Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

[Stainless1]

Here's a couple more to complete the trip.  I suspect it will be all finish smoothed, painted and installed by the next time we see it.

Max is planning to start assembling the motors next, then we will install them in the scooter.  Then work the chain drive for the other side, clutch shaft to transmission.  Max thinks it will be a lot easier to make those parts fit on the bike instead of taking the bike apart enough to get the transmission out and do it all on the bench.

[Stainless1]

Some slacker has been to Max's a couple of times without posting any pictures...    so let's all jump into the "way back machine" and see what has been happening last week...

Max painted and installed the new covers so the monster chain has disappeared from view.  There is some work to finish the top end, install push rods, checking valve and ignition timing.

The clutch is on and set up... and yes, that big chain is under that cover

[Stainless1]

While all that was going on I was put in charge of getting the 7-point legalized. 
History... Max arrived at the Bub last year with his 8-point harness, 2 sholder, 2 lap, 2 leg restraints, and 2 point hook up on the crotch belt, forward and down.... thinking he had better than a 7 point.  What he didn't realize was that a 7  point harness is a specific type, a 5 point with cheek straps on the crotch belt.  Working with the inspectors, we modified a couple automotive seatbelts taken our of Don Angel's van and made cheek straps. 

They are on their way to Bob Stroud with the crotch belt to see what he can do to legalize our solution.  What we expect is he will make a new belt with SFI hardware that replaces our cobbled solution.

Here is how we did it, mounted with a 1/2 inch bolt behind the lap belt.

[Stainless1]

Back to today....
Max has the motors ready to install, all the oil lines on, valves adjusted, the only problem is it is really heavy and on the bench.

You may have noticed that the clutch to transmission chain has not been covered yet... Max figured it would be easier to work it after the motors are installed to the transmission, the transmission input shaft will make it easier to line up

[racefanwfo]

the motor Assembly does not look that heavy.

[Stainless1]

the motor Assembly does not look that heavy.

Well, I'm sure Max has never weighed the package, but I know the two 40 lb crankshafts exceed the number I desire to pick up...    I would guess it is at least 300 lbs.  Feels heavier when you are trying to move it around on the bench.  Anyway we managed to get it off the bench and onto the floor to roll over to the bike

Thank you Harbor Freight... cheap dollies, come-alongs, etc... all making life a little easier for the racer on a social security budget.

[Stainless1]

Here is where we are headed,

First the totem pole... above the fire extinguishers you see the transmission, the blower manifold, the blower, the blower injectors and partially hidden behind the frame, the toilet bowl.

it fits here... shots from both sides

[Stainless1]

Max has to spread a little sealant on the transmission to seal the primary chain cover

Then check the final alignment to insure the parts that have interference fit during installation have gone to the correct spots.

And take a moment to reflect on the years of work, design, redesign, repairs, costs and personal effort it takes to build and race a twin engined vintage Vincent Streamliner

[Stainless1]

The "lump" is in, bolted in place and ready for a little safety wire on a few bolts.  Then Max will start work on the primary chain that connects the clutch shaft to the transmission. 

along the way all the plumbing will get connected and with any luck about mid July we run it on the dyno to test the chains and check the tune.

[SPARKY]

WOW  ---what a magnificent obsession---   
thanks for sharing SS1

[John Noonan]

Sparkster said it best ... WOW!! 

[Graham in Aus]

Hi all, I don't post much, but Max's Vincent and Treits (Target 550) are by far my favorite builds! Awesome!
Im intrigued to know how Max's Vincent "4" runs, is it like 2 twins, or some wierd odd fire 4 cyl?
Keep going Max, it will all come together one year, and with aero like your bike, it will be FAST! 

[Kansas Bad Man]

When I built the Vincent streamliner, never having built a twin engine anything before, I went to my old friend Don Vesco, for info.  We discussed the pros and cons of the big bang principal, i.e., firing the two front cylinders, and then the two rear cylinders at the same time.  All of this was pretty much done over the telephone, as I started the early build of the liner in a little town in Oklahoma, Grove--(pop. 3500 in 1989) then on to Margate, Florida, then to another little town in Virginia, Greenville--(pop. 420 in 1992).  Don's shop was in Southern California.  Lots and lots of phone calls back and forth.  I guess I should tell how I met Don, and came to know him.

Sonny Angel owned a motorcycle shop in National City, California, (which he still runs.) He was a motorcycle road racer, and so was Don.  Most Saturday nights at Sonny's shop they would have their little get-togethers and show movie clips of their road racing.  I was in the Navy, stationed in San Diego--good old times.

To get back on topic, Don explained to me, "The less firing impulses per revolution of the rear tire the better, in that it provides better traction." 

The Vincent streamliner fires the two rear cylinders at the same time.  That's 1500cc worth of big bang, and then with 410o of crankshaft rotation, another 1500cc worth of big bang.

                                       Max

                             

[Kansas Bad Man]

the motor Assembly does not look that heavy.

The lump weighs closer to 400 lbs. than 300 lbs.  The entire bike, soakin' wet with rider, weighs in at 1650 lbs.  Of course this was the weight prior to several Krylon cans of paint used to patch up the boo-boos, a couple of monster chains, and then there's my two riders, getting older and pudgier.  (We're trying to work lyposuction into the budget)

                                   Max

[theazoldcrow]

   Max, Sonny Angel was a big help to me and my Ducati back in 1965-66 when I was racing at Carlsbad Ca. when I was still in the Navy.  I had the pleasure of meeting his brother at the May Elmo meet.   WoW, talk about a way-back machine trip!  It's good to know the old boy is still kickin'.    Good luck with the liner, and looking forwar to seein it at the Salt this year.    Sincerely,   Crow.