Started a build on a rigid bike. I just had to do it!

I picked up a rigid frame with no strech and a 30 degree rake for next to nothing (KraftTech Hardbody so it is quality stuff). I plan on running a springer front, 16 inch 200 rear with a 21 inch up front. I would like to put on a spring mounted seat to soak up the bumps a little too. Still up in the air about gas tanks. Probably go with a stock Harley Evo motor. They have the most bang for the buck and can be picked up for about $2500 new. I will post some pics once the roller is complete.

Wish me luck:chop

Good luck!

Started a build on a rigid bike. I just had to do it!

I will post some pics once the roller is complete.

Wish me luck:chop

Good luck, how about some progress pics as well. :banana

Sounds nice, post some pic as your building it. Man $2500 sounds cheap for a 80 ci evo. They used to be 3995.00 at a dealer plus trannie. Where can you score one for $2500?
EDIT: I just reread your post, where you talking about a 80 inch evo?

I wish you good luck !!!!

Sounds like a bitchin project man. Can't wait to see some pics so I can dream about the day I get to do one :D

Gazza

oooh I wish someday I can build a bike...but not a rigid ... I'd use that english softail frame for sportsters.

Sounds nice, post some pic as your building it. Man $2500 sounds cheap for a 80 ci evo. They used to be 3995.00 at a dealer plus trannie. Where can you score one for $2500?
EDIT: I just reread your post, where you talking about a 80 inch evo?


www.wvharley.com has them for $2600. I beg the local dealer and can get it for about $2500 with a HOG card. That price is just for the Evo, no tranny.

here ya go.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dmraco1/detail?.dir=/df27&.dnm=3bfcre2.jpg&.src=ph

I should have the rear and front installed in a few weeks. The PVC pipe helps me measure for a front end. It will also serve as temporary spacers. I want to cut it from the cheap stuff 1st to make sure they are correct. 6 inches of 3/4 ID stainless cost about $35!

rear tire is on. 200mm with a 4 piston GMA rear brake. Solo spring mounted seat will be TIGed soon too. Springer and a Paughco 2.5 gallon Mustang tank will be next.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dmraco1/detail?.dir=/df27&.dnm=dc12re2.jpg&.src=ph

I am going to start calling this the ebay bike...that is where most of the parts are comming from. I do have to put a shout out to Duncan and Lucky Charm Choppers (www.luckycharmchoppers.com). He has been real helpful getting parts and answering questions for me. and there are a lot of questions!!

I did decide on colors. Frame and forks will be flat black, tank and rear fender (no front on this bobber)will be gold metal flake. This is to honor my Pittsburgh Steelers victory in superbowl XL!

Man! I want one too! I'll bet it's goin' to look cool in black and gold...:smoke

ran into a snag last night that someone on the board may be able to help with. On the front end I am using the wheel off my sporty. It is a 2005 21 inch front with less than 1000 miles on it. Why waste it?

The issue is I have to space out the disk because I am putting it on a wide DNA springer front end. I know they make a .8750" and 1.050" spacers. They are about $50. Any idea what I will need??

took the frame to get it powdercoated...lava black (satin black) to match the DNA springer front end.

I am still having my front wheel issue...any solutions?? I hope to have some more photos soon as the roller gers assembled. It may be a while before the motor actually shows up.

The issue is I have to space out the disk because I am putting it on a wide DNA springer front end. I know they make a .8750" and 1.050" spacers. They are about $50. Any idea what I will need??

Don't take a guess, man!!
Put that wheel in there and get an accurate measurement........:smoke:smoke:smoke

Frame is back from powder coat...hope to have some more photos tomorrow. I have been considering a 16 inch wheel in the front. Looking for photos of rigid bobbers/springer with 16s both front and back. I may get a loaner for a shop just to see looks and ride height.

Too cool! I'm looking forward to watching the progress pics. :banana
My 1200C is my first Sporty, and now that I know just how fun they are to ride I want to find a wrecked one to build a similar bike to yours out of. When I have the $$ I plan to order one of these Flyrite rolling chassis kits...
http://www.flyritechoppers.com/Pg/1MerchSportyChassis.htm

Maybe Saturday, I might just have to ride out and see the progress :)

front end and gas tank mounted. Tank still needs paint but I count not resist.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dmraco1/album?.dir=/df27

Those flyrite choopers are a good deal. Unfortunatly they only go to a 150 mm rear..I wanted a 200..good luck

looking good !

Gazza

seat, headlight, risers, 12 inch apes, rear fender and struts, LED sparto tailight, and oil bag mock up

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dmraco1/album?.dir=/df27&urlhint=actn,del%3as,1%3af,0

I like It!!!!!:clap :clap :clap

Looks Good, Keep us posted!!!!:D

Dave,

$50 for axle spacers sounds way too much.
I picked up a bunch from Jireh all different sizes.
They were a few bucks a piece. If you need some 3/4" ones
I still have a bag of them.

Good luck on the project!

dec

ran into a snag last night that someone on the board may be able to help with. On the front end I am using the wheel off my sporty. It is a 2005 21 inch front with less than 1000 miles on it. Why waste it?

The issue is I have to space out the disk because I am putting it on a wide DNA springer front end. I know they make a .8750" and 1.050" spacers. They are about $50. Any idea what I will need??

Dave,

$50 for axle spacers sounds way too much.
I picked up a bunch from Jireh all different sizes.
They were a few bucks a piece. If you need some 3/4" ones
I still have a bag of them.

Good luck on the project!

dec
It was actually a hub spacer that I needed (for between the hub and brake disk). I actually solved my own problem. I decided not to run the old sporty 21 inch front. I sold and and bought a 16x3 instead. I like the look and the extra rubber up front and it will help smooth out the ride...I need all the help I can get.

I have been cutting my axle spacers out of PVC because they are much easier to cut and are a lot less if they do not fit right. Once I get the correct size, I have cutting them in stainless.

Thanks....

Rolling chassis is done. Wheels are aligned and brakes spaced. I am amazed at how easily it came together. I am second guessing the 200mm tire. There is not a lot of room for wires and mounting hardware. 1/4 in each side. Gonna be close.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dmraco1/album?.dir=/df27

Decman...cost me less than $5 to have the spacers cut at Lucky Charm Choppers. Not rocket science...I just did not have the correct kind of saw!

Lookin' good! :smoke

Paint it DONE!
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/all_photos#page1

I used black base and shot a gold mini metal flake over it. Finished with 5 coats of clear. The photos do not do it justice.

I used all HOK paint and shot it thru a $100 HVLP gun in a make shift booth (2x4s and plastic). The finish is perfect with no sanding required. I did get a small run on the underside of the tank. The metal flake is a little heavier than the other paints and ran. It was also getting humid in the booth at this time which did not help. You really have to be looking at the perfect agnle to see it, but I know it is there. I may try sanding a little but do not want to ruin my finish. Also..I know this was a big note in another post....but you should not WAX for 60-90 days. Polishing on the other hand is OK. I suggest the Maquires #7

looking at the run I cannot help but think of a solution. Anyone sanded with 2000 grit paper before?

I got my motor today. This was probably the hardest decision I had to make. I new is was going to be an Evo. My choices were:
--Harley 80 inch evo
--S&S 96 inch
--RevTech 100 inch

Well I decided on the RevTech for a couple of reasons. I have heard great things about the new Gen III RevTech motors. It has a 3 year/30,000 mile warranty, comes with a mikuni carb and intake, has 105 HP, and best of all, I picked it up to super cheap on e-bay. I know the HD is reliable but a stock evo barely makes more than my sporty. S&S is nice but the RevTech has more HP and does not cost $6500 like the S&S.

I have researched this quite a bit because I know the early RevTechs had issues. I know I will catch hell because the motor is made in Asia, but so is almost everything else in the Custom Chrome catalog! I am prepared to deal with it. My sporty has given me tough skin.:boxing

Here is a photo, I hope the next one will be of it IN the bike!

Rolling chassis is done:
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/dmraco@verizon.net/photo/294928803187066569/0

I will be putting in the motor soon. There is not a lot of room for that tire. I am sorry I did not use a 180 instead. The 200 is LARGE! I had 2 wires that I had to run across the fender that I did not anticipate. I used the 3M metal tape (the one for duct work and gutters) to secure the wire. That stuff is tuff! Took my skin off!

I decided to put some flames on the tank in gold leaf. I hand drew some flames and working on the gold now. I hated to sand the clear on the tank, it just looked so pretty!

I think the item I am most excited about are the new hooker 4 bidden pipes I purchased. Not being a master fabrictor, I had to purchase the pipes instead of making them. I think I will be pleased...
http://www.holley.com/data/products/pictures/large27908-3HKR.jpg

Motor is in. As you can see, I will be busy wiring for a while.

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/dmraco@verizon.net/photo/294928803280684231/0

Dave,

Your link to the pics never work for me...
I wanna see!!!!!!

dec

P.S.
Went down yesterday morning on my 2003.
I'm OK but the bike needs a lot of work.

Yeah, they don't work for me either. All I get is a Yahoo page that says Oh, Oh, something happened.

Don't work for me either... yahoo sucks.

Gazza

Try this:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/dmraco@verizon.net/album/576460762311541460#page1

Same for me...link no worky...

-Jay

Try this:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/dmraco@verizon.net/album/576460762311541460#page1
Nope

Gazza

I will get to work on this. DEC...glad to hear you are OK. What happened??

I shrunk the photo so the quality is not as good, but It will give you a good idea....:D

Wow! Now we can see! Looks Great!
PS you look much younger in your photo than we thought you were.

Wow! Now we can see! Looks Great!
PS you look much younger in your photo than we thought you were.


That is my very proud 10yr old son. He still thinks he can ride it because he can touch the ground with his feet when he sits on it! too bad the 12 inch apes and forward controls are to far away or he could. It has a little more power that his 50cc honda though!

Look's good. What size wheel are you running up front?

Look's good. What size wheel are you running up front?

16 inch 130. That is a stock Harley FL rim. It has provisions for disks on both sides. I am only using one. Tire by AVON.

Rear is a 16 inch/200

glad you like.:smoke :clap :banana :banadanc

Very nice !!!

Gazza

Dave,

Looks real good, way to go.

I lost it on an onramp on the parkway Saturday 7am on
the way to a PGR mission. Frame is bent, most likely totaled.

I will get to work on this. DEC...glad to hear you are OK. What happened??

dec...glad t hear you are OK. Not the 100th ANV. Sporty!!!!!!!

Yup, the 2003. I'll post the details in another post.
Looking into fixing it myself, the frame is the big thing.

Good luck with yours and we should ride sometime before years end.

I still have my 1988 chopper on the road.

later
dec

dec...glad t hear you are OK. Not the 100th ANV. Sporty!!!!!!!

Dec...if it is a total loss...50th Anv sporty???

I am hoping to get a few more rides this year. My 2 sons and their football games have hindered me this year. I have been limited to back and fourth to work and a few weekend rides. Cheesesteak Run never happened either!

I am hoping get the rigid fired up before the snow falls. It would kill me to finish it an Janruary and not be able to ride it. Wiring is the only thing slowing me down now.

I do have my 1988 sporty so I may go bigger (not better).

If you need any help on the electrical let me know. I'm pretty
good at that stuff, being an EE and all.

later
dec

very nice dyna bob on Montco HD. It has that flat pewter (silver paint)///looks great!!!

I will give you a frantic call if it does not start. I am keeping it a legal as possible. I am using a Thunder-Heart harness and all tiny LED signals and lights. I will install a few 30amp breakers for safety too.

well, on mine I had to make my own flasher for the LED turn signals. Works great and the parts are from radio shack.

Mine passed NJ inspection, but was done by a gas station
not the state run places.

very nice dyna bob on Montco HD. It has that flat pewter (silver paint)///looks great!!!

I will give you a frantic call if it does not start. I am keeping it a legal as possible. I am using a Thunder-Heart harness and all tiny LED signals and lights. I will install a few 30amp breakers for safety too.

I have has LEDS on my sporty for a while. Pass in PA with no issue. They are actually brighter than the stock bulbs.

The item I cannot decide on is a speedo...electric or cable?? I know the cables are not as accurate but I am trying to keep the wires to a minimum

I am currently moving on to the belt drive. It is a 3 inch BDL for electric start. I have installed the motor plate, dis-assembled the clutch, and pressed the pins in the front pully. I now am trying to put the pulleys and belt on. Putting on the pulleys and them installing the belt does not work, so all three must be installed at the same time and tring to get both the clutch basket and front pully to line up on the splines WITH the belt on isa difficult task.

Anyone with any tips??

Yes, they go on as a set, it's better to have a buddy help you.
I did it on the sporty by myself but it was tricky.

haven't you grown that third arm yet?????

P.S. My LED issue was more for the distance between them
not the brightness. DOT requires about 300mm or so.

BDL primary and pipes are on. My welding skills are limited so I had to buy pipes. I never could have made these...

here is the gas tank. Same gold metal flake over black base but this has 24K gold leaf flames. Looks better out doors

http://www.harleyarena.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6690&d=1163125790

updated photos

Man it's been a while since I peeked in.
That is looking real pretty dmarco!!!!
Good job!

Gazza

FINISHED at Last

Now that's a nice bike!

Even though it's not a sporty......:rolleyes:

Dec...thanks. I hope to put a few miles on it this week. Not registered yet but I can put some local miles with my sporty plate.

How are you...what ever happened with your totalled bike? Started to rebuild??

very nice!! You must be proud?

Question about the seat, is that the "Velocipede" or whatever from the J&P catalog. How do you like the whole rigid/sprung solo setup??

Nice flames too!!

The seat is from ultima. Got it on E-bay for $50.

I bike and seat feel great while sitting still. I am picking up my petcock tomorrow and will put a few miles on it then. I am not expecting much. I have 4 inch springs under the seat and I only inflated the tire to 25lbs. That in combo with the balanced motor should smooth things out a little. I am sure it is no worse than the 1988 sporty I used to ride!!!

Yes the bike is all apart, waiting for the 15% sale at the local
dealer before I order a new frame. I got all the anniversary parts off
ebay so I'm good to go.

Dec...thanks. I hope to put a few miles on it this week. Not registered yet but I can put some local miles with my sporty plate.

How are you...what ever happened with your totalled bike? Started to rebuild??

you should try www.mandmcycles.com. the have 15-20% off custom chrome all the time.

I got a lot of my parts from American Classic Motors. They have a great e-bay store and fantastic prices. they are located close to the boyertown-skippack area so it can be easily picked up

Yes, but the frame has to ordered from HD and the
shipping from a discount dealer will add up. I'm getting a stock
HD frame with the original serial number.

Thought of the rubber mounted FXR frame for the sportster
but I'm not up for another build right now.

you should try www.mandmcycles.com (http://www.mandmcycles.com). the have 15-20% off custom chrome all the time.

I got a lot of my parts from American Classic Motors. They have a great e-bay store and fantastic prices. they are located close to the boyertown-skippack area so it can be easily picked up

here is some video of the 1st start up. Actually the second...the choke was not out the 1st time. Just like OCC!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eUlq97PQN0

http://www.clubchopper.com/photopost/data/500/medium/profile.jpg

here is a better photo

I've got one word and one veggie for you:

WOW! :brocoli