81 Project Update

It has been a long while since I posted, primarily because it is taking a long time to do the next mod. Here are the things being done. BTW this is a complete garage build, I am an amateur so not really concerned if someone can do it better.

1. Adding a Hard Tail to it. The new frame will drop the bike by 3" and add 4" to overall length. This will also require the bike to have a raked front end to level it out.
2. Changing the tank to add to the custom look, more of an oval tank, Also putting in a visual gas gauge.
3. Change out the rims, 19" in the front and a little wider tire in the back, both on whitewall old school tires.
4. Changing out the Oil tank to a full custom built tank.
5. New paint......or maybe no paint, I like the new rusted out look so might go that route. Rusted out with some nice old school pin striping might also be an option.
6. Rearrange the exhaust....I am going to look at some different designs, maybe some super short straight down, or the exact opposite, supper long that shoot way up in the back. If I go that way then I need a large sissy bar in the back.
7. The bike will be totally unrecognizable as an AMF HD 81' 1000 sportster when its done.

Some Bobbers at Daytona Bike Week

 Daytona had some nice Bobbers to get some ideas

 Looks like my need to get a hard tail frame is evident after seeing this bikes

I alos think I may need a springer front end. But is seems a Frisco mount tank is not a priority

Starter Relay Gone Bad.

OK so I go to try and start my bike. It won't turn over. I wiggle some of the electrical and it cranks. I get it home and do this a couple more times. Finally it dies completely. SO I begin to Troubleshoot the electrical. But if your like me you hate to troubel shoot electrical. SO I charge the battery completely. I look at the wiring block and make sure all the connections are tight. WHICH they weren't then you try again and NOTHING. BUT I did notice that the Starter Relay Switch was CLICKING loudly. SO I finally do a search on the internet for "Starter Relay Switch Clicking but Harley Won't start". Well I found hundreds of hits and forums that say a multitude of things However ONE english based forum post made the best recommendation. Buy cheap Starter Relay and replace the one you have. SO I attempted to do just that. I called a few autopart stores with no luck and finally I decided to just run down to Advanced Auto and see if they could match up the relay. Attached is the pic of the OLD relay, New Relay and the box it came in.

    And guess what it fired right up problem solved. $12.41 total and it is fixed. The part has R3177 on the box as in the pic. So if you want a qucik fix sometimes its better than pulling your hair out to just REPLACE the suspect part.

Mounted the Seat

Got the seat mounted. Had no real issues. However when it sits on the Bike it tilts a little forward. This gives you the feeling that your sliding forward when riding. Need to adjust the front higher to make it so this is not the case. Looks good for now and will look better once the rigid frame is on it.

Added the Apes and White Grips

I finally added the 12" Apes and the White Grips. So it is coming along pretty good. Hopefully I will have the new Seat mounted shortly and then I think I am going to be looking at white walls to finish off the look.

Looks like its slowly coming together

Finished My Seat - Now need to Mount it.

Well Finally finished my Solo Seat. Mounted on a 13" LaRosa Design Seat Pan polished aluminum.

Now I just need to mount it and it will be ready to Ride. I plan to do a Few More of these and test market them to see if there is a Market. If anyone is interested you can contact me at trevor.sok@gmail.com and I will let you know what it would cost.

Coolness in the air.

Well it is starting to get cooler and it's about time to tear down the '81 again and do some changes. Currently here are the changes I got off Ebay and Shipping here as I write.

• White Hand Grips
• Braided Front Brake Lines
• 12" Apes

Looks like with the these minor items I can start some major movement on the cleaning up of controls.

• Remove the Handlebar Controls (relocate starter button to rt. side of bike)
• Change out Headlight and wiring
• move around the ignition.

A few other things that I plan is to

• Adjust the height of the rear fender.
• Remove the Chain Guard

Thats about enough for now but finding a few nice Biker sites along the way.Check out  dirtyoldbiker.com