Wheels and Tires

I got the rear wheels and tires for my bobber. I also got the brake rotors and decided to go with a pulley instead of a sprocket. It took me about 45-minutes pounding in the cups for the front end with my rubber mallet but I got them in. It was about 28-degrees in my garage today. I mounted everything and got them onto the motorcycle. I still need to get the brake calipers, front hub cover and speedometer before I can center everything up but at least I can get an idea of the basic length of the motorcycle. It feels like a motorcycle now and not just a frame on a lift... The front wheel is a 22" 60 spoke chrome rim wrapped in An Avon Speedmaster. The rear wheel is a 16" 60 spoke chrome rim wrapped in an Avon Cobra 200 tire.

When I got done, it was up to 35-degrees so I jumped on Psycho Bob and took a short ride. It was a bit cold but it was the first time, I've had it out in two weeks.

Amazing Motorcycle Trips

Picture taken from Forbs.com

We have some wonderful places to ride in America: the Badlands, Route 66, the Rockies and more. Yahoo recycled a story from Forbs the other day that made me think about how cool it would be to ride in some of the more remote places in the world. It would be cool to take a trip through Alaska or through Tibet. Hey, I hear they are letting tourists in Chernobyl now....

Springer Front End

Picture taken from  trydnastore.com

I picked up a 22-inch chrome springer front end from DNA Specialty Inc. It's the same front end on my current bobber expect it's 4-inches longer due to the rake of the frame I'm using. I haven't had my bobber for 10 years but I've been exceptionally happy with the springer I have. No chrome chipping, rusting or excessive rattling. Every springer rattles! It already has the mounts for the brake and the fender so if you are looking for a springer front end ready to go on... DNA is the place to go.

I have the bearings and races in the mail. Once I get them, I'll put the front end on and get ready for the wheels so I can complete the rolling chassis. After the rolling chassis I can think about the fenders, gas tank and oil tank.

Kraft Tech Frame

I thought I would introduce the frame I will be using for my custom built motorcycle. I picked out a Kraft Tech frame that has a 36 degree rake and a 3" backbone stretch. This is different from Psycho Bob but close enough I know the motorcycle will feel right when I'm on it. If you want this frame you better contact American Classic Motors because they worked with Kraft Tech to have it built to their specs. It is not available if the Kraft Tech catalogue. 

The motor mounts, transmission plate, brake mounts, belt adjustors and exhaust mounts are all welded in place already. That eliminates a lot of fabrication. That's a good thing for a first build if you ask me. The tubing is 1.5" for the backbone and 1.25" for the cradle and tail. This is the same as my bobber and the frame is super strong. I can mount any Evo, Panhead, knuckle or shovelhead engine in the frame so my options are still wide open there. I also got the certificate of origin with it the same day I picked it up!

Bobber Project

I don;t usually share very personal things online but I think today I'm going to. Since I was very young I've always been an artist. I started out drawing and painting and even won state my senior year in high-school. I also wrote many short stories and plays: nothing too good I would imagine. After school I got distracted with the working world and joined the world of machining. Little did I know that I was putting my artistic skills to work every day when I would create parts on an Engine and CNC lathe.

After about 5 years of turning a lathe I moved to PA and got a corporate job. There is nothing creative about working in a call center! So, I turned my passion for working on guitars into building them and recording with them. I recorded two albums under the name Zyonsdream: again, nothing too good but I enjoyed them. I also started building guitars in my basement. I have worked on guitars since I was about 10 years old. You can check out all of my work on my Zyon's Dream Guitar website. It was obvious that guitar building and playing became my artistic outlet.

Pictures taken from zdguitars.com

Last year I decided my creative outlet with guitar building had passed. We wanted to renovate the basement and I was happy to give up my work space because I had purchased a 2006 legend Lime Mustang for a project car. I sank a lot of time money into that car and it became my focal point for my artistic outlet. You might not think about a car like art but the time spent on making sure every part looked and worked the best is art..to me anyways.

After I got the bobber, I remembered how much I really loved motorcycles. I only drive the Mustang twice last summer. When it came time to upgrade the family-mobile, I made the decision to trade in the Mustang to help us get a higher quality vehicle. I was sad to see the Mustang go but I did the right thing. However, now that I don't have the Mustang, I have no creative outlet. Okay, so I'm working on a book and a screen play but I've been working on those for 8-years now...

I'm a person who needs a creative outlet or an "art project" to feel whole. Being an artist is what I feel sets me apart from everyone else in the world; that and I'm completely anti-social! Once I finish with one artistic medium, I move on to the next challenge. This is why I went out yesterday and purchased a bobber frame and front end. I've decided to make my own bobber! Don't expect me to work at a machine gun pace... it isn't cheap building a motorcycle. I'm already in the hole $1,200! I need to learn how plan a motorcycle build, how to execute a motorcycle build and how to make everything work properly. I'm mechanically inclined and I can do just about any repairs on my own motorcycle so I feel confident that I will finish this art project with a functioning and great motorcycle that I will ride for years to come. I will be fully documenting my build on this blog in hopes that I might inspire or help someone building their own bobber or chopper.

Crossing Over

A while back I got a bur up my ass to install a cross over in my tank. ACM put the bungs in for it but then capped them off with a plug. I couldn't find elbows in chrome (didn't look very hard) so I used plumbing fittings. Although they were functional, they looked like shit. I think my alternative is better looking but I'm not 100% happy with it. I'll come across chrome elbows and install a braided line but right now, at least they match the motorcycle paint job. I used blue anodized fittings.

Old brass fittings-look like shit!

Using a cross over will help me get all the gas trapped on the right side oft tunnel over to the left side. When the bobber runs out of gas, there is actually about a half gallon of gas left in the tank. Considering the fact that the tank is less than 1.5-gallons, a half gallon of fuel will go a long way!

John Deere Green

Not just John Deere Green but it looks like you could go to a JD dealership and pick this motorcycle off the showroom floor. It's got a jokey shifter, and a tractor seat. I can't imagine the ass cramps this motorcycle will give you after 30 miles... I grew up in the country and I've seen and driven my shahre of JD tractors and I have ti tip my hat off to the builder of this bike. With those wheels, he nailed the look of a genuine JD.

This motorcycle is currently for sale on Evilbay and I hope it makes it to the country side where it can fully be appreciated. I don't think this motorcycle is destined for New York City. A couple of interesting things, the fatty tire; it does not look bad but I think a rough and tough skinny might have looked better. Also, a front brake is a must for me. It wouldn't have taken anything away, especially if a drum brake was used. Not as good as a disc but it's better than nothing.

Photos taken from Ebay

I made the switch

I switched the bobber over to Royal Purple last week. I've run Royal Purple in everything I own: even the family Honda Pilot. Always follow your engine builder's recommendation for engine break in and then make sure switching over to synthetic is okay. In the case of RevTech, I needed to put 2,000-miles on my engine before I could switch it over. As soon as I rolled the 2K I put the bike on the jack stand and changed over the engine oil and the transmission oil. My motorcycle has a dry clutch so I had nothing to change there.

Although Royal Purple is higher in cost, the benefits out weigh the cost. Synthetic does not coagulate or stiffen like conventional oil does. When I started my motorcycle up after changing over, the engine fired without any lugging. It was about 30-degrees out! Your engine will run cooler and it's a proven fact that your engine wears out slower. Any time you can add miles to the life of your engine, it's a no brainer.

It's a reposted picture but this is how I drain my oil. YOu won't spill a drop!

I always place a shop towel under the oil filter to keep from drowing my regulator with engine oil as I remove the filter. This time I used a Shamwow and yes, I still got oil every where. Guess I'll never avoid it! Also, make sure you cover that chrome filter before you place that oil filter wrench on to tighten the filter. This keeps from scratching it all to hell.

The oil drain plug in the RevTech transmission could have been a bit bigger. The size Allen wrench was an odd-ball size. I can't recall the size though. It took like an hour for that sludge to drain from that plug. In case you are wondering, the drain plug is that small Allen head in the center of the two larger bolts. Driving the motorcycle after changing over the transmission oil, I noticed fluid shifting and less stress at the shifter. Seemed to go through the gears smoothly. \

Motorcycle Lift

Since I got my new bobber, I wanted to get a motorcycle lift for it. However, a hydraulic table is relatively expensive and I wanted something that will let the rear wheel hang. I looked around and located a motorcycle hydraulic lift at harbor Freight. It took me about 20-minutes to put together and really worked out nicely. It's got a bar with two positive stop locations to secure your motorcycle on the lift when you work on it.

I thought the pull-tight straps were shit so I went out and got a set of quality 6-foot ratchet straps to help secure the frame to the lift. The last thing I want to have happen is see my bike fall 4-feet to the ground. That would suck ass!

As you can see, I have a 4-gallon bucket resting on a lawn chair while I drain the oil into the bucket. It gives me two hands free to remove the drain plug and keep everything in place. This lift made changing the oil a very simplistic process.

Are you paying too much?

I often wonder why people pay $50,000 for a motorcycle and park it in their garage. In all honesty, I don't know if I would pound the hell out of a motorcycle I paid that much for. When I went looking for the custom shop to build my motorcycle I wanted a motorcycle I was not afraid to drive due to its cost. When I came across American Classic Motors, and talked to the head builder there he said something that really resonated with me. He said, "we build nice custom bikes for the daily driver." That's what I ended up with. I'm not joking when I say people yell out their car windows at red lights to tell me how cool they think my bike it. When I ride down the road I feel like I have a $50,000 motorcycle the way people react. However, I know what I paid for the bike. ACM motorcycles average around 17-20K and when you think about it, that's less than most stock Harley, Yamaha and Honda motorcycles. I have no problems being a spokes boy for ACM because they have treated me well, balanced my expectations and provided world-class customer service not only in their sales department but in their build shop as well.

For an example, I came across this motorcycle for the first time when I went to pick up my bobber. Had I seen it first, I might have rolled out of the shop with it instead. They sold the bike a few months ago and I'm sure someone is rolling around town with a grin from ear to ear with it. When I get my next motorcycle from ACM it will most likely looks similar to this one. This just goes to show you that you can get a great custom built motorcycle and not have to pay $50.000 for it.

Pictures taken from America Classic Motors.com

Buying American

I took a load of shit from a few people the other day because my bobber has a Revtech transmission and not a Baker transmission. I've been very happy with both the Revtech transmission and Revtech motor installed on my motorcycle. The argument was about the fact that the Revtech is not American but the Baker is. Somehow, this automatically made the Baker a superior product even though the ones who were bitching at me acknowledged that they had never used a Revtech transmission and some of them had never even used a Baker transmission.

I personally have never used a Baker transmission so I will decline any discussion regarding the superiority over the Revtech and I will not make any assumptions on the quality of a Baker transmission. From all accounts, Baker makes a great piece if equipment. However, from my account, the Revtech has been a great transmission.

The argument became "if you buy anything not made in America you are not supporting America and what you are buying is shit." Well, I disagree with that with a passion. Take for example that Baker transmission. They manufacture it and assemble it in America. However, in order for them to get the raw materials to build the transmission they had to purchase the materials from overseas companies. In fact, regardless of what you buy, it is almost certain at some level, you have supported international trade. At this point it is unrealistic to think you can be 100% exclusionary and buy only American made products made from American made products. The fact that we no longer make steel tells you that anything made from it used overseas raw materials.

Those same guys who gave me shit are all "Harley or nothing" guys. I find it funny since Harley increases the quantity of components built overseas every year. They buy Harley because they feel like they get a quality product and because the company is American owned, they get a sense of pride.

That's cool and I understand it. My motorcycle was built 50-miles away from my house so I can understand the sense of local pride. I consider it American made but I fully understand that less than 50% of it was made and assembled in America. I recently bought my second Honda Pilot. It was built in a plant down south. That vehicle put food in the mouths of people who live in America. I am happy about that. We live in a global economy and the money I spent on my motorcycle put food in the mouths of local people and helped to support businesses world wide. I am also happy about that.

I think the people whose mouth runith over with, "I only buy American" should take a look at their own house. If you own a house, you do not ONLY BUY AMERICAN because there is absolutely no way your house is 100% American made. Get over it and realize the world you live in. Go out and buy a product that suits your needs, gives you the best quality for your buck and provides you with years of service. If the company happens to be American owned: great! However, understand that the products they build and sell support other countries. Just food for thought.

RedSoul Motorcycles

I came across RedSoul Motorcycles today and took some time to look around their site. Besides, the site not working very well with Google Chrome, I was quite impressed with some of the designing they completed on a few of their bikes. I'd love to check out that blue and white "Sodo King." I've always wondered how you can see past the gas tank on motorcycles built like that. It's intriguing.

I was also impressed by the way they mounted the petcock on their El Endrogado. Many bobbers are outfitted with very small tanks. My tank is a 1.3 gallon tank with the petcock located in the traditional location. Because of this, I have a cross over to help fuel get past the tunnel. However, even with the cross over, I sill have close to a half gallon left in the tank. This petcock design surely fixes that issue.

It looks to me that there are some pretty cool bikes being produced from that shop in Seattle. Keep up the good work men!

Pictures taken from Redsoul.com

Convert Your Evo to a Knuckle

I found this posted in another forum and I instantly thought about changing the rocker boxes on my Evo engine to knuckleheads. I've been seriously thinking about using a knucklehead on my next motorcycle because I love the old time look of them. However, most reproduction KN's offer less than interesting horsepower. WIth this knucklehead rocker box conversion kit available from Custom Chrome, you can get the look and keep the horsepower. I'm a bit put off by the price I found for them so I'll keep looking around for a better deal. They also make a panhead rocker box conversion kit.

Pictures taken from Custom Chrome.com

Bling's Cycles

I came across Bling's Cycles on another forum showcasing one of their motorcycles. Unfortunately the blog focuses on cafe racers so I don't think the motorcycle is getting the love it deserves. Love, it would get from the bobber crowd. What I really like about Bling's is the knobby dirt track tires. Although I'm not sure I would want one on a rigid street-driven motorcycle, it is cool none the less and I really tip my hat off to anyone who does ride one! As for construction, the bike I looked at on their site all look top notch. I absolutely live the knucklehead (3rd one down.) I would ride the shit out of that motorcycle all day!

Taken from Bling's Cycles.com

Free T-Shirt Day

I took the 80-mile round trip journey on Psycho Bob and went to ACM for a few oil filters. I finally rounded the 2,000 mile mark and I'm ready to make the much needed transition to synthetic oil. The owner of ACM decided to give me this great new T-Shirt so I could look good going down the road on my bike. It is interesting because I had just been talking to one of their sales people about having a Captain America bike built. Maybe he gave this to me as fuel for though!

It was a nice ride. I love drafting behind the big rigs on the turnpike at 65 mph. It always makes for a pleasant ride. However, once you get off the turnpike you get to go through some really nice rolling hills, lakes and country to get to the bike shop. They are not exactly located "in town." It is the first time I've had the time to take the bike out that way for a ride. It was about 60-degrees here today. Glad my bike isn't asleep for the winter!

So Many Industry Experts

Pictures taken from Bike Exif.com

I read a lot of blogs about motorcycles, ranging from Bobbers to Cafe Racers to classic Harley-Davidson news. I read them because I love looking at motorcycles. Now I might not like them all and I've been outspoken before regarding my dislike for "Crotch Rockets" but that is mostly because I don't personally find bikes covered in plastic appealing unless I want to go dirt-biking.

If you like reading blogs, you most likely get all wrapped up in the comments section but lately I've noticed a trend regarding how many industry experts we have. I took the bikes shown above from a popular blog that relates to Cafe Racers. It is amazing how so many people know so much about how a motorcycle will ride just by looking at a picture.

Now just about none of the readers on that blog would even look twice at my billet covered Bobbed V-Twin. I've read enough comments on that blog to know that anyone riding a V-Twin is just a sell-out to the Harley marketers. That's a whole different blog post for a whole different day. Many of the comments they make about motorcycles, where they claim to know exactly how it will ride relates to my motorcycle are flat out based in opinion and zero fact or experience. Low rider, forward controls, larger front wheel, lower handle bars: all of this means my bike should ride like shit.. well, guess you will never know since you will never be on it. I just think it is ridiculous how someone can "claim" to know exactly how a motorcycle will handle and react to cornering just by looking at three or four pictures of it.

If it isn't your cup of tea, then say it and move on but seriously, until you take the time money and effort to get off your ass and build a motorcycle, how about you keep your "I know this bike is shit because..." opinions to yourself until the day you get to ride it. Just click on each picture to be redirected to the comments about the motorcycles. Have your popcorn and soda ready!

Took a Short Ride

Taken from Wilson Leather.com

It was officially 42-degrees when I pulled out of my garage this afternoon for a bike ride. I figured I needed to break in my new leather coat I picked up from Wilson Leather yesterday. It's a traditional biker leather, black of course. I took an aimless 20-mile ride through the country to disturb the well-being of a few cows. Unfortunately, I only came across one old-timer on his trike. I guess everyone else has "put their motorcycles to sleep for the winter..." I know I already ranted about this but seriously, if you "winterized" your bike, you should just sell it!

Motorcycle Insurance Rant

If you own a custom built motorcycle and you need full coverage, you have found or will soon find out that you are screwed, blued and tattooed. There are very few insurance companies that offer such services. I personally go through Formost but I pay a good amount for my insurance. The cost of insurance is not really my rant. In fact, I figure if you have the money to buy a custom built bike, you should have the money to keep it protected.

What pisses me off are the big "name brand" insurance companies that have all these commercials on television promising great rates to motorcyclists. They parade out their custom built motorcycles and talk about how important it is to have coverage and how their company can offer you the best rates.

Yah, I'm calling you out AllState.

This is the bike recently custom built for Allstate. I took the picture from the Dave Alder Insurance agency. They sell for Allstate and on their website, they talk about how they love motorcycles. Call them and find out if they would insure the bike that they are standing behind...they won't.. at least not using Allstate.

Taken from Alderstate.com

Yah, I'm calling you out Geico
I watched Paul Jr and Paul Sr fight it out in last season's American Chopper and I was equally disgusted at Geico when I saw they wanted a custom motorcycle to promote their motorcycle insurance. Again, they WILL NOT cover custom built motorcycles with full coverage. They just won't do it! Not only is this bike a bit on the ugly side...well, that's all I have to say, it is just plain ugly to me.

Taken from Auto Evolution.com

It just seems stupid and misleading to me that more and more insurance companies are trying to get our business knowing that the average custom built motorcycle is out of the reach of their clients. It pisses me off that I wasted time calling them when they just laughed and said they can't put a valve on custom bikes and they can't repair them at a low cost if they get wrecked. I get it, just don't use custom bikes to advertise your insurance then!

Muce Choppers

I'm not sure if I should classify this motorcycle from Muce Choppers as a bobber but I'm going to. I personally don't think "bobber" necessarily originated with someone taking all the parts off their Harley and I can appreciate a motorcycle that is not a V-Twin. So for you Harley enthusiasts" that think "if it ain't a Harley, it ain't shit" open your eyes a bit and check out the beauty other bikes can being to your otherwise narrow life. Now I can't read the website and yes, I know Google can translate it but I really don't care. A beautiful motorcycle should speak for itself.

There are several things that make me love this motorcycle. First of all, it looks like it was made 100 years ago. I love the huge tires on it. The springer front end is something I've never seen before and the headlight is killer. I also love the paint job. That drab green always looks cool on a motorcycle. Although this motorcycle does not meet the true definition of "bobber" it looks awesome and I'd love to take a ride down the street on it.

Pictures taken from Total Bike.hu

Introducing Psycho Bob

Psycho Bob is my American Classic Motors bobber. It is officially titled as "Classic Psychedelic Bobber"in Kelly Blue book due to its paint job. This motorcycle is a rigid frame with a direct mount engine. It is the first motorcycle I've owned or even been on in almost 10-years.

Frame: Kraft Tech with stock stretch, 30-degrees of rake and is constructed of 1.25-inch tube. 
Engine: 88" RevTech Show polished chrome
Transmission:RevTech 6-Speed
Clutch: Ultima Street with 3.35-inch open belt primary
Final Drive: Belt driven
Front End: Milwaukee Twins springer
Tank: Detroit Choppers peanut tank 1.75-gallons
Wheels: Milwaukee Twins 80 twisted spokes (16-inch rear/21-inch front)
Tires: Avon
Exhaust: Bub (baffles removed)
Note: custom built Z-handlebars, fender and fender strut/Powder coated frame

I upgraded the petcock to a Pingel and I upgraded the front brake to a Jay brake. Other than that, I have no changed anything on it. I love it just like it is.