I can see my future

The Ironhead is out and on its way to Japan, so now its time for the next. The '01 sportster that I picked up earlier this summer will be making its way to the chopping block. I will be building a 'cafe racer' inspired bike from it, for a friend.

It still in the concept phase, but here is where my line of thinking is.

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No matter where the top half of the build ends up, I think the engine cases will get cut down, the oil bag and battery box will be remade to be more pleasing, high and tight 'scrambler' pipes, and probably some clip on bars(comfort depending, no rear sets because of wanting to keep it a 2up bike).

Hodaka Ace 90 tank with custom removable cowl...

Harley Rapido tank with custom removable cowl...

This is going to be a fun (and fast) one!

On to the Next

With the completion of the Ironhead, I have set my gaze on the next projects.
A 76 Triumph T140V will get a revamping this winter, and hopefully I'll get hands on a shovel head that should be a fun project.

To facilitate these projects the Ironhead is up for sale, still gleaming from its last coat of clear.
You can bid on Ebay, or shoot me an offer at Jimmydhorn(a)gmail.com

Ironhead on Silodrome

If I was told at the start of this build that this bike would be featured anywhere I would have laughed and said the next owner must be talented.

But after a long build, in over my head the entire time, I came out on top. Not alone, there was a solid support group around at all times. Even though they never actually got their hands dirty, I couldn't have done it without them. You all know who you are, so thank you. And join me in this victory on Silodrome.

Presenting the Bastard 79 XLCH ironhead

After a year or so of building, painting, braking, welding, scrapping and bleeding here is the 79 ironhead. 

Photos by Scott Meadows

Thanks to everyone who helped, watched, and waited.

Who said new bikes were reliable?

Took the 'new' sporty out this weekend, didn't get all that far. so much for the whole new bike = reliable bike. The previous owner was a big car guy, but knew very little about bikes. I have started down the path of redoing everything he had touched, but obviously haven't gone far enough down that path. But its getting closer, and when its there, I'll have a reliable low miles sporty to rack up miles on.

Midnightrun

It lived up to the late 80 action-comedy classic name. Three dudes on some lean mean machines, stalling at every other light.

I did discover that I'm either going to need a longer clutch lever, or really beef up my forarm. There is also a few more bolts that could use some locktight. 

Photo Credits to oldepro

Happy shakedown day

Happy Memorial Day!

Also happy shakedown day!

Came in to the garage early morning, turned on the bike, did a bit of engine tuning and played with the carb a bit. and the ironhead is finally road ready. Did a quick once over, then did it again. Then I noticed a gas leak, the petcock plug wasnt sealing properly for some reason. luckily I had a second one laying around. A quick tank drain, and swap, and I did a third once over. Looks good. and I was off!

After the first run, the gas cap rattled off. rode back to the garage, and walked the route looking for it. Found it right as i was about to give up looking, only run over a few times. hell yeah i mounted it back up.

After a few more runs, I decide a ride with a friend was in order, plus I needed some shit from pepboys. So Phil(late 60s cb160) and I rode off.

By the end of the day I think I found everything that was going to rattle off. 

Blew 3 fuses. Had to do a bit of re-wiring. Almost lost my oil tank, and oil filter. Lost the gas cap, amber running glass, and some nuts. Lock tight and I became good friend today.

It was a good day. Its good to finally have this on the road, but the project is never over, its just hibernating now.

Clean and clear

Theres nothing like starting a hoilday weekend like huffing spraymax2k. 

I decided the tank was safe enough the previous coat of clear, so i went to town.

much better! and fucking spraymax2K works. there was a loose connection with a petcock plug, and the gas was dripping out of that hole, no damage. The gascap rattled off on the first shakedown run, and gas was spashing everywhere, also the tank is still looking sweet.

Wolf pack plus 1

I came across an 01 883 that was to good a deal to pass up.

It needs a bit of work, the obvious just bought a used bike work, and then some.

Nothing I cant handle with a beer and some time.

Thats it the day i bought it, dragbars and all those shiny chrome bits. 

The only switches that work on the bike, luckily, are the starter, and the kill.

Trying out some new bars.

The mini ape style is looking a lot better in my mind. but that doesn't mean they are the one.

for now I have the the highrise tracker bars on it, because the mini apes would require cutting up the control boxes.

Here is the sporty making friends with the triumph, sniffing eachothers oil.

The plan for the sporty is this. its a quick photoshop mock up using pieces of bikes I dig. The plan is for this to be a rolling build, and never keep it in the shop over night.

Time for a few short cuts

Riding season is here, and this bastard isn't finished yet. Time to get this thing ready for the road, and temporarily give up on a few outstanding items. 

First to go was the front remote master cylinder, that has been replaced with a standard front master, but the same issue with fluid push volume is happening... this master is definitely large enough for a dual disc set up... according to the ebay seller.

Second to go was the oil bag I made, due to a few pinholes that refused to be sealed. I picked up this mini keg from bison motorsports, and surprise surprise, no leaks. 

Up next, figure out what the hell is wrong with the front break system. 

Over all clean up, tighten every nut and bolt, hit the tank with one more coat of clear, polish. And ride!

Pink pens and straight lines

I made some mx style pegs due to how impossible it is to find foot pegs i like that fit this machine.

just like speed holes, only slower

after a bit more bending they face up!

2 steppin like a kid in a moshpit

I've been away for a while.

and no not away riding this machine. unfortunately.
its a combination of excuses no one actually cares about.

I have been doing some work here and there on the machine, but not documenting it as well as i would have liked. It's been a lot of 1 step forward, 2 steps back. 

Since my last post, a lot has happened, but not a whole has changed. 

• I got a new battery from Ballistic, because the first one arrived dead. 
• I rewired the whole bike. (no more 'vintage' wires) but a whole lot simpler. 
• New bars from Pangea Speed, to replace the biltwell hidrag and seesee internally wired switches (they required the use of relays, which bulked up the amount of wires needed). 
• Remember that relocated front master cylinder I had set up all nice? well the master was shot, so for the time, i'm just going to pop on a standard front master, while i fix the issues with this set up. 
• As for the oil bag, I switched welders (Lincoln to a harbor freight pos) halfway though its construction, which caused some inconsistent welds, and a ton of pin holes.  I was able to fill most of the pinholes, but there is one that just one take. So for the time being, I'll probably toss on a barrel tank, and revisit the oil tank when i get my hands on a welder that doesn't just spit and spatter. 
• On a positive note, cables are routed, and the rear break has been bled. 
• Oh I also started the bastard the other day, and it sounds amazing. 

The end is near, I just need to start taking steps forward.