Well, my first bike is done. I'm sure that I'll have plenty more chances to get some wrench time into it, but the major stuff is all handled. I am looking forward to riding in the spring, but what to do 'til then? I think I am going to start work on the other '73 XLCH I acquired back in October.







It already has an aftermarket frame with more rake and 4 over fork tubes, so this one's not going back to stock. I have just about everything I need to put the bike together. I do want to paint it, and lower it. The rear I was thinking about dropping by putting a weld on rigid section on. That will drop it substantially. In order to to drop the front , I was going to use the factory fork tubes I have leftover from my last project. This is where my question comes in. The new project has '74 or newer front end with the pie wedge caliper. The tubes I want to use have the banana caliper. Will the fork tubes interchange from one lower leg to another?
Also, My intention is to keep this bike budget minded. I want to be able to use it to gain more experience sell it and recoup some of the money invested. I realize I'm not going to make money on it, but I'm willing to lose some dough to gain wrench time. I've spent more money on less productive things in the past! Should I just leave the ride height alone? I know I'm going to have to pull the jugs and replace 1 base gasket, so there will be some money there too.
The reason I would like to recoup some of the money is... you guessed it... I found another one! It's a '72. It's all original. It's all there, but all in pieces. That one I want to take back to factory correct, with the exception of the color. I'm thinking forest green metallic and champagne pearl 2-tone. With the sale of my 2nd project I would like to get going on this one. I think I can get it for about $500.00 and use the leftover to start the work. Selling my blue one is out of the question. I'm kind of emotionally attached to that one now!
Anyway....short story long, leave the ride height alone to conserve expense, or drop it to try to sell faster?

Any input appreciated.Thanks!

 

Weld on. After all,there's no putting this one back to factory without a unmolested frame..They do seem to sell faster rigid,and it will be fun! Betcha git attached to it to

 

If you decide to get rid of the 4 over tubes let me know I am thinking about putting a 3 degree rake in mine.

 

I was wondering what the purchasing public preferred, and it'll give me a chance to do a little fabrication. Woohoo! As for gettin' attached, that seems to happen, don't it?! Lol.
thanks!

 

I'll keep you posted. we'll see how level the bottom frame rails are when I get the rigid section on. If you're in a hurry, I'll warn ya. I don't move real fast though! especially with the onset of the wonderful Pa winter and no heat in the garage.I'll let you know as soon as I make some progress!
Thanks!

 

By the way Great looking 73. I tore a great deal of mine down today and decided to see about getting a paint gun and trying my hand at painting. Low on funds since I stopped driving semi. I let the last guy talk me into doing things part way so I looked at the bike today and made my mind up to have a few things powder coated and to paint the rest myself. I can't do any worse than the one I paid to paint it last time. ( painted where the seal on the caps go, so needless to say the paint peeled ) I have plenty of friends that say they will paint it for me but so far it hasn't been done. I will be working on the scoot all winter in the garage (also no heat- thank god for portable ones, other wise the PA weather might get the best of me ). Good luck on the new project. Can't wait to see it. I am hoping to have mine at Thunder on the Lake next year.

 

Thanks for the kudos, man! My 1st bike.Did everything myself(with the help of Pinion,Mick and the rest of the guys on here)I did have a friend shoot the color and clear,but I did the body work and put it in primer. Next one, I'm doin' myself.he did a great job, but I just wanna be able to do it, so ask a lot of questions while you're doin yours , so I don't have to! Lol!

thinkin 'bout draggin the 'new' project into the basement so I can stay warm this winter. You ride year round?! WOW, you're hardcore! Guess I'm a bit of a candya** when it comes to sub-zero temps and 3 feet of snow. Although my sister lives in Greenville and even though its only 1/2 hour south of here the winters do seem a bit milder. Little further out of the snow belt I guess.

Ill post pics as I go. I'd like to see your project too!

Thunder on the Lake! That was my goal this past summer. Oops, missed it. Oh well, I'm ready for the next one. Maybe I'll see you there. I'll be on the Blue one.

 

I was given a spray gun today by my boss he used to paint cars and said it is a really good one. We shall see how well it does in the hands of a beginner and for those of you who have painted your own bike my hats off to you. As for riding in the cold it isn't as bad as you think if you follow the rules I was taught by an old timer. Go to Erie while the snow is flying and go to a local dive shop and buy a complete neoprene suit including hood, gloves and booties. I paid like 125 for my old set. I am going to have to purchase a new one next year. I have pictures posted on here of when I got the bike finished last time. I have it partially tore down and I plan on taking pictures of each failure and achievement along the way.

 

So you have a spray gun, but more importantly what do you have for an air compressor?

The spray gun will require a certain minimum CFM and the compressor must be able to supply that Cubic Feet per Minute supply.

You will also have to decide what kind of paint you want to use and pick up the data sheets and instructions for applying what ever type of paint you decide on.

Paint supply stores that sell the paint can provide you with these instruction sheets.
The best type of paint will be urethane epoxy but the downside today is you can buy gold bullion cheaper than this type of paint.
pg

 

I have a dual tank compressor. It was used to paint a car 2 years ago. I would love to find some emron ( spelling paint ) and learn to use it. That is what I had on my '57 trump. Still had it on it when I got rid of it after 35,000 plus miles.