Ironhead Choosing a Motor - Rant

[PoodlePunche]

After 35 years of wrenching, & riding, i've decided it's time to build a custom bike, from the ground up.
Some would say a "chopper", but i'd argue starting with a purpose built frame requires no chopping, ergo, not a chopper.

I've been looking at frames for a while, but i never get too far, because I keep getting hung up on the power plant. I'm not sure if i want a big twin or not...

Most people would say go for the bigger engine, but i don't really care about CI... I'm perfectly happy on my KZ400.

I don't give a crap about "heritage" or anything that typically goes along with harley ownership.
Yes, I have a sportster, but i don't wear the uniform, and will never drink the koolaid.
hell, it was well over a year before i could openly admit i owned one.

The only reason i'm even considering a harley motor, is because of the sheer number of frame options out there.

i briefly considered an Indian power plus, but i def don't want an ECU or any computer BS (CDI excluded, i'm not a sadist)...
My bike will have a headlight, and a tail light, and not much else.

I like the idea of a divorced transmission, as it opens up many possibilities, but i really don't like wide bikes.
how much wider is a softail frame than a sportster?

I'd like to have more than 4 speeds, but i also want a kicker, which may be the deciding factor?
i know you can get a kicker kit for the evo, but is that only for the Big Twin?

I should probably stop the rant here, but for those curious about styling, i lean more towards a bobber, or something racey...

the Paughco boardtrack frames have peaked my interest.

[kitabel]

Never mind

[PoodlePunche]

Originally Posted by kitabel

Fat Boy, 2008 & later.

Sorry i missed this...
are you saying to build a fatboy?

[Jhurt]

Having built a bike I can offer this little bit of advice: at least start with a frame that has a clean title. Also: it’s never worth the sum of it’s parts when you finish so plan to keep it a long time and make sure you want to ride the thing. Mine has around 1,000 miles in 3 years because as much as I love looking at it and riding it about 30 miles I tend to see it in the garage and think “man my wrists and back will hurt if I take that thing today”

Food for thought

[JB in NC]

If I wanted to build a "narrow" bike, I would choose the 900 ironhead motor and run the XLCH tin primary cover. But, that is my favorite of all the XLs, and so my prejudice is definitely showing. You get the kicker (only, '66 & earlier) but only four speeds. It's a pretty motor, very compact and narrow. If you are older (as I am) and don't want the kicking chore all the time, then the later 1000 ironhead might be a good choice. The big twins are definitely wider, but the '64 & earlier, with tin primaries are the narrowest of those. Again, kick only.

If I were to contemplate building a bike from the ground up (and I do, but only as a mental exercise; no time in the real world for such an endeavor) I would have the result fully formed and envisioned in my mind before I had the first part in hand. But the reality is that most "bike builders" start with what is on hand and make the vision fit the parts rather than the other way around. At least that is the way it seems to me.

I would not consider the OP's post a "rant," rather just expressing free thought process.

There, I have contributed NOTHING at all to the matter,
Jim

[Iron Mike]

[QUOTE for those curious about styling, i lean more towards a bobber, or something racey...
.[/QUOTE]

I agree with just about everything that JB has said above, but there a few comments I would add.
Having built a “few” myself, I have been down this road before and have worked through most of these dilemmas.
My opinions only:

1) decide on a realistic budget. Major factor in planning.

2) face the facts of your actual capabilities. Skill set, tools available ect. Are you going to “build” a bike or “assemble” a selection of parts? First option here is VERY wide open, second limits the selection as you have noticed (BT HD frames are $.10/dozen, boardtrack frames for a XS 650, not so much)

3) actual purpose of the bike. Are you going to ride it more than up the street to the breakfast joint so people can point at it and say how cool it looks, or are you going to ride it for personal enjoyment? 2nd option is really important to your initial plan.

4) Answer the above three and work through the process on paper, internet ect before starting anything. Nothing worse than purchasing a bunch of parts that won’t fit together.

5) Patience

The OP’s question leaves a broad opening for comments. These are just my opinions. There are quite a few tangents he could go on. In my garage, I am very much biased to mag fired, tin covers as well, however, Jr will ride anything with a throttle. Like quite a few on here, I have a fairly well equipped fab shop on site. I have recently built a frame jig, and Jr who has ridden his entire life, now is on the street. Although we are currently building him a 60’s era Ironhead, we are already looking and planning the next build. Something light nimble and very fast. With our capabilities, and Jr not limited to one brand (like the OP), our options are very broad. Keeping our budgets in check, our local searches are mainly based off of if the neck of the bike has a title connected to it. From there we can build whatever we want. Placing a somewhat modern thumper into a lightweight frame provides quite a thrilling ride without much cost. Small narrow and nimble. Parts are cheap and accessible.
The task the OP is beginning to venture into spans a broad range. Much of it takes place in the mind and the drawing board long before the wallet or the toolbox. P.P.=P.P.P.
Best of luck on your project

A canyon carver that is inspiration for one of ours down the line:

woman gifs

[kitabel]

If you choose an XL base, get used to hearing "Why didn't you get a big twin?".