06. Build #1 Rear End... Mufflers...
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Prof
- Founder, Choppers Australia
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06. Build #1 Rear End... Mufflers...
Half pics have been edited tonight. Hope to have this post completed tomorrow... Sat at the computer for a couple of hours instead of going for a ride... cry cry cry!
Chopit'nrideit... Prof
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Prof
- Founder, Choppers Australia
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Any body can do what has been shown on these threads. Just takes information, practice and self confidence.
If you want to do something, have a go.
If its structural and you are not experienced, ask.
I've known a few guys who build stuff, but won't seek advice...
...and others who don't do anyting, because they have no confidence and are afraid to ask.
Great thing about these forums is that we each have the opportunity to learn from others, so we can have a go AND get a pleasing, safe result.
Bloke told me the other day he was dumb because he had no fabricationg skills... but he is a computer wizz. No... it's just a case of information, practice and confidence.
So keep on choppin' guys...
If you want to do something, have a go.
If its structural and you are not experienced, ask.
I've known a few guys who build stuff, but won't seek advice...
...and others who don't do anyting, because they have no confidence and are afraid to ask.
Great thing about these forums is that we each have the opportunity to learn from others, so we can have a go AND get a pleasing, safe result.
Bloke told me the other day he was dumb because he had no fabricationg skills... but he is a computer wizz. No... it's just a case of information, practice and confidence.
So keep on choppin' guys...
Last edited by Prof on Thu Jun 26, 2008 11:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Chopit'nrideit... Prof
-
Prof
- Founder, Choppers Australia
- Posts: 5963
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 3:54 pm
- Location: Willunga, South Australia
- Contact:
Well we are finally getting onto the Sunday bit of our intrepeid chopper jockey's build...
Struts and rear guard are on and there is no turning back. Sissy bar and taillight are completed. Now he has to get his new mufflers on before Monday morning or the old ones will be dragging everytime he tries to make a turn...
He has been able to pick up two sets of cheap second hand mufflers...
This is a set of aftermarket torpedos often used on Harleys... and unfortunately they have a large inlet pipe diameter as a result. Although they look great, a couple of bent pieces of exhaust will have to be found as well as sleeving the pipe up ¼" to match the mufflers.
Here is a genuine set of early seventies tulip megaphones. They have been dechromed to see if the metal is thick enough to rechrome... unfortunately not. A new matching set could be made by local motorcycle exhaust shop but will cost $150 each.
These are the right diameter and nicely upswept, so will get a heat proof paint job and get used for the time being.
This exhaust/rear footpeg subframe needs modifying. It is way too close to the ground and is in the way of the mufflers. Rear footpegs will be mounted on the bottom strut mount.
Cut them off to new length. On this side a bit needs to be left to hold the brake return spring... It will be left open for the time being as our chopper jock is going to set up forward controls with a cable running all the way back to the brake lever. This bit will then be cut off.
Top piece of tubing has been left a bit longer so we can close off the end. First step is to slice some tube out so a flap remains. Flap needs to be long enough to fold back across whole tube. If you are doing thins for the first time, practice on a scrap piece so you don't end up too short.
Flap is hammered across opening....
Excess flap is cut off ready for a bracket for muffler and to be welded closed. If you look closely, you'll see a groove has been ground around the join to be welded. This will allow weld to remain after it is filed smooth...
The only way to accurately get your mufflers level is to level the chopper with wedges and a spirit level and then measure from the floor with a tape.
Now for the brackets to hold the mufflers on. All brackets that hold any weight should be made from steel bar a minimum of 1" x 4mm thick. They have been measured for approximate length and now need to be made. When doing brackets, always measure from the centre of the hole. When making a single hole bracket, mark and drill the hole first and then measure and cut to length.
Here we have used a verniers to find the centre of the bar and then reset it to the correct length to measure equally in from the end. This marks the hole's centre.
Start with a centring bit, expensive but invaluable, as drill bits wander badly without it. Even a centre punched hole will not be accurate.
This is the easiest and neatest way to finish the end of a bracket... unless you are following a theme in which case all brackets might end in a 'spade' or 'clubs' shape or a point. If you don't possess a verniers (shame!) use a washer as a guide.
When doing a pair of matching brackets, you may as well do both together then cut them into two... saves time.
1mm cutting disc allows you to cut most of the curve with angle grinder.
Finish the job with a file or get the missus to give you a 'Multitool" as your Chrissy present ... early!
Note neatly arrassed edge, done in a single sweep around the wheel.
Two identical brackets almost ready for welding...
They've just needed a bit of a twist in the vice using a large adjustable spanner. Pint has to be cleaned off the tube before welding, to ensure good penetration and lack of impurities weakeing the weld...
Welded on and weld finished off with a file or diegrinder. Even if you do reallly neat welds, cleaning up your job like this (don't rmove all the weld!) is the difference between a ho hum job and an 'outasight' one that shows true craftsmanship... just takes a little longer and a bit more care...
Job done. Mufflers painted and bolted on and the chopper is ready for the coming week.
Man this feels grrrreat! Am I ever one cool dude! Even his temporary seat (cushion and some lambswool) beats the stocker hands down. Our chopper jockey is already starting to feel pretty good about his bike. This is no longer another bike that's sjut the same as the others. And, at a glance it's starting to spell 'chopper'.
OH! and just a note about sissy bar angle. Some guys plan to make their sissy bar the same angle of the forks. Not a good idea for two reasons. 1. It's meant to be leant on by your passenger and that angle will have them leaning back dangerously and putting too much weight over the back axle. 2. For pure looks, your eye will be led off the bike and out into the distance way above and behind. If you keep your sissy bar more towards the vertical as we have done here, the eye is led back over the bike for another look... Guys like Rembrandt and all the other old masters knew this trick and used it in every paintingand sculpture they did... and a chopper IS a sculpture
The coming week he'll be planning next weekend's moves. He'll attack the front end this time.
Well our chopper jock will be spending a lot of nights sitting down with his bike and working out just what has to be done, so all is ready for the weekend.
1. He's picked up a 'Bates' style bottom mount headlight for $20 and will pick up a nice 65/55 +30 globe for it ($15) for some good night vision.
2. He's found a pair of his old man's ape hangers from the seventies... bit bent, but ok. They are a bit high so he'll cut them down and swing the arms back to be more of a pull back style.
3. Speedo/tacho/ignition switch junk will go so he's going to have to partially rewire it as well.
Luckily the coming week end is a long weekend, cos he'll be flat out getting that all done. His mates want him to come for a day run, but no way. He's got the bug and nothing is going to deter him from getting his little chopper looking 'the goods' and that means getting the front end cleaned up and as soon as possible putting a 21" front wheel up front that a mate has traded with him in exchange for some welding.
Just time for a few hour's run around the back blocks on his new look machine getting ready for the week ahead. It's been a hard weekend and he can't wait to feel the wind in his face on his neat low machine.
Struts and rear guard are on and there is no turning back. Sissy bar and taillight are completed. Now he has to get his new mufflers on before Monday morning or the old ones will be dragging everytime he tries to make a turn...
He has been able to pick up two sets of cheap second hand mufflers...
This is a set of aftermarket torpedos often used on Harleys... and unfortunately they have a large inlet pipe diameter as a result. Although they look great, a couple of bent pieces of exhaust will have to be found as well as sleeving the pipe up ¼" to match the mufflers.
Here is a genuine set of early seventies tulip megaphones. They have been dechromed to see if the metal is thick enough to rechrome... unfortunately not. A new matching set could be made by local motorcycle exhaust shop but will cost $150 each.
These are the right diameter and nicely upswept, so will get a heat proof paint job and get used for the time being.
This exhaust/rear footpeg subframe needs modifying. It is way too close to the ground and is in the way of the mufflers. Rear footpegs will be mounted on the bottom strut mount.
Cut them off to new length. On this side a bit needs to be left to hold the brake return spring... It will be left open for the time being as our chopper jock is going to set up forward controls with a cable running all the way back to the brake lever. This bit will then be cut off.
Top piece of tubing has been left a bit longer so we can close off the end. First step is to slice some tube out so a flap remains. Flap needs to be long enough to fold back across whole tube. If you are doing thins for the first time, practice on a scrap piece so you don't end up too short.
Flap is hammered across opening....
Excess flap is cut off ready for a bracket for muffler and to be welded closed. If you look closely, you'll see a groove has been ground around the join to be welded. This will allow weld to remain after it is filed smooth...
The only way to accurately get your mufflers level is to level the chopper with wedges and a spirit level and then measure from the floor with a tape.
Now for the brackets to hold the mufflers on. All brackets that hold any weight should be made from steel bar a minimum of 1" x 4mm thick. They have been measured for approximate length and now need to be made. When doing brackets, always measure from the centre of the hole. When making a single hole bracket, mark and drill the hole first and then measure and cut to length.
Here we have used a verniers to find the centre of the bar and then reset it to the correct length to measure equally in from the end. This marks the hole's centre.
Start with a centring bit, expensive but invaluable, as drill bits wander badly without it. Even a centre punched hole will not be accurate.
This is the easiest and neatest way to finish the end of a bracket... unless you are following a theme in which case all brackets might end in a 'spade' or 'clubs' shape or a point. If you don't possess a verniers (shame!) use a washer as a guide.
When doing a pair of matching brackets, you may as well do both together then cut them into two... saves time.
1mm cutting disc allows you to cut most of the curve with angle grinder.
Finish the job with a file or get the missus to give you a 'Multitool" as your Chrissy present ... early!
Note neatly arrassed edge, done in a single sweep around the wheel.
Two identical brackets almost ready for welding...
They've just needed a bit of a twist in the vice using a large adjustable spanner. Pint has to be cleaned off the tube before welding, to ensure good penetration and lack of impurities weakeing the weld...
Welded on and weld finished off with a file or diegrinder. Even if you do reallly neat welds, cleaning up your job like this (don't rmove all the weld!) is the difference between a ho hum job and an 'outasight' one that shows true craftsmanship... just takes a little longer and a bit more care...
Job done. Mufflers painted and bolted on and the chopper is ready for the coming week.
Man this feels grrrreat! Am I ever one cool dude! Even his temporary seat (cushion and some lambswool) beats the stocker hands down. Our chopper jockey is already starting to feel pretty good about his bike. This is no longer another bike that's sjut the same as the others. And, at a glance it's starting to spell 'chopper'.
OH! and just a note about sissy bar angle. Some guys plan to make their sissy bar the same angle of the forks. Not a good idea for two reasons. 1. It's meant to be leant on by your passenger and that angle will have them leaning back dangerously and putting too much weight over the back axle. 2. For pure looks, your eye will be led off the bike and out into the distance way above and behind. If you keep your sissy bar more towards the vertical as we have done here, the eye is led back over the bike for another look... Guys like Rembrandt and all the other old masters knew this trick and used it in every paintingand sculpture they did... and a chopper IS a sculpture
The coming week he'll be planning next weekend's moves. He'll attack the front end this time.
Well our chopper jock will be spending a lot of nights sitting down with his bike and working out just what has to be done, so all is ready for the weekend.
1. He's picked up a 'Bates' style bottom mount headlight for $20 and will pick up a nice 65/55 +30 globe for it ($15) for some good night vision.
2. He's found a pair of his old man's ape hangers from the seventies... bit bent, but ok. They are a bit high so he'll cut them down and swing the arms back to be more of a pull back style.
3. Speedo/tacho/ignition switch junk will go so he's going to have to partially rewire it as well.
Luckily the coming week end is a long weekend, cos he'll be flat out getting that all done. His mates want him to come for a day run, but no way. He's got the bug and nothing is going to deter him from getting his little chopper looking 'the goods' and that means getting the front end cleaned up and as soon as possible putting a 21" front wheel up front that a mate has traded with him in exchange for some welding.
Just time for a few hour's run around the back blocks on his new look machine getting ready for the week ahead. It's been a hard weekend and he can't wait to feel the wind in his face on his neat low machine.
Chopit'nrideit... Prof
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ShovelShane
- Posts: 339
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- Location: Smithfield South Australia
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Prof
- Founder, Choppers Australia
- Posts: 5963
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 3:54 pm
- Location: Willunga, South Australia
- Contact:
Our chopper jockey is all set to go, but this old author has too much on his hands. Headlight on GS has been replaced, everything but speedo removed, apehangers installed, electricals remounted and a ton of wiring cut out.... however, I am waiting to get time to finish wiring and get carbs back on so I can run a complete post.
All very frustrating walking past it 20 times a day but not being able to find a couple of days to do it.
I just picked up a big lathe that I am having to build a new tailstock for... plus some other bits... taking days of work...
We need quite a few thousand bricks to finish part of our house... and periodically, we get a call from a carpenter notifying us of bricks we have permissin to collect from building sites. We have to drop everything and go... collected three trailer loads this week
Plus I have to get a tubing bender built by early August and finally got a day on it today...
So the 400 just has to wait... so please be patient... just imagine that our chopper jocky is having fun on his new toy and charging around all over the place... rain and shine he has a wopping great big grin on his face!
All very frustrating walking past it 20 times a day but not being able to find a couple of days to do it.
I just picked up a big lathe that I am having to build a new tailstock for... plus some other bits... taking days of work...
We need quite a few thousand bricks to finish part of our house... and periodically, we get a call from a carpenter notifying us of bricks we have permissin to collect from building sites. We have to drop everything and go... collected three trailer loads this week
Plus I have to get a tubing bender built by early August and finally got a day on it today...
So the 400 just has to wait... so please be patient... just imagine that our chopper jocky is having fun on his new toy and charging around all over the place... rain and shine he has a wopping great big grin on his face!
Chopit'nrideit... Prof
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Bacca
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Cherrybomb
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psychomatt
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Prof
- Founder, Choppers Australia
- Posts: 5963
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 3:54 pm
- Location: Willunga, South Australia
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We'll have to assume the young chopper jockey got himself almost wiped out in an accident (car of course, dangerous things that they are!)or something as the job has come to a sudden halt. Actually, the workshop is full of jobs and i've had a pile of other things like CNB's, firewood, house jplumbing and workshop rewiring.
The young CJ will get back onto his project as soon as I get some free time. Sorry for the delay. It was supposed to be up and running within a couple of weeks... but it will be done...
The young CJ will get back onto his project as soon as I get some free time. Sorry for the delay. It was supposed to be up and running within a couple of weeks... but it will be done...
Chopit'nrideit... Prof
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Chainblock Dave
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- Location: Palmer, Sth Aust
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Prof
- Founder, Choppers Australia
- Posts: 5963
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 3:54 pm
- Location: Willunga, South Australia
- Contact:
The lad got hit by a truck hitching a ride in a mates car... and still recovering... goes to show how dangerous cars are! When he gets back on his feet, it'll be back into getting that little project moving...
Actually, when I get some choppers completed for customers, get through the mega ride and do some workshop upgrading, I'll get back onto it... It stares me in the face every day... very frustrating... Was going to be well and truly done before October.
Actually, when I get some choppers completed for customers, get through the mega ride and do some workshop upgrading, I'll get back onto it... It stares me in the face every day... very frustrating... Was going to be well and truly done before October.
Chopit'nrideit... Prof
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Chainblock Dave
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