OLD SCHOOL GIRDER FRONT END TRIAL
OLD SCHOOL GIRDER FRONT END LICENSE

However, the silver fuel cell stands out with AD Customs and Royal Enfield branding. The wire-spoke wheels, engine finishes, and frame also receive the same all-black treatment. The stock switchgear retains the Classic 350РІР‚в„ўs ease of use, but leather handgrip wraps and a blacked-out fuel cap bring the cockpit back in time. To streamline the Tribal 350РІР‚в„ўs silhouette, AD Customs relocated the speedometer to the starboard side of the gas tank. In the cockpit, custom risers clamp onto a set of offset flat bars.

OLD SCHOOL GIRDER FRONT END TRIAL

The only way to do this is the trial and error method of adding/removing axle spacers on either side of the rear wheel.A custom-mounted single round headlight rests atop the girder front end, aligning with the retro cosmetics with a yellow lens and headlight grill. However, the rear-wheel chain sprocket needs to be lined up with the engine sprocket. Other than that, the motor was pretty much stock except for chromed rocker boxes.Р”В«uilding a hardtail Sportster is simpler than building a hardtail Big-Twin Harley because there is no separate transmission that needs to be aligned. The original Bendix carburetor was replaced with a Mikuni, and a slightly richer jetting was needed to run with the unbaffled drag pipes. The ignition key was moved under the seat for a clean look.Р”Р„s mentioned earlier, the motor was from a 1972 XLCH, the first year of the 1000cc Sportster, and kick-start only. This includes bulky fenders and gas tanks, and trimming down unnecessary electrical parts, such as signals, gauges, relays and switches. The first front end installed on the hardtail frame was a 6'-over-stock hydraulic unit that came off an early seventies Super Glide.Р”Р„n essential part of building any sort of chopper, bobber, or cafe racer, is getting rid of unnecessary items.

I installed the front end to check the stance of the bike.

The motor needs to be put on the frame to put weight on the front end, so you can get an accurate view of how the bike will sit.Р”Р„fter the oil tank mounts and fork-stop tabs were welded in place, I propped the frame up on a wooden box and did the first of several mock build-ups. The way to check overall stance is to trial-fit everything including the motor. One of the hardest and most overlooked parts of a any hardtail build is how the bike will sit when done.

OLD SCHOOL GIRDER FRONT END LICENSE

The license plate/tail-light was mounted to the left side of the bike. The rear brake stay tab was already on the frame when purchased. When you buy a hardtail frame today, all the brackets you need are already welded on.Р”В«ut that wasn't the norm 30 years ago, so I had to make my own.Р”Р‡rame brackets were fabricated for the oil tank mounts, rear fender brackets, and fork-stop tabs. The first carnation of my Ironhead hardtail was built during the Winter/Spring of 1983/1984. Originally, all motorcycles were hardtails, and since there are no rear suspension components, a hardtail frame is much lighter and less complicated than a conventional swing-arm frame. The theme of my hardtail Sportster build was simple a no frills, bare bones, minimalist motorcycle. The company who made the frame was called C&J Cycles. The fork rake was just three degrees over stock, but the back of the bike was stretched eight inches-this gave my lanky six-foot frame plenty of room to stretch out. I ordered a custom hardtail frame from a local motorcycle shop.

Old school girder front end