I didn’t want to put this up until it was finished and after the second version, I think it’s done now other than a few minor details. Your site was so helpful for ideas and techniques that it wouldn’t be right to not give back a little.
I’ll put all the details I can because those details from everyone else are what helped me so much. It was my first ever bike build, but I have a fair amount of experience with classic cars and hot rods and I had access to a MIG welder. My bike started as a 100% stock ’79 special that I picked up for $600.
It has a TC Bros hardtail, stock special mag wheels, stock motor except for pamco ignition, rebuilt/rejetted carbs, pod filters, new coil, plugs (autolite 63’s are lifesavers), and shorty pipes that are damn loud. The front forks were lowered a few inches thanks to the perfectly crafted tech article on this site.
The seat is a vinyl job with 3″ springs that work very well. My first version of the bike had the original rear springs/shocks and a fixed seat and the hardtail ride is WAY SMOOTHER than expected. Tailights are from my first car, a ’56 Chevy pickup.
I used the radio shack rectifier/automotive regulator setup that you’ve probably seen. Bars are TC Bros drags. The grips were like 5 bucks on ebay and they are super. Headlight is from Demon’s cycle. Front and rear brakes are stock special discs. Gas tank is a sportster piece and I know people complain about everyone using them, but I have yet to see a tank I like on xs’s more than those.
The hardest part about building the bike was having to wire the turn signals, brake lights, and running lights all into the tailights I used. I just can’t stand a tailight on only one side and I wanted to use the old lights I had laying around. It was cheap, but took a lot of research to figure out and it added a lot of wiring. As for color, the entire bike is powercoated. I wanted a durable finish and it was probably cheaper than paint.
Pictures will never be able to show how good a 3-stage translucent powder looks in the sun. Its space invader silver underneath 2 coats of translucent OSU orange. Once again, thanks for the site and everyone who contributes to it. I hope my post helps someone out there.
If you have any questions, ask away. I have saved all my diagrams, receipts, etc. And don’t be surprised if the bike ends up for sale.
I’m ready to build another one.
Matt
