I can totally relate to your experience here. I have a 37 UL and it has presented many challenges to me. I built the motor myself and in the process, I experimented with different oil pump upgrades to hopefully help the motor stay together longer between overhauls. I Initially tried retrofitting an Ironhead pump, then experimented with a 4 vane conversion kit in the OEM feed pump. Finally, I ended up purchasing a gerotor feed pump and larger scavenger pump from Calas HP in Sweeden. They were advertised as a "bolt on" solution. They weren't.... I ended up making them work finally, after brainstorming a solution. The Calas feed pump overwhelmed the engine with oil and every time it was running, it would majorly puke oil from the breather. Not a wet sump issue, but nonstop dumping oil from the breather..... I checked the breather timing many many times, I replaced several flutter valves before finally figuring out the solution. I tied into the pressure regulation circuit of the gerotor feed pump and routed a hose back to the oil tank and that fixed it. Also, I ordered the entire top end, jugs, cylinders, valves etc. from ACF as what was advertised as a "ready to go cylinder package" . Ended up having to pull the jugs back off after assembling in order to fix the leaky and poorly installed intake nipples that were done by the alleged "professionals". All in all, I hope to not have to do any major dicking around with the motor again for some time, but I've gotten so damn good at it, from doing it so many times, it will be a cathartic piece of cake when the time comes again, and it will LOL. Currently, I am removing the tank liner from the tanks because it is shedding off and causing the carb float to stick pretty often. I think part of the problem, for me anyways, is these big twin flattys are so old now, that information is few and far between in terms of people that really KNOW and have experience with them. I have the service manual and it leaves a LOT to be desired in my humble opinion. Between trial and error and the mediocre service manual I finally got mine sorted out. I also have made a few friends on the internet who also wrench on big twin flattys and that has helped immensely. Tatro and Pacific Mike both have good youtube videos which helped me as well. Your bike is killer though man. I both understand and RELATE to the challenges you have faced on it.
Get a set of Shovelhead FLH fuel tanks. Paint them to match your fenders. Install them for long distance runs and install your small tank for local runs and putts.
I learnt the hardway you cant trust other peoples work. I now do everything myself. I used to do alot of work on other peoples bikes but the last 10 - 15 years has brought alot of non bikers (hipster types) into our world. They will make mistakes & try to blame the mechanic... example, forget to put oil in a bike with fresh rebuilt engine... then say it was a bad build.
I don't know, if I built an engine for someone. I'm thinking I might put a tag on it to remind them to put oil in it but V-twin motors you can't really put oil in them you put it in the oil bag/tank so I don't really get your point?
Hey Chuck!! I had the same problems with my Captain America project. I have a '49 FL, which I had rebuilt by someone who I thought was honest, reliable, and reputable. I had similar problems to your ULH. I wanted the engine built to stock factory specifications, and he used a lot of worn out parts, and parts that flat out wouldn't work. I wonder if we used the same guy?
If memory serves, there's a company out of Germany who specializes in reproduction parts for Harley-Davidson flathead and knucklehead engines. I think they go by the name of WW Cannonball, or something like that. Doesn't S&S Cycle offer reproduction parts for flathead engines? I thought that S&S bought up all of Flathead Power's parts stock. Good luck, Chuck, with this flathead rebuild.
sad to see that kind of work i know ya don t like to talk about others work but u could keep others from throwing there money away and ruining other good parts HAPPY TRAILS
all those F$%k ups you should name the " rebuilder" because they should find a job at McDonald's where they can f$%k up all day because the patrons are going to die anyway but you could help someone else avoid your headache.
I can totally relate to your experience here. I have a 37 UL and it has presented many challenges to me. I built the motor myself and in the process, I experimented with different oil pump upgrades to hopefully help the motor stay together longer between overhauls. I Initially tried retrofitting an Ironhead pump, then experimented with a 4 vane conversion kit in the OEM feed pump. Finally, I ended up purchasing a gerotor feed pump and larger scavenger pump from Calas HP in Sweeden. They were advertised as a "bolt on" solution. They weren't.... I ended up making them work finally, after brainstorming a solution. The Calas feed pump overwhelmed the engine with oil and every time it was running, it would majorly puke oil from the breather. Not a wet sump issue, but nonstop dumping oil from the breather..... I checked the breather timing many many times, I replaced several flutter valves before finally figuring out the solution. I tied into the pressure regulation circuit of the gerotor feed pump and routed a hose back to the oil tank and that fixed it.
Also, I ordered the entire top end, jugs, cylinders, valves etc. from ACF as what was advertised as a "ready to go cylinder package" . Ended up having to pull the jugs back off after assembling in order to fix the leaky and poorly installed intake nipples that were done by the alleged "professionals".
All in all, I hope to not have to do any major dicking around with the motor again for some time, but I've gotten so damn good at it, from doing it so many times, it will be a cathartic piece of cake when the time comes again, and it will LOL.
Currently, I am removing the tank liner from the tanks because it is shedding off and causing the carb float to stick pretty often.
I think part of the problem, for me anyways, is these big twin flattys are so old now, that information is few and far between in terms of people that really KNOW and have experience with them. I have the service manual and it leaves a LOT to be desired in my humble opinion. Between trial and error and the mediocre service manual I finally got mine sorted out. I also have made a few friends on the internet who also wrench on big twin flattys and that has helped immensely. Tatro and Pacific Mike both have good youtube videos which helped me as well.
Your bike is killer though man. I both understand and RELATE to the challenges you have faced on it.
Get a set of Shovelhead FLH fuel tanks. Paint them to match your fenders. Install them for long distance runs and install your small tank for local runs and putts.
Nice chuck!!!
Man I thought I had issues. Got a E73 Sportster that I have been going through undoing a mess of things. Which a reputable shop didn’t do.
Nice looking bike . If you want anything done right gotta do it yourself.
Its a cool bike though
It's called Backlash!
Thanks Jesus. I had no idea.
I learnt the hardway you cant trust other peoples work. I now do everything myself. I used to do alot of work on other peoples bikes but the last 10 - 15 years has brought alot of non bikers (hipster types) into our world. They will make mistakes & try to blame the mechanic... example, forget to put oil in a bike with fresh rebuilt engine... then say it was a bad build.
I don't know, if I built an engine for someone. I'm thinking I might put a tag on it to remind them to put oil in it but V-twin motors you can't really put oil in them you put it in the oil bag/tank so I don't really get your point?
Yep, hipsters everywhere
Hey Chuck!! I had the same problems with my Captain America project. I have a '49 FL, which I had rebuilt by someone who I thought was honest, reliable, and reputable. I had similar problems to your ULH. I wanted the engine built to stock factory specifications, and he used a lot of worn out parts, and parts that flat out wouldn't work. I wonder if we used the same guy?
If memory serves, there's a company out of Germany who specializes in reproduction parts for Harley-Davidson flathead and knucklehead engines. I think they go by the name of WW Cannonball, or something like that. Doesn't S&S Cycle offer reproduction parts for flathead engines? I thought that S&S bought up all of Flathead Power's parts stock. Good luck, Chuck, with this flathead rebuild.
Yes they carry Samwel brand, Good stuff
This guy didn’t know what he’s doing 🤪
True!
sad to see that kind of work i know ya don t like to talk about others work but u could keep others from throwing there money away and ruining other good parts HAPPY TRAILS
Is your case cracked at the cam bushing
If you replace *all* of the parts, is it still the same bike?
all those F$%k ups you should name the " rebuilder" because they should find a job at McDonald's where they can f$%k up all day because the patrons are going to die anyway but you could help someone else avoid your headache.