9.17.2012

Hardtailing the Ironhead...

Hardtailing the 1974 Ironhead Sportster....


 

 New project bike. This ugly bike is screaming for a makeover. What better way to customize a Harley, then a 4" stretch hardtail!...

 First thing we have to do is unbolt all of the rear section including the swing arm. Then cut down the remaining frame to accept the new rear end.

 The new rear end was sitting a little low on the frame where I wanted to weld it up to the old frame, so with a little tweaking and heating I got it where I was happy....









With the new hardtail in place I made some gussets and welded it all together top and bottom, with the hope that it stays together on the freeway!

With the back tire in place I gots me a roller!

6.28.2012

Seat How To.....

Fiberglass seat pan: This is how I make my seats, be it right or not, I dunno.....First I make a form bigger than the seat itself by stretching duct tape (not the kind made out of ducks!) over the frame. Then I apply the fiberglass while inserting bolts through the form into hole I drilled into the frame....


Then when its dry I cut it down to the desired size


Then I apply foam to the pan and cut it down to the basic shape I'm looking for


Then I take a sanding disc and shape and smooth the seat to the desired shape. After I'm satisfied I run it over to my Upholstery guy with a drawing of what I want and he hooks me up!..

Thanks to Alan at Conejo Upholstery for always hooking me up!:
                 Conejo Upholstery

3.15.2012

CB 500 Tail Mod....

I find it hard to tolerate the stock frame tails on these old Hondas. It's impossible to fabricate a cool seat for them because there is no way to make a custom seat pan work on the open frame style they have. And who wants to see the same old crap You can buy online! I like to alter the frame with some bent pipe to create a finished look to the rear of the frame.

First I find a good place to cut the frame tail off...


 Then I tack a piece of bent pipe in place inline with the frame..

 Once it's where I like it, I weld it in place. Then bend some sheet metal to create a platform to attach the seat pan to. And it really strengthens thing up!

Then I welded in some fabricated pieces to finish up the rough cuts on the rest of the frame. A little primer and paint and it looks like it came from the factory like this!.....

1.29.2012