It has begun: The PraiseCaster Chopper Project!

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by Ed P

Sounds like good fortune has smiled upon you in a big way.

I think so!

I figure, you could either have a pile of scrap metal, or you can have a Chopper in the rough. I pick the latter.

I highly doubt (heck cant even conceive of it ever happening, even in a post surgery/drug induced dream) that my bike will ever win an award. It's gonna be no-frills, simple, and hopefully reliable. Thats good enough for me.

To get me back and forth to work, and the occasional ride with my buddies (of which my drummer and leader singer are riders), and have some fun, it's all I'm asking for.

[PraiseCaster]

Well, I found my tank:
http://www.paughco.com/2008-catalog/...ge%201%29.html

So its a 3 gallon tank. I woulda thought, 2.2, maybe 2.5 gallon, maybe. Maybe they made a smaller one back in the day, I'll have to call and find out.

On the manufacturers engraving (under the tank), their phone number area code listed is 213 area (for North Hollywood), and I think that changed in the early 80's I do believe. So this tank has some mileage.....

It's definitely hand built. The seam sorta "S"'s it's way all down the tank. It had been punctured at one point, cause I can see the repair.

But none of that bugs me.

My son is saying, "We can bondo it, and smooth it all out....."

Uh, no. Those two issues are so slight, I consider them "character" attributes to the bike.

I'll inspect the inside of the seam (mirrors), and see if I can "delicately" grind a little to smooth out the seam. If it appears it's as good as it's gonna get, well, there's my answer.

The rear fender I'm gonna shorten a bit, and possibly ad a little flare at the end. But I'm not sure yet. Gotta see how it looks when I start doing some mock-ups.

[Ed P]

Originally Posted by PraiseCaster

I think so!

I figure, you could either have a pile of scrap metal, or you can have a Chopper in the rough. I pick the latter.

I highly doubt (heck cant even conceive of it ever happening, even in a post surgery/drug induced dream) that my bike will ever win an award. It's gonna be no-frills, simple, and hopefully reliable. Thats good enough for me.

To get me back and forth to work, and the occasional ride with my buddies (of which my drummer and leader singer are riders), and have some fun, it's all I'm asking for.

Sounds just like a tele: no-frills, simple, and reliable.

BTW, I'm right up the road at the 605 & 210. I hope to hear that puppy screaming or rumbling along the freeway one night!

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by Ed P

Sounds just like a tele: no-frills, simple, and reliable.

BTW, I'm right up the road at the 605 & 210. I hope to hear that puppy screaming or rumbling along the freeway one night!

Yeah, we'll definitely have to hook up!

They have a "Bike Night" at the Bob's BigBoy in Downey. I'm hopin to have her together by the June event......

[jb12string]

Originally Posted by PraiseCaster

My son is saying, "We can bondo it, and smooth it all out....."

Wait, your son is helping? You need to get someone to video tape this, cuss a lot, throw some tools, they'll put you on TV for sure, you're gonna be rich!!

[felis]

Originally Posted by PraiseCaster

Attachment 125408

This brings back memories.

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by jb12string

Wait, your son is helping? You need to get someone to video tape this, cuss a lot, throw some tools, they'll put you on TV for sure, you're gonna be rich!!

Let me clarify: He's tossing out suggestions. Doubt I'm gonna get much "help" from my boys on this project. Well, when it gets close to the end, they'll probably show interest, just enough to justify them asking to ride it.

[Ed P]

Originally Posted by PraiseCaster

Yeah, we'll definitely have to hook up!

They have a "Bike Night" at the Bob's BigBoy in Downey. I'm hopin to have her together by the June event......

Downey is a much hipper place than it gets credit for, very soulful. I lived in Lakewood for years and have driven by that Bob's.

There are lots of car and bike clubs travelling up and down the 605. Here in Monrovia you can spot a classic car every time you turn around. Plus we can hear Irwindale Raceway on the nights they have oval racing. Reminds me of Ascot in the '70s.

You are going to have so much fun with that project!

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by Ed P

Sounds just like a tele: no-frills, simple, and reliable.

I kinda see the Chopper (bobber style) and the Tele as the same kinda, no-frills, "geeterdun" mentality too em!

The Tele is giving me a lot of inspiration for this chopper build, believe it or not.

[Ed P]

Originally Posted by PraiseCaster

I kinda see the Chopper (bobber style) and the Tele as the same kinda, no-frills, "geeterdun" mentality too em!

The Tele is giving me a lot of inspiration for this chopper build, believe it or not.

That's pretty funny. I'm constantly evaluating things in comparison to a telecaster.

My wife is tired of hearing me say: "That's the telecaster of (insert object, idea, conversation, etc here)'

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by felis

This brings back memories.

Cool!

[telleutelleme]

How's the inside of the tank? Given it was punctured you may want to creme it. I restored a 76 Yamaha 175 Enduro and did the whole bolts in the tank rust remover and multiple creme treatments to seal the inside. Worked really well. Following with interest.

[charlie chitlin]

CB750 is a great choice.
Fast, smooth and reliable.
Lotsa carbs, though!

[Ed P]

Originally Posted by charlie chitlin

CB750 is a great choice.
Fast, smooth and reliable.
Lotsa carbs, though!

Yeah. In the early '80s I had a Suzuki GS750 that I stripped down to the frame and rebuilt. Everything was going great 'till I tried to tune those four carbs. I got it running well enough to take it to Suzuki City and let them rescue me.

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by telleutelleme

How's the inside of the tank? Given it was punctured you may want to creme it. I restored a 76 Yamaha 175 Enduro and did the whole bolts in the tank rust remover and multiple creme treatments to seal the inside. Worked really well. Following with interest.

Yeah, the inside of the tank needs to be flushed and treated. Gonna do a lot of research before I settle on the "fix", and I'm gonna check out your recommendation of "creaming" it.

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by charlie chitlin

CB750 is a great choice.
Fast, smooth and reliable.
Lotsa carbs, though!

Yeah, the CB750 does have a lot of pluses in it's favor.

But I have seen nightmares with those 4 lil carbs. I have experience rebuilding Mikuni Carbs, but mostly 2-stroke carbs. I'm being "told" the carbs are in great shape (fingers and toes crossed, while knockin on wood....).

The CB platform is smoother than the XS650. And they are built pretty dang tough too. So I guess UI gotta stop snivelin about those 4, little, itty-bitty aspirators.....

[PraiseCaster]

Originally Posted by Ed P

Yeah. In the early '80s I had a Suzuki GS750 that I stripped down to the frame and rebuilt. Everything was going great 'till I tried to tune those four carbs. I got it running well enough to take it to Suzuki City and let them rescue me.

Yep, there's always the "Professionals" out there that can bail us weekend warriors out of a jam.......

For a cost.

[Jimclarke100]

I can vouch for the CB750 motor being bulletproof. Mate of mine had a CB750 rat bike that was for some years officially the worst bike in the UK (given that it won best Rat at the Rat bike rally). That lump in that thing just seemed to go on and on with fairly minimal maintenance - just oil and filters, and it wasn't a sunny day bike either.

Do like the XS650 motor though. My XS650SE is currently sitting under tarps slowly leaking oils onto the wife's patio. Last time I taxed and tested it (bout three years ago), I rode it perhaps twice in the year so decided that probably wasn't worthwhile. I'm starting to get the bug to do something with it again now. Just got two guitars and an amp to finish though...

[charlie chitlin]

Originally Posted by PraiseCaster

Yeah, the inside of the tank needs to be flushed and treated. Gonna do a lot of research before I settle on the "fix", and I'm gonna check out your recommendation of "creaming" it.

"Kreme" is an actual product, not just a generic term.
It sucks.
Comes off in big sheets and wraps itself around your petcock.
Fuel is changing quickly and often these days and what was fuel resistant yesterday might not be today.
The best right now is Caswell.
Better than Kreme and POR15.
Google him, buy it direct and follow the directions to the letter.
If the tank isn't really scaly inside and potentially a problem forever, here's the Charlie Chitlins Method.
-Put several big handfuls of nuts, bolts and washers in the tank and cap it up.
-Wrap it up in an old blanket and tie it securely with about 12' of rope.
-Wait until the wife is out (CRITICAL STEP!)
-Put it in the dryer
-Set to 45 min.
-Pop open a cold one and let the dryer do the heavy lifting.

[flathd]

Originally Posted by Jimclarke100

Do like the XS650 motor though. My XS650SE is currently sitting under tarps slowly leaking oils onto the wife's patio. Last time I taxed and tested it (bout three years ago), I rode it perhaps twice in the year so decided that probably wasn't worthwhile. I'm starting to get the bug to do something with it again now. Just got two guitars and an amp to finish though...

+1 They are reliable motors, I don't think mine ever leaked oil though.

The only problem I remember is the rotor, or stator went out a couple of times, for the charging system. That was over a period of 15 years, and lots of miles though.