1500 Chopper project

[bluestringer]

A VROC member is doing a chopper based on the 1500. Changing it to a chain drive. So far looks good. Take a look.


www.home.earthlink.net/~donaldbranscom

[T-man]

Pretty cool, thanks for sharing....I wonder why he didn't go belt instead of chain?

[woodchucks800]

Pretty cool, thanks for sharing....I wonder why he didn't go belt instead of chain?

You've got a belt on your "V" an without knowing for sure how wide it is (i'm guessing around an 1 1/2") with a chain you'd be close to a 1/3 of that width. maybe it is a clearance issue? I know that thunder mfg. was working on a chain conversion for the meanie an they were having clearance problems with it. They were having to mod the swingarm to get it to fit an they still were having alignment problems between the rear wheel an the front shaft. you've got a 1500 ,whats it look like for clearance ,belt wise vs. a chain?

[2WheelFun]

That looks great! With added plumbing it looks like he moved the radiator to the rear?

[ppark]

I like the original better.

[skip]

I'd sure like to see it when finished. I wonder what his high tech solution to get enough air to the radiator is?

[uechi kid]

I really love the lines of your chopper. But I was wondering if you are set on those pipes. Those lines need something more like these. Just my opinion. Can't wait to see it when it's done.
http://shop.arlenness.com/store/prod...roduct_ID+6991

[jukief]

Interesting...

[anamosity]

cool as ****, wish I had a larger garage and more money

[Donald Branscom]

I'd sure like to see it when finished. I wonder what his high tech solution to get enough air to the radiator is?

I happen to see the thread about my bike. (Thanks to Bluestringer)
The radiator is behind the engine and the bike never overheats.Plugs look the same. There are some sport bikes with the radiator in the seat tail area.
The radiator when mounted in front of the front cylinder blocks some airflow
and the air coming off it it is hot.
I have almost 4,000 miles on my Kawasaki 1500 chopper chain drive, it is proven and i am in the midst of phase 2 which is a kit.
I chose a chain from the very start. I do not like the belt for several reasons.
They have a lot of tension on them and i believe it is hard on the trans output bearing. I see broken belts on the freeway all the time. I do not see chains on the freeway.Also if a chain breaks you can get #530 chain at thousands of places. The belt requires much larger diameter pulleys to go around. They have been using chain on moyorcycles for over 50 years. It works very well with very little mechanical loss.
The shaft drive parts weighed about 60 lbs!

Thanks for your interest.

[stevebtx12]

Man, that is one cool project bike you created, very nice work!

[mattoid1]

Nice bike! I thought you went with chain instead of belt drive because you ride on gravel roads like me! J/K

Dave

[CustomVN]

Very cool!!!

[pittypie]

I think that radiator design should be very interesting to the major manufacturers.very cool.

[Grumbler]

I happen to see the thread about my bike.

Evokes memories of my '67 Triumph 650 Trophy with bolt-on hardtail, Sportster tank, and 10" over forks with 21 and 16 hoops from my Santa Cruz daze.

Thanks to the HF vibration and skinny seat, me arse went numb within 30 minutes. Partial solution was to reduce the air pressure in rear tire for softer ride, and was planning to change to solo seat on springs had I not traded it in for a new bike.

You've some really nice riding roads in your neck of the woods. Congrats on building an unique chopper that stops folks in their tracks.

[Donald Branscom]

Man, that is one cool project bike you created, very nice work!

Thanks Steve !

I could not visit your Photobucket link. My computer cannot handle all that SWF crap. Losding...loading... Wish i could just see a jpg.,. Not your fault.

I use www.tinypic.com much easier.

[Donald Branscom]

I think that radiator design should be very interesting to the major manufacturers.very cool.

I thought it would be very interesting to the manufacturers too but you know if they did not think of it .

There was a story on 60MINUTES tv program where this engineer figured out a way to save 30% of electrical power on all electric motors by having a winding that went around the motor and smoothed out the phases.
He got a bowling alley to use all of his design motors for the bowling pin setting machines and kept accurate records for a year to PROVE the energy savings.
He presented his idea to corporations and they were not interested. See they did not think of it.

[Donald Branscom]

Evokes memories of my '67 Triumph 650 Trophy with bolt-on hardtail, Sportster tank, and 10" over forks with 21 and 16 hoops from my Santa Cruz daze.

Thanks to the HF vibration and skinny seat, me arse went numb within 30 minutes. Partial solution was to reduce the air pressure in rear tire for softer ride, and was planning to change to solo seat on springs had I not traded it in for a new bike.

You've some really nice riding roads in your neck of the woods. Congrats on building an unique chopper that stops folks in their tracks.

Thanks! I LIKE that kind of grumbling!

[Donald Branscom]

Very cool!!!

Thanks Custom VN !

[Donald Branscom]

I like the original better.

The original IS VERY COOL. Thats why I bought it.
It is just that I am an artist I i cannot leave things alone.
I was strictly going for looks not practicality.