I thought that I would post same pics as they put the VRod back togehter as we do the winter setup for next season. If you saw my first post in new members section you will recall it was tore down to the frame. Most of the parts are in and the re-assembly is beginning. Here is pic 1 of the left side of the bike - had swing arm chromed and new BTMfg air shocks installed - 1"lower - progressive springs also lowered will be put on front with chrome sliders. The green paper I believe is there to protect the chrome.

Nice to see that they took the time to protect your chrome... My kind of people .....

Here is a picture of the right side of the bike - focused on the air shock - for anyone interested in more details on these things - their web address is www.btmfg.com. Once I report back on performance once I get to try the set-up in the spring.

Rick - these guys are the best in the Pittsburgh area IMHO at least - Of course they are also my sponsor so I really depend on them to build and maintain the machine as needed throughout the season.
Kevin

Here is a picture of the diamond cut heads - you can also see the cams in the background if that is of any interest. I will post a close up of the heads in the next frame

Here is a close up of the heads and cams to the side.

Looks like you'll have one hell, of a nice bike when you get it assembled! :thumb

-Bry

Here is a shot of the home pit area that my kids put together for christmas present - with a KBOlsen model pit bike to dress it up a bit for the picture... it looks alot better than the current state of the VRod.

BBruce,
Thanks - here is a picture of what we started with - from IHRA Division 3 Bracket Finals in Norwalk last year. Picture includes wife and two sons - they will begin racing this year also - on a 03' Sportster.
Kevin

This is the starting point from the left side of the bike

Originally posted by kspz3
Here is a picture of the diamond cut heads - you can also see the cams in the background if that is of any interest. I will post a close up of the heads in the next frame

kspz3


What did it cost you to have the heads diamond cut. They look awesome:thumb

Frank,
I haven't got the bill yet - but I think that it usually runs around $400. I think that the bike will be together pretty much by the end of this week - except possibly for the pingel electric shifter - which we wil order on Monday - then need to custom fab mounting hardware - I am wrestling with wethher or not to change exhaust - TT only one left standing in my mind at the moment - I wish there was a chrome version - - performance and weight reductions the primary benefit - looks aren't perfect to my taste, very loud, no heat sheild - primary down side - I am going to have to get a run down from KAZ to make my final decision. I will dyno the thing with the SEVMod set up to make sure that everyting is operating as before the tear down - have a show at end of month and then may change out the exhaust. I am going to try to go south around bike week - but not sure wether I will race or just ride - last year's rainout of the AHDRA event left me sitting in the pits for two days without anything to do but watch the rain - I do not think that I am cut out for the NAtional circuits.
Kevin

I would also love to figure out something that I could have done by OZZY - some of his work really looks outstanding - but I have not been able to come up with an idea that works - any suggestions would be appreciated - thinking about possibly an airbox with sponsors name "Spirit Racing" - or ..... any ideas would be appreciated.

kspz3,

Keep us posted (w/ pics) through the build. Have a good one!!

-Bry

kspz3,

I see your build consist of a pulley. Are you ever going back to a chain. Regarding a chain drive, is there a brand of chain that you would recommend. BEST quality and also would like it to look awesome,(maybe chrome).

Thanks
Frank

Frank,
I will start out this season with the belt drive - may or may not go back to chain - if I decide that I want to gear for 5 gear pass - 5th would be at about 120 with current HP - depends on how well the shifter works - I think that the chain I used was an EGK or somethinge like that 530 - and it was supposed to be chrome - check the left side pic from last year - that chrome (more like nickel finish) disappeared from oil. Now my mechanics have a chain oiling fetish - and that would also get the wheels soiled from the spray - but the chain worked effeciently. I think the one that I used was like 10,5000 - it was like an older prostock chain - the guy that built the conversion was an old drag racer and again went for stregnth and efficiency - I would use an ORing setup if I did it again - less maintenance and less spray (and consumes a couple nof horsepower - but as you can see when I have a decision between performance and style I tend to go for style - at least on current setup - Maybe next year we will go all out on performance.
KSP

WOW!:eek:
Very nice:cool: .

Since I never had a motorcycle with a belt drive before I just have one quick Q so as to learn. Benefits and drawbacks of a chain drive besides a little dirty bike? Redirect to somewhere so not much time wasted on my rookie questions at least. Is it why it feels with less of a "plunk" sensation when shifting hard from one gear to the next.

Congrats on such a radical ride:notworthy .

Frank,
I think that you can find the chains that I was talking about at Pingel - and sprockets(polished) at sprocket specialities or specialty sprockets. Eduarprmd - The primary advantage that I saw with chain set up was the ability to easily change the gear ratios. With drag racing you can get the ratio on the money so that you are going through the lights at the desired RPMs. I did not really notice alot of diference in how the bike felt for general purpose riding. It did impact my rollout times by -.02 or -.03 range. The belt setup is perfect for me - as I lauch immendiately after seeing the third bulb - with the chain setup I had to adjust my launch setup to prevent redlights. I am more consistent with the belt drive - but this is an issue that has to do with me and might not be the same for others. Since I frequently race drag bikes that use a push button launch (i.e. airclutch or cintrifical clutch setup) cutting tight lights is imperative to stay in the competition. Therefore my current setup. I could improve ET with the electric shifter if I configure for 5 gear pass instead of current 4 gear - possibly .2 to .3 or .4 seconds. The downside is that since I ride on the street the gearing would be very low - like not having a fifth gear and always crusing in 4th on a 28 tooth setup. KAz also has a chain setup - Kaz can you weigh in here with your opinion.
Kevin
Kevin

Kevin, looks like you will have a primo set-up. Good luck in the races:D:D:D

Thanks VRSC - it will be awhile before we do that racing thing again.
Kevin

Kevin, who does your bike work? I am in Pittsburgh and have been looking for a good shop to do some dyno testing and a good chromer. Any help would be appreciated. Good to know there is another forum member from the Pittsburgh area that is dealing with the weather here. All these guys from fair weather states make me pretty jealous.

Thanks for the info. This helps me understand the differences. Probably not much help for street riding with a chain. I keep it on the street and don't plan on racing at the track except on rare occasions just for fun.

Dan,
Spirit HD does all my work including taking care of the chrome stuff. - Gattos has Dyno as does Cerini HD- Gatto's tuner Ron is very good engineering and racing background. What part of town are you from.
Kevin

Hi Kevin, I live in the South Hills and work out in Moon. I am about 10 minutes from Heritage HD but didn't get a good vibe from them when I went there to buy. I ended up buying from Washington HD and definitely won't be back for service. I need to check those other dealers out. If you have had good experiences with them that helps out a lot.

Thanks for the info :thumb

Dan

Dan:
Cerini's service manager has over 150 hours on his V-Rod.
His name is also Dan.
Larry

Thanks Larry, it's hard trying to find someone you can trust to give your baby to. My wife thinks I'm nuts. I will call those guys. Obviously they do a lot of work on V rods? Do they have a dyno?
Thanks again.

Dan

I need to clear my head, Kevin said they had a dyno a couple messages ago at Creini. Boy, this day is dragging.

Hey Larry - how's it going - well just talked to the shop and they said that it is all back together and just needs cleaning and test ride - a little cold for that at the moment. I will try to get to the shop n Saturday to find out what it looks like - The goods news - it started when they pushed the button. Kevin

Originally posted by kspz3
The goods news - it started when they pushed the button. Kevin

Kevin

That's good to hear. Keep us posted. Did the install the shifter?

Frank

I do not think that it is installed - I will be in the shop tomorrow - Hopefully it has arrived - ordered on Monday - If it is ther I will take some picture - I believe that we will need to fab some brackets to mount it whereI want it.

Originally posted by kspz3
I do not think that it is installed - I will be in the shop tomorrow - Hopefully it has arrived - ordered on Monday - If it is ther I will take some picture - I believe that we will need to fab some brackets to mount it whereI want it.

Where are you mounting it. I see the pics on the website and it is mounted on the frame rail.

Kevin,
I Rode a Buddy's 28T V-rod and Hated it compaired to mine!My Bike Ripes on the street with my gears and with my RAISED RPM is Tops Out at Almost 160!:eek:

KAZ,

What is your present front and rear tooth count?

Frank

23/64 I think?I would have to take off the front cover to know for sure and I'm to tired to do so!:(

When ever you get a chance, Please confirm. I am going with a 51 (close to the same diameter as the stock rear pulley) rear and would like to see what front I would need to compare to your set up. I was going with a front to match up close to the 28/72 setup I currently run with a belt. Thanks:)

Are you Sure Your Ready to go that Fast?:rolleyes: :diablo:

Frank,

A 20/50 would give you the proper 2.5 ratio. In this case size isn't important ;) It's the ratio that determines your gearing since the actual diameter is determined by the tooth/link spacing. It's simple math.

72/30 = 2.4 (stock)
72/28 = 2.5
50/20 = 2.5
51/21 = 2.43
51/20 = 2.55
64/23 = 2.78 !!!!! (no wonder it pulls so hard off the line ;))

Kevin:
I have a good Snowmobile suit you can use for the test ride.
Don’t forget to check the coil wire splice.
Larry

I am trying out a picture - Kaz you are confusing me with your ratios - I thought that I had a 17/58 set-up with top speed of 130 approx @ 9,000 rpm - if I do a chain I am going to aim for 124 mph @ 9,000 - with 9,400 rev limit allow head room. Of course this will only hold if I decide to try to run it into the low 11s/high 10s - i.e. TT pipes, cams and gearing. Let's see if my pic works

See - it really is back together - I will start a new thread with pics of current set-up

Larry - doesn't this weather suck - shifter in - I will be working with my set up team on mounting - Frank - I will have the shifter mounted in line with the linkage in the triangle part of the frame - mounting hardware will be custom fabricated - I don't like how Pingel mounted it.

Here is a pic of the front and Diamond Cut Heads

Here is a pic of the Airshocks from the left side of the bike.

So much for the new thread - Oh well - Airshocks from the right side of the bike.

Here is a pic of the bike from the front

Resolution isn't great - but here is Diamond head close up.

All I can say is you lucky bastard!

What a beautiful bike, you must be very proud.:icon_mrgr

Ken.
:cheers:

Pic quality isn't the best but you get the idea - the bike is also in need of a detailing - but there is still a bit more work to do.

Ken - you are the lucky dog - it is snowing here - and your enjoying summer there down under.... I am jealous....
Kevin

One last shot trying to capture the effect.

Here is a shot of the entire bike at present - you may notice that we had the rear disk polished and all of the controls, calipers, swingarm, fork sliders, shift light and speedometer housing chromed. It is also an inch lower. That is it for me - electric shift and a little fine tuning is all that remains for initial set-up for the start of the racing season. I will also dyno to verify engine setup is back to usual and verify that electric shift is functioning properly - then possibly play with exhaust and gearing (which would require installing the chain again) for early season setup evaluation.
Kevin

kspz3

Your Bike looks HOT. :notworthy Post pics of the shifter when you get it installed.

Frank - will do - probably a few weeks as I will be on the road. Hope that all is well with you.
Kevin

Sharp bike and good luck this year!!!!!!Good to see that HD pipes can be !competitive

Nice pics:) You sure do like the chrome:D I think that you might have a case of chromoholism;) Nice Bike

WHAT a beauty!!! OK, so where in PA are you? Want to see that baby in person!

Val - Pittsburgh not to far from your neck of the woods as I recall - VRodVinny - Everything but the frame and it almost went - but I was worried about stone chips and servicing the engine in the future - so I figured that I should not make a functional part into an ornamental peice. VRodG - the HD SEs are VModed - for a little extra volume - my experience the stock or SEs very similar perfromance capabilites and can be tuned to match just about anything out there - primary problem is the extra weight - they are heavy - I believe that Turbotech wil outperform - I haven't been able to find anything that I feel is superior based on the combintation of looks, style and performance - therefore they continue to be the exhaust of choice for now.
Kevin

Kevin,
Your Bike needs a Little more chrome!:rolleyes: It's Looks Really Sweet to Bad it's Not FASTER!:goof ;) :diablo: WAIT TILL YOU SEE WHAT I'M DOING NEXT!:yak:

KAz - it is winter here. I need something to think about - so how about sharing a little of your plans - as you know I am in the conservative camp of modifications, following that age old HD path on tried and true, tested and reliable school of thought. So that leaves me as student here for awhile - so I need a teacher - what are the plans - can you post progress pictures? Val - the track that I race at is in New Alexandria - near Johnston (pittsburghracewaypark.com) - maybe you and your betterhalf can make a run up there some time - they have some pretty big events there and may even have an all bike one this year - makes for a fun day.
Kevin

Kevin,
I have a 3 stage Plan with 3 major parts of the Bike Being changed completely.I'm still working out a couple more details then I will Let You and the rest of the Gang Know!;) It will be Outragous Looking and will Run like a MOTHA!:eek:

Kaz - on the chain set-up I was running 22/58 sprockets - I will probably do a 22/62 set-up which should get me out of the hole hard - My primary concern the impact to street riding and rollout time - which is perfect with the belt setup. Remember I am competitively bracket racing - consistency drives decision more than faster ETs. Although the 28 tooth setup made a dramatic improvement over the 30 tooth stock setup - as the 30 tooth bogged hard and my 60' times jumped around alot.
KSP

Kaz:
An "871" will make it hard for you to tuck.
Larry.

You have a beautiful scoot.
All the looks and speed too.
Not that you care what I think, but Great Job !
BobT

Hi Kevin,
Your bike is looking great my friend. Good luck this season! As we ALL know, it's much more difficult to run as consistantly as you do than it is to go fast every once in a great while. Keep it up!


John

Originally posted by Ketsugo

As we ALL know, it's much more difficult to run as consistantly as you do than it is to go fast every once in a great while. Keep it up!


John

I agree with that http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/aktion/action-smiley-035.gif

Thanks for the moral support and compliments on the bike - I have tried to enhance the appearance of the bike with any mods that I have done, and that consistency thing is a painful discipline. I was looking at gear ratio - I may be able to do a 22/64 which would top out around 118 @ 9,000 rpm allowing about 5mph headroom to the revlimiter - maybe kick it up to 9500, ( I wonder if anyone could fab a 26 tooth ) - I need to go back and do the numbers - John are you going to be racing your cage this year? I was talking to my shop today on the shifter setup - they are trying to get it figured out but I do not think that they will do anything until I get in there to discuss the setup - but the damn thing is chrome - I continue to be a one trick pony on styling details. Still playing with the idea of a TT exhaust set up

Hi Kevin,
I won't be campaigning it but will go out at least a few times this year. I really want to build my V-Rod into a sleeper (no NOS or huffer). BB kit, rods, cams, over-sized TB's, larger valves and head work. I get a much bigger kick out of blowing someone's doors off with a stock appearing engine than with a big NOS fogger and/or a blower/intercooler set-up. I'm not one that has to have a big sigh on my back that says Look at ME! I prefer to fly under the radar and then watch guys eyes pop out.

Keep us posted on your progress Kevin!!!!


John

Not to mention much more reliable and I think more fun that way for those who really ride their bikes. That's how I think it also.

However if you're a race only person go ahead do the turbo, SC, NOS, whatever jingles your bells. Just be like Kaz and kspz3, share the fun.

My :2cents . I'll have much more frequent fun and probably less breaks.

kspz3 I think I alredy told you but, HOT BIKE!
Hit the street with it also?

If you do the big bore....etc. keep me informed - I am trying to track how well those setups work - but have not been comfortable with the limited info to date - I have a sleeper rice rocket that can move - but I am getting rid of it this year - playing all harley from here out - sweet engine - it was just for off-night test and tune plays - just speed - engine is overpowering chassis setup - and I decided not to waste the money to stretchit and slam it which would have it in the low tens - it will run mid tens as is - but it is like playing basketball dribbling the front end on launch - my only race - in November in Maryland broke the tire loose at 65mph power shifting into second into a wicked fish tail. Next round soft shifted to second and then broke it loose at 100mph power shifting into 3rd - put it on the trailer glad to be in one peice - it is cheap speed that is for sure - putting 30 more hp to the rear wheel with pretty basic set-up - pipes, jets and dyno tuned - but it is no VRod that is for sure. KB plays with those things and turns too. better man/woman whatever than I am that is for sure. Now although I like to watch Kaz's modification work - great source - his on pic riding the Duc down the track on one wheel that impressed me - but then again I had a boy from West Virginia on a cbr 929 or 954 beat me on one wheel - passed me at the eighth mile straight up and rode it through the lights that way at 115mph. I would not have believed it had I not been there - 1 bike length behind him the whole way. Now that is impressive. although we still don't know if KB can ride hers on one wheel or not - I wouldn't be surprized if she could out run us all - another one of those sleepers maybe....
KSP

Eduar.. thanks - yes on the street riding - my program is bracket racing a street bike - although I am not opposed to modifiactions I continue to wait for proven engineering and I have not been comfortable with the amount of feedback that I have been able to gather on the limited number of performanc mods available. I wish HD would put some parts on the market - I would have them in as fast as they could ship them - a mild race cam would be noce.... or a totlaly built big bore.
Kevin

Well - it made it out of the shop this weekend - all but mounting the electric shifter to be complete - it is wired up and ready for fabrication of the bracket - here is side view of the finished bike at the show this weekend. Once I get the shifter done I will take dyno to check out the engine and shifter - and if all is well it shoud be ready for the upcoming raicing season.

:thumb: :thumb: :diablo:

Way to go, GREAT bike

Thanks,
Now it is just waiting for the weather to break to see how it all worked out.
Kevin

Kevin,

It was great talking to you on the phone today. I really appreciate your input and look forward to seeing how your shifter works out for you. If all goes well, I will do one on my rebuild. Again, THANKS and keep me posted on your shifter. :notworth:

Most Respectfully
Frank

Frank,
I also enjoyed the conversation and I am looking forward to hearing your progress reports - it sounds like you are going to be pushing the custom boundaries and really create quite the head turner. I look forward to your progress reports and I will post when I get it back with the shifter installed.
Kevin

Kev the bike is looking really nice!