1966 Harley Sprint

J

jonescafe72

Been Around the Block
Here are a couple pics of the bike I'm starting on now. A 1966 Sprint 250. This weekend I plan on finding a 6 volt batery, and making sure it will turn over before I start tearing it apart. The stock seat mounts on top of the rear fender, and the tank and seat I am using are quite a bit longer than the stock items, so I am building a subframe out of aluminum tubing and sheet. That should help streamline things. I plan on going with clubmans and Tommaselli rearsets. I bought a brand new Mikuni so I won't have to fumble around with the carb cleaning process. After the sub-frame, I plan on new Ceriani forks. I haven't decided whether or not to paint or powdercoat. I would appreciate any and all suggestions you all might have.
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that would be an awesome restoration project, don't see many of those sprints
 
Cool Beans !!
I have had a a bunch of those through out the years. Mostly the 350's, but the 250 are very simular. The very early models had aluminum rims and TLS front brakes.
Check where the frame down tube mounts to the swing arm area as they were prone to cracking in that area. Also check the front engine mount holes in the frame for elongating (usually can be repared with welding a washer).
It's been a while since I owned any Sprints, but from what I remember, converting the early 250cc to the later 350cc is relatively easy. The '74 and later 350 models (electric start models -12 volt) also had a 5 speed and is also an easy conversion.
I had the "resto" bug when I had mine. The "cafe" bug came later.
Here's my resto 1972 SS 350
Fishhead
 
I think if you put some taller rear springs on you could loose the whole "sub-frame" idea and just mount the seat directly to the frame. may mess with the leveling of the tank, but it might be worth an afternoon of messing with.
 
Either way I'd like to see what you come up with. Looks like this little gem will be loaded with interesting little challenges. Is the fender integral to the frame? If not you might be able to mount it to the swing arm to buy a couple inches, or I could just be talking out my bum.
 
So tonight, I managed to make a little more room in the garage. My plans for the weekend may have changed, so I'll see what I can get done. I will be using longer rear shocks, but I will probably still need to fabricate a sub-frame of some sort. The rear fender will be tossed, as well as the front. I will probably run some sort of fiberglass front, but no rear fender. As far as an increase to 350ccs, I picked this one up for riding the Moto Giro sometime in the next couple of years. So I will more than likely keep it a 250. This little bike has a flat track racing history, so the frame will be gone through completely after media blast. I have a friend who will do any welding repairs that I may need.
 
Quick update:
Bought a 6v battery and got it charged up while I started on a subframe. I had to rewire the ignition circuit (not too hard, only 3 wires). Had to use a toggle switch since the key has been lost for at least 20 years. Made up a makeshift fuel tank out of a nalgene bottle and some fuel hose. Kicked it for a while, and nothing. Got out the multi tester and started checking everything for power. The points were very corroded, so I cleaned them up a little. While I was advancing the cam with a wrench, it sparked and the cylinder compressed!! Spark!! I kicked and kicked until it sputtered a bit. Now with full choke, and a fist full of throttle, it will fire up on the 3rd or 4th kick.
I know that I'm going to need to do some jetting as the carb was set up for a modern CRF dirtbike, and I will be changing the muffler, but now that I know that it will run I can comfortably start tearing it down, and buying parts. Going to talk to some local outfits for media blasting and powder coat pricing.
 
Wow, that is a cool bike. I prefer something a bit more classic Aermacchi road racer style, but I can get alot of ideas from that one!
 
Well, I only get about an hour a day to tinker in the garage, but here's an update: It will idle! I'm confused about it since I haven't touched the carb. It is a brand new Mikuni 30mm for a Honda CR230 I believe. After a thorough cleaning of the points, and a new spark plug it will kick over on about the 3rd kick with full choke, after warming up for only about a minute, I turn the choke off and it will fall into a nice steady idle. I have the sub-frame started. All of the brackets are made to mount it to the frame. The frame rails are cut and ready to bolt on. After I have it all tacked together, I still need to make a cross member, and add the necessary rubber tank supports, and a way to secure the back of the tank. I'm going to mount the battery in a tray under the seat, so I will need to make one of those as well. I'm still not sure how I will mount the seat, but I have a few ideas. Got some quotes from powdercoating outfits in the area today, and decided that I will try to have everything blasted and I'm going to try to paint it all instead. I will try to get some current pics loaded later this weekend. Going to the Denver area, and I think I'll have a 650 Yamaha in the garage when I get home!
 
jonescafe72 said:
I'm confused about it since I haven't touched the carb. It is a brand new Mikuni 30mm for a Honda CR230
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thats because it was made for a honda!
 
Saw this... It's the same bike you have I think. I know finding Inspiration helps me get motivated.. Here you go!

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I have the sub-frame about finished. The battery tucks up very nicely under the seat hump. Now all I need to do is figure out how to mount the seat, and I'll be ready to tear it all down for paint and all of the cosmetic stuff. I'll get some pics posted up this weekend!
 
Update. After my high-side earlier this week, I'm sore as hell, so I did things around the garage that allowed me to sit. I did manage to get the engine fairly clean, and started getting it ready for paint. I spent HOURS this weekend polishing, and have made a little bit of progress. There isn't really much to polish, but man it takes a long time. I've only been using red rouge to clean the parts, and they look good. After I get them all looking good, I'll change wheels and start polishing with white rouge. The engine is all de-greased and cleaned. I should get to start some painting next weekend as long as the weather holds. Once I get the engine close to done, I'll get some pics.
 
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