Bike Post 08-09 Build

Pics of a bike I built in 08-09. I came across a Kraftech softail type frame dirt cheap via e-bay which resulted in the ensuing nightmare getting paper on it, but it did get worked out. Had it been worked out sooner it would have been done in 08 instead of spring 09.

Shovel motor, 6spd trans, Road 6 Bars, bunch of fabricated or mods to re-habbed parts, and a Baas Metal Craft seat pan, covered in my usual manner.



 

 

 

Yep I made a detachable ammo can so I could say I had a bagger?

 

 

I don't know if the pics are good enough to show it, however this one although a softail had a fixed fender attached to the swingarm, and a reproduction Sparto taillight with and led bulb. The rear fender had a length of 3/8 stainless brake line formed and welded down the center of it then molded in and filled to form a ridge back and the power wires for the tail light ran thru it so the fender could be right down on the tire.

This was also my first attempt at making my own exhaust. I was happy with it, I used a Bitwell pipe kit and a TIG welder, with some pipe wrap. I also found Excel Components hand controls during this time and really liked them. If I am buying new I am sold on them.

I might note this is the first bike I didn't do all the work on. I had a friend, another disabled war Vet do the paint and air brush work. Iron Mike volunteered and needed something to do, and besides he makes my paint work look like a hill jack huffing paint in comparison.

Like so many others I have built, I ride them a bit and they don't fit the mold or idea of being just quite what I want and someone makes me an offer for more than I have in them and they are gone.

SO, I start all over again, ah the thrill of the design and build.

 

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WARNING POLITICAL DIATRIBE

If you noticed I made links to Baas Metal Craft, Bitwell, and Excell Components. Why you may ask? The answer is because they are good products that delivered quality. And may even further noticed in this case I made two of them in red. This is because I know the product I received from them is absolutely USA made, no China stuff. I know Kevin Baas, and I actually spoke at length with the folks at Excel discussing their product.

Now don't get me wrong, I will buy from Canada, the UK, Australia, Spain, Ireland, Brazil, almost anywhere in the world first before China. But the "Global" economy is making that harder and here at home putting more folks outa work. And yes I will spend more for a USA made quality product or an OTC (Other Than China) product, but some things these days you do without or you buy China.

Further, on this build I used an Ultima trans and belt drive under the impression that the trans case was USA made like the their engine cases are, the word was the belt drives were machined in Mexico. After a ton if Internet research I have come up with.............nothing but rumor and speculation that the trans gears are S Korean, or Chinese. Cases are cast in the USA machined in China, and assembled in the USA. WTF? Ultima won't answer emails and neither will their distributors. So on the current new build it will be either rebuild USA made stuff or buy known USA made.

On the next post of my latest build it is known USA stuff, it will be in a week or two.