skyrider 0 #426 March 23, 2010 Lookin gooood, the rear fender still bare? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #427 March 23, 2010 Yes, the fender will be the last thing I paint. I still have to cut out the left side for the chain clearance (can't do that until the chain is in place) and also smooth out where I cut and welded it to get the radius right. It's a 16 gauge steel fender and I'm not sure if I should try and grind it smooth or use body filler. I did okay fixing the dents on my swap meet fatbobs with body filler, but it took a couple of tries. The first time I thought they were dead smooth but when I applied the primer I noticed some flaws I didn't feel with my hands. The second time they came out better, not perfect, but Nina-worthy. One thing about paint and body work is it's just one big optical illusion. No straight line is ever really straight and no curve is ever mathematically correct. But if you can step back, open a beer, and it works, then you're good to go. But when you do it all yourself you know exactly where all the flaws are and your eye goes right to them. It's the reason I'm sure later in life Leonardo da Vinci got pissed off every time he looked at the Mona Lisa . . . The other thing I'm facing now is I have to start thinking about wiring Nina before too much goes back together. I re-wired my first Harley and the sail boat I used to own plus several airplanes but it's still a daunting task that takes a lot of forethought. I'm also trying to figure out a plan of attack for final assembly. There's a lot of parts getting red Loctite applied to their fasteners so once together taking it apart again is real PITA. I took inventory yesterday and here's what I still need: -Oil Cap -Carb, manifold, air cleaner. -Voltage regulator -Battery -Exhaust pipes (I have a set of intact Fatboy mufflers but I'm having trouble finding head pipes for a decent price. I didn't want to run open drag pipes on a new motor but I just might do that. If so, I'll use the thumbscrew trick for some back pressure.) -Clutch release rod (I can't believe the Ultima six speed transmission I bought didn't come with one. No biggie though. They are about 11 bucks at the Harley dealer.) -Gas tank petcock -Head breather bolts -Rear brake (I've got the caliber, bracket, and the pads, I just need a few miscellaneous clips and things.) -Spark plug wires -Ignition module (besides the carb this is the other spendy item.) -Upper motor mount (I can make one, just haven't done it yet) -Turn signals (You need them now in California to pass the initial DMV inspection. And there's no way to put turn signals on a bike like Nina that looks good. So at best they'll be temporary!) -Front brake line (I have one that works but it's too long. I might try and shorten it if I can figure out how. (I guess I could just cut it and re-make the connection with a steel tube and a couple of hose clamps.) My baggie full of receipts is getting bigger but still way under what a new store-bought Harley would have run me. About two years ago I came really close to buying a new Harley Crossbones. The sales guy was schmoozing me (and I thought I was un-schmoozable) but he had me drooling on the showroom floor. I even had the financing arranged for the $24,000 out the door price. But at the last moment I got a hold of myself. It's a beautiful bike, for sure, but there were just too many things I didn't like about it. It was over electrified (throttle by wire & electronic fuel injection) and way over computerized (ABS brakes, cruise control, computer engine monitoring.) And with all the new EPA rules they run lean and hot. That's when I decided to build something myself. And I'm pretty happy I did. Sometimes I'll see a Crossbones on the street, and sure that guy's out riding, but all I see is a fat payment book on two wheels, LOL . . . I haven't added up all I spent so far on Nina, but I think I'm still under $8000. I can't say working on Nina has been 100 percent enjoyable. There's been some frustration alright, especially when something you draw up on paper, spend all day building, and then it doesn't work or it does but it looks like shit. But there's some things you can't hang a price tag on. I can crawl into bed at three in the morning and when asked I can say, "I was out fooling around with Nina," and not get punched in the nose . . . ! NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #428 March 23, 2010 First , I'll break yoru heart...My Naighbor bought a new Crossbones at Charity auction, for 7800...only one other person was bidding against him! It even turned out to be the "exact same" bike he had been trying to buy from the local dealer, (donated by the dealership to the auction) the week before! The Dealer was PISSED to see how little it brought!Now we have 7 Bikers living on my street..and 3 Hotrod guys... As for the brake lines shortening...Any Hotrod shop can do that for you! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #429 March 23, 2010 Yeah, but a steel rod and two hose clamps is cheaper, LOL! NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #430 March 23, 2010 I think I still have some of those clamps that "look" like hydralic hose ends, I'll see if I can find one! (Hose clamp hidden inside a fake nut) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #431 March 23, 2010 BTW, I think ORielies sells and pep bys sell the parst too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #432 March 23, 2010 Back to your rear fender...You siad you weren;t sure about cleaning a weld? If it is thin steal, (16 gauge) I always ran another bead on the inside edge, so there is plenty of material for smoothing! Works good on chain cut outs too, Tack in and weld yoru strip tot he cut out, then run another bead on the back side, you can clean it so well, it will look stamped not welded! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #433 March 26, 2010 Okay, I might try that. Fun At The Harley Dealer . . . I've only been to the Stealer twice (3 months apart) so far on my build (both times because I needed a small part in order to keep working that day) and both times there was a customer in there just steaming mad. This one today was standing at the parts counter when I walked up and when the parts kid asked what I needed I pointed to steaming mad guy and said, "I think he was here first." And steaming mad guy looks at me and says, "Go ahead, what I need is way over this assholes head." So I handed the parts kid my shopping list of part numbers (he still automatically asked for year and model) but then realized he didn't need to know that and went off to find my parts. There were two other parts kids and one other customer there and every thirty seconds or so steaming mad guy would say, "Fucking monkeys, not one of you assholes is worth a god damn shit!" And the parts kids were ignoring him in a very practiced way so you know this kind of situation happens a lot. I never got what steaming mad guy was going on about as the parts kid came back with my stuff and I blew outta there. On my way out there was another guy but this one was a very happy guy. I heard the salesman telling him, "Okay, you're all set. You can come pick up your new Harley in the morning," and very happy guy was just beaming. So just twenty feet apart you had very happy guy and steaming mad guy. I wonder how long it will be before very happy guy becomes steaming mad guy! LOL!!! NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #434 March 26, 2010 I was living in OB and went over to San Diego Harley to get a longer kick start lever since my shin couldn't take any more abuse. Dressed only in sandals, shorts & sunglasses...I walked in and gave the monkey a part number. The steamin' mad guy in my case was an L.A. biker sporting colors, and lots of leather. He looked at me with disgust and said something about having to pick gravel out of a buddy for two hours that went down dressed like me......I said his buddy must be a pussy 'cause I pick my own gravel!Biker dude just glared at me and walked outside. Parts monkey handed me the lever laughing and gave me 'dealer' price...he said~ "Yer not too smart but ya got balls kid, I'll give that." I hopped on the scoot and hauled ass back to the beach! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnDeere 0 #435 March 26, 2010 Nothing opens like a Deere! You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #436 March 27, 2010 Ok - chimin in . . . I need a COMPLETE clutch basket kit with new chain for an 80 Shovelhead - I looked around and all I find is a pack of clutch pads and a basket kit - but no one sells it all in a complete kit - or am i just not any good at the interweb thingy? PS - I want the 5 pin, not the three pin - threes get to hot in traffic. I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #437 March 27, 2010 Quote Ok - chimin in . . . I need a COMPLETE clutch basket kit with new chain for an 80 Shovelhead - I looked around and all I find is a pack of clutch pads and a basket kit - but no one sells it all in a complete kit - or am i just not any good at the interweb thingy? PS - I want the 5 pin, not the three pin - threes get to hot in traffic. This any help? http://www.tejasthumpcycles.com/Parts/primaryclutch/primaryclutch.htm or this http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=harley+clutch+basket&_sacat=0&_dmpt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&_odkw=harley+basket&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #438 March 27, 2010 Quote Quote Ok - chimin in . . . I need a COMPLETE clutch basket kit with new chain for an 80 Shovelhead - I looked around and all I find is a pack of clutch pads and a basket kit - but no one sells it all in a complete kit - or am i just not any good at the interweb thingy? PS - I want the 5 pin, not the three pin - threes get to hot in traffic. This any help? http://www.tejasthumpcycles.com/Parts/primaryclutch/primaryclutch.htm Looked there and J&P has the best deal - but I can't get them to say whether or not it is OEM or Aftermarket or Aftermarket OEM . . . I should get a call back and will have to combine the kits . . .I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buff 0 #439 March 27, 2010 Quote Okay, I might try that. Fun At The Harley Dealer . . . I've only been to the HD shop once. It was fairly new big place on Hwy 59 between Lufkin, TX and Henderson, TX. That ought to keep it anonymous. Anyway, I never saw all that much traffic in/out of the place because it was not a very RUBy area. So I decide that diesel prices are going to climb and I really didn't have to drive the truck all that much so I'd get a bike. That weekend I'm wearing Carhart overalls and covered in drywall dust and crap while renovating part of the student area of our church. I'm headed to the hardware store and I decide to stop at the HD shop and look at the Nighttrain and VRod. Walk in and I'm the only customer in the place. Chick at the register in the middle looks at me and goes back to folding tee shirts. Parts guy just stays behind the counter. I look at both bikes, spec sheets, etc and absolutely nobody makes any type of sales attempt. They ignored me. I spent about 30 minutes between the two bikes, sat on both, and nothing out of the staff. The whole time, my 1/2 my checkbook is hanging out of my back pocket. On my way out the door, I pulled it out, turned around and held it in the air and said, "You just ignored an eight thousand dollar cash payment. I won't be back." I left and decided that if these dumbshits were that proud of thier product, they could sit on. I went on-line and found a Vulcan 800 with 3K miles on it in Memphis and went and picked it up from the guy for 4,000. Half of what I was going to put down on the HD. Rode it all over from Houston to Dallas. I have 17K on it now and just pulled it out of the garage here in Kansas and she fired right up and I rode around some after work. Easy bike to work on too. I ripped off all of that EPA shit and opened the pipes some by cutting out the rear baffles. Single carb is simple and there are other mods I could do but just don't have the time. The other nice thing is it doesn't have a computer, all cables, chain, and mechanical parts. Pretty fast too. I'm happy with it. Not sure if that HD place is still open given the economy behind the Pine Curtain but I really don't give a fuck.I've been following your build and she looks like she's going to be a sweet ride.It's called the Hillbilly Hop N Pop dude. If you're gonna be stupid, you better be tough. That's fucked up. Watermelons do not grow on trees! ~Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #440 March 27, 2010 >>the Pine CurtainLOL!!! NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpwally 0 #441 March 27, 2010 Up in the midwest we define people in Wisconsin as being north of the " Cheddar Curtain " whats the Pine Curain about ? smile, be nice, enjoy life FB # - 1083 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buff 0 #442 March 27, 2010 East Texas is forrested. Pines and hardwoods. Lots of logging and stuff. Diboll TX was at one time a company town owned by Temple [Industries] and they paid everyone in script. Now it's pretty much just a speed trap. SFA has an experimental forest out there for there Foresty program. So you get Ph.D canditates from China encountering their first coon-ass or redneck or meth cook. There is a little cafe off 21 west that has squirrel on the buffet line when in season. Lots of chicken houses too. Tyson and Pilgrims. When the space shuttle went down in the Pine Curtain, searchers from all over the US came in and were breifed on the dangers of the hydrazine propellent. Well this team came to the CP freaking out that they had been exposed because they smelled something god-awful. The head of the country ER asked them where they were and they said in a field boardering 5 low tin buildings and they smelled something like ammonia. He said, "that ain't rocket fuel guys, you just stepped into chicken shit." All in all just a weird place called the Pine Curtain. Normal world stuff does not apply behind it and occasionally one or two crazies escape.It's called the Hillbilly Hop N Pop dude. If you're gonna be stupid, you better be tough. That's fucked up. Watermelons do not grow on trees! ~Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #443 March 28, 2010 Had to work in the yard this morning (I'm a complete wuffo now!) but got a couple of hours to make Nina's top motor mount. I had it almost ready to bend up when I realized I drilled the bottom holes backasswards ! As my old Kiwi girlfriend would say, "Two bloody hours up the spout!" Oh well, tomorrow's another day . . . NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #444 March 28, 2010 Not enough coffee this morning it looks like to me! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #445 March 28, 2010 Quote Had to work in the yard this morning (I'm a complete wuffo now!) but got a couple of hours to make Nina's top motor mount. I had it almost ready to bend up when I realized I drilled the bottom holes backasswards ! NickD When i read this i thought, yea i can dig it, offsets on the wring side PITA but shit happens, then i clicked the picDude, where the hell was ya head, I suppose you could just drill the tpaered end and say the top holes are to lighten the rideYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #446 March 29, 2010 Quote Had to work in the yard this morning (I'm a complete wuffo now!) but got a couple of hours to make Nina's top motor mount. I had it almost ready to bend up when I realized I drilled the bottom holes backasswards ! As my old Kiwi girlfriend would say, "Two bloody hours up the spout!" Oh well, tomorrow's another day . . . NickD yer bottom holes are bassackwards.. Ohhhhhhhhh, I see you noticed that! Gotta love the fact yer showing what building a bike is REALLY about, mistakes and all, the Mistakes, are what makes it all that much more special when it is finished! Putting in a New garage door here at my man cave, had to move "most" of the bikes out (there are 3 more) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/onekick/Dodge/door002.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v400/onekick/Dodge/door009.jpg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #447 March 29, 2010 Damn, I gotta come visit sometime! I'm out in the garage re-building that dang motor mount. . . NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #448 March 29, 2010 Quote I'm out in the garage re-building that dang motor mount. . . NickD gentle reminder : don't forget to build it straightasswards She deserves itscissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #449 March 30, 2010 Make a note, people! In my next life make sure I don't come back as a blacksmith! Sometimes the simplest little project turns into a "thing." I won't keep you in suspense, I got her done all right and I'm pleased with how it came out. But I burned my hand, smashed my thump with a sledge, and as I mentioned (because of a bonehead move) had to do the whole thing twice. Anyway, she's stronger than anything I could have bought, has enough room to fudge it around when I line up the drive train, and it's another thing off the list! Plus! I saved myself twenty bucks!!!!!! NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickDG 23 #450 March 30, 2010 The drama continues . . . NickD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
