Wide tire rigid ironhead...My history My Chop...Hahahah!!

[johnston]

Hey all, been lurking around here for a while. Got turned on to this site by BigJim. I'm in the process of building a rigid iron head bobber. I grew up around Harleys and choppers, my dad was into them. I have had several bikes, and just sold my 2001 Springer. I have always wanted to actually build a chopper myself. I have absolutely no experience, I can't weld, or fabricate to save my life....I'm doing it anyway. I did do a bunch of stuff to my softail, but it just wasn't "chopper" enough, so it's gone and here I am in the middle of this build. So far the nickname of this thing is going to be "PoC 1". When I told my wife I was going to pick up the donor bike, she said "Ohhh...nice....the Piece Of Crap One?" so there you have it. It'll start off as a rat and hopefully polish up nice later...anyway, here's some pics of bikes my dad and I have owned...as well as some progressive pics of the build. I'll be asking lots of questions that you have all answered a million times, looking for parts that probably don't exist, and probably be a pain in the butt to you veterans......bare with me...

Dad's Triumph.....



Dad's Honda (Notice the new Mach 1)



The other Triumph



His ironhead (Yeah, he likes chrome)



Here's the bike he rides now (it's got about 60k on it....Yeah, he still likes to ride....and yeah, he still likes chrome)

[johnston]

Well I don't have any pictures of anything I rode before the softail....weren't anything spectacular anyway...Here's a some pics of the softail.....


This is what she looked like when I brought her home. I had already taken the buck horns off though...



First incarnation, X Pipes, Big Sucker, Broomstick Bars blah blah blah



Final product....pretty cool....just not so chopper..



Think my dad influenced me at all???

[johnston]

And here's some pics of the chop....

Day I picked up the donor (ain't she pretty) 1979.....Yup, the blacksheep...16k miles....traded for about $500 in firearms



Everything I'm not using....(PM me if you see something you want)



About 2 weeks worth of polishing on the rocker boxes, cam and primary covers. (looking for chrome primary and cam covers, PM me if you know of any) new top end, .30 over, powder coated heads, harley black crinkle paint...



Kraft Tech frame.....wide tire...wasn't looking for one but couldn't pass up the deal. Guy told me it was for an Ironhead. I think he lied. Only the rear motor mounts line up. Front motor mounts are no where close. Trying to work something up. Not digging the oil tank either. Would rather have a round one with battery holder (Trades????) Tank is mostly bondo....Looking for a little 2.whatever gallon (whatcha got?)



Tire and wheel I bought off eBAy for $65. It's missing a spoke, and has a crappy paint job...... but it's 16" X 5.5" with a 180mm Avon...Something Else I couldn't pass up...








Well there it is...that's where I am. Narrow glide fxe front end should be here Monday, with a 21" tire and wheel later in the week. Tell me what you think, give me some suggestions, let me know where to get parts.....and don't get ticked off when I asked stupid questions....

Thanks!

-Johnston

[indian Mark]

Great looking project you got there. I dig your old man's bikes. No such thing as a stupid question.

[budoka]

+1 on the old man's chops. looks like you've been smart and actually listened to him quite a bit too. good idea.

your project is looking great so far. nothing wrong at all with those sweet old IHs.

now get back to the garage. we need more progress pictures.

-dan

[Yona]

Narrow that tank , front to back and drop it more in the front till it is level, move the filler cap up till it is at the top peak...maybe round the bottom of the tank....wouldn't look to bad!!

Aren't the front mounts just plate ..???,,,just bolt up the back suport the front of motor and make cardboard templates for each side and send them to me and I will make them for you.....dibs on makeing your seat though............

[servi53]

very cool project, and it's nice that your lift is very close to your tools for easy access. George

[johnston]

Great looking project you got there. I dig your old man's bikes. No such thing as a stupid question.

Dad thanks you. I might have forgot to mention that I'm 39 and he's in his mid 60's. Just so you guys know we aren't a couple of young bucks.

[johnston]

+1 on the old man's chops. looks like you've been smart and actually listened to him quite a bit too. good idea.

your project is looking great so far. nothing wrong at all with those sweet old IHs.

now get back to the garage. we need more progress pictures.

-dan

I'll keep posting as I go along. I'm not going to waste time posting every new nut and bolt, but as thing progress I'll get them up here.

[johnston]

Narrow that tank , front to back and drop it more in the front till it is level, move the filler cap up till it is at the top peak...maybe round the bottom of the tank....wouldn't look to bad!!

Aren't the front mounts just plate ..???,,,just bolt up the back suport the front of motor and make cardboard templates for each side and send them to me and I will make them for you.....dibs on makeing your seat though............

hahahhaha!! Can I do all that stuff to the tank with a couple screwdrivers and a dewalt cordless drill??

The front mounts are just plates and I think I have the left sides worked out okay. The right side is offset a bit and the plate will need to be bent to make it work. I actually have an old street sign that I have used to make some brackets. It's aluminum though. Maybe I could get the template made out of the aluminum and you could copy it on mild steel? I would compensate you of course

You make seats? Do you tool your own leather? I really want to incorporate the "PoC1" thing into the seat.

[johnston]

very cool project, and it's nice that your lift is very close to your tools for easy access. George

Thanks Goerge. My "lift" is actually a rolling tool chest from Sears....

[johnston]

Hey guys, thanks for all the comments.

The front tire and wheel actually got here Friday. Pretty nice setup I must say. The front end is scheduled for delivery tomorrow.

[johnston]

Anyone know where I can get axle spacers?





and also a sprocket spacer?

[Yona]

[quote="

You make seats? Do you tool your own leather? I really want to incorporate the "PoC1" thing into the seat.

Some I have done for people on CBH & CW................

[johnston]

right on man! Obviously I wont be needing it for a little while. PM me some pricing if you want. Great work man, that first one is what I'm looking for...