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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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

This is one of the cooler small engine choppers (I hesitate to call it a mini) that I have ever seen. Reader Bob Decker checks in with a few pics of his V twin, OHV Briggs & Stratton based bike. Bob says this thing will pound the pavement at 70mph @ 3600 - well hell fuckin’ yeah is what I say. Dig that fucking leafer on the front - classy man, classy. Can’t say I’d ever being looking to build one of these, but it’s cool as fuck, no doubt.

Click on read more for 2 more pics and the full tech spec sheet.

Read more…

Reader Cole Jabusch checks in from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada folks) with a couple pics of his ride. Inspired by his friend Cory (who’s W650 we featured here not too long ago) Cole ripped a stock KZ440 into a grizzy pavement pounder. Nicely done.

The bike started out as a 1982 Kawasaki KZ440 belt drive. I actually chopped this bike two times. The first time I built the hardtail section around the rear swingarm to keep everything square. Cut the swingarm off afterwards. The sock wheelbase looked to stubby to me so I tore the bike down again a year later and lengthened the hardtail section four inches. This bike came with belt drive or chain drive from factory, so the chain sprockets bolted right on. The short rear fender was welded solid to the frame so no rear struts were needed. The canister under the seat was custom made from a fire extinguisher and holds all the wiring. The air cleaners are made of cheap filters and exhaust tubing. Modified the stock exhaust, baffled, chrome tip, and header wrap. Custom made z-bars. Avon speedmaster tires. The stock mag wheels are 19 inch front,18 inch rear. Everything was repainted including engine and wheels.