Tips for first build
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 9
From: Houston, Texas, USA
RE: Tips for first build
The "bike in a box" sounds like a good idea. All the parts are made to fit each other. And, title should be straightforward, even though it will be a special custom.
So what "bike in a box" do you recommend?
So what "bike in a box" do you recommend?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 64
From: SoCal
RE: Tips for first build
Righteous,
I am hesitant to recommend any kit. I've never built a bike from a kit. I'd rather hunt down a basket case or a fixer that is already registered to minimized the registration work. I bought my bike from a salvage yard and had to jump through some hoops to get it registered in California (it came from Oregon) but it had been registered before so I imagine it is easier than doing it SPCN. It now has a salvage title which supposedly lowers its resale value but it's such an old model year (1979) that I doubt having a salvage title will have much affect on its resale price plus I intend to own this thing for a loooong time. There isn't much left of the original bike at this point but I believe having a frame with a title made registering much easier.
Whether you go with a kit or a basket/fixer, I strongly suggest you talk to somebody at your DMV to learn what you can about the registration process in your area to avoid nasty surprises.
Oh yeah, talk to your insurance company regarding a kit or salvage bike. If you go with an already registered basket/fixer they probably don't have to know you bought it in pieces.
I am with AAA and they didn't care about it being a salvage title bike as long as it passed the registration process which, for me, involved the DMV, CHP and a shop to do the brake and light inspection.
Now all that BS aside, I have found that building my bikes myself, has been the most rewarding way to get on a bike. If you like doing this kind of stuff and you do it right, I think you're gonna love it man.
I am hesitant to recommend any kit. I've never built a bike from a kit. I'd rather hunt down a basket case or a fixer that is already registered to minimized the registration work. I bought my bike from a salvage yard and had to jump through some hoops to get it registered in California (it came from Oregon) but it had been registered before so I imagine it is easier than doing it SPCN. It now has a salvage title which supposedly lowers its resale value but it's such an old model year (1979) that I doubt having a salvage title will have much affect on its resale price plus I intend to own this thing for a loooong time. There isn't much left of the original bike at this point but I believe having a frame with a title made registering much easier.
Whether you go with a kit or a basket/fixer, I strongly suggest you talk to somebody at your DMV to learn what you can about the registration process in your area to avoid nasty surprises.
Oh yeah, talk to your insurance company regarding a kit or salvage bike. If you go with an already registered basket/fixer they probably don't have to know you bought it in pieces.
I am with AAA and they didn't care about it being a salvage title bike as long as it passed the registration process which, for me, involved the DMV, CHP and a shop to do the brake and light inspection.
Now all that BS aside, I have found that building my bikes myself, has been the most rewarding way to get on a bike. If you like doing this kind of stuff and you do it right, I think you're gonna love it man.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Tips for first build
In case you are not aware, I am curren tly building a chopper/bobber.
 \\;
If there is only one thing I can tell you, is that NOTHING EVER JUST FITS!!!! \\; I don't give a crap if the company that made the product said it would fit, IT WON"T....seriously, you will have to midfiy everything....COUNT ON IT!
 \\;
"Bike in a box". \\; Ok, what you get is alot of lower quality parts...the brakes are lower quality, alot of the parts just look cheap IN MY OPINION.
 \\;
The BEST way to do this, again, in my opinion, is to start with a Harley Davidson with a clear title. \\; This is what I did. \\; Sportsters are the best bike to use to build a custom. \\; Narrow, compact motors, can be built up, VERY tough, and becasue everything is "unitized" meaning the tranny, engine, etc, is all one piece, you jsut drop it in.
 \\;
Another way to go, is to go ahead and buy an aftermarket frame or a full kit, and buy a titled frame from a harley. \\; Then cut off the head tube with the VIN numbers and replace the head tube on the new frame with the harley one. \\; Technically illegal, but who is to say that you didn't jsut rebuild the Harley?
 \\;
Look, the front half of my frame is the factory harley, already titled and licensed. \\; The back half is a Led Sled Customs rigid kit, that I have cut and chopped on as I am fitting stuff up before powercoating.
 \\;
Just remember, this is not for the faint of heart. \\; Of course it can be done, but it isn't jsut a quickie little job.
 \\;
~Joe
 \\;
 \\;
If there is only one thing I can tell you, is that NOTHING EVER JUST FITS!!!! \\; I don't give a crap if the company that made the product said it would fit, IT WON"T....seriously, you will have to midfiy everything....COUNT ON IT!
 \\;
"Bike in a box". \\; Ok, what you get is alot of lower quality parts...the brakes are lower quality, alot of the parts just look cheap IN MY OPINION.
 \\;
The BEST way to do this, again, in my opinion, is to start with a Harley Davidson with a clear title. \\; This is what I did. \\; Sportsters are the best bike to use to build a custom. \\; Narrow, compact motors, can be built up, VERY tough, and becasue everything is "unitized" meaning the tranny, engine, etc, is all one piece, you jsut drop it in.
 \\;
Another way to go, is to go ahead and buy an aftermarket frame or a full kit, and buy a titled frame from a harley. \\; Then cut off the head tube with the VIN numbers and replace the head tube on the new frame with the harley one. \\; Technically illegal, but who is to say that you didn't jsut rebuild the Harley?
 \\;
Look, the front half of my frame is the factory harley, already titled and licensed. \\; The back half is a Led Sled Customs rigid kit, that I have cut and chopped on as I am fitting stuff up before powercoating.
 \\;
Just remember, this is not for the faint of heart. \\; Of course it can be done, but it isn't jsut a quickie little job.
 \\;
~Joe
 \\;
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 2
From: central TEXAS
RE: Tips for first build
ORIGINAL: rebeltruce
lolife,
Not to hijack the thread....but who makes the Springer front end you have on your Sporty? I've been contemplating changing the front end out on my 'custom' Sporty.
Thanks!
ORIGINAL: lolife
just jump in head first and do it.................its not rocket science............ . The spacing on the wheels can be difficult......... . . .but again its not rocket science.............. . . .I built my first in 110 days......start to finish..................... . . . ...................Im now ready for my second................................... . . . ........................
just jump in head first and do it.................its not rocket science............ . The spacing on the wheels can be difficult......... . . .but again its not rocket science.............. . . .I built my first in 110 days......start to finish..................... . . . ...................Im now ready for my second................................... . . . ........................
Not to hijack the thread....but who makes the Springer front end you have on your Sporty? I've been contemplating changing the front end out on my 'custom' Sporty.
Thanks!
 \\;
 \\;
 \\;
 \\;
 \\;
DNA................. . . . ..............Just remember Kids................ . .Nothing fits.........That's why they call it custom............ . . . .You have to make it fit............ . . . .............
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Tips for first build
Yea, I know. \\;\\\\\\; Trust me.
 \\;\\\\\\;
I keep writing that for the benefit of the others on here. \\;\\\\\\; It's not like OCC on T.V. \\;\\\\\\; It's a hell of a lot of work. \\;\\\\\\; The rewards are HUGE, and you learn alot, and you end up really "knowing" your scooter. \\;\\\\\\; I just hate to see someone jump in not being prepared for alot of headache. \\;\\\\\\; There's a never ending supply of half finished bikes for sale. \\;\\\\\\; ANYONE can do this, it just takes 1. money 2. time 3. patience.
 \\;\\\\\\;
If you don't want the hassle, just buy a really nice Harley, get a nice custom paintjob and some nice wheels and forget it.
 \\;\\\\\\;
~Joe
 \\;\\\\\\;
 \\;\\\\\\;
I keep writing that for the benefit of the others on here. \\;\\\\\\; It's not like OCC on T.V. \\;\\\\\\; It's a hell of a lot of work. \\;\\\\\\; The rewards are HUGE, and you learn alot, and you end up really "knowing" your scooter. \\;\\\\\\; I just hate to see someone jump in not being prepared for alot of headache. \\;\\\\\\; There's a never ending supply of half finished bikes for sale. \\;\\\\\\; ANYONE can do this, it just takes 1. money 2. time 3. patience.
 \\;\\\\\\;
If you don't want the hassle, just buy a really nice Harley, get a nice custom paintjob and some nice wheels and forget it.
 \\;\\\\\\;
~Joe
 \\;\\\\\\;
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 2
RE: Tips for first build
There are many bikes in a box,,,,,those kits don't go that well together. There is always a need to cut,grind,weld or replace...There are many "so called" custom shop builds that are junk,,,,poor welds,improper wheel spacing,cheap Taiwan parts. Its "your" bike use good parts ,,,it will cost more ,but again what is your life worth? \\; I recycle many HD parts or build my own...if the price is too good to be true,,,,its junk!...And get help from a friend, I've tried to do it all.....not a good idea......its hard too be great at every aspect of bike building...ie \\; paint, fab work ,motor assembly, wheel lacing and so on.
Dave
Dave
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, WA
RE: Tips for first build
Yeah I have seen those kits! It's looks tempting but for me the pleasure will be in the build itself. I am in no rush and if it takes a long time then it takes a long time. My brother and I are restoring a 68 Camaro and it's about 70 percent where we want it. We have been wrenching on it for the last 4 years and there is no rush. Like I said the pleasure is in the sitting around drinking beer, and spinning wrenches. It's for sure a Hot Rodders Journey!
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