hi folks, dr. cliff here. brand new to the hdforums. looks like a nice place to be.

i'm a gearhead and dentist from new orleans who lost a lot of sh*t in katrina, including a nice 64 lincoln. but that's a different story, and it requires many beers.

i'm here because after the hurricane, looking at all my losses, i'm surprised at how many things i had that i just didn't give a **** about.

i don't ever want anything in my driveway or garage again, that isn't full-on precious to me. no more junk, 2 wheels or 4.

i want to build a knuckle bobber, because i think knuck motors are beautiful pieces of machinery. i'll have the resources and the facilities as my home is being rebuilt in the next few months.

i know a lot of the styling cues i want- a girder springer, solo seat, low-rise stretch tank, etc. but i dunno a dang thang about knucks except they're crazy stupid expensive. as i said earlier, i'm only gonna have stuff around that i really dig, so the cost isn't a big issue.

i have some questions about knuck motors that hopefully some forum vets can answer. bear with me and be halfway kind if i'm embarrassing myself.

1. does anyone make brand-new knuckle motors? are they worth a damn in your opinion?

2. can you bulid frankenstein motors with knuckle top ends? i ask this because i'd consider making a hybrid knuck with electric start. stop throwing things! i have a trick knee and about the biggest thing i can kick over is an RD400.

3. I'm vaguely familiar with shovels but not knuckles. Is there anything in particular that has to be done differently when building & riding a knuckle? i'm unfamiliar with its strengths & weaknesses- i just want one b/c they're freakin' beautiful.

thanks in advance for your input.

 

Glad you found us, and sorry to hear about your loss...

Now that you've introduced yourself, take the time to check some of the other forums, and post this in the Tech section or General HD Chat...I would recommend the Tech section, you'll get better answers for your questions down there, as the audience is a bit more appropriate.

Mac

 

Hey Doc,

Welcome to the forum. Wow a Knuckle huh? The problem your going to run into are many. Finding a decent motor in the first place. Finding parts and someone that will even work on one and dependablity. Many people in the 70's made Pan/Shovels but I can't remember anyone doing it with a knuckle. I'm pretty sure I've seen (recently) someone that is making knuckle and panhead motors with modern updates but I can't remember where I've seen them. I'll check the web and get back to ya.

Try this site. It may lead you to something you will be interested in.

http://www.buymotorcyclehelmets.com/...ad-motors.html


[sm=biker2.gif]

 

Gotta hate it when you get all the stuff together and then hit the wrong button and it all goes into the netherlands of computerdom!
I'll try again...

Here are sources for modern Knucklehead engines. They are available in sizes from stock to way big. Any of 'em can be made to fit later primary drives with an electric foot. There are also some primaries now available that look like the old "tin primary", but have an almost hidden electric starter. These motors are engineered with new internal designs and are reliable daily riders.

www.accurate-engineering.com
www.flatheadpower.com
www.cyborgcycles.com/revkit.html

Front ends: I've run springer front ends and girder front ends. They're not the same, though here's a link to a couple places that make a repop Indian Leaf Spring Girder, that would make your knuck bobber really stand out.

www.youngchoppers.com
www.kiwi-indian.com

For a traditional springer front end:

www.paughco.com

Someone was making a new version of the old Smith Brothers & Fetrow girder recently. Try contacting Don Smith of heavy Duty Cycles:

www.heavydutycycles.com

 

Welcome!! Glad you found the forum. Sorry for the trouble and loss from Katrina, and glad to hear you're getting things back together.

It's wrong, and I freely admit it, I even apologize in advance but...


Do you do a lot of chrome plating??



Enjoy the ride.

 

Hi Doc..here's a link that may be usefull in your search for knuckle information....Classic Harleys

 

aw, yeah. you should SEE the kind of grill work i can do- in the office AND in the garage! i've often thought of calling my office Kustom Dental Werks, but not too many folks would get it. wrenching and toothing are about the same, except toothwork is smaller and sometimes it bleeds.

thanks, guys, for the warm welcomes and the useful links. i'm off to do some more homework!

 

Hey Doc,

Sorry to hear about your losses. But glad you are here with us!

Post often and enjoy the forum. Lot's of good folks to hang out with 'till warmer weather!

Ray

2005 FLSTSCi Softail Springer Classic
SE Exhaust
SE Stage1 DL

 

Doc, a long, long time ago there was a bike in EasyRiders mag that was built by a dental tech. He used his skills and tools to polish every nook & cranny on that bike. It was a beautiful machine with only one flaw - he used a VL frame and didn't rake it, so the front end was at an rather steep awkward looking angle. (But I digress with an opinion oozing from from a definitely non-dental orifice!) The bike was a Pan, IIRC. It was a very classy almost creamy or ivory pearl white.

I think you orter keep us up on your ideas and progress. Might be best if you put off rebuilding your house and concentrate on the bike. Priorities!

 

Hi Doc....A big hearty welcome from Southern Virginia. Glad you decided to join in on the fun!!! Great Forum....Great Folks!!!!