My Build

In another thread I mentioned I only had @$160 in my build. Another member posted that a zero investment ghetto bike could be a "rolling death trap". I thought being resourceful was good, I didn't know you had to use all store bought new parts. Sure would have been a surprise to a lot of bike wrenchers 30 and 40 years ago. I'll post a pic and then I'll try not to bother the more "better off" gentlemen on this board. I've put new pads on and replaced the rears too. The pods I traded a fishing pole for were from a guy that bought the wrong size for his bike. The NOS sportster tank was traded for a coffin tank I made. The handle bars are made from 1" square tubing. The seat is from a bicycle. The pad to keep my butt off the fender I found in the garage, I don't know what it is but it works great. My sissy bar is from 1x1/4" flat bar and pipe slices I made. The forward controls I made myself. the brake and clutch rod are from an old piece of farm machinery. The mirrors are ebay. I'm not sure where the crankcase breather came from. Probably ebay too. I'm adding an ammo box for the battery. The taillight was traded for a knife blade I'd made a while back. The speedo came from an old dirt bike, and the fender is from a wrecked boat trailer. I've got a license plate light from an old pick up for the tag light when I mount that. The fuel filter and cut off came from tractor supply. The break lines will be changed with the new nana type front end I'm building. Like I said it's almost done, for @ $160 so far. Oh, and you're looking at my "shop."

 

Very nice looking bike. You have proved a nice bike can be built for little money. New doesn't mean better. Look at all the cheap Chinese crap on the market. I would love to see more pics. It doesn't look like a death trap to me. I would ride the heck out of it. Great job!!

 

Thanks zombiehouse, still have to make a small p-pad, tag bracket, front end,wire head and brake lights, make the exhaust, shorten the kickstand, and probably repaint the tins.

 

I would say that bike has mojo needs nothing more.

 

I would really like to see more pics that show the detail of all your hard work. The guys on the Chopper Underground would enjoy this build too.

 

NICE! Ya' done GOOD!!!

skillet

 

Thirty year old brake lines are dangerous; it's not a matter of philosophy just science.

 

Wiz, 1. I agree with that statement, 2. I have no idea why you're bringing it up again. 3. I've said numerous times that when I build my front end I'll change all the lines and seals. I'm going to help my friend do his also. I respect your knowledge of these bikes from your other posts I've read, but dang, I said I'll change the lines, I'm not riding it yet. Quit beating on a dead horse. If you don't like me or my bike, read another thread.

 

Don't get down Bigfitz, Mojo. He worries about all the members and their safety. He is like a papa bear around here. He gives everyone safety pointers, that many builders overlook, and probably forgot he already mentioned them to you.

 

Mojo, it seems you are the one beating a dead horse, an its a horse that never even gave you offense. Saying a low investment bike can be dangerous isn't the same as saying "that specific bike is unsuitable to ride". Ideally EVERY bike should be treated as unsuitable to ride until proven otherwise. On an aging bike, there's more to check, and often things that simply must be replaced. If you replace them with new (and equally well made) parts or improvise effective and safe replacements, its all good, isn't it? Did anybody say else wise?

Personally I'd say if you are gonna go that route, just go ahead and rat it out full bore. Plenty of rat bikes look god-awful dangerous with lots of improvised and re-modeled parts, but are actually quite well put together from a functional and safety standpoint.

 

sebwiers, what are you talking about? Where did I say I was building a rat? Where did I say, "yes my bike is empirically safe." Yes someone DID say otherwise. Quote, "A zero-investment "ghetto bike" can kill you real quick, especially if you're riding around on 30-year old brakes. People are just trying to keep you from building a rolling death trap."
I've been around for over 50 yrs. I do know to rebuild old parts, and I've said I'm not done yet. I do appreciate bigfitz52's concern for my safety, his knowledge, and I meant NO disrespect.But I am already doing things that he keeps telling me to do. I am usually a VERY anti-social person, this is the first forum I've ever joined,and I thought this board would help me make some friends to talk bikes with or even ride with. I'm thinking maybe I'm not gonna fit in here too good. Computer arguments are ignorant anyway. There's what I've built so far. It's my bike, I'm fairly happy with it, if other folks aren't there's plenty of others on here to look at.

 

Mojo, I think the bike looks awesome man, let's see some more pics! Don't let the "safety police" or some trash-talking negative prick scare you off. There's plenty of guys here that just like looking at pics, chopping up cheap old jap bikes, and can appreciate good craftsmanship. Sounds like you've been around long enough to know your way around a bike and if you're confident in your own abilities then I say ride that rice-burner 'till the wheels fall off! :lol:

 

I still want to see more pics!!! Really interested in seeing more pics of the sissybar and forward controls.

 

Good Job! Can't wait to see this finished.

 

I didn't say you were building a rat. I said that, with a low budget and improvised parts, that is what >>I<< would do. That's what "personally" means - its my personal taste. Not your taste, not what you are doing, not anything to do with your bike other than what it inspires in my mind.

And yes, the quote is accurate. It still says nothing specific about your bike, its just a generally accurate assertion. You seem to be taking a general assertion WAY to personally. "Trying to prevent" is not the same as "saying you already have".

 

Just wanted to clear something up. I'm not riding the bike yet. I'll post more pics when I get it done.

 

Hey mojo, I've been using the forum to learn how to maintain my bike for almost two years. I'm not anti-social, or a bike repair-genius. I just needed DIY expertise.

I have done a few fun upgrades to mine, but it's mostly safety improvements. I bought an old bike and use it to commute to work.

Don't worry about bigfitz and the continued dead-horse beating about brakes. He tells everyone that comes aboard - because its true. He doesn't ask if you're smarter than the rest of us first. Kinda like a gun range owner tells every new customer to never point a gun at anyone, whether a shaky suburban first-timer, or a cop in plain clothes.

Safety first when you care about others safety.

I wouldn't have paid all the attention to my brakes without his posts. And I have been on long enough to see a good guy fall due to something as second-thought as a bald tire.

Besides moderators or wizards, some on here like to help with brake-awareness, sometimes to the point of being know-it-alls.

Look at the number of posts to see how long they've been here, and you can judge who to listen to a little more.

Your bike is sweet. I like the exaggeration of the old-school look rather than turning it into some kind of euro-style ride. A homemade sissy bar or scavenged license-plate light will not make any machine a "death-trap". That's absurd. If you know your way around a motorcycle, then you probably already looked at safety items.

Just let them know in your signature what you own, and remind them of what you fixed, and you'll not be bothered, but rather admired for the nice mods.

 

Nice ride!! Like the flow it has to it....I'm a newbie to the forum and got same type responses on this and that, even with my post saying "as of now" as in not finished..heck didn't even have headlight or tail yet lol...do your thing and have fun doing it..that's what its all about right? Everyone that rides/ or starting off should have the mental ability to make sure brakes etc need attention as other critical areas if they don't they need to stay on foot or pedal power rides but those people are around...so i don't mind reminding but don't make a issue, say your piece then move along. Build on bro, its what its all about besides riding the hello out of it!!!

 

I'm diggin the resourcefulness mojo. Doing a budget build of my own. I'll be riding by spring, if not my budget chop then something else. Not sure what part of town you're in, but if you're ever near Atlanta gimme a shout and we'll cruise or just talk scoots.

 

Hey guys, thank for the good words. I'm kinda going in a little different direction on the front half now. Might inject a little bit of rat blood. Lotsa ideas percolating while it's too cold to work. Rebel69, If you mean Atlanta Ga., There might be a misunderstanding. I'm in S.E. Oklahoma.