41 el

[rhysmort]

Just want to take a minute to thank you all very much for the help and advice you've all given.

I followed, not probably as best I could, but have a lot going on, no excuse but didn't approach it as methodically as I should have. The bike is going to good hands, who will hopefully get her running as sweet a nut!

[joe49]

Originally Posted by rhysmort

Just want to take a minute to thank you all very much for the help and advice you've all given.

I followed, not probably as best I could, but have a lot going on, no excuse but didn't approach it as methodically as I should have. The bike is going to good hands, who WILL get her running as sweet a nut!

Fixed it for you. It will be great to go riding her. Whether it has tit's or wheels it will be some trouble.

[johnjzjz]

Originally Posted by joe49

Fixed it for you. It will be great to go riding her. Whether it has tit's or wheels it will be some trouble.

you can fix the tits part of that -

only foster them until they find there forever home

[joe49]

fly's floats or f--ks it's best to rent.

[rhysmort]

Bike has been fixed!

It was an intake leak, on the front head. I wasn't torquing the nuts enough, replaced a gasket, loosened and torqued everything and she's good to go! Carb needs a bit of a fine tune but that's it!

[johnjzjz]

Originally Posted by rhysmort

Bike has been fixed!

It was an intake leak, on the front head. I wasn't torquing the nuts enough, replaced a gasket, loosened and torqued everything and she's good to go! Carb needs a bit of a fine tune but that's it!

its all about a true experience of having done what you did - and now the knowing it was the intake all along - will give you the ability to go after something like this again with a much more open mind -- good on you dude

[tomsoftail]

Yes. Now park that old bitch and stay quarantined!!!!

[rhysmort]

Sure is John,

Carb is dialled for 1000CC, and my EL has 1200 top end so going to need some tinkering to get it spot on. Plan is to ride 100+ miles and let the rings bed in. Will then start checked plugs for colour etc and see where I can tune it in a bit. I may lose a few MPG but still better than a M74B with fixed high speed!

[Stormin]

Nice to hear the problem is sorted. Lock downs are being loosen...now get out there and ride!

[johnjzjz]

Originally Posted by rhysmort

Sure is John,

Carb is dialled for 1000CC, and my EL has 1200 top end so going to need some tinkering to get it spot on. Plan is to ride 100+ miles and let the rings bed in. Will then start checked plugs for colour etc and see where I can tune it in a bit. I may lose a few MPG but still better than a M74B with fixed high speed!

its a fine adjustment from this spot we use a gray marker and an adjacent on the body - then only 3 clicks on the main screw at a time - see the plugs dark 3 lean ( in ) see them white 3 rich ( out ) only - vary the speed - exhaust smells its rich in one click at a time between rides - they both add fuel to each other low and hi speed adjustable needles - its a balance between them

at the 50 mile mark check all the bolts - then cold adjust the valves < just looking for a loose or tight one - then ride it

check the timing at some point as it will change as the pieces are wearing to one another but very little will it actually change - again a market spot on the belt pulley and block makes that a snap running to look at - throttle it shows gear to gear walk and that will be slight as well

[rhysmort]

Originally Posted by johnjzjz

its a fine adjustment from this spot we use a gray marker and an adjacent on the body - then only 3 clicks on the main screw at a time - see the plugs dark 3 lean ( in ) see them white 3 rich ( out ) only - vary the speed - exhaust smells its rich in one click at a time between rides - they both add fuel to each other low and hi speed adjustable needles - its a balance between them

at the 50 mile mark check all the bolts - then cold adjust the valves < just looking for a loose or tight one - then ride it

check the timing at some point as it will change as the pieces are wearing to one another but very little will it actually change - again a market spot on the belt pulley and block makes that a snap running to look at - throttle it shows gear to gear walk and that will be slight as well

Thanks Jon,

I'll be sure to check valves, Russ (Shovithead) told me how he approached it and I've always done that, 3rd gear like you should shift and then turn it in click at a time on the high speed til it stumbles, back out til it's smooth. Once it's spot on, dial the low speed to match!

Toshi who sorted it for me said it's still sneezing a little through the carb when it's bone cold, but hey so did my pan, as long as it runs well warm!!

[johnjzjz]

it comes down to what grit was used on the bores - and what style piston ring and the piston to wall clearance - for brake in miles

when the engine finally is broke in it will need a fine sweet spot on the tune again - and the volumetric efficiency of the engine will catch up to its self and then stay for quite a while

[rhysmort]

Originally Posted by johnjzjz

it comes down to what grit was used on the bores - and what style piston ring and the piston to wall clearance - for brake in miles

when the engine finally is broke in it will need a fine sweet spot on the tune again - and the volumetric efficiency of the engine will catch up to its self and then stay for quite a while

Yeah! I'll keep on top of it.

Keen to get some miles and get her riding a bit more!!

[Speeding Big Twin]

Rhys, I’m interested in your left case because I haven’t seen many of that style for 41. Most 41 Knuckle left cases had short ribs and a number boss with two nubs above it as per the photos below.








Apparently another type had the same number boss and nubs but the ribs were longer. However, it seems not many were made and I’m only aware of one.

The third type had long ribs but a different number boss and that appears to be what you have. It seems to have been introduced late in the 41 model year which is consistent with the few that I’ve seen having very high SNs although there’s always the chance of exceptions. Does your engine have a very high SN? And very high BNs? Thanks.
Eric

[johnjzjz]

hey eric as I have in my search for 41 things that are different - I was told the 1940 blocks were very poor in quality and the later block was already in production when the first machines were being built - in and under 3600 chassis numbers and that puts them all in the bent frame machines - and were replaced while the frames were being bent

don't know how true that is as many think they are the end all do all in knuckles

but the bent frame machines have odd things about them like the spacers and bolts for the dash that are not in any parts book but have to be in place or the dash does not fit at all

[[JP]]

Originally Posted by rhysmort

Toshi who sorted it for me said it's still sneezing a little through the carb when it's bone cold, but hey so did my pan, as long as it runs well warm!!

Toshi is a good guy and knows his shit.
and knows how to ride a bike, I couldn't shake him off the back of me through the lakes twisties in Sweden last year.
Full of knowledge, quiet and a great laugh.

[rhysmort]

Originally Posted by Speeding Big Twin

Rhys, I’m interested in your left case because I haven’t seen many of that style for 41. Most 41 Knuckle left cases had short ribs and a number boss with two nubs above it as per the photos below.








Apparently another type had the same number boss and nubs but the ribs were longer. However, it seems not many were made and I’m only aware of one.

The third type had long ribs but a different number boss and that appears to be what you have. It seems to have been introduced late in the 41 model year which is consistent with the few that I’ve seen having very high SNs although there’s always the chance of exceptions. Does your engine have a very high SN? And very high BNs? Thanks.
Eric

Hey Eric,

Bike isn't with me and I don't have a picture of the VIN, it is as you've mentioned without the nubs, it's a smooth boss, long finned. It's 41EL2431

I've been told It's very rare by a few people who have seen the bike, I was unaware that there were so few long rib 41's, but from my understanding it was brought in mid year 41? but a lot less of them than short ribs.

You're a lot more in the know than me sir.

Rhys

[rhysmort]

Originally Posted by [JP]

Toshi is a good guy and knows his shit.
and knows how to ride a bike, I couldn't shake him off the back of me through the lakes twisties in Sweden last year.
Full of knowledge, quiet and a great laugh.

Yeah man, smart guy. Seems like a good dude! never had the pleasure of meeting him yet!

Get some run in miles on her adjust if needed and she should be golden!

[Speeding Big Twin]

Thanks John. I’m not sure about the quality of the blocks but I’ve heard a couple of stories regarding cracking of the Knuckle left case. Some say it was caused by omission of the baffle plates as of 1940 models while others say it stemmed from a change in flywheels and the intro of the 74 for 1941. Whatever the cause, the problem apparently led to experimenting with longer ribs on some 1941 cases with the early-style SN boss. But I’m only aware of one of those. It has a low SN which looks authentic but I don’t know the left BN or the date code.

AFAIK, the third left case for 41 was introduced late in the model year. I’ve only seen a few and I don’t know the date codes but their SNs are very high. I have one possible exception and its SN is 20++ but the picture is not clear and the case may even be a replacement. Its date code and BN are unknown.
Eric

[Speeding Big Twin]

Thanks Rhys. I don’t know how many of the third type were produced for 41 but the few that I’ve seen have very high SNs suggesting intro late in the model year. As mentioned above, I have one possible exception at 20++ but the picture is not clear.

If possible I’d like to see photos of your SN and BNs please when you get the bike back. Thanks.
Eric