http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php This is the XL Forum for Sportster and Buell Motorcycle Enthusiasts at http://www.xlforum.net en Wed, 22 May 2013 08:10:15 GMT vBulletin 60 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=859 Wed, 15 May 2013 14:57:54 GMT .................................. BTW .....Being off work for about 6,days now my hands are almost completely healed up. Work related I guess. Almost home. Am so excited to see my dogs. YAY. My daughter is so independent ....a good thing. ..................................

BTW .....Being off work for about 6,days now my hands are almost completely healed up. Work related I guess.

Almost home. Am so excited to see my dogs. YAY.

My daughter is so independent ....a good thing. ]]> sportyblue http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=859 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=856 Sat, 04 May 2013 22:51:32 GMT I've decided to list all the changes I've made to my bike here on this blog. Seems like a good place. I did a build thread last year and it's long and messy. I really need to write this stuff down so I don't forget it. There probably will not be any rhyme nor reason to how the stuff gets listed, I'm just coming off the top of my head...

The bike started out as a 2004 1200XLC. It is now has a Hammer Performance 1250 top end on it.

Wheels:
Front: Chromed 19" 13 spoke HD cast aluminum with a Metzeler 110/90 Marathon 880 with after market polished stainless steel rotors and new bearings.

Rear: Chromed 16" 13 spoke HD cast aluminum with a Metzeler 160/80 Marathon with matching after market polished stainless steel rotor and new bearings.

Forks: 2" over with Works Performance dual rate springs, Ricor Intiminators, 3.125" spacers and 12 Oz. of Amsoil 5 wt. fork oil in each fork. Also using the shortest cross over spacers in the short springs. The sliders are new and the right one is for the R model to accommodate the dual disc brakes. Superbrace fork brace.

The steering head bearings were replaced with 3° raked cups and new bearings.

Shocks: Ricor Racing Shocks

The front and rear motor mounts were replaced along with the dog bones and swing arm bearings. New Barnett throttle and clutch cables have been installed. I'm using an Energy One clutch with the stronger spring. There is a new HD battery with Terry Components battery cables running to an All Balls 1.4 kw starter on the bike. The bike has a HD laydown licence plate bracket without the turn signals relocated and custom plate nuts made my me. The turn signal lenses are smoked front and back. The seat is a Mustang Vintage Solo held down with a custom knob of my creation. The rear wheel adjuster caps are also custom made items. The grips are HD OEM. The rear fender has a Kuryakyn smoked tail light on it. I swapped out the forward controls for mids. The shifter peg is a modified Snap-On deepwell 12pt 9/16" socket. The breather insert, timing insert and clutch cover all say Sportster. I'm running a National Cycles Street Shield wind shield and an after market life time oil filter. I swapped out the 29 tooth final drive sprocket for a 28 tooth sprocket that I lightened. There is also a HD solo bag attached to the bike. There will be a chrome upper belt guard on there next week to go along with the lower chrome belt guard. I think it needs a bit more chrome toward the rear to contrast with all the black. A HD tachometer has been added. That's about all I can think of right now.

Engine: 2004 1200C

Lower End: Stock

Cylinders: HAMMER Performance-Black 3.563" I.D.

Pistons: HAMMER Performance-3.563" 30° reverse dome.

Heads: 03' Buell XB, HAMMER Performance Crush service, 1.900" Intake, 1.615" Exhaust, 5/16" Valve Guides, Sledge Hammer competition 5/16" valve spring kit .650 lift. Breather bolt holes drilled and tapped. 30° squish cut.

Rockers: S&S Roller Rockers

Pushrods: Custom length :
Rear Intake = 10.6500"
Rear Exhaust = 10.7000"
Front Intake = 10.6450"
Front Exhaust = 10.7150"

Lifters: Jims PowerGlide II Hydraulic Tappets

Cams: HAMMER Performance CRUSH 600s

Carburation: HSR Mikuni 45- 20.0 pilot jet, 170 Main jet, 98 needle middle notch and a #50 accelerator pump nozzle. The needle jet is stock. The accelerator pump comes on as soon as the throttle is twisted (no gap) and stays on all the way through full throttle. Custom made choke bracket.

Air Filter: HAMMER Performance Biller Air Hammer with forward offset and 3" filter

Intake Manifold: HAMMER Performance Billet

Exhaust: Patriot Defender

Ignition: Daytona Twin Tec TC88A with custom map!

Coil: Daytona Twin Tec

Clutch: Energy One

Transmission: Stock

Other Mods: Pingle Petcock, Scott Performance plug wires, Denso IXU24 Iridium plugs, Buell Oil Pump, All Balls Racing starter.
Comments: The build thread can be viewed here.





There is nothing eye popping special about the look. It's more or less what I think a stock C model should look like coming off the factory floor. Of course mine desperately needs paint. It's still sporting the road rash from last years wreck! :doh

]]> ~Grind~ http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=856 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=855 Sat, 04 May 2013 22:44:51 GMT Image: http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/a8grind/03FB265A-C691-49EC-8A45-0645BEEDCB0C-4016-00000DED14B8F716.jpg (http://s670.photobucket.com/user/a8grind/media/03FB265A-C691-49EC-8A45-0645BEEDCB0C-4016-00000DED14B8F716.jpg.html) Image:...





]]> ~Grind~ http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=855 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=854 Sat, 04 May 2013 22:42:26 GMT Choke knob and seat bolt. Image: http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/a8grind/SeatandChokeknobs.jpg (http://s670.photobucket.com/user/a8grind/media/SeatandChokeknobs.jpg.html) Image: http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv65/a8grind/Swingarmdice.jpg ... Choke knob and seat bolt.





This next pic is just an example of the type of machine work I do for a living. This part was made from the sample part on the left on a Bridgeport Mill. About all the documentation told me was the type of material to make it out of.



]]> ~Grind~ http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=854 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=846 Sun, 07 Apr 2013 02:36:07 GMT Keenserts all inserted...all holes good now. Image: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dT4ZjlYISlE/UWCWxTPZvzI/AAAAAAAAC38/3KgsPwFyKwg/s640/2013-04-06%252020.59.57.jpg Image: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hg5noigfzbo/UWCWyQKOTzI/AAAAAAAAC4E/iZaeZJI8sHM/s640/2013-04-06%252021.00.33.jpg Keenserts all inserted...all holes good now.



]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=846 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=845 Sat, 06 Apr 2013 08:58:04 GMT Not sure if this should be checked or not, however I decided to check the trueness of my cases.

Put some engineers blue on the face and ran it over a thick glass plate (best flat level surface I could find) to check for any high spots.

Didn't find any, just a few holes to repair the threads on with keenserts.

]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=845 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=843 Sat, 30 Mar 2013 15:36:56 GMT New seat fitted from Rich Phillips leather.....black leather with brass rivets Image: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-34gR9vi-ays/UVbqHE7yMDI/AAAAAAAACyg/fRhvsSt1OEA/s512/2013-03-30%252010.54.32.jpg Image:... New seat fitted from Rich Phillips leather.....black leather with brass rivets




Wiring completed....
Front brake bled....


Time to put the engine back together and drop it in the frame. ]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=843 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=839 Sat, 23 Mar 2013 03:19:35 GMT Image: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Jj-GqisljSQ/UUWgk73jP0I/AAAAAAAACtw/pLAoAOuWjlo/s640/2013-03-17%252009.28.06.jpg Image: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k2rCb91ag_U/UUWgQdhoWQI/AAAAAAAACtg/_e88v6umKG0/s640/2013-03-17%252009.27.52.jpg Image:...





Got a new seat coming also, no more white, just black and brass. ]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=839 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=836 Sun, 17 Mar 2013 10:34:33 GMT Image: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SH8CxMqlKFw/UTNAFo3VPII/AAAAAAAACpA/QdiUQzT9vJc/s512/2013-03-03%252015.26.23.jpg Spliced, taped and wrapped....the old school way.

Spliced, taped and wrapped....the old school way. ]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=836 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=833 Mon, 04 Mar 2013 02:24:44 GMT Intended to only keep the idiots off my bike when it is parked. Image: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-evqGogEG-GQ/UTM_999OlxI/AAAAAAAACo4/iJI9TosyMjY/s912/2013-03-03%252014.20.00.jpg Image:... Intended to only keep the idiots off my bike when it is parked.





It has a warn away feature, tilt and shock sensors with a radio paging system. ]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=833 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=827 Sun, 24 Feb 2013 04:15:38 GMT I found a local leather craftsman as I wanted to get all the stainless buckles and rivets changed over to brass on my solo and tool bags. He did an awesome job, thanks to David from DSM Leather. Image:... I found a local leather craftsman as I wanted to get all the stainless buckles and rivets changed over to brass on my solo and tool bags.

He did an awesome job, thanks to David from DSM Leather.





]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=827 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=823 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 04:34:52 GMT I had to space out the disc brake rotor on my front wheel to get some clearance between the spokes and the 2 piston caliper I installed. Tried some individual spacers on each mounting bolt (as per the installation instructions), however the rotor was not running true and had so much run out it... I had to space out the disc brake rotor on my front wheel to get some clearance between the spokes and the 2 piston caliper I installed.

Tried some individual spacers on each mounting bolt (as per the installation instructions), however the rotor was not running true and had so much run out it was binding in some areas. Got a proper spacer made up out of my old brake disc and it worked perfectly.



]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=823 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=813 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 02:10:49 GMT Headlight mounting bracket Image: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-edEIKQ0_6TI/URb6fPA9NsI/AAAAAAAACe4/AQnv8H8Yi8s/s512/2013-02-10%252008.29.23.jpg Rear view mirror Image: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-87ekz9odDMU/URb56B9LPFI/AAAAAAAACek/bsWBLLzKF5E/s512/2013-02-10%252008.29.52.jpg ... Headlight mounting bracket


Rear view mirror


Tank decal


Roller almost done, just a couple of things left to do:
- Speedo cable
- Brake line
- Brake disc rotor spacers to fit up
]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=813 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=807 Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:46:41 GMT Image: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-USo1CSATPY4/UQUxtbnxaZI/AAAAAAAACWk/ukG30xUiat4/s512/2013-01-27%252018.30.09.jpg Whilst I love the brass luggage rack I made up for my build, it is not really suited to be used as a seat so I decided to make up a quick install passenger seat. Ist...

Whilst I love the brass luggage rack I made up for my build, it is not really suited to be used as a seat so I decided to make up a quick install passenger seat.

Ist Step was to find some black rubber hose that I could fit over the brass rods on my luggage rack to prevent them from getting scratched. Used some black fuel line hose and cut it down the middle so it would fit over the brass rods.



Next I fitted up some spring type tool clips to the wooden base I made for my seat. The clips were sized to be a tight push fit over the rubber hose on the brass rods.



Seat simply just pushes on over the bars in a few seconds. Not designed for the long haul, perhaps just taking a few friends for a spin around the block.

]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=807 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=806 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 09:04:37 GMT Fitted up a brass spinner oil cap, had to custom make an adapter to suit. Image: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8O3YjVmWUao/UPuafz7JZnI/AAAAAAAACUM/Ck4e35MT4VY/s640/2013-01-20%252014.19.23.jpg Roller almost done, just some wiring left now. Image:... Fitted up a brass spinner oil cap, had to custom make an adapter to suit.


Roller almost done, just some wiring left now.
]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=806 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=805 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 09:03:48 GMT Made up some axle spacers for both sides and also had to make up some spacers for the disc rotor to allowance enough clearance so the caliper is clear of the spokes. Image: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o_EYOuCq58Y/UPuf9xSdnXI/AAAAAAAACVM/IDTlSqby12c/s640/2013-01-20%252014.20.31.jpg ... Made up some axle spacers for both sides and also had to make up some spacers for the disc rotor to allowance enough clearance so the caliper is clear of the spokes.


Mounted the fender with some custom made brackets, all painted satin black with brass nuts.


Fitted up the brake caliper and painted the mounting arm satin black.


Changed over my chrome seat springs to black ones
]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=805 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=804 Sun, 20 Jan 2013 09:02:15 GMT Forks Stops - used a rubber stopper and added some brass backing washers and brass nuts. Image: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PSYcJ4XorYA/UPugZlEa-9I/AAAAAAAACVU/q141futjYZI/s512/2013-01-20%252014.24.27.jpg Image:... Forks Stops - used a rubber stopper and added some brass backing washers and brass nuts.




Decal on the front fender
]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=804 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=801 Sun, 06 Jan 2013 06:29:52 GMT The weather finally cooled down for a few days after the week long heat wave of +38 degrees Celsius (i.e. 100F) so I managed to get a few things done: Tank - brass spinner gas cap, some old school graphics, pingel old school brass petcock Speedo - Drag Specialities white face gauge (body... The weather finally cooled down for a few days after the week long heat wave of +38 degrees Celsius (i.e. 100F) so I managed to get a few things done:

Tank - brass spinner gas cap, some old school graphics, pingel old school brass petcock

Speedo - Drag Specialities white face gauge (body painted satin black of course)

Springer - changed the chrome springs to black







]]> 62 Ironhead http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=801 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=800 Sat, 05 Jan 2013 00:44:50 GMT Hey all, thought I'd finally post to the blog. Love my Sporty. ]]> rob91326 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=800 http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=792 Sat, 22 Dec 2012 11:04:53 GMT Back in the early '70s I was just your typical teenager, only I had a tendency toward the wild side of life. I was the guy who would skip classes so I could ride my dirt bikes on the private land owned by a research facility in San Antonio, Texas. I was also the guy who smoked pot, procured alcohol, and would get into a lot of fights and other trouble.

I remember going to a mall, the first indoor mall in San Antonio called The Valley Hi Mall. I was at this mall and I was approached by a girl I knew from school named Lisa Middleton. She handed me a Jesus Tract (a pamphlet used to lead a person into the Christian faith) and told me I was invited to a party at Canyon Lake the coming weekend. I read the tract and on the back the invitation was repeated only it said "The HUB invites you ..."

Having only dirt bikes for transportation I told Lisa I'd love to go but I didn't think I'd find a way there. She told me no problem, just go by her house Saturday morning and I could ride with her group. So I did.

When I got to Lisa's house I was a bit surprised to find there were several vehicles going caravan style, and probably about 15 people or so. Many were carrying guitars and everyone was genuinely happy and excited. The "adults" that were going weren't even anyone's parent but were in their early twenties as far as I could tell.

Back then Canyon Lake was pretty much ALL open access. You did not have to pay for a campsite and only had to follow some simple rules about littering and such. We went to the North Park end which is pretty close to the dam. It was dark by the time we got there, but I don't remember what time it was. The first thing everyone did was go swimming.

North Park has these "cliffs" you could jump off from and dive into the water. They were only 15 to 20 feet high, but when standing on the edge it can be a little unnerving. It was night and pitch black so you could not even see the water below, so someone would hold a flashlight and point it at the water so you'd know where to dive. This, I learned, was important because below the water were big boulders you could accidentally land on if you didn't land right.

My turn for my first dive I was scared shitless. The guy holding the flashlight told me to jump as an act of faith. That didn't help much but I didn't want to be the pussy of the group so I dived head first. I hit the water hard, but I did hit the water. You see, at the time of my dive I was not aware of the boulders. It wasn't until daylight the next day that I saw just how frigging dangerous what we were doing was!

After the swim we went back to the camp where a fire was going and food being eaten. Guitars started playing and everyone started singing. Christian songs. Songs that everyone in the group had written themselves, and the common theme in all the songs were what Christ can do for the sinner and a new life following Christ. They were good songs, lively and moving at the same time. It was infectious and even I had to join in adding my voice.

During the two days at the camp I don't recall ever being told what to do, not even one time. The three or four adults that were there were just part of the group, not running it. Looking back it amazes me how organized everything pulled off with nobody being in charge. It was during that first night I learned what I had stumbled into.

This was a church. Not a church with a building. Not a church with a governing body (aside from Christ). These people, who called themselves The Hub, were just all people from my hometown of San Antonio, Texas who got together several times a week to party, worship, and lead people to Jesus Christ through example. I was lead to Jesus Christ, and it was very compelling.

For many months afterward I would participate in The Hub's activities. I would always get word that we were meeting at so-in-so's house, or at the park or that river. It was always the same, no one person in charge but as a group it was always decided where the next "meeting" would take place. Many time we would just throw a party and invite people from all over to come. It was an amazing time.

My last activity with The Hub was a Halloween deal we put together. We got permission to use some land in a wooded rural area just a short distance from my neighborhood. Whereas other more organized and funded groups were setting up "haunted houses" we decided to make a "trail of horrors". I was Leather Face from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (new in theaters at the time). There was no admission. You just went into the woods on one end and followed the trail to the other ... getting the shit scared out of you along the way.

After that I found myself in court the fourth time for truancy. I might have been enjoying the Christian lifestyle, but I was still very much a rebellious teen. I was ordered to take a vocational training course (my choice) and expelled from high school. I took small engine repair. During the months that followed I lost interest in the Christian social life. I became more and more the social outcast who'd rather go to a party where everyone got drunk and stoned and acted stupid. That defined my life for many years.

I was 43 years old before I got back in touch with my Christian faith and turned my life around. Oh how I wish I would have stayed with The Hub. I often think back to those days and wonder what happened to everyone, I wonder if The Hub is still around in one form or another. If you Google "the Hub" you be presented with some groups that belong to some form of organized religion, or mainstream church ... but not The Hub I knew. ]]> Baphomet http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/blog.php?b=792