And a lot cheaper to do well without cutting corners. I do feel a little pigeonholed using an S&S vtwin, but I really do like the sound of a big-inch Vtwin… and the amount of aftermarket parts is pretty stout.
So your going OCC style. Buy a frame, buy a motor, Buy a trans, have someone do all the paint.
LOL, cake decorating.
I don’t find ANYTHING “Sporty” about a 600lb steel framed, antique designed EVERYTHING that produces more noise than anything.
What difference would it make if I buy a motor/trans new or take one off a donor bike…?
I guess not building a frame could be seen as “cheating”… but I don’t want a frame that’s so radical that I can’t just buy it…
I figured starting with no donor bike would force me to make/improvise more stuff than if I had enough parts to build a complete bike right away…
Isn’t that more or less what all custom bikes are?
I’m not saying your idea is silly, I rather like the idea…but I think the cool part of sourcing a donor bike is in how you make all those parts work on a different frame…If you buy a frame meant for an S&S motor/trans and that’s what you put in it, there won’t be much fabrication to do if you’re looking to do this as a creative outlet…all you’ll really be able to do to personalize the bike is tank, fenders, wheels, and paint. I think it would be cool to buy a frame with no mounting tabs, and decide on a radical powerplant and make it work/make it cool/different.
I guess I’m having a hard time stepping outside of using pan/shovel simply because I like the way that they sound/look… maybe I need to be a bit more open-minded about it…
if those are the powerplants that appeal to you , use what you like…just do something radical with the frame to make it different…like a crazy awesome aluminum spaceframe or something lol.
you could design it in Inventor and send the file out to have the frame built for you…
I guess when I think of bikes, the ones with “radical” frames or engines usually look ridiculous… or really hard to ride. There is a reason why a motorcycle frame is shaped the way it is.
However… you’ve got me thinking…
Now I like where this is going.
I could see you doing something like the following bikes:
http://www.indianlarry.com/motorcycles/index.php
Looks like they are using pretty standard powertrains, but there is a lot of custom and differentiation on them. No idea where they get their frames.
To people that watch TV yes.
IN newman fasion I would think he would find some oddball, kick ass power plant and make it a chopper.
Depending on what motor he goes would leave more / less room for custom fab up ideas. Most V twins have and external trans and oil bag , then he can choose his primary set up open/close.
Or he can find a power plant with an internal trans and keep all the weight more center of gravity. No oil bag is needed leaving room for a more radicial seat.
He can also set up his own rake in the steering next, extend the rear of the frame also.
With the hardtail you want to make sure everything is PERFECT you feel every shake and vibration.
Yeah, 90% of the “choppers” I see these days especially on TV look totally retarded from a comfort/riding standpoint. fuck 1 gallon gas tanks and huge rake angles… whip up a frame design thats a little different looking based around the drivetrain you want to use as well as your personal body dimensions…make it comfortable, otherwise its only going to look cool parked, like OCC bikes.
I would like to use a modular trans/clutch engine with an open primary and oiltank. I like the look and making the oil tank is something I have a loose plan for already…
Keep this in mind. Domestic muscle parts cost < Import performance parts cost < motorcycle performance parts cost < Anything Harley V-twin aftermarket or otherwise cost. The less cylinders the more expensive.
Buying a frame from a reputable builder is a plus in that it has been built from Chromoly and normalized which will help reduce cracking. No one likes a cracked frame, many accidents were caused in the 70s due to shit frames.
Nothing has the sound of a Harley V-Twin simply based on how it’s firing order was setup. Panheads are going to be big money as will a shovel head that won’t break down (you already stated you don’t want to fix things and just look at Walkers bike,every other facebook status for a while there was a break down status. Granted he has a sporty but it is what it is. If you really want reliability (I know I do when it comes to enjoying a bike) I would look at EVO (post 1984) and newer. A Buell engine wouldn’t be bad either but it’s essentially a sportster which isn’t the end of the world. Buells can be had cheap and you could use many of the parts for donor parts. Wheels, brakes, forks, etc.
This would be easiest and cheapest way to go. When setting up a Big twin there is a specific order to bolting the engine and trans up as to not cause undo stress on motor mounts, primary covers, trans mounts etc. Shimming can come into play here. It’s not the worst thing in the world but when you consider the amount of torque and vibration these things produce, it becomes a consideration. Especially with the quality of case castings from those eras.
you REALLY need to come see,hear and maybe ride my bike … then i know you will be deadset on my jap,air cooled v-twin motor … that can be sourced in a wrecked bike cheap
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oh shit … it’s a donk
nailed it.
Those wheels remind me of that hummer with wooden wheels.
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