I wanted to compile a single thread for the kingchopster build. See this bike go from crappy stock '92 883 to cool looking 50's drag bike.
I've had a bit of time recently to start mods on the Sporty, progress so far:
Here's some pics:
- Cut the crossover tube off the exhausts, still got to weld up the holes
- Removed indicators, I'll replace with mini's
- Removed old headlight will replace with a new large chrome one
- Removed mechanical speedo and dash, I'm going without em on this bike
- New air cleaner, I'm not sure about it though, reckon I might replace it with a polished S&S teardrop.
- Put internally wired z bars on, I love these!
- I'm in the process of mountin the tank on the backbone, and I've rellocated all the wiring under the tank.
- Rear fender and struts have been chopped, still got to do some chopping on the bottom of the fender to give it some more angles.
- Put on a Sparto tail light
Next will be:
- 11.75 shocks to go on the rear to drop the back end down, should look much better with the new fender
- Chop and lower front fender
- Paint tins satin black with flames.
- Wheels will be classic hot rod, ie red rims with white walls.
- Got the 1200 kit delivered from M&M, but will wait a couple of months before it goes in.
Did it today, also put on 11" shocks, chrome pulley cover.
Kingchopster build update.
I spent some time over the weekend getting the exhausts back on after welding up the balance tube holes. I noticed at first it didn't start up as good as before needing a small bit of choke to start when cold. But started fine when warm. That was before the air filter and Dynojet kit was in. But last night I put the Dynojet kit in the carb and it starts great after that. Nice regular idle with no choke. Power wise, before the dynojet and a/c I didn't notice any real difference with the balance tube off but after the Dynojet and a/c a definate difference in throttle response and power.
Bike rides great with the new bars and shocks, seating position is much better. Although being a sporty it's a bit squashed so I may go to forward ontrols.
Other bits that are done:
- New headlight is on, I didn't think it would look good until I had it on there but I like it now that's it on.
- Put in tank lift to secure the tank and wiring is neatly seated under the tank
- Cut struts and covers on both sides
- Put in engine breather
- Put front braided brake line on
Before/after:
Next up:
- Cut and lower front fender
- Wheels are getting powdercoated
- 1200 kit install
Got stuck into the bike over the last few days and installed the 1200 big bore kit. While I had everything apart I took the opportunity to paint the motor and give it a general clean up. Won't be able to get it started until I finish painting the tank.
Other things I did:
- Chopped and dropped the front fender
- Painted and cleaned up heads
- Added chrome primary cover and cam cover trim, I've also got a chrome sprocked and rocker covers to go on.
See fender pics below. Know what you mean about the radius, I only lowered it about 15mm and because if the way I cut it, I was able to bend it to fit the radius of the wheel better. I'm reasonably happy with the way it turned out, could have been a bit lower though.
First pic shows how I cut it, second pic is with it on the bike and painted:
Got stuck into the tank over the last couple of days, stripped it back to bare metal using paint stripper, then laid down a primer coat and a base black coat. Put the flames on today, was a bit worried they wouldn't turn out as I've never done it before but I'm pretty happy with the way they look. I'll thin out the flames with some red pin stiping. Am looking at using some pin stripe tape around the edges before I put the clear coat on. Here's a few pics.
Finally got the bike back together today and took it for a quick test ride after the big bore. I didn't get a chance to gun it as I want everything to settle in for the first 200 k's, but it seems to go great. Finished off the rear fender over the weekend and put some finishing touches on like the seat and a few other bits. The seat turned out good, it was the solo seat I had previously, but got it lowered and re-covered.
All that's left now is to finish of the flames, I'm going to do some red highlights when time permits and then it's onto the wheels.
Here's some pics of the tank mods and the tank on the bike. Need to sort out the inside of the tank, will need re-sealing from the welding and then re-paint. Stuck the wheels on last night, put in new brake pads front and rear.
The deed is finally done, I've painted the tank.
I started by painting the sides and front in a white base, then marked out the flames with a stencil over the white, then satin black coat all over. Only thing I didn't do is the pinstriping which was done by Adam at Adair20 (www.adair20.com.au). He did a great job of the stripes.
Only thing to do now is finish it with a clear coat which I'll do today or tomorrow.
Been a long time in the making, but it's finally finished.
Very nice KC, did you have to pull the spokes off the wheels before Powdercoating?
Shit hot, love the wheels.
Looking good there KC, is that number plate angle ok? or are you pushing your luck?
Wow!
Those first pics brought back memories, got exactly the same Sporty myself (well, was when it was new!).
Mines been sitting around unregistered for maybe 16 years. I got a 94 Springer when I got a redundancy payment, and I've been favouring that, especially since the wifey likes to come along. Good and bad right there!!
Anyways, after contemplating serious mods to the softy I decided to leave that stockish (any such thing as a stock Harley?) and put some cash into the Sporty, as well as satisfying my urge to 'chop' a bit (not really cut and weld so much, you understand, 'cos from what I've read it's just too hard to do too much to a '92 and still keep it street legal).
Antway, your pics really inspired me, great work!! Really nice. I wouldn't do everything the way you did, but that's just a personal thing. Doesn't detract from the quality of what you created there!!
One part I really like is the way you've treated the engine. You describe it as 'painting' but from the pics it looks really well done. Was it as simple as just painting? Can you elaborate a little on the.....type of paint, method and so on? I gotta have a go at that!
Thanks for posting that.
Excellent looking bike.
Congrats.
