The Jockey Journal

SevenYearFamine · 07-03-2011, 04:23 PM

Not sure where to start with this. It's kind of a build, but kind of a transfer of parts; taking one bike and making another, sorta thing. With this being the common denominator:

They say it started its life as a 1960 XLH Sportster. However, it fell into the hands of someone who wanted more of a CH.

And if a few CH parts weren't enough for him, a set of Doc Dytch cylinders & pistons should do the trick.

Now, I picked up this bike in 2008 and it has led me through a series of ups and downs in that time, but it's mostly been a state of idle. With a few projects wrapping up now I've been able to focus some more time and energy on this one.

A few of you might be familiar with this bike as it has popped up in other places over time, I'm very grateful for the insight and advice you have given. For the rest of you, here's what she looked like when I took ownership:

Parked sometime around the mid 90's, it hadn't been started since.

GT6Steve · 07-03-2011, 04:45 PM

What's the matter with your driveway? Looks like whipped cream....

SevenYearFamine · 07-03-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT6Steve

What's the matter with your driveway? Looks like whipped cream....

Yeah, in your area they call it "getting TP'd"

dudley32 · 07-03-2011, 05:22 PM

Always love a mag...d32

SevenYearFamine · 07-03-2011, 11:05 PM

After sitting in my garage for 8 months, I finally put some time into it. Some tinkering and a bunch of kicking brought her back to life.

A few passes down my street and she bogged down and died. No luck starting and a definite loss of compression.

The culprit seemed to be the rear cylinder, so we opened her up.

Seemed to be some signs of a blown head gasket, but more likely was this broken compression ring.

SevenYearFamine · 07-05-2011, 09:54 PM

I guess after 10-15 years of sitting they get brittle?

Pistons & cylinder walls seemed kosher so all I needed to do was hunt down some compression & oil rings for 40 year old pistons.

I've never done a top end before but I've always figured I would someday. After doing a bunch of research on parts for an older stroked ironhead I decided this shouldn't be my first. Contacted a few performance shops such as Truett & Osborn that have dealt with these setups back in the day, but wasn't able to get much accomplished over the phone. Then I ended up getting in touch with a local indy who came highly recommended and has worked on a bunch of these old sportsters. Before I knew it my engine was in his garage and rings were on the way.

and about a week later, I had it back. Cylinders honed, Hasting rings, new gaskets, etc.

SevenYearFamine · 07-06-2011, 01:03 PM

I didn't do this, but I knew it wasn't good.

figured it needed to be fixed, but in the meantime I picked up this so I could start transferring parts over, inspecting as I go.

I'm just gonna shut up now and post picture, I'm really only entertaining myself

SevenYearFamine · 07-06-2011, 01:04 PM

SevenYearFamine · 07-06-2011, 01:27 PM

*THE FOLLOWING POST IS STRICTLY INSPIRATIONAL

howitzer · 07-06-2011, 02:30 PM

I wish I owned a lathe. they look fun to play with.

Bumpstick · 07-06-2011, 03:44 PM

Beautiful!!

Rollback Thrill · 07-06-2011, 05:05 PM

Cool looking bike. Makes me want a lathe.

Bodyworx · 07-06-2011, 05:35 PM

Is your rear tire an M&H ? Where did you find that at ? Looks meaty and killer !!

SevenYearFamine · 07-07-2011, 08:26 AM

This is actually the first time I've ever used a lathe, my dad picked it up at an auction & he doesn't even know how to use it. He wanted the space, so I picked it up & took it to my place. Still got a lot to learn.

M&H is from Jegs. Theyre on M&H's sight w/pics, but they only sell by the pair.

"Whitey Ford" · 07-07-2011, 10:58 AM

This is going to be a bad ass looking bike. That rear tire just looks mean. Send some updates....

DPWU · 07-07-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SevenYearFamine

*THE FOLLOWING POST IS STRICTLY INSPIRATIONAL

Any info on this headlight?

SevenYearFamine · 07-07-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPWU

Any info on this headlight?

No but it rocks. Never seen another like it, would love to know too.

DPWU · 07-07-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SevenYearFamine

No but it rocks. Never seen another like it, would love to know too.

It certainly does. I love the look of it. Let me know if you ever end up finding anything out about it!

abeblinkin · 07-07-2011, 12:59 PM

I believe its a pioneer headlight, seen a few posted under that name that are similar or the same.

SevenYearFamine · 07-07-2011, 03:58 PM

07-03-2011, 04:23 PM	#1
SevenYearFamine Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: central, IL Posts: 75	'60 Japican Strokster Not sure where to start with this. It's kind of a build, but kind of a transfer of parts; taking one bike and making another, sorta thing. With this being the common denominator: They say it started its life as a 1960 XLH Sportster. However, it fell into the hands of someone who wanted more of a CH. And if a few CH parts weren't enough for him, a set of Doc Dytch cylinders & pistons should do the trick. Now, I picked up this bike in 2008 and it has led me through a series of ups and downs in that time, but it's mostly been a state of idle. With a few projects wrapping up now I've been able to focus some more time and energy on this one. A few of you might be familiar with this bike as it has popped up in other places over time, I'm very grateful for the insight and advice you have given. For the rest of you, here's what she looked like when I took ownership: Parked sometime around the mid 90's, it hadn't been started since.

07-03-2011, 04:45 PM	#2
GT6Steve Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 172	Re: '60 Japican Strokster What's the matter with your driveway? Looks like whipped cream....

07-03-2011, 05:22 PM	#4
dudley32 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: n.c. Posts: 777	Re: '60 Japican Strokster Always love a mag...d32

07-03-2011, 11:05 PM	#5
SevenYearFamine Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: central, IL Posts: 75	Re: '60 Japican Strokster After sitting in my garage for 8 months, I finally put some time into it. Some tinkering and a bunch of kicking brought her back to life. A few passes down my street and she bogged down and died. No luck starting and a definite loss of compression. The culprit seemed to be the rear cylinder, so we opened her up. Seemed to be some signs of a blown head gasket, but more likely was this broken compression ring.

07-05-2011, 09:54 PM	#6
SevenYearFamine Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: central, IL Posts: 75	Re: '60 Japican Strokster I guess after 10-15 years of sitting they get brittle? Pistons & cylinder walls seemed kosher so all I needed to do was hunt down some compression & oil rings for 40 year old pistons. I've never done a top end before but I've always figured I would someday. After doing a bunch of research on parts for an older stroked ironhead I decided this shouldn't be my first. Contacted a few performance shops such as Truett & Osborn that have dealt with these setups back in the day, but wasn't able to get much accomplished over the phone. Then I ended up getting in touch with a local indy who came highly recommended and has worked on a bunch of these old sportsters. Before I knew it my engine was in his garage and rings were on the way. and about a week later, I had it back. Cylinders honed, Hasting rings, new gaskets, etc.

07-06-2011, 01:03 PM	#7
SevenYearFamine Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: central, IL Posts: 75	Re: '60 Japican Strokster I didn't do this, but I knew it wasn't good. figured it needed to be fixed, but in the meantime I picked up this so I could start transferring parts over, inspecting as I go. I'm just gonna shut up now and post picture, I'm really only entertaining myself

07-06-2011, 01:04 PM	#8
SevenYearFamine Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: central, IL Posts: 75	Re: '60 Japican Strokster

07-06-2011, 01:27 PM	#9
SevenYearFamine Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: central, IL Posts: 75	Re: '60 Japican Strokster *THE FOLLOWING POST IS STRICTLY INSPIRATIONAL

07-06-2011, 02:30 PM	#10
howitzer Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: buffalo, ny Posts: 63	Re: '60 Japican Strokster I wish I owned a lathe. they look fun to play with.

07-06-2011, 03:44 PM	#11
Bumpstick Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles Calif. Posts: 335	Re: '60 Japican Strokster Beautiful!!

07-06-2011, 05:05 PM	#12
Rollback Thrill Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Olympia, Wa Posts: 14	Re: '60 Japican Strokster Cool looking bike. Makes me want a lathe.

07-06-2011, 05:35 PM	#13
Bodyworx Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 612	Re: '60 Japican Strokster Is your rear tire an M&H ? Where did you find that at ? Looks meaty and killer !!

07-07-2011, 08:26 AM	#14
SevenYearFamine Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: central, IL Posts: 75	Re: '60 Japican Strokster This is actually the first time I've ever used a lathe, my dad picked it up at an auction & he doesn't even know how to use it. He wanted the space, so I picked it up & took it to my place. Still got a lot to learn. M&H is from Jegs. Theyre on M&H's sight w/pics, but they only sell by the pair.

07-07-2011, 10:58 AM	#15
"Whitey Ford" Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 204	Re: '60 Japican Strokster This is going to be a bad ass looking bike. That rear tire just looks mean. Send some updates.... __________________ Where the hell is that noise coming from?????

07-07-2011, 12:59 PM	#19
abeblinkin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: coloRADo Posts: 470	Re: '60 Japican Strokster I believe its a pioneer headlight, seen a few posted under that name that are similar or the same.

07-07-2011, 03:58 PM	#20
SevenYearFamine Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: central, IL Posts: 75	Re: '60 Japican Strokster

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