ranger-ron
New Member
Here are a couple of pictures of the modifications I did to my 2008 Ambassador so it more closely replicates the original 1951 model.
The phony rear suspension and Ape hanger handle bars were the first to go.
I also replaced the Variator with a machined 2.75" V-belt pulley and mounted it against the flywheel with the starter TB pulley on the outboard side unlike the original set up. There is no more wobble and much less stress on the crank. I added an adjustable belt idler so I could vary the ratio between the engine and variable pulley/clutch assembly. The idler will be controlled by a foot pedal which I have yet to install.
Because the rear wheel is now in a fixed position (the wheel slots are now vertical), I needed to add a belt idler so I could tighten the main drive belt and also have more wrap around the small driver pulley. An important benefit is, the brake rotor does not move in relation the caliper when the belt is tighten. Before, when I needed to tighten the belt, the rotor would scrap against the inside the caliper. Not good! I'm also thinking about activating the rear brake via a right foot pedal rather the left-hand brake lever.
The usual improvements were also made to the engine; Re-timed the camshaft, decked, painted and baked the cylinder and milled the head. I still need to machine the top of the head for better cooling.
I'm still looking for a rear rack like the 1951 model had.
The phony rear suspension and Ape hanger handle bars were the first to go.
I also replaced the Variator with a machined 2.75" V-belt pulley and mounted it against the flywheel with the starter TB pulley on the outboard side unlike the original set up. There is no more wobble and much less stress on the crank. I added an adjustable belt idler so I could vary the ratio between the engine and variable pulley/clutch assembly. The idler will be controlled by a foot pedal which I have yet to install.
Because the rear wheel is now in a fixed position (the wheel slots are now vertical), I needed to add a belt idler so I could tighten the main drive belt and also have more wrap around the small driver pulley. An important benefit is, the brake rotor does not move in relation the caliper when the belt is tighten. Before, when I needed to tighten the belt, the rotor would scrap against the inside the caliper. Not good! I'm also thinking about activating the rear brake via a right foot pedal rather the left-hand brake lever.
The usual improvements were also made to the engine; Re-timed the camshaft, decked, painted and baked the cylinder and milled the head. I still need to machine the top of the head for better cooling.
I'm still looking for a rear rack like the 1951 model had.
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