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This thread is to chronicle my custom FXWG build from start to hopefully finish. First some background. This is my third overall motorcycle, my first was a 1976 Suzuki 550 bought it 1979, trashed it 1981. My second bike was a 1984 sportster 883, bought it in 1988 had it til 1994 when I sold it to a friend. Then came marriage and children. Children are grown now, so its time to get back on two wheels ! I picked up this bike about 2 1/2 years ago, the owner was injured in an accident and lost his left leg. The bike wasn't exactly road worthy but it wasn't a basket case either. It was just what I wanted though, a project I could sink my teeth in to. When I first picked it up I had big plans for kit, but they were quickly sidelined by injuries and health issues. Fast forward to today when the build got underway. Over the winter I had sent the frame along with numerous other parts to be powder coated. In the meantime I was squirreling away some dough to buy new parts. My goal going forward is to have a rolling frame sans engine and transmission in the next several weeks. The transmission is getting a complete rebuild. The engine I'm not certain on yet. It ran OK when I got it, however: there was some strange sound in the upper end. Hopefully it won't need much engine work. Tonight things got off to a bumpy start as I had trouble locating some of the parts I had purchased. Anyway I did manage to install the swing arm and shock studs along with the lower front fork tree. In addition I was able to reassemble the front forks.
I've attached a few pics of the start of the project, I will update this thread as often as I can get stuff done.
Welcome aboard! Your in the right place if you have any questions, lots of guys here with lots of knowledge and experience. Going to be fun watching your build
Yay a build thread! Looking forward to seeing this go together. What's the car on the lift?
ps, You probably already know to scrape the powder coat off the motor and trans mounts, right? Got a Harley Service Manual and Parts book to guide you?
Yay a build thread! Looking forward to seeing this go together. What's the car on the lift?
ps, You probably already know to scrape the powder coat off the motor and trans mounts, right? Got a Harley Service Manual and Parts book to guide you?
Yes, I have a manual and a parts catalogue. The Car on the lift is a 1951 Frazer Manhattan convertible.
Really cool! I'm a sucker for red frames. Odd reason but as a kid I remember the red framed (well almost orange) Sportster in A Bronx Tale when the bikers got their asses kicked by the mob LOL.
Last edited by garystaven88; Apr 23, 2020 at 03:53 PM.
Ordered the wrong sized shocks (by mistake, forgot to check the correct box) correct shocks are on the way. Will be installing the front forks on sat. will post update with pictures.
Ok. 4/25/20 - Mounted tires to rims today, completed fork installation. Checked fork installation by temporarily installing front tire. Prepping brake discs for installation, adding some accent to them, should have them on Wed. night. Also prepping transmission case for reassembly.
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1982 FXWG Custom project
