Bucketlist Idea with a 78 Sporster

[Dash47331]

Title is wrong, what I get for not proof reading!! LOL
I still have the 79 Ironhead sitting in the garage and lately have been rolling the idea of doing a close to stock Bonneville bike.
I've live now thru 2 heat attacks and 2 mini strokes and realize I'm not getting any younger so I might as well do this now! LOL
I've always wanted to go to the salts and seeing how I'm coming up on year 63 I have been thinking about doing the Sportie as a ride!
Ideas, or whatever!
Thanks in advance for your input!

[moose49]

Nitromethane and Nitrous Oxide make for a fast ride.

[Dash47331]

Yeah, guys, both would make for a hell of a ride but I'm thinking carbed and just running thru the gears!
I know I'd like to get the motor and tranny to spec, re-do the frame as far as new bushings and such, just basically a stocker!
I know not much chance of running with the big boys and girls, but still............

[joey7319]

Get yourself a rule book and see what class you want to run. Sounds like fun.

[panhead_pete]

As suggested above start NOW with the Rule book - if you know you arent going for a record dont stress just look at it as some fun. Just make sure you FULLY understand the requirements around bike prep and gear you'll need to wear. Would suck to get out there and not be able to run. Life is short, make it fun.

[moose49]

Nitromethane runs through carbs just need jets around double the size you use for gasoline. Gear it for top end speed and have fun.

[shovithead]

Thats one hell of a bucket list, at 63. I am 61, and my bucket list includes eating supper, and cleaning my fingernails. I get in my ride time, and Bonneville is a far reach just to get there, from here. But it does sound like a hell of a fun time, just to be there, much less, making a run or two. If you are into movies, get this and watch, The Worlds Fastest Indian, and see what you could possibly do to compare to this man from New Zealand. Good luck. If you are successfull, then, I may add to my bucket list. Maybe combing my hair. lol

[little d]

Dash,
for salt info, I'd contact these guys, https://www.jockeyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=104102

As for the motor, going through it and keeping it pretty stock, ya might look through this thread, https://www.jockeyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=106121, Guiltyviews got some pretty damn impressive #'s out of a stock bore and stroke Ironhead and of course, Jesse, Roach and Shovithead are a wealth of knowledge.

Although I'm 9 years younger and only had one of those hart attacks, I dream of hitting the salt one day myself, PLEASE keep this thread open and up dated, I too would love to watch your progress, D.

[mississippidave]

Do it!

[Rasmussen]

Oh yes, that sounds like a great idea. I'm 10 years younger and hope to get that one off my list this year
Just throwing out a thought here, and I know you said fairly stock, but, add a blower (small Aisin or whatever), get your seat height below the rearwheel and your feet closer than 6" to to rear axle. That should get you in A-PBG (altered pushrod blown gas) or A-PBF (fuel). Those both look like they're open in 1000cc, and you could bring home a new record
Some call this "cherry picking", but there's got to be a first in every class

Whatever you decide on, please keep us posted.

[Dash47331]

Thanks, all of you, for the support!
My idea would be a "real" stocker, with maybe a little push from running the blood red AV gas, you know, the HI OCTANE stuff! LOL
Believe it or not, I'd plan to truck the bike there, do any runs I might get to, and then come home!
Records aren't what this is about, I don't have that kind of money!! LOL
Just the passes at full throttle, flat out, and be able to say I've done it!
Thus the motor built to spec and broke in, street gears, and a smile!
Oh yeah, some pictures and maybe a video or two!!

[joe49]

There is no advantage to higher octane without the higher compression to use it. It will actually decrease the power, in many cases.

[twistedtee]

Joe is right on, higher octane fuel burns at a slower rate, that's why it's more resistant to detonation. If you don't have the compression to take advantage of the increased octane you could see a power loss.
Jerry
Rhode Island

[bongoman]

I say go for it. I'm 58 and building a drag bike from a 650 Triumph. Won't break any track records, but can't wait to run down the quarter mile as fast as I can make the little beast go.