It runs!

On Wednesday I got the fuel delivery (throttle) connected.


On Saturday I installed two different versions of the shifter. Neither of them work reliably. Two problems contributed to the issue. First, the shifter pivot itself isn't the stock Harley Davidson item. The first version used a pillow-block bearing to support the pivot. The bearing is designed to allow some play and allow the bearing to be mounted slightly crooked to prevent bearing damage if the shaft is crooked. That doesn't work here because, pressing on the shifter also applies side forces to the shaft and instead of shifting, it moves the shaft. For the second attempt, I welded a bushing in place. This prevents yaw in the shaft, but does introduce some friction, the new problems are that the shift rod has some flex because it bends around the engine and that the shifter rod on the transmission isn't mounted orthoganally with the rod. Moving the rod on it's splines means removing the clutch and it's support. The rod can be reinforced with some gussets. Both of these will be done while the bike is apart during the next month.

Three of us rode the bike. I made three trips to the top of the hill and back, Kevin O'Grince made a trip and Mike Appleby also got to ride it. Total distance was 2.2 miles. We all agree that it's pretty cool to ride a diesel powered motorcycle, it's got quite a bit of torque and it would be more fun if we could shift more reliably.

The safety briefing mentioned that 1) the rear brake doesn't have any fluid in it yet, so don't bother trying to use it, 2) the engine cut-off switch doesn't work, 3) the neutral and oil pressure lights stay on, so those can be ignored and 4) there are unguarded belts on both the left and right sides of the engine, so keep your legs splayed and tape your shoelaces to prevent getting caught in the belts.

After riding the bike Saturday, I built the belt guard for the right side. I also got started on the left belt guard. Another day of work is needed for that one.

Rather than more riding, I intend to disassemble the bike, so it can get final assembly and be ready to ride for real by the first of the year.

I started the engine on Sunday. I don't have the throttle (yes I know diesels don't have those) or the shifter connected.

There is more shaking and rattling than I wanted, but I hope that's just because the motor mounts aren't secure yet. I think that will go away once things are bolted down as they should be. I also can't hear the turbo spin up, but still have more things to check on that. I know the engine has oil pressure because it had a leak where I didn't tighten down the intake line to the turbo, but the Harley oil pressure sending unit doesn't turn the oil light off. I think that's because Harley has a lot higher oil pressure than the diesel produces.

Expect another update in a couple of days. I'll take some pictures and post them. If I can figure out how to post a video, there will be one of those as well.