the point of no return

Kev and Ace and Painter, I am going to run forward controls. So maybe they can act as my "curb feelers" so I know when to say when.

 

that gives me a better idea now but no go side tracked with another prodject for now hopefully soon i can start on it again

 

i was wondering what size of gas tank you had on, gallon wise

 

Supposed to be a 3.4 gal. But at the angle it's sitting on, I probably can't get much more than 2.75 in it.

 

i just wanted to say thank you ive seen some sweet bobbers and chopped xjs on this site. but i have to say your deffinatly stickin with the hardcore look and thats what these bikes need. and hopefully, when i get some money that is, i can make my bike like that. bring some of that rat into these rods.

 

I appreciate the words, oldskoo11. When I sarted this project, I had a certain vision in mind. I definitely wanted the rigid, the lines, the look of the way it used to be. The way it was done by guys who for what ever reason would go make what they needed and wanted for their bike instead of buying bolt ons or paying someone to buy and install the bolt ons. Guys who would help one another work on and customize bikes and ask for nothing in return, because they knew when they needed help, they wouldn't have to ask. The buds would be there. It's just the right thing to do. I've got a lot of buds that have helped me, some of them are on this site.
I really think a lot of the people these days "building" bikes are missing the point. You need more than a flat black spray can and a J&P catalog to give a bike personality. I guess that's what these forums are all about. There's a lot of guys on here who get it.

 

Got a little more done this weekend on the scoot. Been kinda busy lately, but I think I finally got the forward control done. Only one control because I'm going to be using a jockey shift. So I made the rear brake control for the right side and a footpeg for the left side. To make the pivot for the forward, I used 1" O.D. tubing that I in three pieces. I used a chop saw to ensure nice straight cuts. I then used some 1/2" all thread and 1/2" nuts. I had to ever so lightly grind the points on the nuts to have them fit snugly inside the tubing. I drilled a couple of 3/8" holes on each end of the tubing. This was for a plug weld to tie the nuts to the tubing, and I then ground the welds smooth. I cut my existing rear brake lever about 3" from the part that tightens to the splines on the frame and drilled a hole in it. I welded the other part of the lever to the middle section of the tubing. For cosmetic purposes I cut the old foot pad off the lever and welded some smaller tubing on it. I hit a snag on the linkage. I needed to cut one end of the link rod to shorten it to the right length, but I didn't have the right size die to thread it. So I'll have to catch that tommorow.
So I figured I'd move on to something else. I got the brake light mounted. And I wrapped one of the exhaust pipes with header wrap to see if I'd like the look. I'm sitting on the fence on this one, so let me know what you think about the pipe wrap. Also does anyone think the brakelight is mounted too low? I'm planning on putting the license plate on the other side of the frame with a couple of the LED holder bolts. So here's a few pics of the controls, brakelight and pipes.
It's been busy around my place lately. Spring in south Louisiana has definitely sprung. This is evident in the first pic.

 

that looks great!! the bikes coming along good too

 

i agree with what you say about the 'need more than flat paint to give it personality' bit. i dont know much about the modding thing - my other thread i talk about my lack of experience with mechanics.... but i mean, i talked to a harley guy the other day about how someone installed some gear for him.. i think workin on the bike is a good experience these guys miss out on.
google and forums like this are a great way to learn bout something new, or learn how to do it yourself - not just for bikes either - which is sweet.
also man, that break light looks pretty sweet there. this bike is f'in sweet since you started dude

 

It's been a while since I've worked on the old clunker. Man, it seems like life can throw ya some curveballs. But I got some time to work on her. I took an old vacuum canister that they use to boost vacuum for old hot rods and mounted it under the seat. Gonna put my electronics in there and put a key switch and push button to start her on the end. Found an old aluminum tank that just happened to be big enough to set a battery in, so now i got my battery box set up. Should be able to start making a wiring harness soon. I hope the wiring diagram making it's rounds on this site is good. Cause if it ain't I am screwed. But I haven't heard any complaints about it so it must be the real deal. I just might have the old girl going in time for the Memorial Day Blow Outs in Gulfport, MS. That's my goal. But I'm not going to rush through just to meet a self imposed deadline. If I make it, I make it. I took the tins off and put them in the hands of my very capable painter/truck driver buddy who can lay down some of the sickest paint around this area. Too bad I want a simple paint scheme. It's kinda like bringing an army tank to hunt for squirrel.

So anyway, here's a few more pics for any of those who's still interested.

 

I am kinda new here and I have just read this entire forum. This bobber is making its way to being one of the classics on this site. Looking nice, keep up the good work.

 

i have started striping it down looking for some parts now will start a post soon as i can find the cord for my camera cannt wait to get it done but am taking my time to do it right any pointers you have would help thanks again

 

are you gonna rake it out?

 

Spicey, the only advice I would give is to start with a vision and see it through. Don't skimp or take shortcuts from a design point. Taking shortcuts from a safety standpoint is an obvious no no, but don't change your vision because another way is easier or faster. The few months you'll get on the bike sooner isn't worth it. Not when you have years of riding ahead of you. I personally have been slow working on mine due to a combination of life being busy and an economy that isn't. But I'd rather wait to ride what I want to ride on than to ride something I compromised on. I'm not going to give into the temptation of getting it done quickly so I can ride if i'm going to look at it later and say to myself, "What was I thinking when I did this?" I hope you feel the same way. As for any technical advice I can give you, I really can't give you more than you already know. And what you know is this site. This site is a wealth of knowledge. If you get to something you are having trouble with or feeling uncomfortable about, search the forums. The guys on here have blazed a trail of trial and error and have left behind the information for guys like us to benefit from so we don't suffer through the errors. Most importantly, be confident and have fun doing the project. Oh, and Spicey, keep us posted on your project.

Newcomer, I'm not going to rake it. I kind of like the short tight front end. I'd like to build a long bike one day, but this ain't it.

 

I see the light at the end of the tunnel. After many delays, I'm now ready for paint and polish. I stripped the frame to go over all my welds one more time and smooth then out. I'm going to polish the motor and forks and paint and polish the wheels. If everything goes well, I should have some color on the frame in the very near future.

Now if only I can get it all back together....

 

that's not a box of junk, its a box of black gold! But seriously this is one sick looking bike. whats up with the bitch pad though. it looks like its on a funny angle and would be difficult to sit on.

 

I'm not the one that has to ride on it. But most of the women I know would just hop on the fender and wrap their legs around a waist. The pad is just a bonus. But the truth is, there's not going to be many passengers on this bike anyways. And definitely for no longer than one bar to the next.

 

I got some color sprayed on the bike today. It helps to have friends in low places. My best friend has a body shop so he basically used what leftover colors he had on the shelf. I got another good friend that manages a paint shop so what little supplies I needed came with the brother-in-law discount. So, 2 days and several several 12 packs later I got a painted frame and tins. Didn't get a pic of the frame but the tins look like this: It's not perfect, but the price was right. Now comes the tedious task of polishing all the aluminum before final assembly.

 

Looking good.

 

Are you sticking with the Budweiser suicide shifter? this paint job looks like it goes well with that.

I have a good idea for a fuel gauge for you. Check out Billy Lane's custom bikes and you will see on one (maybe more) ha made a fuel gauge by taking a small "shot" bottle and attached it upside down to the tank with a 90 degree fitting and a short rubber house. You could do the same using an old style Budweiser bottle on the right side of the tank.

Here's a pic of what I mean http://www.choppersinc.com/flash/popUp_ ... 42_XLG.jpg