Custom Bikes

[Kahn]

I'd like to build a custom bike here shortly. Does anybody here know anything about it? I'm talkin rigid frame, Harley style engine with a 230/240 rear tire. Anybody?

 

[big4life]

If you go above a 180/200 tire, it won't corner worth a crap.

Hard tails are cool to look at, but they are called hard tails for a reason.

Make sure you talk to your ins. agent about insurance first, home built bikes can be a pain to insure.

 

[Bigsatan13]

What do you want to know? I'm a HD cert. mechanic.

 

[Kahn]

Thanks BigSatan. You Harley guys hate customs though, don't you? I buy Horse magazine and I am getting fired up about customs now. Can you run wild shit in them like a Merch 120 or 131? Will it beat me to death? Why was it stated it will corner like shit? Do you know about those new single piece look front ends? What do you think of the idea of a stainless frame?

 

[Bigsatan13]

We don't hate you custom guys, we just have a strong dislike. Only kidding, I could give a shit about what magazine you read, its all about riding. As far as building a 120 Merch or a 131, you will be keeping a wrench on the nuts and bolts constantly when this motor is in a rigid frame. Will it beat you to death? No but you will hit some bumps that will make you wish you were. A rigid is a tough ride, it can put you into some hairy situations when both wheels launch off the ground. I rode a rigid for almost 18 years and now I keep shocks under my ass for comfort and control of the bike. I can ride 700 miles and get off the bike without being tired. With a rigid you will be tired in a few hours. It depends on what you want to do. One of my brothers has a Ultra Groundpounder, which I call the Ultra Asspounder, and he can't leave the house without bringing extra shit he knows will break or need to replace along the way. It's a fun bike to ride but it's not a road dog! As far as building a custom bike, look around, there's alot of cool shit out there. Don't jump in and wish you would have thought of things earlier and wind up building something you wish was different. I will be building a project bike in the years to come. I promised the OL new tits but after that it's back in the garage. I'll have a large S&S motor in a rigid frame with right side belt drive and a 250 rear tire. A springer front end with ape-hagers and a tall sissy-bar. Simply put, just as cool as I am.

 

[boss]

this is one thing i have been looking into, and the answer is "american iron horse" TEJAS!!!!!! after you do the math to what you really want to build the tejas was the answer to me. after i got done figuring all the shit i wanted, for 2 thousand more i can get the iron horse. go to www.americanironhorse.com and click the tejas and let me know.

 

[basskiller]

That's a nice ride but you could build that same one only in a soft tail form! If you don't have a bad back, you surely will after a few years on a rigid.

bass

 

[Kahn]

Thanks Satan. I really dig the hardtail look but a softail is tempting. What got me on the idea was the new shit out. Inboard rear brakes, stainless frame, one-piece look front end and running the lines and wiring inside the frame. What do you think of a clear coated stainless frame, tank and fenders. Everything I can get stainless will be clear coated. If I went with a stock Harley motor I could keep it tons cheaper, about 7k cheaper.

 

[Bigsatan13]

What do you think of a clear coated stainless frame, tank and fenders. Everything I can get stainless will be clear coated.

I don't like it, but to each his own. Don't like single loop frames either.

 

[Kahn]

Its just a thought. My main concern is it being so different I wouldn't like it either. I'll probably paint the tank and fenders. It would shine like a bitch in my face while riding so I'm not sure its a good idea. The other bike idea I have is redoing the Commando from the Michilen ads. Powdercoated everything on anodized rims to match