Step One?

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

For those of you who havent read my intro to the community, Im a complete Noob to building and have a 1979 XS650 I want to make into the most basic chopper possible.

I have started the tearing down of the bike and I am nearly complete. My thought is that the frame is the first thing I need to concentrate on with the build. Am I correct in this thinking? If not where should I start?

I have found the two or three shops that will weld the hardtail my current frame. What is everyone reccommedation as to who I should use and why?

Black Widow
G&L Choppers
TC Bros Choppers

PS - Im only gonna apologize for my stupid questions once. I'm learning on the fly here guys and gals! Thanks! Embarassed

drifter · Posted: April 4, 2008, 12:42 am Post subject: Re: Step One?

The first thing to do is to get an idea in your head of what EXACTLY you want. Then scetch it out. This will allow you to try different things, like wheel sizes, tube lengths, frame stretches and rakes, etc. Remember, its easy to erase a scetch if you screw up, but one the weld is done, its a lot harder to erase it!
If you are going with a hardtail, decide on the fork length at the saem time, as on affects the other. A long hardtail section and long forks look good, but lead to really bad handling in corners and such. Short hardtail and more stock length forks make for a good handling ride. This is why the early bikes, (Indian, HD, Triumph, etc.), used a short rigid frame and short forks. Early bobbers kept the same diminsions for handling.
Long chops are good on straight highway rides, but bad in twisties. Short bikes and good in twisties, but can be squirrelly sometimes at highway speed. Find a happy medium.
Crap....looks like I'm writing a book!
Once you have your design in mind and on paper,begin gathering parts. Often accessability to parts can alter your design midway through the build. If you get the parts in advance you can be sure of haveing what you need when you need it.
If you need any more help, Just ask. I've spent 35 years building H-D bobbers and choppers. Now I'm content with my XS!

Toytrk85 · Posted: April 4, 2008, 1:29 am Post subject: Re: Step One?

As drifter stated I would plan everything first (maybe search this site as well as other for ideas and the style you want to go with) and then put it all down on paper.

I spent a bit more than I wanted due to not planning ahead and just purchasing parts but sometimes thats how you learn. Also consider when changing one part you may have to find solutions to the different parts associated with each (IE- wheels, you also need to consider axle bolts, brakes/rotors/drive sprockets, then depending on the brakes you have to look into brake lines/brake masters, and then consider brake light switch options) The only stock parts on my XS is the front frame hoop and the engine (everything other part has been changed) so I needed to find alot of different options. Might not want to dive in to deep on your first chop (at least not at first).

Just my .02 and if you need help we'll be there! Oh and for hardtails done forget about kansas kustoms.

Nick

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

Great advice already..thanks.

Im going to try and keep the stock wheels I have, they are the mag type and look to be in good shape, (as do the tires) and look good, also the stock tank, headlight and possibly the rear fender if I can adjust it to make it look right. I have found a website that helps to calculate rake and other questions of that type. Because I add the hardtail, does that mean I automatically change the gearing,chain drive, brakes, etc or will I be able to use stock parts for that as well? Im headed to the drawing board (that should be interesting) Laughing

to do a rough sketch.

Thanks again.

drifter · Posted: April 4, 2008, 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: Step One?

You can still run stock gearing, brakes, etc. chain will need to be changed since the hardtail will probably be longer than the stock swing arm. Rake and trail are no problem if you use the stock frame steering head geometry (no stretch) and stock length tubes. You can also shgorten the tubes by sliding them up in the triple clamps to give a low lean mean appearance.

Dave

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

drifter wrote:

You can still run stock gearing, brakes, etc. chain will need to be changed since the hardtail will probably be longer than the stock swing arm. Rake and trail are no problem if you use the stock frame steering head geometry (no stretch) and stock length tubes. You can also shgorten the tubes by sliding them up in the triple clamps to give a low lean mean appearance.

Dave

Perfect...the more I can use what I have the the better. Thanks.

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

I just about have a sketch done..any reccomendations on which hardtail to use?

oldskoolcool · Full Member Joined: Sep 08, 2007 Posts: 372

i would go TC...my black widow wasn't to great.

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

some progress to post. My wheels have been painted and tires mounted, motor is complete. Here are a few shots. Frame is being finished up. Mock up for everything else is next week. Cant wait to get this done! Very Happy

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

more updates..

SRDESIGNER · Full Member Joined: Jun 05, 2008 Posts: 31

I've noticed this on other threads, that the first photos posted are visible to me but subsequent ones are not. You're last post photos just have details listed and no photos. Maybe it's my system, but I can still see all of your other posted photos.

Just curious if anyone else is not seeing what I'm not seeing...

SRDesigner

drifter · Posted: June 15, 2008, 9:51 pm Post subject: Re: Step One?

Beanerbiker, that's gonna be a sweet looking ride! Keep posting the pics as the work progresses.

Dave

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

Got my pipes from G&L.. will some minor adjustments to my brake, but they are gonna look great! Very Happy

davs2601 · Posted: July 2, 2008, 4:54 pm Post subject: Re: Step One?

Your pipes look great. I have thought about ordering here a set once I get closer to completion. What are you going to do for forward controls. I was looking at the sets from TCBros, but I dont think they will work because the pipes come too far forward. What are your plans?

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

davs2601 wrote:

Your pipes look great. I have thought about ordering here a set once I get closer to completion. What are you going to do for forward controls. I was looking at the sets from TCBros, but I dont think they will work because the pipes come too far forward. What are your plans?

I ordered the TC forwards...the guy putting them on for me is going to make an adjustment to the brake, other than that they will work..I will post pics as soon as its done.

stevied58 · Full Member Joined: May 24, 2007 Posts: 68

beaner any updates?was enjoying watching your build come together

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

stevied58 wrote:

beaner any updates?was enjoying watching your build come together

should have some more stuff in the next few days I hope. I should have more pics to post by this Tuesday or next. thanks for checkin in..

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

updates to the build...

The headlamp will be moved..the guy helping me was messin with me. She should be running by the end of the week. Its really coming together. I will be changing the front fender to match the rear. The seat will be moved back about 2 inches. Im completly pumped about the bike at this point and cant wait to get it done!!!! Twisted Evil

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

one more pic..

stevied58 · Full Member Joined: May 24, 2007 Posts: 68

beaner looking good,keep going

sure · Full Member Joined: May 07, 2008 Posts: 195

can I ask why you mounted your brake stop like that?
to me it ruins the flow of the line of the bike.

sidfacekilla · New Member Joined: Jul 10, 2008 Posts: 6

Looking good. Cant wait to see what it looks like complete. What hardtail did you end up going with? And how much strech?

pumps · Posted: July 25, 2008, 6:33 am Post subject: Re: Step One?

Coming right along and looks good. What have you decided for paint?

BeanerBiker · Full Member Joined: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 103

I used TC Bros hardtail...the forks are stock, sportster tank. As for the brake light, it took some mods to even get it on, we are still making alterations to the design, so it may be changed, final mock should be this week. Im going with black, not flat or high gloss, in between the two. Im planning on having some old school hand painted pinstriping done in red and white on the tank and different areas of the bike to set it off. I was even thinking a pin-up girl on the tank, but thats a way off.

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