Cosmetic mods done

Awesome kevin. Have you decided on a color yet? I should be finished with my welding and grinding, and be ready for paint by sunday!

 

I'm either going a lighter green or copper with heavy flake on the frame, I'll probably leave the tank and accesories black. I'm moving on to the pipes, and trying to finish the little things I've been puting off--speedo mount, signals, sissybar(maybe), contemplating jockey shift/foot clutch arrangement. Rear fender. Repaint engine. Front wheel crap. Seca rear wheel swap. Tires if the rear wheel crap works out. Finish tank mounting. Other crap. It's frikkin endless. More beer. It's High Life, by the way not MGD. Or whatever someone else brings.

 

Yes, it is endless. The paint combo sounds cool. Did someone paint your engine?

 

I painted my engine.

 

Yesterday and today were half hearted work days. I got the rear fender mounted up, although I'm not 100% decided if it'll stay or not. Started work on the pipes, I think I have a plan that will work. There's not a whole lot of room back there for 4 pipes to come in, but I have an idea. As if I dont have enough to do, my bro came over with his bike and we started cutting, welding and drinking and it's now residing in my shop for a while. Suzuki GS 450, pretty cool little bike. He's reel keen on how my XJ used to look, so we're going that route with the strus and bars, exhaust etc. Should be a fun little bar hopper when we get it done. Anyways, here's some smaller than usual pics...

 

It's comin together! I can't wait to see the finished product, you seem to have it all worked out.

 

Have you had an engineer look at your modifications? The reason I'm asking is that I don't think your steering stem modifications look particularly safe. Nor does your hardtail look very stong (particularly around the area where it joins the main frame).

Not trying to be an ass, just don't want to see you get hurt.

 

No, I dont really know any engineer that would swing by the house and give their opinion of the structral integrity of my modifications. Tell me more about what you dont think is "particularly safe". The hardtail is is welded solid not only to the tubes that were placed there stock from the factory, but the swingarm also is welded solid to the frame at the hinge point for extra strength. Everything up front is welded with good penetration, and I added a gusset between the backbone and steering tube for additional strength. I'm curious to where you see the weakness.

I suppose only time will tell the sucess and safety of my backyard engineering.

Also my buddy thought of a better use for my "exhaust".

 

I'm not an expert on frame design, but I have gathered a bit of information on it over the years. Have a look at this site:

http://www.thefont.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/bikes/index.htm

This guy has been building frames for many years and his site is a good source of information for practical frame building.

Also look here:

http://www.thechopperunderground.com/forum/

http://www.chopperfix.com/

There are quite a few articles on frame building on these sites (including using DOM tubing as opposed to pipe)

Like I said before, I'm not trying to put you off, just trying to keep you around.

 

can you post a blown up shot of lower shock mount on the left side of your bike and of where you welded the swing arm to the frame?

 

It's not welded, it's bolted thru the tube on the left side.

 

your creativity amazes me... anxiously awaiting more pictures!

 

The pipes are gonna be awesome! Are you still gonna wrap them? When you painted your engine, did you use a specific paint and cleaning process? I really want to paint mine, but someone said it might cause it to overheat as well.

 

I'm undecided about the pipewrap. I used stripper and degreaser and powerwashed my engine thoroughly before painting. I used the duplicolor hi temp w/ceramic and have not really had any problems with it. It might cause your bike to over heat if you put on 12,000 or more coats. I used 3 and have not had a problem.

 

Hi temp paints are OK for air cooled engines. Powdercoating, on the other hand, will keep the heat in (= not good).

 

Cool, thanks guys. I'll have to give it some more thought before I make my decision.

 

Not really a lot of progress lately, added a bit more gusseting up front, started the pipes. I have #4 in the prettymuch how it'll be. #3 Is just kinda in there, I gotta make some changes, I'm not terribly happy with it as is. I'll work it out. Waiting for an 18" rear wheel to show up before I do #1and2. It's gonna be tight back there with the rear tire and all... Anyways, here's a pic.

 

Kevin, hope it all works out for ya, you've come too far to quit now! It's gonna look sick when you get it all back together! Keep us posted.

 

looks sick I would like that do but my bike has to pass a safty still...

 

It's going t looks great when it's done. I think chopping a scoot is almost as much fun as riding it. PD

 

No no, I was refering to the exhaust, not the whole bike. I'm not going to scrap the bike. I have a tranny to replace in my Jag, so the bikes on hold for a few days. I'll be back at it soon enough.

 

Well... um....... I've bought a house, sold a car, sold a bike, and generally been busy as he*l. I threw the bike together as best I could without paint so I can ride it to the new place. More details sometime soon. Well, as soon as I can, I should say.

Maiden voyage. Midnight. No headlight. No plates. No problem. Here's a pic or 3.

 

Looking meaner every time I see new pics....

That bike has undergone some transformation.

Nice work

 

looking real good

 

That exhaust is sick.

 

Looking awesome kevin. The pipes turned out great. How does she sound/ride/idle?

 

Looks awesome man! Can't wait to see a rear fender on it!

Btw, what amount of amps did you need to use to weld up your frame?

 

WOW!!!! I just read/skimmed thru this hole thread. N i have 2 say I love what ur doing 2 ur bike! I wish I had the knowledge/experience 2 do this type of stuff 2 my bike... Or I knew someone that knew how. That could teach me.

 

Most of everything we know is online research and self taught, or at least what I know...

Best way to learn is to pick up the tool and start working.

 

True! But now a days stuff cost some $$$. N I can't just start hackin' n retro-fitting things. If I don't have the $$$ 2 fund it. Just with guesstamation(spelling?)... Don't get me wrong here. I have the $$$ 2 do a project bike. BUT, anything I do "needs" 2 be "on point"!!! Know what I mean?

 

Thanks guys, here's another shot with the fender on. The pipes sound really good, it's a screamer. It runs just as good as it did before teardown (great).

As for "training" I have been to school for welding, some 10 years ago. I also have some electrical training. I've been mechanicly inclined most of my life, my father has/had many "show cars/trucks" as long as I can remember, I guess it's kinda soaked in through the years. I guess the most of what I've done stems from not being afraid to tear into it, or perhaps having the self confidence to make it work. Again, thanks for the compliments, it's an endless project---it'll never be "done". As for $$$, I really dont have more than about $1500 in this thing, including the bike. It could be a bit less, there are lots of things I've bought and took off or never used. These bikes are very economical, a great deal is just having the tools to do the job.

 

I am scared. Someone hold me.

 

I likin the re bar for the fender. I was thinkin of usin that too. I used it on my headlight bracket. Just looks bloody nice i think

 

Sweet.
I still like the fishing pole holders. And you can put a 12 pack in the ammo can.....
...BEACH here we come

 

Unfortunately the ammo can houses the battery and all electrical. No room for a 12'er.

 

Looks great.

You may have said before, but do you have your carb specs? Jets and pilot screw setting?

Also, is that Dunlop Qualifier on the rear actually a front tire? It looks like the front tire tread pattern, but it's FAT! If it IS a front tire, it must be for a dresser......

 

Did the suspension for that seat come off of a mountain bike, or does someone make those? Either way, it looks like it'd work really well.

 

Yes, it's intended for a mountain bike, and yes, it does work pretty well.

I have stock jets in my carb, and I'm not sure of the settings, I never counted, i use a colortune and turn till it's right. The Dunlop is a 130.

 

Hmmm, I wonder where that idea for the rear fender comes from?! Looks good!

 

Ha! If I did steal your design, it was totally unintended and/or subconsciencly done. I suppose great minds think alike. I'm actually thinking of rounding mine a bit more, it's got a little too much "Discovery Channel" in it right now.

 

Hey, no problem Keven.
Your scoot is amazing. It's definetely one of a kind and that's what makes it unique.
My take on the whole chop, bob and custom thing, was to keep the sport bike characteristics of the Secas handling/performance, but make it a cruiser with a more laid-back seating position, with forward controls and higher handlebars (personal preference) which I find to be more comfortable. I do long rides with mine (all day - 500+ miles) so I need to be comfortable in the saddle.
I can't wait to start another bike "facelift" now that I have it in my blood!

 

Here's a few I took today out in the sun...

 

looks insane

 

Liking the bird-shooters and the survivalist look.
What's the angle on the floorboards? How do they ride?

 

So when is she getting paint? Or are you gonna leave it bare metal?

 

I tacked the floorboards where they felt comfortable ad welded them in.

Paint? probably at the end of the season. I kinda got rushed in the rebuild--- I bought a house, sold my other bike and reassembled this quickly to have a rider for the summer. I would have liked to had more time but circumstances dictated that I do what I did. I'll do more eventually, but for now it is as it is.

 

18" rear wheel from a Seca. Trailwing tire. I'm gonna strip the black to match the front when new brake shoes arrive next week. Rides great, digs holes in the lawn great also.

 

Nice mods, I like your exhaust.

 

thanks!

 

Done any more work yet?

You must be settled in the new place by now