78 "Simple is clean" Bratstyle Build

[fasmstng]

My bike is just about done and I'm hoping to register it very soon. I figure its time to post up my build. The bike is a '78, bought it off of craigslist last July for $550 not running and missing some parts.

Day 1

 

[fasmstng]

Time to take her apart. Getting rid of all the extras

 

[fasmstng]

Visual Impact Kit installed

 

[ReycleBill]

I really like the way you did the top shock mounts.

 

[mwp309]

Ditto on the shock mounts, very sexy rear end!

 

[mwp309]

Ditto on the shock mounts, very sweet rear end!

 

[mtrcty]

nice job,close to how i did mine.yours is a lot lower though

 

[fasmstng]

Tank came in. Also welded in the new neck gussets. Not very pretty on the welds, but thats what a grinder is for.

New solo seat

Seat mounted up with mountain bike air shock.

 

[fasmstng]

First set of handle bars came in.

Motor back in, first head light on.(I'll be making design changes as the build goes on)

 

[XSJoel]

Love the stance, that is about what I am going for myself.

 

[5twins]

If that old tank was the original then this was '77, not a '78, before the Sawzall came out.

 

[mrkil]

sprung seat and rear wheel shall meet at some point

I really like it but I would solid mount the seat.

 

[fasmstng]

Must not be the original tank. I checked the Vin, the frame is a 78.

As for the seat, no worries. There will be a fender on there some day. That air shock only compresses about an inch and the rear shocks are pretty stiff. Im in the test and tune phase with the bike right now. I'm gonna have to change the shocks, their pretty stiff(I bought the wrong ones). Pretty much like riding a hard tail. In fact even if I slam all my weight down on the seat the shocks dont move.

 

[fasmstng]

New K&N Pods, started cleaning up the motor. Started on the electrical too(Pamco, PMA)

Found some drag bars, a Unity fog lamp and a Sportster tank at a swap meet. Lowered forks 3 inches.

Wheels getting ready for powder coat. New Shinko 712 tires on the way.

 

[fasmstng]

Wheels back from powder coating and tires mounted up.

Other various parts back from paint and powder coating.

Bitwell risers

Wheels back on the bike

Tank on. Shortened kick stand a couple inches

 

[fasmstng]

Trying out different tanks.

Mocking up the controls. Picked up an R6 master.

Burly Shocks installed. (very stiff)

Frame sand blasted

Messing around with a moped tank

 

[fasmstng]

Painting frame with VHT Black wrinkle spray paint

 

[wherearewe]

Build is looking good! Im working on a very similar brat project. Are you planning on running a rear fender at all?

 

[fasmstng]

I don't want to run a rear fender, but I most likely will put one on. I took the bike over to DMV in the back of my truck to do a vin verification so I can get it registered. The DMV inspector wouldn't do it since the bike didn't have fenders or blinkers.

I'm thinking im going to do a narrow 5in ribbed fender and powder coat it black. Make it easily detachable as well.

 

[ProSimex]

I think running a fender would be a wise idea