By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
The done deal - she is oh so sweet, even if she didn’t make it to the EDR.
More pics when you click read more.
By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
Just before the heavy rains came through….
Remaining checklist: tail light / license plate mount fab (and location), battery mount fab, wiring, plumbing, front brake / throttle cables, little bits ‘n pieces, fluids, AND THEN shakedown - ugh
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March 21st, 2008 by grail21 in How To, Home Built Motorcycles, Bitchin' Bikes, Flatiron_Mike_EDR | No Comments
By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
RUNNING OUT OF TIME…. ugh
Anchored the exhaust using ’stock’ 1″ and 1 3/4″ P clamps on the brake tube and down tube, will tie both together with a piece of flat stock (last pic)
By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
Mike sent in some photographic evidence that things are coming along.Unfortunately no witty commentary or pipe smoking references, but the pics will do for now.
By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
Ed note: Quick update from Mike with some finished frame pics.
By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
How do you mount a non stock headlight bracket to a VL Springer ??? Don’t know, never had a VL Springer before. Here’s my take on the task on this ‘balmy’ 40 deg. day.
The travel of the front leg shouldn’t interfere with the bracket. Again, shouldn’t.
Tapped the dampner hole at the bottom of the neck. Bent a piece of 1″ flat stock and drilled 2 holes. Bolted up the bracket and mounted the headlight. Will pop a small set screw on the bottom of the Spinger through the bracket to keep it from ‘drifting’ and will ’shape’ the bracket around the springs. voila
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By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
Tanked.
Here’s the scoop on the Sunday action. Fabbed a surrogate tunnel / tank mount to the um, uh, NO IT’S NOT A WASSELL (unless there was a Tokyo branch office). Split a length of steel tube, shaped and welded to tank. marked and drilled for the backbone.
Drilled and tapped the front part of the backbone. For the rear mount, used a Fab Kevin bung. Drilled and welded and finally got the tank mounted. Props to Jon Volk once again for the expert welding and use of the HEATED shop, thanks.
By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
Ed note: The answer the cliffhanger from the last post, Mike chose the Wassell tank. The next installment of this series will be about the gas tank mounting process. Now onto our regularly scheduled program…
Need to locate the coil. It’ll fit nicely under the tank and shouldn’t interfere with the throttle line or gas line - I said shouldn’t.
A piece of flat stock and some nuts and bolts does the trick:
Coil bracket mounted
Coil mounted
By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
Just ’cause you can, doesn’t mean you should. Bored and (almost) tanked (can you stand the pun and irony!). Here’s some pics of gas tank options to pass the time.
5 gal. Sportster (will be chopped, eventually):
Coupla gal. Hodaka Wombat Combat (?!):
H-D Leggero (whoa!):
Threw this Honda alloy number on too. This will be for the Kaw Cafe build once the Flathead’s completed
Standard Wassell
Here’s the last tank I tried. Ain’t gonna work
And the winner is….
Stay tuned for the next installment
February 18th, 2008 by grail21 in How To, Home Built Motorcycles, Bitchin' Bikes, Flatiron_Mike_EDR | Comments (6)
By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
Some mock up pics for riding position.
Mounted some clubmans just for giggles. Found the donor bars (afore mentioned clubmans) spacer for the center of the Topper bars assembly and fabbed. Mounted the fine Xian / Biltwell seat and re-mounted the rear fender where it needs to be. Sounding like a broken record, but can’t powder coat the frame and final assemble ’til the gas tank is fingered (?!). We’ll see. Happy Sunday, Fuckers…
Biltwell seat pan, leather work by Xian)
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By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
In the home stretch with the Flathead project (riiight). Here’s the modified seatmount and pogo setup using a FabKev hidden seat mount and repro stock pogo. Big ups to Jon Volk for the welding and band saw and beer bong (well no, no beer bong):
- welded the seat mount (corrrectly, not like last time!!!)
- fabbed and welded the pogo link ‘receiver’ from 4130 1/2″x1 1/2″ rec tube from McMaster Carr
- modified (shortened/stiffened) the pogo using 2 repro upper inner springs from H-D ’40s Springer and 1/2″ dia. sched 40 pipe nipple (ohhh, stiffened and nipple in the same sentence!)
By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
Back at it (almost final mock up) before the snowfall today. Added the Biltwell Mohawk tips (BBQ black paint on the pipes soon), re-mounted the hbars, shipped the seatpan for leatherwork (sorry, Scotty) and added the EDR08 ‘gas-bags.’ Not the final decision on the tank, but looks damn good to me.
By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
As threatened, here’s the Biltwell exhaust fab. Inspiration for this set up is from the Hoodlum website and a cool Flathead featured on August 2 (hey, give credit where it’s due): http://hoodlum.dk/b2evolution/blogs/index.php?m=200708
First, mounted the Linkert, oil tank and clutch pedal arm. Second, I started chop sawing the Biltwell kit (and some Holley mandrel bends I had left over from the Mule and Kinger) and tacking together. Next time, Part 2, I’ll be finishing the pipes, mounting the frame to pipe brackets and adding the ‘modified’ Biltwell Mowhawk tips. These pipes will be rattle can BBQ, as always. Thanks to Chris, Bill and McGoo at Biltwell for coming up with an excellent exhaust kit for backyard/garage builders like moi. Enjoy, MC.
Rear exhaust…
Out the ‘other’ side and back (I know, my welding sucks!)
1 down, 1 to go
On to the front exhaust
Not only is the pipe too close to the carb bowl, I put the front pipe over the rear pipe. WTF? Drunk Bastard…Still not happy with the rear pipe set up. but, getting close. hope I gots enough bends left over. oh well. Added the air cleaner (for clearance - good!) and Biltwell seat pan and like what I see, so far. Need to figure out which gas tank.
Rear Shot
I was able to redo the rear exhaust and like it much better (although YOU may not think it looks any different from before). Awaiting the Biltwell Mohawk tips and then it’s final weld and blast and rattle can BBQ time! Also, trimmed the Front St. ribbed fender. Not sure about a tail light, yet - or where to mount. Details, details….
Welds tacked with a Craftsman welder with flux core wire and used the Holley / Hooker alignment weld sleeves
By Flatiron Mike
Ed Note: You can view all the entries related to this build at it’s own special web address:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
Here’s a low tech / low buck set of VL Springer risers and hbars I made today.
Materials: 1″ round stock, (damaged) Topper hbars, Triumph ‘P’ clamps, 1/2″ sched 40 black iron pipe nipple.
Cut a 1 1/8″ slug of 1″ round stock and drill center for P clamp.
Next, file down slug to fit into rear leg using a ‘no buck’ lathe (um, Milwaukee drill).
File to fit rear leg. Rinse and repeat for other leg.
Next, cut threaded ends off sched 40 pipe and sand to fit ID of hbar to use as spacer to mate the 2 pieces of hbar. Drill, tap and set. Screw hbars to make a unit (add hbar spacer to center - not shown). Wow, this tech writing is tough. Props to Betty Crocker and her cookbook directions.
Next time - Biltwell exhaust fab…….
Addendum: The Springer top clamp and a set screw in each leg keeps the slugs in place. The stock VL rear leg is slotted for a pinch fit by the top clamp. I’m adding a set screw for shits ‘n giggles. Oh yeah, I will slot the center ’spacer hbar’ to route the stock internal throttle cable…
January 16th, 2008 by grail21 in How To, Home Built Motorcycles, Bitchin' Bikes, Flatiron_Mike_EDR | No Comments
Our pal Flatiron Mike (who’s been featured here before with his Softail Knucklehead) is well into another super sweet build, this one especially for the 2008 El Diablo Run. With Mike’s blessing, we’re going to be bringing you the entire build - from beginning to end - for your viewing, entertainment and educational pleasure. (damn, this story does it all!)
Mike’s been working on this one for a a bit, so we’re going to backtrack to the beginning so we can catch all you jamokes up to where he’s at. Now, before we start this shindig, know that you can always check in on the progress of this build at it’s very own web address (we pulled all the stops out for Mike). So anytime you want to look at the whole build from the beginning you can go to:
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/category/flatiron_mike_edr/
Otherwise, just keep your eyes on the front page for fresh updates. Ya dig? Word. Now, onto the show:
How it all began….
The parts:
From left to right, Carb choices, Kicker Pedal, VL Springer
That’s an actual ’30s VL Springer - freshly rebuilt (w/ repro BT rockers and springs), blasted and powder coated. It’s got a 1 1/8″ dia. neck. The new internal race hourglass neck truncates the forged neck smallage issue.
A new for 1937 80″ ULH
Onto the frame…
Spartan George (!!!) goosed the V-Twin repro straight leg rigid out 4″ and raked it 38* for that sparklin’ 30s VL Springer. Dems 18″ star hubs front and rear with Coker / Firestone De Luxes. Hope to have the frame blasted and powder coated in the next coupla - then its exhaust, seat and gas tank time…
Day Two: Threw in the motor and trans and fucked around with a rear fender, h-bars and a few gas tanks for shits ‘n giggles.
