So a few weeks ago I picked up a hell of a deal. 1975 CB750 with 4-1 exhaust and Lester mags. Well, I have many projects sitting around and Harlo was over one day and said he really wanted to do a CB750 Kong project after seeing Landman's bobber he has been riding the last couple of months.
I decided to pass the deal onto Harlo for the same price and give him a hand building it when I have time.
This past Saturday while the rest of the Flatlanders were partying it up for Halloween at the So'Full Garage we tore into it.
Here it is at the beginning...
and 3 hours later...
Pile of trash removed so far!
This pile is stuff that can be re-sold for cool parts and/or re-useable parts on the build.
The motor on this thing has froze up over the past 2 years sitting outside but we dumped some PB Blaster in the cylinders that day and this evening I was able to kick it over just fine.
Motorcycles have evolved greatly over the decades. The term “chopper” presented itself back in World War II, when soldiers were displeased with the bikes being built at the time. As the story goes, soldiers got together and “chopped” their motorcycles, shortening fenders and removing other unwanted parts, making them lighter in weight and looking less cluttered. This has been a hobby of mine for quite some time now, with motorcycles and "chopping" also comes, bringing people together, and sharing ideas.
The later is what being a Flatlander is all about to me. I have grown very fond of our little Rider's Club and I am proud to call each and everyone of them brothers. I know they have my back and it doesn't matter if I am right or wrong because they will still support it and I the same.
Some of you might know our member Sody from North (and I mean WAY North) Michigan but do you know that when he is not turning out sweet bikes like the Honda VLX pictured here that he spends his time assisting his little brother learn the wrench?
Sody's 07 VLX Build
Dudly's story...
Here is what he started with... (1974 Honda CL360)
and as any good chopperhead does in the first 4 hours of owning it...
5" stretch in the swingarm will give some much needed room on this little thing...
and how is this for low cost custom building???
A tractor supply trailer fender, narrowed 2" and shortened,
and one of the rear turn signals made with 2" bullet style LEDs and 1 1/2 conduit copmression fittings (slightly modified)
Massged some more room by using pod filters instead of those bulky air boxes. This should also make room for a new battery tray and electrics mount.
After a couple of weeks being immobile from surgery and only getting to watch Sody play in the garage, Dudly was back at it with some rattle cans.
Then it was time to start assembling all the pieces again...
and we have a low cost custom build straight from a hidden garage in the coldest part of Michigan!
Dudly finally gets to go for the first ride! Not bad for a little less than 6 months and a rotator cuff surgery in between. Good job Dudly!
The cold weather is starting to set in so I am going to to a run of jackets just like the one I wear and pullover hoodies.
Please read this carefully!!!I will be taking PRE-ORDERS on these. This means I do not have them in stock so please don't PM or email me 1 week after placing your order asking where they are.
I will be taking orders through November 5th. I will then place the order for the jackets and hoodies. It will take 1-2 weeks at best to get them to me and then I will have to have them screen printed. Once the printing is done I will have to sort them, package them and ship them out. Therefore I am going to say to allow me till December 15th to get the items to you. Still plenty of cold left at that date (unfortunately) to enjoy them.
I had the pleasure of first meeting Joe (JPSwino) at the 2010 Muskegon Backyard Bike Builders meet. One standup guy with a passion for CB750 SOHC's and of course anything else with a motor.
Joe picked up this Cycle One Mfg. (check them out here) Denver's Tribute frame a few weeks ago. He already had one that him and his father (Rick) had started last year for the old man. ***Note, I also met Rick and he is one standup knowledgeable guy as well. Even if he doesn't know the real answer, he will give you one anyway... haha
Rick's will be powered by an 80' DOHC with plans for some CB900 cams to wake it up a bit. Mock up pics with a Columbus springer and some fat wheels. It will receive the same treatment as Joe's with a 21" up front and 150/18 outback.
Joe's bike will receive one of the few punched out SOHC's that litter his shop. He has not decided on the 900 or 1000cc but I am sure it will be radical none the less. Joe has alreayd dressed it up with a Ron Finch springer that has been kicking around for a few years waiting for just the right project.
A few pics of Joe's bike all mocked up into roller form.
Here are just a few other projects that Joe has completed and trust me when i say there are many more in the works.
