his two cents and a critique. I'd really love to just enjoy this build thread without the added 'value' of your running commentary, quite frankly.

I have been a regular poster on this build since he started it on another forum over a year ago. I have asked questions at time but not told him how it should be built.
It's the internet, you can't have what you want.
 
I hate to post this and further clutter up a very good thread, but Marc, your tone comes off as being quite "holier than thou" a lot of times, and your incessant commentary (some good, I'll admit) is cluttering up an otherwise brilliant thread. Buster has a point, you also have a point, but go back and read through some of your own replies with an open mind and you'll see that in many cases, Buster is right.

Food for thought, /soapbox
 
o1marc said:
When you have a bike the caliber of mine then I might listen to your criticism.

jesus-says-meme-generator-jesus-says-don-t-be-a-dick-74f8fb.jpg


coyote13 said:
I hate to post this and further clutter up a very good thread, but Marc, your tone comes off as being quite "holier than thou" a lot of times, and your incessant commentary is cluttering up an otherwise brilliant thread.
 
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