special project. UPDATE!!

[FLATHEAD]

Thought I might share this new project I am going to do. It is a 1968 shovel head. As some here know I fool around with older bikes, mostly from the 30's and 40's. But this one is different. It belonged to a friend of mine. He was killed on this bike a few years ago, I rode with him that fateful night. It sat in my best friends garage under a blanket since the wreck. At first I could not even look at it without getting sick to my stomach. But I guess time heals wounds. As fate would have it the bike now belongs to me and is crammed into my garage along with the other bikes. Never thought the day would come that I got excited about building this up again. But I am kinda pumped. I will include an "in memory of" some where on the bike.<br /><br />As for the work it needs?? easier to say what it don't need. He hit so hard he cracked the cylinders right in half at the base's, frame is shot as well as the front end, amazingly enough the headlight survived,, go figure. Tanks are smashed in on the top where his legs and chest hit them. Inner and outer primarys are totaled, along with a host of other stuff I've yet to uncover. I have a lot of parts to get started. I am thinking a rigid frame with slight rake and a nice 1930's springer, for starters. <br /><br />

 

[one more cast]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

Thats gonna be a tough build Flathead but I believe your friends memory will help inspire you.

 

[KRS]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

The lincoln welder will help!<br /><br />Hope your vision comes together in a bike that honors his memory.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

Got the motor out today. I have to say I am dissapointed in what I found. Was hoping the case's would be intact but no such luck. The left case has a chunk out of it right where two bolts come through, one for the case's one for the cylinder. Also found a small crack down on the belly. Took it to a guy that can work magic with a welder he is going to see what he can do. These slab side shovel motors are worth about 6 grand , so I am hoping he can fix er up.<br />Photo shows the broken piece , and where it came off the motor. Also the chassis and the wasted piston stuck in the broken cylinder.<br /><br />

<br /><br />

<br /><br />

<br /><br />

 

[one more cast]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

I don't know Flathead, that looks like a pretty tricky repair. ebay has several left side cases but all alt. motors. There is one gen. motor but it was already up to $2200. Good luck to ya.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

It could not be in a worse spot thats for sure. I have seen this guy take a knuckle case that was in a shoe box and weld it back together and it has been fine for a few years now so I am hoping he can hook me up. He was also friends with the former owner of the bike so it has some meaning to him too. No doubt it'll need the the cylinder boss machined when its done , but thats OK. <br /><br /><br />THANKS!!

 

[KRS]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

Let us know!

 

[one more cast]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

Flathead, I sent you a link if you are interested,I know you wanted to go rigid springer but thought maybe it will go reasonable. I sure can't afford it at this time.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

Hey OMC thanks for the link. Great minds think alike I already have that one on my watch list

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

OMC Check this one out. Just what I could use same year and all , and with a title to boot. If it dont go a whole lot higher I think I'll try to get it.<br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4609220575&fromMakeTrack=true

 

[one more cast]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

Ya know what sucks, I passed up a complete '67 rigid chopper one time for $2500. I also bought a '76 FLH (just like your black one) with 11,000 miles for $2500. The '67 was in a barn with a '77 flh. I went back a few years ago to see if they were still there but can't find the place. Edit: You don't want a triumph do you? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=4609420065&sspagename=STRK:MESE:IT

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

Now that is a nice old pre unit Trumpet.So far the price is right. Just what I need another project.

 

[one more cast]

Re: special project. UPDATE!!

Any verdict on the case repair yet? What a mixed up Triumph sale. The winner is from CA, He wanted to buy all my Triumph stuff so I gave him a total for everything, The 2nd highest bidder ended up buying the '57 from the CA guy so the CA guy could get a better deal on everything else. I am delivering the '57 to Brevard NC in April then heading to Atlanta and then on to Panama City Beach FL for a little fun in the sun.<br /> I've never been to the gulf so I can hardly wait.