76 Ironhead chop

Hi, as mentioned in my intro, I have just started a project to chop a pretty tired 76 Ironhead. Plan is to 'refresh' the motor and hardtail the frame - then work on the detail from there! If someone can drop me a quick line to tell me how to add a photo to this, I will get a "before" photo posted... and add others as I go along the way. Cheers, Shay

Here try this mate, https://greasemonkeys-nz.forumotion.net/t6-posting-pictures-on-the-forum

OK, here you go folks. A picture of the bike my project started out as - it is now in a hundred bits spread around Wellington!

Recently for sale on TradeMe right or there was one very much like it in the Hutt somewhere?

yep that needs some love alright

that was one of farcues many bikes for sale.
he seems to have bought heaps of them in all sorts of configurations

PAN/SHOVEL wrote:

yep that needs some love alright

Don't worry were about to give it some much needed love, hehe. I think it looks better already mate.

Sweet.

Now woody don't forget to finish your own bike,like tailight number plate etc.

PAN/SHOVEL wrote:

Now woody don't forget to finish your own bike,like tailight number plate etc.

Who needs all that extra weight Doug
I'm doing the paper work for my VIN numbers as we speak, I love paper work no rely I do

Yeah I got it from a guy in Nelson via Trademe. He said it originally came from Wellington though, but I have no idea who had it (best watch my manners at this point!) Not quite my cup of tea as it was, but (hopefully) it has the "good bones" I need to build something more to my liking! As you can see, she is now in the steady hands of Woody (who's own ride is looking nothing short of awesome) so he can CHOP THE SHIT OUT OF IT!!! Once we have worked out the plan of course. I've actually spent a bunch of hours over the weekend rereading old Horse mags to get a clear idea of what I definitely like and don't like. This was well worth doing, and I'm now ready when you are Woody!

Ready when you are Shay, Don't forget a picture's worth a thousand words.
So bring some books with ya this time mate.

hey mate don't miss out on this one. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=442821087

Yeah saw that one, but had already scored the rim off the dude (who turned out to be a dudette actually) in Hamilton - seems it may be a courier issue with delivery.

Okay here's the basic frame before it goes through its make-over (ugly little sucker aint it ?? )


God knows what the Harley design team had in mind with this atrocity, I mean how the hell are you
going to make that look any good ???


After hours and hours of head scratching and numerous calls to and from Shay, This is what we came
up with. (looks better already aye )


The whole idea of this frame build is to make it look like it could of came from the factory but also
have an early 60's chop feal about it. So one of the major changes to this frame over most of the
Sporty choppers you see around will be the back bone and rear wishbone.
I intend to keep this part of the frame flat without any broken line to it, So as to keep the lines of
this bike sleek and uninterrupted. If this don't make any sense to ya wait for the next instalment.

Hope you can see what I meant about the backbone in these shots. There is stretch in the backbone
and the down tubes but just how much is our little secret
Im working on some factory looking axel plates at the moment but you'll just have to wait for that
as I'm shooting off to work for a few hours. much much more to come so stay tuned.

Better not be my factory axel plates lol

That has really nice lines

Looks really great Woody. Less is definitely more! The new line of the backbone running all the way through looks very cool. Hey, I thought you said Pan/Shovel didn't really need those axle plates? ha ha

Shay wrote:

Looks really great Woody. Less is definitely more! The new line of the backbone running all the way through looks very cool. Hey, I thought you said Pan/Shovel didn't really need those axle plates? ha ha

Ahh shit now your blown it Shay. Do you want to ask him if ya can borrow his juice rear wheel as well mate ???
I'm still don't know how were going to make the chain bend around from the left hand side to the right hand side
to make this thing drive though

Hey Ive got it lets just cut the brake mount off of the left hand side and weld it back onto the right hand side, I'm sure Doug wouldn't mind.
Or MAYBE I'LL JUST MAKE SOME FROM SCRATCH like I stated earlier.

OK, so it has been a while since I added anything, so here goes. Firstly, I took the old seat to a local Upper Hutt place and had it recovered. Cost more than I would have liked (so not sure I saved anything really by not just importing one from the States) AND I had to get them to do it twice because the first job was frankly crap - I suspect the shop apprentice may have had the first crack at it! But, we got there in the end and I have to admit I really like the finished product.

Next I got the front hub shaved. Off came the disc lugs and cut it back a bit, then got it laced up with some very cool stainless Buchanan spokes I imported to a 21" rim I scored off Trademe. End result - a super clean front wheel, based on the original 1976 hub, with no brake just as God intended it to be yeehaa! On the hunt just now for the perfect whitewall just to finish the deal.

Last thing is the slides. Still more work to be done on these, but I'm really pleased with them so far. Ugly lugs now all gone - slick as! More hand polishing to be done. I've ordered the a set of new seals and some nice shiny boots, once they arrive the front end can start going together. Last thing will be the check once it is back on the frame to see if the rake is right - still a bit of time before I get to this point, but let me know once the hardtail is nailed Woody!

I'll post more once I hit the mock up stage. Have to admit to it all taking longer than I thought it would, but man I am enjoying the journey!

https://youtu.be/3T0GzZuKbhY play this in the back ground while viewing... Hope it helps
As per I'm taking longer to finish this than I should, But here's a few shots...????? ahhhh make that one as I couldn't find the others.
Pretty basic at the moment but give it some time and it'll look a bit like Doug's cast ones ( honest )

Looking good mate! Sounds are great too - wish I was listening to a live band drinking far too much at the Cold Duck right now actually!

Cool build Shay, following this with full attention...

It’s gunner be a much better bike for the effort you guys are putting in.

Can’t wait for the next instalment.

Cheers

jon61 wrote:

Cool build Shay, following this with full attention...

It’s gunner be a much better bike for the effort you guys are putting in.

Can’t wait for the next instalment.

Cheers

I'll have a heap more shots of this frame posted tonight, Jon you'll just have to call in at home
on Monday when your down this way and have a look for yourself
With any luck Shay should have a roller by next weekend