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BIKERNET CARIBBEAN REPORT– Well I guess the New Year is already looking brighter, it’s a whole new world out there for us who like choppers and home building. The Discovery series is already rolling their cameras, the new shop is looking better and there are so many plans and events on the list, I even heard that ” The Factory” is jumping in the Choppers band wagon. I really hope that it’s not true. In reality, too much of a good thing can turn to shit. Mainstream is not the way to go when you dig doing your own stuff, being part of a unique clique who is not that unique anymore. Still there’s a slight balance between being good for business and being way over exposed.

Like people believing all choppers are ultra high dollar items with corny themes when in reality is as far from the truth as possible. As we all know, choppers are unique in the sense that they are bare, just what is actually needed is used, the lesser the gadgets the better. I don’t consider myself a salesman, I don’t push people to buy stuff and to top it off most of the time I tell them not to get the stuff that they came into my shop to buy, weird ain’t it? But now days anyone with a checkbook and some fake information can become a dealer and sell parts, not anyone can imagine and create something from what?s available, or from raw materials. Once more, (and I guess I’ve said it before) Frank Lloyd Wright was right, less is more!

We are all so deep into this consumerism shit, buy, buy, buy…… Hire this guy for something, let this guy do something else, while we lay on our respective fat asses and watch the world go by via cable TV.I like this industry, in part because it makes and has people working on their things (bikes). They give a chance to be able to add or subtract anything that we damn well please, because there’s a custom builder hiding in the garage, putting something together that makes sense to him with the money available to him. Then, more so, since I have the chance to be at many different places every year, I get the chance to see a lot of bikes that are quite impressive, and you bet, lots of them are home built.

Sure there’s a need for what I do (without shooting myself in the foot) since tools, time and experience are expensive and hard to come by. Ideas and keeping things fresh are even harder to obtain and pass onto the task at hand, but I have gotten to a point were I take the bike as it is and just try to improve, use and redo what it already has. Some of you would be amazed what can be done with a Sportser and 5 grand (sometimes even less, but frames are not cheap now days). If you really think about it, a used Sporty can be found for less than 5 grand, so the whopping total of your next chopper could be less than 10 grand. That’s 30 to 50 thousand less than any Custom factory chopper today. The problem is that people tend to get carried away and try to buy everything that they see shinning in the pages of the latest magazine, then believing that it all complements each other.

For ages chopper builders have been inventive, if not frugal with what they do. True some are downright cheap, but mostly because we see potential in what others consider junk. Let’s use an example; I have been using black components all over the chops for years, one because I have never been a fan of chrome everything and second because we live in a place that is brutal to chrome. And with all the EPA restrictions today, the old reliable chromers have gone to greener pastures. But really think about it, you can accent parts of your bike with powder coating for a lot less money than the price of one billet goodie, even paint will solve this and last, some time, even if it chips or whatever you can always re-spray cheaply.

Here at Bikernet, there’s very good examples of what you can do with some imagination and little money to make a bike look really good. We also have the blessing in disguise of the Web. There?s so many places that you can check what other people are doing and incorporate those ideas (your own way) to your next build.

The problem with all the exposure that we are getting is that the Chopper will become the item to have in the following years, the must have status symbol. But on the other hand, we will always find ways to separate ourselves from the mere followers and mass media absorbers. We have skills that the rest don’t. We have good examples on TV and magazines of what we can do, or what should be avoided at all costs. In choppers as in music, there?s nothing new under the sun. Just many ways to re-invent it. Last but not least, Choppers are built to be ridden the shit out of, not to display them in your living room for coffee talk, nor a catalog of the latest billet-for -U display.

See you next week…

Jose Caribbean Bikernet report….

ROGUE SUSPECTED OF POLICE INVOLVEMENT–Bad Cop Report states department cannot control “Rogue” cops. Pennsylvania – Philadelphia police have so seriously failed to control rogue officers that an outside agency should take charge of the disciplinary system, the department’s anticorruption czar said yesterday in a report to a federal judge.

The 50-page report filed with U.S. District Judge Stewart Dalzell, who is overseeing police changes promised in a 1996 civil-rights court settlement with the city, is one of the most damning criticisms of the department in recent history.

The report, written by former Assistant District Attorney Ellen Green-Ceisler, said: “The disciplinary system in the Philadelphia Police Department remains fundamentally ineffective, inadequate and unpredictable.”

The report cited 50 of the 1,237 cases handled by the police disciplinary system between January 2000 and May 2002. The report, which did not name the accused officers, said:Three Vice Squad officers were caught making illegal arrests, and “routinely prepared and submitted false police reports to support other illegal arrests.” Prosecutors have withdrawn charges in numerous cases handled by the three. Two of the officers were given written reprimands, one of the department’s lightest punishments. They are still assigned to the unit. The third received a two-day suspension and was transferred.

Two officers speeding down a one-way street caused a five-car accident, seriously injuring several civilians. The supervising sergeant and lieutenant tried to stage a cover-up, ordering a subordinate to falsify the police report. The officers were given reprimands.

When department investigators checked police parking lots around the city, they found 55 officers’ cars with expired inspections and registrations. There was no discipline for 39 of the officers; 11 were given reprimands, and two received one-day suspensions. Only three were ticketed and fined.

A top-ranking police commander was involved in a romantic affair with a female officer. The commander collected overtime while the couple were involved in non-police activities. No disciplinary action was taken against either.

An off-duty officer rear-ended another motorist, fled, and was caught by another officer. The off-duty officer then lied about the accident. The penalty: a one-day suspension.

Three officers from the elite Highway Patrol unit falsified arrest reports and forged signatures in an effort to win bravery and heroism commendations. Penalty: 15-day suspensions for two and a five-day suspension for the third.

“You look at the large picture, it’s very troubling,” said University of Pennsylvania law professor David Rudovsky. “We are anxious to hear from the city as to its view of the accuracy of the report.”

Bad Cop… No Doughnut!

–Rogue

DFO CONNECTION– This was pure luck that I found this info. I was listening to a “Son House” CD when I fired up the puter. Read the e-mail. In this move of mine from Charlotte to Hickory all my “Stuff” has been scattered. Driving me nuts I tell you. I found a scribbled note with this info on the back of a business card. Try www.Techlusions.com Mark Dobek is the man talk to. They are the people behind the CCI DFO.

The M/C section didn’t load for me for some reason (fucking grimlins)!! Their ph # 702-558-5142 or 877-764-3337 emails: mailto:Info@techlusions.com>Info@techlusions.com

Hard to get great gas mileage with H-D’s fuel injection. So far a CV carb modified by Trock gives the best gas mileage on a Hi Perf. H-D engine.

Son House is done, now it’s on to “the Paul Butterfield Blues band” CD (Blues Harp Smith)!!

–Pablo

SNITCHES POSED AS CLUB MEMBERS–The president of the North Beach chapter of the Hells Angels has pleaded guilty to federal drug and gun charges.

Thirty-eight year old John Beal of Dunkirk is scheduled to be sentenced March 24th in federal court in Greenbelt. He faces up to 20 years in prison for distribution of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Beal was arrested last July after an undercover investigation of another motorcycle gang, the Warlocks.

Prosecutors say federal agents posed as Warlocks and went to a Hells Angels party in Calvert County. They saw semiautomatic pistols that Beal said has been strategically placed so gang members could use them immediately for protection.

Prosecutors say Beal was also seen giving cocaine to a Warlocks member and told one of the ATF agents he could provide the agent with cocaine.

–from Rogue

WILD PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK–The mean looking leather accessories we sell are made from Cane Toad hides.These critter were introduced into Queensland many decades ago to controlthe Sugar Cane Beetle but got out of control. Now they’re spreading likewild fire in plague proportins and all attempts to stop them have failed sofar.

Cane Toad skin is strong and flexible and, after tanning, it retains thesequalities but also becomes softer and more supple. It makes up intoexcellent leather goods and when backed with pigskin (which they are) isboth tough and durable.

We have leather goodies ranging from key purses to fanny packs to sun visorsall with real toads heads on them – only the eyes are not real.

These toadskin items are on http://www.roopooco.com/toad_intro.htm but theother part of the site ( www.roopooco.com ) sells such oddities as genuineKangaroo poo in paperweights, koala bear poo earrings and gilded TasmanianDevil poo paperweights. It’s very funny without being crude.

–Peter

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Hey, well it’s back to wacky biz as usual. The women are nuts, the chrome is ready and the Jack Daniels is running low. Brothers already gabbin’ about Daytona and Laughlin. The year is in full swing.

Mums the word from me. I’m hangin’ low for a couple of weeks. Deadlines loom ahead, but watch for the next Shrunken FXR tip, the CCI Goliath wrap and new fiction. Oh, I’m going to run a feature on travelin’ to Daytona. Some advice from a New Englander who rode to Bike week in the ’70s snorted angel dust and never left.

Let’s hit the new:

BRAND NEW CUSTOM CHROME CATALOG RELEASED–Custom Chrome’s new offering for 2004. The California based distributor brings you the most comprehensive product offering in the Harley-Davidson aftermarket! At over 1,200 pages and over 22,000 part numbers, their 2004 Catalog features the new RevTech 110 Motor, Hard Core II, Ares bikekits and noumious frames and forks–everything from nuts & bolts to performance products. It’s the Custom Bike Bible for the year.

ONLY $9.95 + 6.95 Shipping**

MORON–Bank Robber Arrives Early, Waits Outside Wearing Face Mask.He politely waited in line with other customers.

Solving crimes is usually a lot harder than police made it seem Friday. But they admit their job was made easier because the two bank robbers they were looking for weren’t that bright.One robbery suspect, caught at 10 a.m., didn’t want to be late. So, he waited outside the Zions Bank at 4300 W. 5400 South dressed in full robbery gear, donning a face mask over a hooded sweater, before the bank opened.

He politely waited in line with other customers, said Capt. Dave Burdett of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

“You have to wonder what they’re thinking,” he said. “One of the customers thought he was wearing the mask because of a SARS type of deal.”

Witnesses said that after distracting the teller for a moment, the suspect, 36, reached over to grab money from the teller’s drawer. Customers who saw him trying to steal the cash, including a reporter for a local television station, tackled the unarmed robber and were soon aided by bank workers, Burdett said.

“We usually try to discourage that, but it was good work by citizens,” he said.

The second robber of the day just lacked imagination.

“He robbed the exact same bank he robbed seven years ago,” Burdett said of the 27-year-old suspect, whose heist took place at U.S. Bank at 4100 South and Redwood Road on Tuesday. The bank “went by some other name at the time, but it was the same building.”

The robber’s parole officer recognized him from a surveillance photo and turned him in. Police quickly caught him.

–from Rogue

17th ANNUAL DONNIE SMITH INVITATIONAL–Much more than just another custom show, the DONNIE SMITH INVITATIONAL has become one of the most prestigious and anticipated motorcycle events in the country. And this year’s Invitational is on track to be a real mind blower.

Thanks to world wide media exposure and an exceptionally professional and well thought out presentation, the event has grown in attendance and stature to the point that this years get together has been extended to 2 full days. That’s 2 days for enthusiasts and the merely curious to experience the finest in custom machines while rubbing elbows with world famous builders, designers and manufacturers.

Attendees will be treated to a huge, 40,000 sq ft motorcycle swap meet and an extensive vendor’s row featuring over 300 booths. DRAG SPECIALTIES, BIKER’S CHOICE, J&P CYCLE, LEGENDS AIR SUSPENSION, HOUSE OF COLOR and other industry leaders will display the latest in custom and restoration hardware, and provide on site technical assistance. Additionally, if you ever wanted to quiz industry giants like Dave Perewitz and Donnie Smith on their styling techniques, building secrets and thoughts on where the industry is headed, here’s your chance.

Need more? A huge collection of door prizes, catalogs, CDs, magazines and exclusive dealer and manufacturer presentations are just a few show features you can expect. Most importantly visitors will be treated to over 200,000 sq ft of mild to wild displays packed with the most unique and highest quality custom, high performance and antique motorcycles ever assembled under one roof. This wide variety of machines encompassing 42 classes, including a spectacular Pro Class, will be competing for both cash and trophy awards.

Hosted by Master Builder Donnie Smith and Neill Ryan of American Thunder Promotions, the DONNIE SMITH INVITATIONAL has become a “must attend” for domestic and international motorcycling press, private and professional builders and major manufacturers. The 17th running of this highly acclaimed event will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28, 2004, in the spectacular St. Paul River Center at the Touchstone Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. This full service, contemporary setting is just minutes for the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport and surrounded by accommodations to meet any taste.

The DONNIE SMITH INVITATIONAL is indeed a very special event and one you don’t want to miss. Bring your friends and family and enjoy a weekend of fine motorcycles, the latest in custom accessories, entertainment and good times. Tickets are available at the show for just $10.00 a day! For additional information including space reservation, contact American Thunder Promotions at 952-226-1180.

BIKERNET PHARMACY– A car company can move its factories to Mexico and claim it’s a free market. A toy company can outsource to a Chinese subcontractor and claim it’s a free market. A major bank can incorporate in Bermuda to avoid taxes and claim it’s a free market. We can buy HP Printers made in Mexico.

We can buy shirts made in Bangladesh. We can purchase almost anything we want from many different countries and it’s not considered un-American. It is then referred to as a global economy. BUT, heaven help the elderly who dare to buy their prescription drugs from a Canadian (Or Mexican) pharmacy. That’s called un-American! And you think the pharmaceutical companies don’t have a powerful lobby?

Think again!

Old cartoon from Bob T.

BIKERNET FARMING ADVICE–One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into an old well. The animal criedpiteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old and the well needed to becovered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They allgrabbed shovels and began to shovel dirt into the well.

Soon, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down. A few shovelloads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He wasastonished at what he saw.

With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doingsomething amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up!

As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of theanimal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon,everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edgeof the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick togetting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Eachof our troubles is a stepping-stone. We can get out of the deepestwells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take astep up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred – Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries – Most never happen.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have. 4. Give more. 5. Expect less

The donkey later came back and kicked the shit out of the farmer whohad tried to bury him. The gash from the kick got infected, and the farmereventually died in agony from blood poisoning.

When you do something wrong and try to cover your ass,it always comes back to get you!

–from Geno, The HORSE

THUNDER MOUNTAIN H-D CHOPPERS–It sounds like the Motor Company is finally going into the Custom Chopper Business. I went to the official unvailing of the Thunder Mountain/Harley Davidson Choppers last week.

Pretty slick bikes, but I am questioning the price-$35,900.00 some models even include Jesse James fenders…

THE BIKER READING MAN–I read Orwell last summer and really enjoyed it. As you are a writer I assume you must be a reader too, though if you’re like me it’s hard to find enough time to read everything you would like to. I am writing to recommend the book “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman to you. It has a lot in common with your book and I think you might enjoy it.

While “American Gods” has strong writing, and a theme that bears resemblance to Orwell, it doesn’t have anything to do with motorcycles or the biker life.

I’ve noticed that you have used some of my submissions and the accompanying quotes in Bikernet.com and I just wanted to say how honored I am. I would like to offer to send you a few quotes each week if you are interested.

I’ll try to keep your audience in mind but as a 55 year old blue collar, United Autoworker and concerned American I find a lot of my biking friends are being mislead as to the motives of the conservative agenda. Union Shops, good wages, paid overtime, healthcare, 30 and out retirement pensions, freedom to associate with whomever a person wants and American jobs these are things that mean a lot to me.

I don’t give a flying fuck what the pansy ass, ultra-religious, frat boys do to each other, but it’s high time someone spoke up for the working class values, that made a man a man and pointed out the fucking the working stiff is getting today.

–Nick

We look forward to them. I too consider Bikernet a site for the working man. –Bandit

DAYTONA BEACH BIKE WEEK IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER–Starts February 27th 2004 and runs To March 7th. Time to start thinking about getting ready for it. As usual I will keep you supplied with info as best I can. Watch for a “Survive Bike Week Report” on Bikernet in the next week.

–Rogue

ROGUE’S BAD COP INVESTIGATION– Top Cop FIRED South Carolina – Police Chief T. “Billy” Haynie was fired over the weekend, Calhoun Falls Mayor Johnnie Waller announced Monday.

The termination of the 30-year police veteran came less than a week after the State Law Enforcement Division released details of its investigation into whether the 66-year-old chief sexually assaulted Frances Lewis, a 68-year-old police officer?s widow, in October 2002.

SLED?s evidence included sworn statements by Town Administrator Deborah Parks claiming she had been continually harassed by the chief and a statement from town resident Patricia Wells, alleging the chief tried to grope her when she was working as an assistant manager at a convenience store.

Bad Cop… No Doughnut!

–Rogue

A MILD MANNERED MAN– A mild-mannered man was tired of being bossed around by his wife; so hewent to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist said he needed to build his self-esteem,and so gave him a book on assertiveness, which he read on the way home.

The man stormedinto the house and walked up to his wife. Pointing a finger in her face,he said, “From now on, I want you to know that ‘I’ am the man of this house,and my word is law! I want you to prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, andwhen I’m finished eating my meal, I expect a sumptuous dessert afterward.Then, after dinner, you’re going to draw me my bath so I can relax. And,when I’m finished with my bath, guess who’s going to dress me and comb myhair?”

“The fucking funeral director,” said his wife

–from Rev CarlR

ROGUE BACKS OFF COPS–Just so the Cops don?t think I am picking on them, with the Bad Cop reports, here are some Dumb Crook items:

Virginia Beach:A bank robber in got a nasty surprise when a dye pack designed to mark stolen money exploded in his Fruit-of-the-Looms. The robber apparently stuffed the loot down the front of his pants as he was running out the door. “He was seen hopping and jumping around,” said police spokesman Mike Carey, “with an explosion taking place inside his pants.” Police have the man’s charred trousers in custody.

Go Ahead… Take It!:Mrs. Hollis Sharpe was walking her poodle, one night on a Los Angeles street when she was attacked by a mugger, shoved to the ground, and forced to hand over her purse. No doubt congratulating himself on his easy mugging, the mugger ran off. Unfortunately for the mugger, inside Mrs. Hollis Sharpe’s purse was just one item: a plastic bag she had just finished using to scoop up after her poodle.

Jacksonville, Florida:A Jacksonville, Florida robber couldn’t quite get it together when it came to disguising himself. He stuck up a grocery store, wearing a paper bag with cut-out eyeholes over his head. But during the attempted stickup, the bag shifted and the eyeholes were no longer over his eyes, so he couldn’t see a thing. To make matters worse, a few seconds later the bag split open, completely revealing his face to the sales clerk. She immediately recognized him as a regular customer – and called the cops when he left.

New Guns For Police To Battle Criminals:Police in the Vietnamese capital have a new gun in their holsters and it’s got a colourful bang. They’ve armed themselves with paintball guns to brand and track criminals and illegal motorbike racers. The guns, introduced Monday, will be used to pelt thieves and racers with red, yellow and green dyes, said Tran Quoc Hung, administrative head of Hanoi’s police. The guns have a range of 10 metres and will help police to track fast-moving suspects on motorcycles who could otherwise dart unnoticed into a sea of other bikes. Robbery is not a major problem in Hanoi, but street racing on motorbikes is becoming more common.

Thanks For The “Tip”A man broke into a jewelry store in the middle of the night. Once inside he broke the glass case to extract the jewelry — so excited and anxious to get his hands on the diamonds in the case he did not notice, that when he broke the glass, with his hand, he cut the tip end of one of his fingers off. When police arrived, they merely fished the top portion of the finger out, printed it, and ran a match program. The man was arrested within a few hours of his crime.

One Dumb Crook:A fellow robbed a supermarket of about $5000. The local newspaper ran the story, but with the amount given as $7000. The thief called the newspaper to complain about the inaccuracy and to suggest that maybe the store manager ripped off the extra $2000 and was unjustly blaming the thief. The people at the newspaper kept him busy on the phone giving his version of the story while the police traced the call to a phone booth and arrived to arrest him while he was still talking to the newspaper!

–from Rogue

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Once the engine was back in place, the bolts were placed and the tape was removed.

Then it was on to the area where the transmission was to be placed.

 

The transmission plate from Custom Chrome and the rear fender mounts were put into place and bolted down.

 

The transmission was then put in place but not bolted down.

 

You’ll notice at this point that the secondary pulley is already on the transmission’s output shaft and the shifter lever is in place. Note: You want the shift lever to be straight up and down when bolted in place. The one in the photo required some adjusting to make this correct.

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At this point I needed to make sure the front and rear pulleys were even at their outer edges. This was to make sure the belt does not rub on the pulley rim. A long level or other straight edge can be used to do this. If you need to move the front pulley out, Custom Chrome sells some hardened shims just for this purpose that range in thickness from .010 inch to .200 inch thick. Don’t be surprised if you have what you think is a “stock” application and you need shims. Depending on the rotor/stator setup on your motor, you will most likely need to shim the front pulley. Here’s a top view of a system that has been properly aligned.

 

The spring plate on the clutch had to be removed to allow for bolting the rear pulley to the shaft. This was done by removing the six spring/bolt assemblies and the plate.

 

The bolt was torqued down to spec, along with the front pulley. I was then ready to turn the motor to make sure the belt tracked properly. To torque these down, an air compressor and an impact wrench was required. I would never have been able to torque against the motor or transmission using a regular torque wrench unless I had jammed the pulleys.

Using a large torque wrench, I turned the motor forward a few times to make sure the belt could make three revolutions and still track to the center of the two pulleys. If you use one of these set ups, it should track as assembled, but if it doesn’t, check the spacing on your front pulley. If you still have problems, you can call BDL and they will walk you through how to shim things up on your frame.

 

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It was then time to put the Revtech engine in place. Caution and ease are the keys to success here. One thing to note: If you build a ride of your own and are using the type of stand I do, which sits under the frame, make sure the rails are around where the bottom of the engine will sit to ensure the motor will fall into place and not sit ON the rails.

 

Using a pen, the front and rear engine mounts were traced. The engine was removed and what is left is what you see in the next photo.

 

Using a razor blade, I removed the tape from the areas where I planned to mount the engine and prepared to strip the powder coat. The powder must be stripped from the mounting area because the power train must make electrical ground contact to the frame for the ignition, starter and speedo sensor on the transmission.

 

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This project uses a BDL open drive system to drive the tranny, so the motor plate was put into place and bolted down while the engine bolts and transmission bolts were still loose. Make sure to use Loctite 242 and to torque the bolts to spec per the instruction sheet provided with the BDL system.

Something to note: This plate comes with its own bearing for the main shaft on the transmission, so the color had to be previously removed from the transmission. A tool from JIMS USA is available for this and can be found here in their section on Bikernet.

 

The offset needs to be pinned into the front pulley as shown below.

 

Both pulleys had to be slid onto the engine and transmission shaft simultaneously.

 

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Now here’s the test. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll notice that I DIDN’T put on the secondary belt before we put on the motor plate! Just remember to do this and save yourself the removal of the assembly to fix this mistake.

With everything in place, I put the friction plate back on the secondary pulley and turned the clutch adjusting screw into the plate until it hit the main shaft. I’ll walk through how to adjust this later in the project.

 

Next, the Spike starter from Custom Chrome into place.

 

Attached the starter gear…

 

And bolted the cover on the plate. At this point, I also placed the center cover bolts to hold the cover that will be put on later.

 

When I was all finished, I torqued the engine and transmission bolts into place. I started by tightening the engine lightly, then the transmission. I then torque the engine to spec, then the transmission. When it was all done, I turned the motor a few more times to make sure the belt still tracked.

Next time, I’ll be installing the front end. – Digital

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Once the tape was removed, a small Dremel tool was used to strip the area down to the bare metal.

 

The area was cleaned and the engine was placed back in the frame over the bare metal spots.

 

 

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Although you haven’t seen it in a fully assembled state, the rigid has actually been mocked up to completion. However, anyone who’s built their own sled knows that an assembled bike without paint and powder just isn’t quite the same as the finished product. Although a primered mock-up will show you the lines and shape of a bike, the machine doesn’t truly come to life until it’s been dawned with color. For that reason, we saved a lot of the assembly detail for you until the paint and powder was complete.

The mocked-up rigid was torn down to the frame, which was sent out for powder coat. It came in only a few days ago and blew my socks off. Although the photos shown here make it look screaming red, it’s actually a deep sunset orange.

The powder coat was done by Hytek Finishes in Kent, Washington. Hytek was the ONLY house I could find in the area that had worked with anything other than a flat powder. This one is a candy orange, color matched to a House of Kolor Kandy paint I’d selected as the base coat for the sheet metal.

Candy paints are valued mostly for their depth. They are made of a base metallic coat covered by a transparent paint. House of Kolor offers a color book for about $42 that you can order from their Web site. Many custom painters around the country use and are familiar with these paints, so they make for a good standard to work with. Candy colors will vary slightly based on the thickness of the transparent color that is used to coat the base.

Candy powder is a little different. The base principle is the same, but you are limited on thickness that can be sprayed because the metal has to be charged to get powder to stick. If the base coat is too thick, you will lose the charge and be unable to get the top coat to stick. Whenever you pick a powder house to do your candy color, make sure they’ve used such paints before because they are tricky to use. This one had a couple of thin spots underneath because the powder coater didn’t want to lay it on too thick. Fortunately, the areas are under the bike that nobody will ever see.

The way I had this matched was to send the House of Kolor sample to Hytek Finishes. They sent the sample to their ‘Prismatic Powder’ supplier, who custom mixed the powder for the job. Not many places do this, so you may have to do some searching. The results are well worth the effort.

 

With the frame back in the garage, it was time to get started. The first order of business was to get the power train in place. I started by prepping the area where the engine would sit in the frame. To do this, one must take the time to pad the area so as not to scrape the shit out of the newly finished frame. I used a combination of plastic tape, pipe insulators, towels and bubble wrap to do this.

 

It is important to use a heavy tape where the engine will mount.

 

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Back to Part 3….

Back to Custom Chrome on Bikernet….

Back to Belt Drives Limited on Bikernet….