I liked the bike the way it was alright, but I wanted to build something more custom/handmade. Something that is really mine, more vintage looking, more unique, and using minimal over the counter parts. I enjoy building and fabricating as much as I do riding, I've got newer bikes that will always be more reliable, this build and the others I do are just fun hobbies.
Here is the frame when just the bottom rails were bent and first fit up. took a lot of measuring against the old frame to get things where I wanted them. a little more rake and a little more stretch, and a little more drop! but nothing extreme
skip ahead, spine tube has holes drilled where the under spine tank will mount. the spine took forever to shape because I want the profile to match as closely to the tank profile as possible
got the head tube slotted for its future social security number...
blamo, frame is all tacked together. don't think this took a weekend, i'm just getting up to speed on the build. might still shorten up the rear, with the motor on there and the chain mocked up it seemed like it may be stretched a little too much, but i'll mess around with it more to make sure its where i want it
finally got a respectable milling machine. bought it from a friend just 6 blocks away. took 4 hrs to move it 10ft. but it is soooooo sweet. To be honest I love rebuilding and refurbishing old machinery at least as much as i like building bikes.
made the first part of the seat support
little shot of the motor mounts, easier to appreciate them when they don't have stuff bolted to them, but i can't locate the pile of 10 that i made a few weeks ago. hopefully they turn up so i don't have to make more.
new, shorter steering stem for the girder forks. triples are also done, i'll take some pics soonish...
neck gussets being drilled out
neck gusset mockup, maybe the theme of the bike will be: Why is there a hole here?
I like where I had the reg/rec located before but the piece of sheet metal this replaced was pretty sorry looking. Starter motor? Psssh, talk about dead weight! this thing will gladly take its place...