78 Frame Up Chopper Build!

[Beck Built Fab]

It's been awhile since I've built a bike for myself and I am so excited to get rolling in this one!

I picked up a blown up crusty 1978 motor in a parts lot for dirt, I mean, DIRT cheap. I wasn't sure if I was going to do anything with it at all at first but slowly decided that I wanted to learn how to rebuild these motors.

After deciding to rebuild it I discovered that the crank needs rebuilt. So, I split the cases and will be rebuilding the crank. Unless I can source a good one locally for a decent price.

While I have everything apart I decided to get the cases, cylinders, head, side covers and some other stuff vapor blasted by North Parts Co. here in Washington State. He did what he calls "Vapor Polishing" which from what I understand is a 3 stage process. They turned out INCREDIBLE. I've never seen such a clean motor in my life. It's wild.

I have yet to dive into the motor rebuild. I've been busy with my fab business but things are starting to slow down just a bit so I can do some of my own stuff soon!

I need to get all the seals, gaskets and copper washers for everything so if anyone has recommendations on where to get those or if there is a full kit I can get please let me know!


While waiting to dive into the motor I enlisted the help of my good buddy Jay at JumpStreet Customs (@livingdeadmc) to build me a frame! It's a zero stretch single down tube rigid frame. It came.out so so sick and I can't WAIT to get it in my hands!

For the front end I'll be running a bit of a Frankenstein set up but it looks killer! It's got 39mm trees from an 04+ Harley Sportster, the forks are from a Suzuki Intruder 800 and a 21" front wheel from a Sportster. I'll be running a 13 spoke sporty rear mag wheel.

So far that's as far as I've gotten. I'll be building everything else that I can minus the fender and tank. I'll be drawing a lot of influence from Frisco style choppers and the tough guy performance style choppers.

I'll try to add to this as I go!

 

[Jim]

Following.

 

[Raymond]

+1

 

[JOHNDADDY]

+2 WOW!

 

[Signal]

The vapour blasting looks great. Don't forget to clean the oilways as those beads get in places you cant imagine possible. Following with interest.

 

[livingdeadmc]

So stoked for ya man!

 

[Beck Built Fab]

So stoked for ya man!

Thanks homie!! I was trying to tag you but for whatever reason it wouldn't let me!

 

[Mailman]

Nice! Like that frame and the jig used to build it!

 

[Beck Built Fab]

Nice! Like that frame and the jig used to build it!

Right?! I am extremely jealous of that jig! So clean!

 

[WideAWAKE]

Looking good so far!

Nothing more expensive than a cheap motorcycle! Or in your case, a cheap motor haha.

 

[Mannyroad]

As Signal points out, spend plenty of time cleaning out all the oilways/galleries as these always have abrasive media left in them after vapour cleaning. BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, it looks like you've had the vapour cleaning done with the starter driven pinion shaft still fitted in the crankcase half. It is ESSENTIAL that this is removed because there is a large cavity behind this shaft and it will definitely be full of abrasives. From the gearbox side you will see a small, rough opening / slot in the crankcase casting directly behind the shaft. No matter how much you shoot brake cleaner or other cleaning product into that opening you will never get all the abrasive material out without withdrawing the starter pinion shaft. I left mine in place when I had my engine components vapour blasted because I couldn't easily remove the shaft. Once I realised there was a void behind the shaft I locally heated the crankcase to enable me to pull.out the shaft, and a huge dollop of abrasive media came out. Just wanted to make the point. Apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs.

 

[Mannyroad]

This is my motor, ready now for rebuilding. Its a 750 rephase, going in my new chop build. Will be watching your build with interest.

 

[Beck Built Fab]

Thanks for the insight @Mannyroad ! I have since sold the vapor honed motor. I had some unexpected expenses come up and needed to liquidate some stuff.

Since then I have acquired 2 different motors. One needs rebuild and is super clean and the other is a bit crusty but a runner. Not sure which way I'll go yet.

I've also received my frame and began. Mocking stuff up. It looks so sick. I've swapped out the rear mag for a solid fatboy style wheel, along with a sportster tank that I'll be doing some custom fabrication to.

 

[Mannyroad]

Ah, just spotted that your original post was 2024. Hope the guy who bought the motor did what I suggested and removed the shaft or he'll have a sick motor soon.
Love the style of the new bike. Is this its present state or are they llder pics?

 

[Beck Built Fab]

Ah, just spotted that your original post was 2024. Hope the guy who bought the motor did what I suggested and removed the shaft or he'll have a sick motor soon.
Love the style of the new bike. Is this its present state or are they llder pics?

I would assume he knew what he was doing and what to look for, he's built a crazy amount of these motors for flatrack racing I believe.

That's it's current state right now. I'm thinking I may customize the sporty tank into a cool Frisco mount split tank type thing and I might try my hand at building my own fender.

 

[Mannyroad]

Cool. Keep posting pics.