May 28, 2011 Post - Shop Pictures / Rigid Frame Single Downtube

 Ever see JJ's frame with the holes in the single downtube. Well Joey saw some of those bikes and asked if I could put one together for him .Never did one like that so it was something I wanted to try. Its not really hard work . It's just time consuming .

 I started with some 3/16 " wall DOM Tubing. Lined it up on my mill table. First I put a board under the tube to protect the table surface. The tubing is 1 1/2" dia. For this tube I bored out 1 1/8" holes. Then slid a short section 1 1/8" tube in the holes. So far its  a piece of cake.

 A bunch of tig  welding later and you have a tube with all these stubs sticking out each side . If your like me, your getting impatient to see some progress. Now some of you will have ideas how to do  this better  and I want to hear from you .

 When all that welding is done. Its time for the downtube to get cleaned up. Now this is work and it takes time to do a decent job. Once cleaned up , it's time to work on another area of the frame.  It's suppose to be a combination of a couple of frames WCC used to produce in LBC .

 Starting to look like something . A little stretch in the front and some in the rear.

 This frame will get a Big Inch Motor . If you can catch it , you can take a closer look. Last picture show's  the frame still in the jig. Lots to do yet. Will post more images of this when she's done.  Remember  , " If your coasting , your going downhill ". Jg

Special Thanks To :
Seal Team " 6 " For a job well done . Our Military Kick's Ass ! Military Discounts apply at Hardtail Choppers ! Respects , John Grant

May 21 , 2011 - Quicky Pipe Rack

 Shop Tips : El Cheapo Pipe Rack.
When I first started this blog stuff . I wanted to post shop techniques , tips and anything that was shop related .

 You may never need to haul tube's or pipe . If you do though . You will need your own truck , borrow a truck or have it delivered.  If your a poor boy like ol john , you go pick it up your self. Most of you know tubes come in lengths of 20 plus feet long. You can cut them to what ever length hauls easy and just throw it in the back of the truck. I never like to make a cut unless its where it works out best . Just cutting these in half and hauling them back to the shop would created waste .

 Pipe Racks are big , clunky , and only used once in a while. No need for a full time pipe rack . Here's where the fabricator in me come's  in . Needed to come up with something  easy and simple . Now you can see my old truck is a shop truck and i use it that way. If it gets a scratch ,  it just an old work truck and i use the shit out of it. Can't beat a shop truck for gettin it done . The el cheap-o pipe rack works just like it should. Just take 2 short sections of old tube or pipe. Make 2 - 180 degree bends in each tube at each end. Your truck box will have those holes to slide the tube in at the rear of bed. I just roll open a window and hang the second tube from the door . your tubes won't go anywhere if you tie them tight to the rack . Once I get back to the shop and unload the tube's . Just remove the el cheapo-s , throw them behind the seat till the next time.
If you don't have a bender and want some el cheapo pipe racks, I can twist you up a set. This is too easy. Give me a hollar if you need a set of El Cheapo Pipe Racks . You got a shop trick you want to share with us, send it my way or just post to my blog your tips.
Remember , If your coasting , your going down hill.  jg hardtail choppers

May 20 , 2011 " Maggie May "

 To all my loyal readers , I'am Back . There never seems to be enough time to do everything that needs being done . Have a new frame in the jig that is a mix of some jj stuff. Special order so I will do my best to make it happen for Joey. Next post will have new images of the frame . Stay tuned. If it looks good you don't have to say anything , but if it sucks . Say it.  The little stainless cast Flying Hog is from my pals foundry and sell for around $50 a pop. Hand made by Jimmy C . These little hogs are wild .

 Weather turned nice and out came the old pan. Wife says, where are you going ? . I said I want to see if she'll start with a smile. tried to sell Maggie May a couple of times but when it came time to start for the potential buyer , she would not start.  I started thinking she didn't want to leave her warm comfy shop. Potential customer would leave and Maggie would start right up.

 Never wanted to sell her . It was always a money crunch kind of situation . This bike has cost me nothing but money since I dragged her home in pieces in that white truck in the background. It doesn't look high buck but I tell you i just couldn't leave well enough alone and i started that replace this , replace that kind of mode.

 Maggie is a mix of old H-D and STD , S&S , Bailsey Roller Rockers in the New STD Heads , exile brake set up , moon oil tank , Morris g5 auto mag. original springer . Kick only . Total of 5 wires . Not unlike a ton of other little rigid pans. But this one is mine and she screams ,  Get Out Of The Way !

 Try to make as much of the bike as I can . Reshaped the rear fender from a front fender . Made the seat pan but had a pal of mine stitch the leather . Bars , I sell on my web site. "Dukes"
Well , I put the leg to the kicker  and she fired right up. She's happy to be home and I am really glad she's here . This is not my only bike , but I have always said , she is the most fun to run . I have bigger engines but its not always about being the fastest . Everybody needs a sweet little toy like Maggie May. Oh yeah , the pipes are in honor of Indian Larry. 3 scallops baby... .
So maggie fired right up. We hit the freeway and the answer to the wife's questions is , she started baby , I'll be right back ...
Go build something and then see if she'll start . Remember , " If your coasting along , your going down hill " jg

May 4, 2011 . Ironhead Sporty Frame Build

 This is what's been keeping me busy lately. Wanted to post as i went along but just got caught up. This is called the "Sancho" frame for Taber at Nash Motorcycles. Originally the Sancho frame was for a shovelhead. This customer wanted it for a Ironhead Sporty so some changes have been made.

 These images show some of the construction as it was going together. There are more images if you need to see more. Dropped the neck down a couple inches and stretched the rear end about 2 1/2 ". This will get a custom springer from 3 Guyz in Portland.

 Anyone tells you it goes together fast is full of bull. These are not mass produced frames so each component has to be hand made . I love that part . It just always takes longer to complete than I ever anticipate . I keep doing it and I don't know why.

 This last image kind of gives you an idea how small and tight this bike will be. Once the frame leave's here today i may not see it again. It goes to a local shop to complete . I will try to get some shots of it before it hits the road . If you have a design for a frame you want build , I will work with you to give you just what you want. Thanks for Tuning in , and we have operators standing by to take your order. (wife) .  Remember "If your coasting, your going down hill ".  Later, jg