This 1948 FL is a done deal.  real bad shape when it came in many moons ago. . . but now it should be a runner !  Runs a stock "H" grind Victory camshaft with fresh lower end, cylinders and heads.  All pretty correct 1948 parts.  The 1st year of the Panhead for the motor company.

I bought these (all rusty and locked up) at the Sturgis Swap Meet years ago.  I carried them all the way on my bike - restored them with new shafts, etc.  I tried to sell them, nobody wanted 'em . . . so I just found a set of cases (that need some welding) . . . so I may as well build a little motor.  I got cylinders, heads, transmission parts, all the special parts that are 52-53 only, like clutch hub clutch basket, kicker shaft and gear, transmission shafts . . . on and on.  There's hardly one part that will fit on a 52-53 K Model AND an ironhead Sportster.  The cylinder base nuts !  That's about it . . .

Wait:  The connecting rods are the same, wrist pins and clips.  If you think of something else, let me know and I'll explain why it won't work.

Yes, that's #70 at Bonneville Speed Week in 1970.  Jeff Wiley (not pictured) was attempting a record run.  I believe he went over 150mph - (too fast for me !)  Ironheads Forever !

Warmer days are ahead . . hopefully???  These past pics I remember well.  Racing around town on an iron XR with no lights - but the local authorities know me well enough to not worry about me.  When you get so old, with a bit of gray hair - you don't drink and ride - and you have proof-of-insurance...they've got bigger fish to fry.


This thing rips pretty hard...and it'll pull the front wheel kinda easy.  The smooth-bend straight pipes really echo between the buildings.  Race bike on the street !

-52 Casting Number (NOT -52A)  It won't work on a Sportster with one-piece shaft/generator idler gear.  This is for the K Model engine only (maybe a 1957 XL still had an idler shaft (like a 45 or a big twin)?

Last month I went to the Yucatan and stayed in Valladolid for a few days, then hiked Ek Balam and went to few cenotes.  I like to stay near Punta Sur (on the south end)of Isla Mujeres too.  This gal at Playa Norte was doing maintenance on her scooter in the street.  Fixing corroded connections, making sure the lights worked, etc.  She bought it new, it was stolen a few times, lost for almost 6 months on one occasion, but she always got it back.  Nice gal.  Everyone I meet in Quintana Roo and Yucatan are nice.  Someday I'll take my WLA down there and get lost for a few years.  I love it there.