thanks Jerry for the heads-up and thanks panic for your comments!
"what´s the goal?" is a very valid question and is sort of easy to answer:
I bought my first Ironhead (the XLH) in 1992 in Chicago. I actually wanted a Panhead, but I was running out of time and my cash was limited -- so the first rebuild was an attempt to look like a big twin (very common, I know). After I realized how fast the sportster was and that actually friends with Panheads were frightened to drive that "thing", I went more into handling. I used a 38mm fork and double 300mm disc brakes in the front. Then I was attracted by the flattrack design ... drag bike ... you name it. I ended up in a lenghty process of restoring all the original parts (which I luckily kept) and getting the ones missing. I even prefer a used part from a colony reproduction. I like the original patina, as you can´t buy it.
So whats the point here? I am addicted to the history of a bike and not necesarily the original factory appearance. There will be a "no limit" build (in regards to "original" or "period correct") some day, but this bike had a history, so I needed to respect it.
As far as a pile of pieces, its hard to tell what was part of the bike and what not. On the other hand, this bike has been run before, so there is a history to it. The pistons where seized, but were correct for the KH flywheels and cylinders -- and someone modified the KH flywheels to accept the 55R crankpin and rods. The cases were modified to match the pistons and ball bearings ... I just wanted to make that thing run again! -- Simply that was the goal.
Your comments in regards to chassis vs. engine are 100% true -- but honestly speaking, I would most likely never use the potential of the engine. My idea is to use the bike on vintage flattrack races, but I want to drive there! No Trailer! And my flattrack capablilties are also limited
I changed the ball bearings to metric rollers on the cam side and the superblend barrel bearings on the primary side. That should add some lifetime to them. The close ratio transmission was there and although they are not needed for a stroker, I assume they would not hurt. The bike came with a 30t motor sprocket, but for street use I changed it to 34t, which caused minor interference problems with the chain tensioner.
For the 35mm Ceriani fork, I am actually quite satisfied ... used a similar fork in my XLH and had no complains. The front brake is "empty" by now, because I am really considering a 2LS conversion, like you describe in your articles. But keep in mind, that this is the -54R conical brake, which should be stronger than the stock brake?
Thanks for reading and your comments! I really appreciate it!