Quite time (exhaust)

We needed to quieten the Invincible Jap down. There was little chance that the current exhaust system would go UN-noticed in the USA so we decided to build a muffler. A good pal was tasked with this and the photos below show the basic steps. It was decided to fit an original style Invincible Jap muffler (Similar to a J Harley) but turn this 90 degrees on its side, as this was really the only place we could locate it. To keep with the style of the period, we pressed the JAP logo into the front of the muffler. I must say that i was a little hesitant at this, as i thought it might be a little over kill, but it certainly does not look out of place. The machine used is a Power hammer, and these are really cool machines to use. They have a fixed anvil on which a movable hammer oscillates about 3500 / Min and this stretches or shrinks the metal. They are a use full tool for sheet metal construction and anyone skilled enough to master this machine is always in demand. The photos show the construction better than words. Once this muffler was fitted the slip in tail pipe can be moved laterally to set the back pressure and obtain the required note on the bike. It has gone from a high noise to a deep dull Boooob de da Boooom, Boooom de da etc. It actually sounds quite neat. The finished result is a neat custom muffler that certainly doesn't look like and afterthought. More importantly it actually works better than anticipated, with the period appeal and can be altered to tune quite easily....... I hope that those reading this Blog can take note of the muffler when they view this machine.

Update report 7 weeks pre start.

Team 16 Progress update report. We have the bike running , registered and insured, but there are still some technical issues that need to be addressed. 1. Exhaust Noise. 2. Carby 3. Maggy 4. Sidecar set up. 1. The Exhaust is just a little on the noisy side, while it would pass our liberal noise requirements in Australia it will not pass the stringent requirements of the USA. Also i am a little over trying to make noise as we wish to enjoy the country side ambiance, without wearing earplugs. We are planning on fitting a silencer and tuning this to a reasonable reduction. If you look at the first photo, you will see that the pipes are totally unrestricted straight out (Drag way ) style. 2. The Carby currently fitted has been borrowed from a pals running Indian scout. This has to be returned and as such we have to get ours up and going. We will wait till we get the Maggy sorted and tuned so we then have only the Carby to sort out. 3. The Maggy that is running on the motor is a selected used magneto and has not been rebuilt. It is okay to run and could be reliable, however we have two Bosch magnetos being overhauled at present and these should be completed over the week end. These have new brgs, re-wound coils, re-magnetised, new reco points, custom made slip rings and advance - retard breaker rings. The Jap runs a 50 Degree ACW or LH rotation magneto, which differs to the more common 45 Degree CW Harley Davidson unit. This has been quite a task to sort out a Maggy and i would like to do a full blog on this if time permits. 4. Sidecar sort out.This is something that we have to get on top of once the bike is running. The sidecar bolts on well however until we can get this outfit on the road and trial the alignment and handling we cannot be certain. All i can say is that there is much adjustment in this outfit, unlike an Indian sidecar so this probably will mean many trip wires. We still have a lot to learn about this. I will post some updates as these tasks are completed. We are keen to get this out on the road. It is starting to become fun, as the hard yards are nearly over. More later.

Fire in the hole.

Hi

It has been a few weeks since we have updated our Blog.
Basically due to late nights and so much to do to get the daily chores completed so we can play motorcycle.

We are pleased to attach the U-Tube Video of the First fire up of the 1925 Invincible Jap.

Motorcycle Cannonball 2012 No 16 First Fire up (Invincible Jap )

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUdgyqgoaVY&feature=youtu.be 0:36
Motorcycle Cannonball 2012 No 16 First Fire up (Invincible Jap )by Chris Knoop

Again we apologise for the poor pictures, however this was taken on a phone.

Who would have thought that this was possible a few years ago. The bike started easily and after three kicks. It is being run on one float bowl of fuel and there is much not connected to make it run, like the advance and retard.

I hope that you can enjoy this milestone.

Again we would like to thank all those people who have helped us to achieve this goal in such a short duration. Without you all it would still be in pieces.

New facebook Page

Hi I guess that social media and content will be the way that most people will keep up to date on the daily activities of the cannonball ride. Our intention is to update this page on a regular basis on the day to day activities. My support rider and Mechanic "Ian Lihou" has found that he prefers Facebook and has set up a social page. Please take the time to like or view page as he will be updating this also on a regular basis. Ian has many interested people and will find a slightly different audience than we have on our blog. The page can be found by Typing in the following name. Southern Cross Cannonball Coast to Coast 2012 http://www.facebook.com/#!/SouthernCrossCannonballCoastToCoast2012 Hope some find this interesting. Rgds

Festival Time

Hi For all those interested we are presenting a film and talk about the 2010 Cannonball run at the Newport Folk Festival on Sunday 8th July. http://www.nffc.org.au/docs/festival-poster-2012.pdf We are planning to launch our bike at festival, and have a noted motorcycle identity who will present and open our campaign. If you are local and wish to see what this about please come and enjoy the week end at the festival. The film presentation will be the Australian Premier Screening and we still await the film with anticipation. This event is wrist band entry as per all the events at the festival, and all entry costs are put back into the community. There will be motorcycle parking outside the venue which is the Community Centre in Mason st in Newport. I would suggest getting there early as this venue holds approx 50 ppl, and will be first in, best dressed. The Invincible will be on display and hopefully completed for this event. This is a great atmosphere, with many completing venues and intersting things to see and do. Well worth bringing your family and making a day of this. Hope to see some of you if you can make this. This is the Flier below. White Knuckle (Film/talk) Chris  Knoop, NFFC member and  lifelong avid motorcyclist will present the Australian premiere of the film White Knuckle by Brian Dawars.  This film is the story of the 2010 Motorcycle Cannonball ride across USA on Vintage pre-1915 machines, personalities and events that unfold. Chris was involved with the 2010 ride as support crew and actively worked and helped with the repairs, trials and tribulations.  He had such a fantastic time on the ride that he had to return.  For 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball ride, Chris has entered a vintage Australian Motorcycle  which he has virtually rebuilt from scratch.  The bike is a 1925 Invincible Jap made in Swanston Street, Melbourne, and has a a period wicker sidecar also made in Melbourne. Chris’s wife Christine will be along for the ride in the sidecar.  The motorcycle will be on display for the festival. See film trailer on YouTube :: See a video of Chris' bike on YouTube. Newport Community Hall, Sunday 1-3pm Entry: Wristband or $5 at door.