harleyKmodel

Today was a balmy 60 degrees here in Virginia. (39 tomorrow). So I took my 1954 KH for its Maiden Voyage. I went around the block - 10 miles - and stopped home to adjust the clutch. A quick inspection showed - mirabili dictu - no leaks, broken, or missing parts. So I fired it back up, hopped on, and did another ride, this time 22 miles. Again - no problems at all.

Starts easily - once I found the exact sequence. Runs strong - accelerates quickly and smoothly. Almost as strong as my 1962 XLCH. Slight flat spot accelerating just off idle - but I'll save working that out until the next warm day. Regardless, my AMCA Chapter-mates on their Plodding Panheads will never be able to keep up with me.

It's taken 4 years to get it back on the road - just as winter arrives in earnest. I've got a couple months to attach the gingerbread and work out a few final things. Come spring, KH and I will be ready for some adventures. I think my smile will easily last until then.

Way to go Dave. Really happy to hear it all came together for you. Bike is looking fine. Like to see a shot of the other side. Keep that smile going.
Stan

Congratulations, Dave! Nice looking job and a great accomplishment... an inspiration to a struggling 55 KHK project. Mike

Very nice job, Dave! Look forward to seeing it in the gallery section. Mark

Very nice Dave! I don't see any snow in the background! Better take it for a quick ride!!!

OK - here is the other side. You can plainly see some gingerbread awaiting install: tank emblems, air cleaner cover, toolbox and coil cover, footpeg rubbers, rear footpegs.

I just scored a NOS Delco '307 regulator. Pretty hard to find, and priced accordingly. When I bought the bike, the regulator was missing, and I got a repop. Meanwhile, I've collected a number of used '307 regulators. Only one of them works. Only one of them has nice rubber mounting pieces. Of course, they are not the same unit. So I was about to get to work on making one out of two, when this NOS unit pops up. I wasn't going to let it get away.

The points in the cutout relay section operate once per ride. The points in the voltage section operate 100-200 times per second during the entire ride. Let's say that bike was ridden one hour per ride, one ride per week, 26 weeks per year, for 65 years. So the spring steel hinge in the voltage section has flexed 100 times per second, 60 seconds per minute, 60 minutes per hour. 100 x 60 x 60 x 26 x 65 =~ 608 million times. In comparison, your heart beats about 2.7 billion times in 65 years. Anyway, that 65-year-old used regulator is about done for, and a NOS one will last 65 years from now.

I also found a '283 (Hummer series) regulator whose only problem was a broken ground strap. I think this is electrically the same as the '307, the difference is that the '283 was an economy model. You have to bend things to adjust the points. The '307 has screw adjusters on the points. Externally, there's no difference except the model number stamped on one of the feet.

Besides that, there's a bunch of little stuff to finish up. Spring will be here before you know it.

Judge it at Oley?

Very good Dave! Nice work.I love the long stroke on these...Erik

Bike looks good Dave

Mutt

Oh NO !

Never tell anyone your happy ! Don't speak of no oil leaks ! DOn't even think about smiling, even to yourself.

The Gods of Speed will strike you down.