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Armpit deep in complete redo of a 79 shovel into the owners dream bike, total brass ***** / steampunk motif. Going for zero chrome but little to no paint if we can get away from it. Firgured out how to friction plate brass to steel & stainless without killing the temper on hardware and off we went. Bike was badly abused before he got it so it's been a naked frame up deal, we've had to pull everything down and lots of rework.
Just a taste of how things are coming along.
Was a new set of very chromed midglide trees for 41mm tubes, Narrow glide measurements but uses 41mm tubes & legs for better brake caliper mounts, getting dual Wilwood calipers and cartridge internals from Progressive. Handling & brakes were driving the guy crazy coming into a shovel off high end dual sport bikes.
Got around the shiny by using tired glass bead media to dull the chrome and just bring out the copper where chrome doesn't plate well like grooves or sharp corners. Hit it with a flat high heat clear coat to seal things and it's working well so far. More to come.
I like the concept.......................Handling & brakes were driving the guy crazy coming into a shovel off high end dual sport bikes... made me LOL
Last edited by old mago; May 29, 2026 at 02:42 AM.
Getting real, it’s been good to dust some of the old skills set off and flex the creative muscle a bit. Had a growing urge to build another bike, now I get to play and get paid for it. And a big upside has been digging out and sorting through my decades of accumulated stuff. Lot going to this build and I’ll be putting stuff to move in here and on Market Place. Started this last summer, my estate sale going to be goldmine for somebody
Needed to get some wheels laced, found this locally. Wheel Works in Hayward Ca. Serious old school guy, walked into the place and wondered what I stepped into, but he came highly recommended by several sources including the local Antique MC club. Place is insane, has old all original odd ball brit bikes all over the place and get this he makes the spokes for whatever you. Has a supply of blank sizes, a 1930's machines to cut to size and roll forms the threads on each. He was doing a set of wheels for 1940's something while I was there.
What I didn't get pictures of was his photo wall form the 60's & 70's and the salt flats and some of the early big name builders & racers, guys got some history behind him.
The thread rolling machine. Hand feed it one at a time, he wasn't even watching it while we shot the breeze. Loved the joint, I'll go visit just BS with the old guy.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Yesterday at 02:40 AM.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Just becuase
