Rigid Sportster Frames & Engines

sirbOOm · 11-15-2009, 02:07 AM

I want to build a bike. It will take me 20 years to figure it all out, I'm sure. My biggest weakness is I don't know how to weld. I'm a wires man and I can bolt together stuff fine, haha. Does anyone know where to get a good frame at a good cost that I can rigid mount a 1200cc Sportster engine to? I want something Bobber-like, but low and lean. Springer probably, rigid in the back. 140 tire. I'm thinking 32 or 34 degrees, no stretch. I look all over, tons of options, don't know where to even start considering.

sk8rod · 11-15-2009, 06:08 AM

buy a sporty,, then get hold of Bosken ( www.snakebikes.se ) and get him to sort a bolt on rear rigid subframe...

if you want an easy no weld & cheap solution,, then thats a cool way to go,, and Bos can also mail you a bunch of competed examples to show you what can be achieved..

TuffLuckTom · 11-15-2009, 02:02 PM

I would go with a weld on for sure. A lot less hassle to get legal too. Shouldnt be too hard to find some one competent to weld it on. If you could get it all fit up and tacked on true it would make it cheaper and as long as they spread the welds out as they go it will remain true. You can really make stuff pull outta whack if you rush...

sk8rod · 11-15-2009, 02:04 PM

yeah i agree,, weld on for sure,,, but the loon dont want to weld

TuffLuckTom · 11-15-2009, 08:54 PM

Which loon is that

?

sk8rod · 11-15-2009, 11:56 PM

Nick,, up the top he says he wants a rigid build based on a sporty, but he don't weld.

I know Bosken does bolt rigid kits for Sportsters, so seemed like an easy way for a guy who don't wanna weld.

But if he builds it in Chicago, he's got Joe near him from Lite Em Up, so any welding would be easily sorted.

So how's this, get a weld on in Chicago or a bolt on in Germany.

That's my .02

sirbOOm · 11-16-2009, 01:37 AM

I will have it welded by someone I can trust to not screw me. I'm not comfortable bolting. Joe can probably stick on some engine mounts, no? I might just go economical the first bike and do a 883... just to see if I can do this and if I mess up on an 883, I won't feel bad. Was also thinking of starting on a 650 Japanese bike... just cutting the "embarrassment" off of it until it looks gnarly, scotch brighting the shine right off, and repainting with a rattle in flat white. Cheaper learning curve. But we'll see. I'm heading back home soon. Want something to do to take my mind off of the fact I'm back in the Midwest.

sirbOOm · 11-16-2009, 01:39 AM

I would buy a used Sportster but even those are ridiculously overpriced used.

harleybodei · 11-16-2009, 04:20 AM

prolly be cheaper to p/u a old 650 or 750 jap bike and mess around with that 1st.....

I would love to do a old triumph but those things cost alotta cash also....

So I will save my coin till something comes along........

sk8rod · 11-16-2009, 04:32 AM

hey Nick,, Bodei has a good point (

)

the BSA / Triumph thing would be awesome and dead cool,, you could take advantage of the fact you are over here and pick up a bargain,,

TuffLuckTom · 11-16-2009, 06:07 AM

Yeah and triumphs are the only bikes that ever look good with a hardtail!!!

sirbOOm · 11-16-2009, 07:03 AM

I'm thinking I should start with a Jap bike for cost's sake. But I said I'd start with a Sportster and keep it for a few years. It lasted me 3 months of riding before I got rid of it. want it back thoguh. So I think maybe, best of both words, find a 90's solid mount sportster... tear it up.

How would I know if the bike, especially the drivetrain, is good stuff? Just suck it up and take it to a mechanic for a look or what? There obvious things to look at?

sirbOOm · 11-16-2009, 07:05 AM

I want to do a Clipster. Low, lean, riding position over the tank. I think I can get close with a Sporty.

sk8rod · 11-16-2009, 08:16 AM

take it for a ride before you buy and if you want a "clipster" then for fcks sake go to: www.snakebikes.se talk to Bosken and check out his "Rattle" build and the other sporty hes just finished..

he has that whole look down and as you are not far from him,, you could get things rolling now

bosken · 11-16-2009, 08:35 AM

Ok...

You can ONLY use Bolt-On kits on Sportys UP to 1978. After that you need to weld that ass.

Pix of My Rattle I (photoshopped) with a hard tail.. Not the best PS but you get the point.

I have a VERY good guy in US that is king of Hard Tails and all the parts you need for it. (Oil tank, batteryplates etc etc)

Hit me with a mail SirBoom i help you out!

Before

After

sirbOOm · 11-16-2009, 12:43 PM

This is exactly what I'm thinkin'. Only one that starts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc1-NgQjG-Q&NR=1

sirbOOm · 11-16-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk8rod

take it for a ride before you buy and if you want a "clipster" then for fcks sake go to: www.snakebikes.se talk to Bosken and check out his "Rattle" build and the other sporty hes just finished..

he has that whole look down and as you are not far from him,, you could get things rolling now

Can't get things rolling now. Dollar-Euro ratio blows PP and I can't afford to ship stuff back. I need me a U.S. carbon copy of SK8 and Bosken... that also cooks and cleans.

sk8rod · 11-16-2009, 12:49 PM

sweet scoot,, my favorite motor..

love to see you build one like that

sirbOOm · 11-16-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosken

Yep. A little more seat. Chain drive probably. I want mettle clanking. Primary noise if I can do it too. Yum. Looks good.

Panic · 11-22-2009, 02:10 AM

L & L choppers in Holland sells really great hardtail kits for Sportys.
Kit is called "Attack-kit" and is good prized !

L&L Choppers and all the chopperparts