9/5/07 • Tedd Cycle 4-Speed Transmissions (VT 17-0026, and other '36-64 variations) can be made road ready by Stett. Contact Stetts Iron Horse Ranch at (619) 590-8282 (EST) • M-Sat.• 10-5 The sugg. retail price of the V-Twin transmissions at $1,726.19 are affordable, since that includes free shipping from Kansas City or New York. They ship in an export quality stapled box, so open the box carefully and check it out (look for bent neutral switch post, or any shipping damage. If found, contact V-Twin). Then, ship it to Stett in the same box and pack it well. Thread nuts on the bottom stud ends as feet. Stuff all hollow spaces with newspapers. Make sure the trans. does not move. Clear-tape the entire box repeatedly for extra- cushion. •-----------------------------------------•---------------------------------• 10-24-07 The biggest need for the industry is for V-Twin to make new versions of the 3.5 gallon gas tanks. I have a set of AM (aftermarket) 3.5 fat bobs and they're wrong for a replica Panhead motorcycle. The tanks totally eclipse a top view rear Pan cover completely.
I've put up some comparison pics on http://flatheadpower.com/ > Panhead > 3.5 gal. Gas Tanks. Check them out. Our fledgling industry needs one (1) style of Panhead gas tanks, made exactly as OEM, foot shift,no tank emblems. We'll make it easier on them, without needing tank shift mounts. 11-16-07 - V-Twin is considering making the new Panhead 3.5 gallon tanks as described above. We can discuss any OHV questions on multi-forums at http://hydra-glide.com/
I'm wiring a Big Twin(s) from seat post to dash, to front fork terminal on both sites FHP and HG.net. as soon as I new-bracket the oil filter and adjust the exhaust system for more wiggle room. You can see a '55-57 rigid frame, '59 motor with voltage re. and stock oil filter at http://flatheadpower.com/ >Panheads>'59 In '55-57 frame. 12-14-07 - The oil filter and voltage regulator fit into the frame and look no different than how the filter would look in a swing arm frame. The oil filter to frame bracket is the only piece I need to custom make. Check it out on FHP. 12-21-07 - I've ordered a '48-57 rigid exhaust system from V-Twin. The set I have is for swing arm. I bought the headers and flat pipe as separate items. The V-Twin catalog and labels say '48-65 on them, but if you want headers for '48-57, you have to buy a 4-piece set (29-0173). Look for them on FHP and HGNhttp://hydra-glide.net/ >Forum>Kit Bikes> "59 Motor in a '55-57 Frame".
1-2-08 We're working on getting the (29-0173) 1948-57 exhaust system installed on a '55-57 V-Twin rigid frame Panhead. Check out our progress: http://www.flatheadpower.com/tech/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=8702&start=40 2-4-08 - The exhaust system is now installed. It was a bear to get right (presumably because of my problem 1997 V-Twin frame), but I'm now able to dial in all the pieces for final-fit, by simply milling off the top of each header, until I get the right movement for alignment. I'll try using the expanded metal heat shields to cover up the TiG weld. The exh. clamps will cover the new slots. 4-12-08 - The exhaust have been stripped and re-chromed, so I can hardwire the rigid Pan and it's back on the road. 8-04-08 - I have replaced the solid tappet assembly with JIMS® and S&S components. You can follow the completion of the build on hydra-glide.com, if you register first, then go to the heading Repop - Most of the pic-procedures are posted there. And go to http://flatheadpower.com > Tech Talk. Lots there about rigid Pan chassis fitment.
6-11-09 - While I can't post pics or have an inter-active site, I can still post early OHV Motorcycle Industry News here, although I haven't heard of any new products from V-Twin in the last 6 months. I'm finding that I've outgrown the Hydra-Glide.com site, as it collects comments from people that don't know the people to contact, or the "path" to follow when dealing with V-Twin® parts. They give their best advice, but it's the wrong advise and will lead people into spending more money to "correct" a problem without knowing the root cause of the problem. That's not good. That's "repair by committee", which is a good-hearted, though misguided, effort that can cause further damage. In other words, it's taking people with problems deeper and deeper into the swamp. If there is anyone out there that wants to start a Knuckle & Panhead Only site, let me know.
