Mechanics & Owners Guide to 1941-1959 Harley-Davidson O.H.V. Big Twins [Spiral-bound]

Kirk Perry (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0967274400 | ISBN-13: 978-0967274409 | Publication Date: July 10, 2000 | Edition: Vol. 1

The Knucklehead motor was replicated by Tedd Cycle, Inc. and released on January 9, 2002; along with the (Linkert carburetor-intake port) OEM-style Pan cylinder heads in three models: The 1948-'54 (plumber manifold); the 1955-'62 (O-Ring manifold); and the 1963-'65 (external oiler) style.

Our shop manual was written for existing "runners"; and for "builders" of Knuckle & Panhead motorcycles using new, replicated parts. Some topics covered in the step-by-step procedures are explained better than the Harley manual, or the excellent, photo-ladened, Clymer's Panhead manual. When other manuals suggest, "replacing the clutch hub liner..." we show you how, and the tools and parts necessary. Our Electrical chapter is reported to be easier to use, when testing generator output and troubleshooting problems. We suggest having a library of every OHV Big Twin manual ever printed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Step-by-step..extremely detailed..Spiral binding makes it easy to fold over while you're working.." -- Motorbooks International

"The author knows old Harleys and he knows how to convey that information to the rest of us". -- Whitehorse Press

From the Publisher

Creating this book was a mountain of work for me, with most of the mechanical facts provided by Mark Stettler. I "brained" the Panhead cover-gasket procedure and some other tips, but the push rod adjustment, motor fit and clearances are all from Stettley.

Mark "Stett" Stettler has worked on motorcycles for forty years (and not all of them on Harleys). An M.M.I. graduate, (Phoenix, AZ.) he was Top Student in his first (7) clinics (scoring Perfect, in both 2 and 4 Stroke Performance). He was Top Graduate in the Early Model Class, scoring the highest score in the history of M.M.I., on the Early Model Final (i.e.; top 99%-tile); and top Graduate in his class in Late Model Electives #410, Stett was hired three weeks before graduation by San Diego H-D. He stayed with the dealership for four years as an engine builder and machinist; during which time he completed all (per full week) required Update Classes, in Milwaukee and Phoenix (i.e. Engine 1 & 2, Chassis & Suspension and Electrical Systems). I list his levels of technical knowledge because, in my opinion, mechanical discipline is a developed skill.

Mark opened "Stetts Iron Horse Ranch" in El Cajon, California, in 1997, as a factory certified H-D Master Technician. Over the past two years, Stett’s crewed with well-known "Bonnie" Truett (of Truett & Osborn fame) and built motors for the AHDRA Race Team entry "Nasty Habit," for rider and owner Kinzie Bolson. All mechanical facts in this owner’s guide have withstood scrutiny and we welcome any suggestions. (A government engineer/enthusiast uses our book in his lecture circuit, and took the time to review the information and questioned us, as to whether or not there was an "applied force" not calculated [in our zero correction] for a torque wrench "foot adapter". The engineer was going to contact us if his own textbooks proved an error, but all facts remain unchallenged to this date).

Our clearances for valve stem to guide bores are tighter than OEM clearances, because modern valve machining is capable of creating a more exact fit. Earlier valve operations relied on loose valve stem to guide tolerances, as the in-line boring equipment of the 1940's and '50's was not as precise, and the valve needed to "find" its' seat. The end result of yesteryear did not produce as accurate an in-line assembly, once the procedure was completed.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 302 pages
• Publisher: Vintage Twin Publications; Vol. 1 edition (July 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967274400
• ISBN-13: 978-0967274409
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,245,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

We're establishing a YouTube account for Vintage Twin, where we'll post info videos on the Knuckle & Panhead aftermarket collection of parts on wheels. We might be on the Tube by March 15, 2010.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Be a man drive a Pan, November 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mechanics & Owners Guide to 1941-1959 Harley-Davidson O.H.V. Big Twins (Spiral-bound)

This book is lacking in some important areas. No carburetors, no transmissions, no brakes. Need to know how to adjust your mousetrap, change springs on a springer, or fix a leak on your hydraulic front end? You won't find it in this book. The topics it does cover are great, easy to understand, and well detailed. The bottom line is I do use this book and it has become a permanent part of my shop library.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best "Tool" in my tool chest, January 14, 2005

By 

C. Spalding (Chandler, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mechanics & Owners Guide to 1941-1959 Harley-Davidson O.H.V. Big Twins (Spiral-bound)

I'll keep this short and to the point. As the title says, this is the best "tool" I have in my tool chest. The information in this book has helped me more times then I can recollect. The book is written from a practical perspective and isn't full of theoretical "how to". It even includes descriptions of how to make some of the special tools you'll need from items you probably have laying around your shop. I can't wait for Vol. 2!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book first, July 31, 2001

By 

Mr. Bell (3rd Stone) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mechanics & Owners Guide to 1941-1959 Harley-Davidson O.H.V. Big Twins (Spiral-bound)

I am looking into buying a Pan, and searching for more than anecdotal information. This book is the best source of Pan info I have read so far. It helped me realize that a Pan wasn't the best choice, and that I would need to spend a lot of time wrenching, instead of riding.

I wish they'd write one for Shovelheads!!