Newbie Build

[HunterRMarshall]

Hey all,

Just thought I would introduce myself and post a couple of pics from my first ever build. I got a 79 XS650 from a friend and we are going to be bobbing it. Started prepping the frame to ship off to have it hard tailed. Wish I could find someone local to due the weld on for me, shipping is RIDICULOUS! Anyway, really looking forward to building this bike. Always looking for input and good ideas.

 

[snatchman]

What hardtail are you welding on? Tc bros is a great hardtail and really easy to weld on. Just find a local welding shop and ask them to do it for you. Just did mine and it only took me about 30 mins to do. It will be cheaper than the shipping.

 

[HunterRMarshall]

I was planning on the TC Bros, went to put in order today and shipping was over $200 and that was just from them to me when done. Probably another $75 to ship to them. Think I will be making some calls to see if I can find a local welder willing to do it.

 

[snatchman]

Do you know how to weld? If not it might be a good idea to pick up a cheap one and get someone to teach you the basics cause your gonna need more welding done on your bike other than the hardtail depending on what your doing with your chop. What ideas do you have on your chop. This is my first too but I have quite a bit of experience with fabrication and welding. The mechanical stuff however is a little out of my league.

 

[weekendrider]

No reason to ship when you have local talent.
http://www.custom-motorcycle-builder.com/bike-builder/index.php?state=Idaho&city=BOISE

Google search to the rescue. Don't know a thing about him or the shop.
When the page first opened I thought Uh Oh this going to be too expensive.
But scroll down the page to the group of bikes, lo and behold he might know 6fiddys.

 

[snatchman]

Nice one Weekendrider. Keep in touch HunterRmarshall. Sounds like we might be doing similar work on our bikes and are at the same stage. Be a good idea to bounce ideas off each other.

 

[wherearewe]

Do you know how to weld? If not it might be a good idea to pick up a cheap one and get someone to teach you the basics cause your gonna need more welding done on your bike other than the hardtail depending on what your doing with your chop. What ideas do you have on your chop. This is my first too but I have quite a bit of experience with fabrication and welding. The mechanical stuff however is a little out of my league.

Thats good advise snatchman but with one caveat. I wouldnt be 'learning to weld' on something as crucial as fitting a hard tail frame. Bad welds one something like that could be pretty dangerous.

 

[snatchman]

Yeah your right. I didn't mean welding the hardtail yourself. That you should definitely have a pro do. But with someone teaching you some good basics and a little practising on some scrap you have lying around you should be able weld on bungs and fender struts etc.

 

[wherearewe]

Yeh for sure. I had a pro do the load bearing stuff on mine. Bought myself a little gasless mig for learning with and doing tabs and bungs. Def been a handy investment.

 

[HunterRMarshall]

I am not a welder so I am definitely gonna need to take this to someone to have them weld it. My buddy does weld but is not comfortable welding something as important as this. I am doing some calling around today to try and track down someone local. Anybody have an idea of about what this should run? Talked to a couple of places this morning, one won't do it for insurance reasons and the other ball parked it at round $200.

 

[HunterRMarshall]

@Snatchman - Would definitely love to learn to weld myself, and probably will, but like has been posted dont think frame welding would be a good place to start. My buddy had a welder and some experience so he can do tabs and what not for me to begin with.
The ideas for this bike are pretty simple, and by simple I mean cheap. Building this on a very tight budget. Figure this is going to be a project for some time, right now I am just trying to get the basics done so I can get it on the road. My youngest son wants me to pick him up from his last day of school this year. Thinks it would be cool to walk out with his friends on point to the big hairy guy on the chopper and say "Thats my ride, Later!"

 

[Squint]

Try getting a hold of Jon at Monster craftsman. They welded my voodoo tail on and charged me $90 to ship back and forth. They carry the tc bros tail also. Great guys to work with. I had them replace my stock gussets and weld on my seat mounts also. Quality work.

 

[snatchman]

It shouldn't be more than an hours labour. 2 at most if you do go with a tc bros hardtail. Like i said i did mine myself and it only took me 30 mins and i tigged mine. You want to have your engine mounted though to make sure nothing the front of the frame stays where it should. Keep in mind that the seat rail and fender rail are just tacked in place so that you can move them to your own position once you know where you want to mount your seat and fender. Make sure your welder follows the instructions provided and tack everything first and check measurements again and again and again to make sure it stays straight when welding. Im doing mine on the cheap as well. Hopefully be done in bout 3 months.

 

[HunterRMarshall]

Hey Squint, thanks for the advice. Even though MonsterCraftsman's weld on service is a little more expensive, they can get me freight at around $50. BIG savings over the $200+ from TC Bros.

 

[HunterRMarshall]

Quick update, talked to Jon @ Monstercraftsman yesterday. Definitely gonna be sending frame them for hard tailing. Jon was very cool to talk to and very straight forward. Will be doing more business with them in the future.

 

[Squint]

You won't be disappointed. Look forward to seeing your build.

 

[HunterRMarshall]

Had a couple friends over this weekend to help tear down the parts bike. Shipped frame off to MonsterCraftsman on Friday to have the do the weld on of the hardtail. Still moving forward, still a long way to go. Dam this is fun!

 

[HunterRMarshall]

Well making some progress on the bike. Finally got the frame back from the guys at MonsterCraftsman. Really liking the Voodoo Vintage hardtail!. Not overly impressed with the customer service from these guys, but their products are good.

Thinking we have about 2 more weekends of work and I should be able to kick the beast to life. Turning out better than I imagined.

 

[HunterRMarshall]

Just a few more photos. The handsome young man is my youngest son, and best shop assistant.