Jersey James
Jersey James
I dam sure like mine, as much as I enjoy my Doggie. Can't never have enough Motorcycles... Best of luck, with your choice. JJ
Lifelong Dream to come true - first Big Dog Motorcycle
- Thread starter BDOGBavaria
- Start date
BDOGBavaria
New Member
Came across this video, probably the best video out there
BDOGBavaria
New Member
Is Bob still alive? He has not posted anything in years.
BDOGBavaria
New Member
Is there a dedicated American Ironhorse forum or would this be the best exchange platform here?
Super excited about it all. Are these S&S engines still built? They are amazingly simple, and basically like my ktm 2-stroke: really simple crank, and conrod and main bearings are simple roller bearings (not plain bearings that are pressurized).
Are there any significant upgrades that one should consider? Oil pressure on these is low / 30PSI or something? Are there any plain bearings that are pressure fed in these engines?
I would love to take them apart 100% and look at each part and put it back together but I unfortunately do not have the time.
Also, there is this big discussion on the left hand and right hand side gearboxes. Is it correct that the bikes with the left hand side drive are not well balanced? Is the center of gravity of the engine in the center of the bike? I heared that these engines are often not mounted in the center of the bike?
Would love to get some input.
Super excited about it all. Are these S&S engines still built? They are amazingly simple, and basically like my ktm 2-stroke: really simple crank, and conrod and main bearings are simple roller bearings (not plain bearings that are pressurized).
Are there any significant upgrades that one should consider? Oil pressure on these is low / 30PSI or something? Are there any plain bearings that are pressure fed in these engines?
I would love to take them apart 100% and look at each part and put it back together but I unfortunately do not have the time.
Also, there is this big discussion on the left hand and right hand side gearboxes. Is it correct that the bikes with the left hand side drive are not well balanced? Is the center of gravity of the engine in the center of the bike? I heared that these engines are often not mounted in the center of the bike?
Would love to get some input.
BDOGBavaria
New Member
Does anyone know which exact engine type is used in the American Ironhorse Texas Chopper? I know it has 111 CUI displacements. I am looking for a workshop manual with all the tolerances and specifications.
Roaming Wolf
Member
Should be V or T, most probably V as the one in the video.
My ‘03 Texas Chopper has a S&S107 with a.600 cam. Not sure when they started with the 111 S&S. Maybe’05.
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BDOGBavaria
New Member
Got a reply from S&S:
That is a V series engine
We offer all the parts for it in our online catalog and you can purchase them from our website's 84-99 section.
We still offer the V111 also a V124, but the 124 would require tuning and possibly a new ignition system.
The M8 engine will not work in that chassis.
That is a V series engine
We offer all the parts for it in our online catalog and you can purchase them from our website's 84-99 section.
We still offer the V111 also a V124, but the 124 would require tuning and possibly a new ignition system.
The M8 engine will not work in that chassis.
mleach72
Well-Known Member
Yes, the V is the designation for the evolution engine family. The only upgrade I can think of is the cam. I would imagine that the 111 in the Ironhorse bikes has the 546 EPA cam like the 111 in the big dog bagger. Ironhorse would have been subject to the same EPA laws that big dog was. The cam of choice would be the 585. That's what cam was in the 111 if you bought the engine directly from S&S.
BDOGBavaria
New Member
Team, did what you suggested. Test rode them. Got the Texas Chopper. I am amazed how easy it is to move around and handle. The high handle bar is essentially like a lever that allows you to handle a large weight easier. Riding them all is equally as difficult, but I liked the Texas Chopper by far the most.
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BDOGBavaria
New Member
I really, really love this thing. I have a few questions here now and I hope you are not offended that I am asking.
1) I wanted to test the limits, braking as hard as possible with the front. You can lock up the tire, I am a bit amazed that these brakes work so well. I certainly did not expect that. When breaking hard, the fork bottoms out, and you feel a hard "clonck clonck clonck" - I thought that the fork bearings were loose but that wasnt it. I guess it is just the fork bottoming out. Good that I know what to expect now if I ever need to break hard.
1) I wanted to test the limits, braking as hard as possible with the front. You can lock up the tire, I am a bit amazed that these brakes work so well. I certainly did not expect that. When breaking hard, the fork bottoms out, and you feel a hard "clonck clonck clonck" - I thought that the fork bearings were loose but that wasnt it. I guess it is just the fork bottoming out. Good that I know what to expect now if I ever need to break hard.
BDOGBavaria
New Member
2) Fuel: where is reserve? Forward or backward?
BDOGBavaria
New Member
3) I feel the pain of the frame, taking all the vibrations. I have done lots of vibration engineering and decoupling at work. I completely understand the hard mounting philosophy but my head is thinking about the welds and attachments on the frame. To be honest, I feel physical pain and my head continously images cracks forming and increasing. Is there anything one can do on the engine mounts? I dont want to complain, happy with it all, just exploring and asking questions.
I found a second hand frame that appears to be the same frame than the Texas Chopper frame. Who made these frames? Does anyone have CAD files for it? Are there any frames that allow these S&S engines and these Baker gear boxes to be mounted on rubber mounts? I understand this is difficult, because both are separate units.
I found a second hand frame that appears to be the same frame than the Texas Chopper frame. Who made these frames? Does anyone have CAD files for it? Are there any frames that allow these S&S engines and these Baker gear boxes to be mounted on rubber mounts? I understand this is difficult, because both are separate units.
JohnBoy
Active Member
Sounds like you need to rebuild the front forks they shouldn't bottom out and may need to look into the rear shocks. The bike is over 20 years old. The frame will be fine welding and metallurgy has come along way. Old Harley frames were brazed and pinned and are still hanging in there from the 40's. Iron Horse didn't offer rubber mounts and nothing you can buy off the shelf will work you'll need a fabricator to mod the frame and make the brackets you'll need and you may have to go to a custom bike builder to get it done.
Roaming Wolf
Member
I believe, these frames will outlast any of us here X 2, so I wouldn't mess with that to make it more complicated and add any extra potential issues to already not the most reliable bike. Just ride, enjoy it, unless the vibration cases you a significant discomfort.
Hmmm The Pingel petcock on my Texas Chopper is a little different than yours. Mine has off at the top. Turn towards the seat is on & towards the front is reserve. Can’t really tell on yours though. Hopefully you can figure it out! I do agree with Johnboy that your front tubes need to be serviced. I had to do that straight away when I bought my’03 AIH.
