Starting all over on the Chopper

[Alley Rat]

This bike has been sitting for awhile now and it is killing me. Luckily I have my other bike so I am not completely down. Since I built my last set of pipes I have felt the need to really clean up my bike. For awhile I didn't take my time in my projects and just tried to get things done. It has been killing me to see my bike half a$$ed. So I have decided to tear it down and start over. I plan on getting a new tank, building new handle bars, new taillights, polishing things here and there, and maybe getting my exhaust and other pieces chromed. I just really want to make this bike super clean from here out.

This is how she is starting out.


Hacked some spare metal.



I cut off the square box on the top of the backbone and started cleaning all the welds


After a couple hours of messing around. I am to the point of no return. I am pulling the engine so I can get into all the nooks and crannys.


Of course I am gonna strip all this wiring and leave the bare minimum.


Stay tuned. I plan on hitting this everyday in some shape or form

[cike]

you are going to keep that springer on the new build right?
I'll keep on eye on this and see how it's comming along

[Alley Rat]

Oh yeah the springer isn't going anywhere. I am thinking about cutting 2 more inches out of it though.

[goddarddr]

will you be removing the swing-arm for maintance?

[trikebubble]

Love the kickstand, is that a valve? Will be keeping an interested eye on this thread.

[Alley Rat]

Trike my kickstand is my stock one.

I got up this morning and headed out to the garage to begin. Most of my time today was just spent on grinding down welds. I am gonna try to clean as many as I can so everything will be smooth.






Just started on the backbone.


I got my wiring thinned out too. All I have to do now is get my fuse box and ignitor mounted so I can shorten everything up.


I'm hoping to get my motor out tonight so I can really get to work on the frame

[MikeGoodwin]

Looking good man. I think the frame will look real clean without all of those ugly welds. I'm Looking forward to this one.

[Alley Rat]

My brother dropped over tonight unannounced to lend a hand with my bike. So glad he did, it wouldn't have sucked to do it all my self. I am all ready to start work on the frame.


The more I look at it the more I want to hardtail it right now.

[Badmedicine]

This will be cool to follow ! Thanks for the pics !

[goddarddr]

Major Surgery going on here. so thats what a pile of motorcycle bones looks like. I'll be in the observation room watching the "Doc" bring him back to life. thanks Rat

[cike]

Just my .02 but I say go ahead and hardtail it now while it's all apart.

[Alley Rat]

I am gonna see if a buddy of mine can make some axle dropouts. I want to do it though with the motor in the frame so I don't have to make a jig to keep all the mounts in place.

[Alley Rat]

Started working on my swingarm.

[brown recluse]

Hey, AlleyRat. I love to watch you work. I also love the mustang in the background. It was the car of my dreams when I was in high school.

[mumbles]

Been keeping an eye on all the bobbed 800 threads Rat. You sure are an influence. LOL
My .02 is if you're going this far with the project you might as well make it a hardtail unless you're having second thoughts or not sure.
Taking everything off in the future won't be as much fun when it can be done now, right?

Btw where's ol Spitbeard at? Haven't seen him post anything lately.

[Alley Rat]

I need to get some dropouts made before I can hardtail it. Plus I am not gonna do it unless I have the motor in anyway. That will save me from having to build a lot more braces. As much as I have stripped off my bike it would take much to get it down to where I can hardtail it. For right now I just want to clean it up and get it back going. Hardtail will be in the near future for sure though.

[goddarddr]

hard tails look more than great! but aren't they very uncomfortable to ride?

[Alley Rat]

That is why you need a seat with a good shape and ample amount of cushion or run springs on your seat.

[goddarddr]

what is a dropout?

[Alley Rat]

This is the dropout.