Swap meet suspension

[harleysportster]

Brian,
Can you compare the front curve and length of the CC rails to the 78 standard rails you have.

[harleysportster]

Does anybody have a CC conversion kit to compare all the parts. It seems like this may be a conversion with the center idler wheel mount bolted on. The stock center mount on the 80 liquid was revited not bolted.

[400brian]

Pat

I'll set the two 78 rails together and take a pic. I believe they are the same.

To the best of my knowledge, the CC "kit" included the rubber track, drivers, and the complete CC suspension.

Kenny has sent me some pics of the CC bushing. I'll post them here shortly.

[400brian]

Kenny's photos of the CC side wheel spacer. These fit into the tower.

[harleysportster]

Pat

I'll set the two 78 rails together and take a pic. I believe they are the same.

To the best of my knowledge, the CC "kit" included the rubber track, drivers, and the complete CC suspension.

Kenny has sent me some pics of the CC bushing. I'll post them here shortly.

I see that now after looking at the parts manual.
The parts manual also shows the slot in the center mount that kenny was referring to.
I guess rear axle brackets AM54694 and AM54695 are imposible to find.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Is this what you are talking about?

[ICCSF 108]

Way back in my short term memory banks, I think we might have some bad rails that the towers might be able to be taken off of, I'll have to look & see IF I have them here or they might be up north??

Grumpy

[400brian]

Brian,
Can you compare the front curve and length of the CC rails to the 78 standard rails you have.

The two rails are the same length, and have the same curve. Everything is bolted or riveted on in a different location, and the rear axle is located differently to accommodate the two different tracks.

[harleysportster]

Thanks for the pictures. Here is a picture of a 78 standard rail along side of a 80 rail. I have not inspected my conversion yet to see how it handled the HOF ride.

[JoeRainville]

Brian,

I took a look under the CC I have here in TX. It was never raced, so the skid is still pretty much bone stock. The front arm set up looks just like an 80's Liquifire, but it does not have the track stabilizers on top of it. The rear arm of course does not have a spot for the idler wheels since the CC used a separate cross shaft like a Trailfire, but the wheels rode on the center belt.

By the welds on your rear arm, it could be the original CC part, but I can't be 100% sure.

Also, you should show a pic of the aluminum centered front 5" idlers. That was my second clue it had CC rails besides the rear axle. While not all CC, it was still a very good find, and would be a nice upgrade for your 78 LF.

-Joe

[400brian]

Got the rail back from the machine shop on Friday. It is all welded up, and looks pretty good. Stand-by for photos.

[400brian]

Ok, here we go:

I talked to the owner of the machine shop, never got to talk to the aluminum welder. He thought they could repair the rail as long as it wasn't any strange alloy or had zinc in it. I told him that it was made out of "unobtainium", and that it was a rare CC racer rail. Otherwise, I'd have tossed it in favor of a different rail. He told me that his welder would have to be "in the mood" to do this job, to which I replied; oh yes, I want him feeling it!

They had it close to a month, but I finally got the call that it was done. I don't know anything about welding aluminum, I don't know how he did it without burning through the worn spot. Heck, the paint inside the rail isn't even cooked!
Anyway, here it is:

[JDT]

Well worth the wait. Looks great!

[JoeRainville]

Wow Linder, first you buy a front motor sled, then add the cross country kit to it? You are going down hill fast. Next thing you will want bar warmers and oil injection! Are you planning to run a rubber track to?

Holler if you need the CC manual, it shows where to drill the holes for the new skid, or I could scan the page for you.

Later,
-Joe

[400brian]

The '78 has been kind of a long term project. I wasn't even sure anymore, so I looked up the date on this photo, taken the day JDJR, furious Adam, and Nick delivered it; 8-27-2009.
It had been sitting in Kevin Campbell's garage, after Ross Heavener had delivered it there, after picking it up for me after an e-bay purchase ( Ross is still my hero ).