My heritage special build

[section8joe]

I picked up an 83 Heritage Special in Sept. I paid $550 for the bike and it was a non runner.

I replaced the ignition coil and cleaned the carbs and the bike fired up. My ignition switch is shot so for now this is my key.

This is my first build and I'm learning everything as I go. I have a few good friends who are helping me so I'm hoping to have the bike built by summer. I going to hardtail it with a 4 inch stretch and a 2 inch drop. I've ridden bmx for the past 25 years so pretty psyched on the David bird looptail that lowbrow sells. Kinda reminds me of the old Mongoose bikes. I ordered it 3 weeks ago so I should be just about done. I'm hoping to have the tail welded on by Thanksgiving.

 

[bdholsin]

I like that paint color.

Is that a Dodge your loading it into?

 

[section8joe]

No, it's a beat up s10.

 

[bdholsin]

I could see the top was smooth and thought it was a Dakota.

 

[section8joe]

I started to tear everything out. I got nervous with every part that I took off. I'm not really sure I'll be able to put it all back together.

I finally removed the motor by myself, big pain in the ass.

I made a soda blaster and I started to clean the motor.

My buddy wanted to make my tank so we found an old peanut tank and he started messing around with it.

I went to check on the status of my tank and I saw this. This is what you get when you ask a 6 year old what he wants to write on his bike!

 

[Yamaha_chop]

l like the direction of the tank! Looks to be good for just over a gallon of gas, a lot like mine hah

Keep on it man. Honestly there's not a lot to these bikes, you'll be able to put it back together no problem. And if you get stuck there's manuals online and about 4 sites dedicated just to these bikes, shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Travis]

How did the engine turn out after the cleaning?

 

[section8joe]

I'm still working on the engine. I was using regular baking soda and my compressor was shitting out. I bought some actual blast media soda and I'm gonna give it another go tomorrow. I'll post some pics soon.

 

[section8joe]

Here are a few pics of the David Bird hardtail.

Im taking it to get welded on tonight. Psyched that the original frame fit into my GTI.

Here is a few new pics of the tank with a Jim Beam sight glass. My buddy is doing all the work on the tank.

 

[section8joe]

After a few weeks of no progress we started grinding off tabs and brackets.

 

[Beau]

I can't wait to see that tail section on. What dimensions did you order?

 

[section8joe]

The Bird hardtail is 4 back and 2 down.

 

[section8joe]

Fender came today. Led Sled Mohawk.

 

[section8joe]

Well were slowly making progress. We made the battery box.

I ordered tubing for the oilbag, tons of bungs, my ignition, throttle, bars, seat, hinge, springs, brass petcock, mandrel tubing, taillights and a few other things. We messed around with bike tonight and here are a few pics.

 

[uknowme2goog]

the tank came out nice...

 

[Beau]

That's the first pic I have seen of the loop tail built up.

Your photo should be added to the hardtail thread in the Tech. section.

Very cool.

 

[JGore99]

Looks really good man. I have the same hardtail with 2" stetch and 2" drop. You also have the bars I want, but I want them in black. Looking forward to seeing you get this thing done!

 

[Sullen Merc]

Coming along nicely man! Have to love those david bird hardtails!!!

 

[section8joe]

Made a bit more progress tonight. Cut out the bar that the seat bungs mount to. We moved it back about 4 inches. Notched out the fender a bit too. Im pretty psyched at the rear end.

Seat mock up

 

[petesxs]

Well, you know, I'll be glad when the chopper craze for hacking up an XS650 will come to an end. It seems so ten years ago. But if it's what you want, good luck with it. Looks like it's coming along nicely.