johnnybad
Tiger Cub
South Texas Devils
Posts: 56
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Post by johnnybad on Sept 24, 2008 19:37:25 GMT -5
So I decided that since there are no post up here in the chops and bobs section that I would go ahead and start one. I have a 1978 Bonne 750 sittin in a 73 Tiger frame. Well, I think thats right. This thing is put together with stuff I have no idea what is. But hey thats all part of the fun right? RIGHT? I set a sight glass on the tank and did some clean up work on the rear fender. Gotta send the tank to my painter next week. So I am gettin close. Anyway...So she didn't run when I got her. Luckily Bruce and Ron have been able to set me straight on a thing or two. Thanks fellas. Should be back on the road tomorrow. I plan on doing lots of mod work and custom craziness. I'll fill you in as things go that way. I love custom work and would love to see anyone else who has done their fair share of madness. I know this may not mesh with the period correct boys but I never been one to judge. So yall have fun. Here are the only two pics I have at the moment. This is how she came to me. When I get the tank back I will post those too.
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BluesRider
H.M.F.I.C.
A.K.A. CommandoRoadster Livin' the dream........
Posts: 2,765
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Post by BluesRider on Sept 24, 2008 23:32:46 GMT -5
Cool sled Johnny! I been hoping someone would come along and post up some pix of their bobber.I talk shit about chops,but it's the billet & chrome turn key H-D clone franchise brand bikes that I hate.Big Dog is one that comes to mind,but there are lots of them. Take your $40 grand,plonk it down on a bike you can't even ride,get some designer leather,add ink,and bam! Instant biker. Those guys make me wanna puke. I truly appreciate a home built job like yours.You can tell that the builder took parts from this,parts from that,whatever worked,and with a bit of ingenuity,and plenty of sweat,built something just a bit different from anything else.You ain't gonna pull up to a stoplight next to anything else like your bike. Actually I like that paint job.Always liked flame jobs. I can't wait to see what you replace it with.I hope you'll post up more pix as you build it,and don't just wait til it's done. I've got a hardtail frame for a unit BSA in my horde of parts,but no BSA engine to put in it.But I do have enough parts to build two or three Triumph engines laying around,plus a complete front end off a '71 Tiger.Y'know,the one with the big scoop on the front brake? I think that would make a cool front end for a bobber. So,I been playing around with the idea of building a TriBsa bobber. I'm sure it's been done,but I've never seen one. Course,I got three or four projects in front of it(that I'm not even working on ) So it's gonna be a while. Cheers! Bruce
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johnnybad
Tiger Cub
South Texas Devils
Posts: 56
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Post by johnnybad on Sept 26, 2008 0:39:13 GMT -5
OH MAN!!!! I dig the TriBSA idea. that would be too rad man. I goto meets and rallies where bobbers are a big deal. To see a Triumph bob in person and alot of people trip on it. To see a thing like the tri BSA your are talkin about would blow me away man. Do it. Do it now! You got the skill to pull it off I think. Rock it man.
I have always loved hardtails. When I thought of what I really wanted I stumbled across this head case project. I was sold in two shakes. Its been great. By the way. I got the carb situation all and completely handled. Its on the way. Remember I thought I was having an air bind or some kind of prob that was keeping fuel from flowing. Guess what!! It looks like the guy before me was using this to kick down beaches. The hose fitting leads were completely clogged with sand. YAY nightmare. But its all good now and am working through things. Might have here on the road tomorrow.
One other quick thing. These lawyers and doctors and accountants with 30 grand to throw down. these are the Wild Hog and Tim Allen jokers. The ones with their brand new leather costumes, thousand dollar bags and matching billet chrome that makes them stand out from all the other bikes with the same grips. Puke is the nicer of the words i would use. I ran into this guy the other day. He had the vest with the badges and the brand spankin new boots and goofy bandanna and was riding a Nightster. I said that i kind of liked it. He said that the nightster wasnt even his. That his 1200 sportster was at the stubbs getting the oil changed and the nightster was just a rental. I dont have a concealed gun license and at that moment it is probably a good thing I dont. These guys that cant even change their own oil and roll around with 12 inch ape hangers make me wanna stab someone. I am totally with you man.
So yes I am gonna put more pics up soon. I am gonna add another post in the morn about the other things I am doing in the chopper section. And if I can get the bike runnin I am gonna go make fun of some costumed leathered billet boy harley snobs. So take it easy and I will see you kats on the morn!
Later...Jon
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Post by bonnevillebilly on Sept 26, 2008 21:33:27 GMT -5
Very cool John I have a 76/ 750 bonnie I have owned since new. She is in need of some TLC but, she still runs. I have been debating on chopping and or bobbing her, some thing radical. Or do I keep her stock? I have been leaning more towards keeping her stock. But, a real big part of me wants to do some thing radical. I will figure it out when I start to tear in to her.
Looking forward to seeing some more pic's of your ride. I must say I like the flame paint also.
Bill
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Post by Midnight on Sept 28, 2008 0:27:17 GMT -5
Billy if its all there and genuine ,to chop it would not be a good idea, unless your wearing your blue and white striped apron in my veiw ;D there such a nice bike restored ,if i wanted a custom i would shop around for a basket case, and make something nice out of something that would only be scraped.
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BluesRider
H.M.F.I.C.
A.K.A. CommandoRoadster Livin' the dream........
Posts: 2,765
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Post by BluesRider on Sept 28, 2008 0:59:03 GMT -5
I agree with Ron.I wouldn't molest an original,but you know your girl better than we do. I'd at least look around for a frame that had already been chopped. You can probably find one pretty cheap.The older dry framed bikes could have a hardtail bolted right on in place of the rear sub-frame,but the OIF bikes have to have the rear section cut off,and a hardtail welded on,pretty much eliminating any chance of reversing the process.Your engine will bolt right into an older frame,with no modifications,too.
All that aside,the OIF bike does make a pretty clean bobber,because you don't need a separate oil tank,and,since it's a kickstart bike,you can run a capacitor,instead of a battery,or hide away a little battery,if you have EI.
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BluesRider
H.M.F.I.C.
A.K.A. CommandoRoadster Livin' the dream........
Posts: 2,765
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Post by BluesRider on Sept 30, 2008 22:00:38 GMT -5
Wheeeeeer's Johnny?
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johnnybad
Tiger Cub
South Texas Devils
Posts: 56
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Post by johnnybad on Oct 1, 2008 9:38:45 GMT -5
Alright boys I am back. I work harbor tugs on the Houston Ship Channel. A sailor but a shallow water one. No deep sea for me. But I am gone a few days at a time. So let me put my two cents in now.
I love my bobber. But I gotta agree with the rest. If you got a nice stock original I wouldnt go choppin the frame. BUT...oh yes BUT...
There are plenty of already chopped or bobbed frames out there you can pick up for about 500 to 800 dollars. i recommend Four Aces Cycles. They make a great from tab welded ready and you can through your 750 right into her with now prob. Check'em out.
Do it man. Rock the bobber. I love it to death dude. But that way you can always go back to original if you need or want to.
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Post by Midnight on Oct 2, 2008 0:11:19 GMT -5
nice neat job johny, and judgeing by that pose, one proud owner, and seeing you sitting on it, it fits you like a glove .nice work..
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johnnybad
Tiger Cub
South Texas Devils
Posts: 56
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Post by johnnybad on Oct 3, 2008 12:53:55 GMT -5
Thanks Ron. i dig her. But just like all the older machines I tend to get my hands into they all need that TLC. The only disadvantage with mine is the fact that it is a solo. If I wanna roll with a nice little motorcycle mama I am gonna have to pick up another bike.
Alright I am gonna throw this out there...I have been looking at the Royal Enfield Deluxe kits from India. (covers eyes in shame) But they are pretty cool I gotta say.
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BluesRider
H.M.F.I.C.
A.K.A. CommandoRoadster Livin' the dream........
Posts: 2,765
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Post by BluesRider on Oct 3, 2008 15:14:35 GMT -5
I dig those things too,and I'd love to have one,but they are slowwww,and too under powered for two people. For the same price,you could pick up a low mileage used Bonne. You could cruise all day at 80 with two people.
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Post by bonnevillebilly on Oct 9, 2008 19:17:28 GMT -5
Thanks for your opinions. I am sure when I start on her I will keep her stock. I don't think I'd have the heart to chop her up. She is 99% stock except the fork tubes are 2" over and I have a 3 prong sissy bar on the back. Other then that she is all there.
Bill
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johnnybad
Tiger Cub
South Texas Devils
Posts: 56
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Post by johnnybad on Oct 10, 2008 16:32:33 GMT -5
Alright. Update time. Checked and ran through all my wiring. Solid. Doubled and triple checked carb adjustment and needle placements for a spot I think will work. But...AH. With so many other points of madness going on I completely forgot to test my plugs for adequate fire. AND guess what?! Nothing but the smallest of sparks. Little to nothing. I am gonna throw those new plugs in and hopefully all will be gravy.
Although my tank is at the painter and even when it is done I have to do something about the amount of rust that's in it. Fun times. I seriously hate dealing with rusted tanks. I would love to rig something up to feed fuel. Even if its just for a quick crank. You know just to be able to say "Okay. She's okay. Thank the lord." I know this sounds bad but I'll probably just buy a cheap five dollar gas can, punch some holes in the bottom, run vinyl tubes to the carbs and see what happens. The tank is still gonna be a bit. So of course, its killing me.
But thats where things stand now. Hopefully all goes well and she'll crank and within a few weeks I'll be back on the road.
I'd like to get a nice video of me and her kickin down the road to post here. Also I will have some nice pics soon too. Hence the whole Before & After thing.
have fun kats Later, Johnny
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BluesRider
H.M.F.I.C.
A.K.A. CommandoRoadster Livin' the dream........
Posts: 2,765
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Post by BluesRider on Oct 11, 2008 0:45:35 GMT -5
Yeah,I've used that ol' temporary fuel tank thing a few times myself,but I'm too cheap to actually buy anything.I always just rigged up an old oil or gear lube bottle.
I'm thinkin' I probably woulda tried to get rid of the rust before I got it painted,but that's just me. You know the old nuts n bolts in the tank trick,right? Then a sealer like POR.Don't use Kreem.It sucks. I've heard very good things about Caswell two part sealer,but I haven't used it myself. Supposed to be thicker,so you don't have to get all the rust out,and it will build up the thin parts. DO NOT get any sealer on your new paint,or you will be hating life.
Cheers! Bruce
Edit: Seriously,if your guy hasn't started the paint job yet,get it back,and take care of the rust first.
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johnnybad
Tiger Cub
South Texas Devils
Posts: 56
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Post by johnnybad on Oct 13, 2008 19:04:28 GMT -5
Oh I have hit is with the POR 15 HD kit. It worked out okay. Got most of the old sealant out and the used the other stuff with the kit to knock back most of the rust. The issue is just some surface rust. I am gonna hit it with some stuff called osphoric acid. I use it on my boat. You can touch it with your hands and not worry. It wont mess up or discolor paint.
I have been battling whether to use a sealant or not. I have heard pros and cons from both sides of the fence. I dont know yet. But I'll figure it out. Plus its just a rat bike style black job with no clear. I aint worried about it.
Just sitting around waiting now. Thats a killer. Believe me. I might try on the temp tank oil can trick. Hey, at least I know now that its been done by one of you kats and just isnt one of my crazy ideas.
Have fun!
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