shovel build big progress...

I fitted the tank which I'd worked on a couple of days ago too, I still have to make the flanges for the pipes & the bracket for the rear pipe. I'm out of Argon so the final welding will have to wait a few days. The finish will be plain steel - treated somehow against rust perhaps. Same goes for my 'bars..

shovel build big progress...

After the seat & brake cylinder I got stuck into making up a simple set of pipes. I only had a limited amount of straight tube in 1.75" so it was a short set or shorter set.. I chose the former.

shovel build big progress...

I next made up a mounting plate to support the rear brake cylinder - which seems to be meant for left side fitment judging by the location of the mounting holes! Oh well.. I have temporarily fitted the tranny outer cover very kindly donated by fellow builder Baz from Northampton. Thanks Baz!

shovel build big progress...

I got started again today, firstly with the seat - fitted the springs. The bottom mounting bolts are actually plain studs that are located beneath the cross member by removable pins. That sorts out access to the oil bag.

shovel build big progress...

The brake pedal is fully welded up now..

shovel build progress..

Several hours later.. At least those decals have long gone - I went to bare metal! I degreased with Swarfega water-based stuff & hit it with shaky can enamel primer. It'll do for now.

shovel build progress..

The big fight.. Nitromors & elbow grease - v - HD sportster tank paint! I've heard it said Harley save unnecessary expense on Sportys but that cannot apply to the paint - as hard as fuck..

shovel build progress..

I toyed with a few unorthodox concepts to try & get my cake & eat it - so to speak! I love jockey shifts but of course on a Harley it is LHS.. So first I looked at taking the hand shift thru the frame where I could operate it with my right hand whilst holding clutch on the left 'bar.. BUT I could see trouble clearing the rear cylinder exhaust pipe! So I thought about a foot clutch.. nope I didn't fancy that (I'm a wuss, I know). OK here's an idea - I have never seen this but I'm certain it will work - and I think I can make the part: I'm going to fab a clutch lever that operates normally until you get it right in then it locks (I can operate the jock shift left handed then) when I squeeze further the lever releases.. In theory. Ha!

shovel build progress..

As I entered the workshop this morning I suddenly decided to run a jockey shift on the bike. It is a bit of a U-turn, as I'd been keen on a foot shift all along.. but that is the advantage of doing it yourself, is it not? I made the jock shift from a piece of Honda front spindle topped by a knob from an old lathe - same thread too!

shovel build further progress..

When I'd trimmed the old Triumph brake pedal to fit it's new position and my foot - as I don't wear shoes like Ronald McDonald (usually anyway!) it looked good. Got the bmx stunt peg for £1 & used a 1/2" deep socket for the pedal.. Result!

shovel build further progress..

Put the finishing touches to my RHS control/footrest today. I located a decent Harley rear brake cylinder too which is on order..

shovel build more progress...

I knocked up a licence plate mount out of 3mm mild steel which doubles as a tail light bracket. I'm gonna use a repop Miller "STOP" tail light as seen on Vincent big twins.

shovel build progress..

Added the small footpeg mount. I'm going to use a DiamondBack bmx peg which has a 26tpi thread.

shovel build - progress again...

The plan is to finish up this peg & pedal setup, which needs final welding before the mounting tube is welded onto the seatpost, then I'm going to try and find some help to lift the bike down onto a low stand where I can fit the front end.

shovel build - progress again...

Finally whilst the bike is still on the welding bench I fabricated & tacked my right hand side peg mount & brake pedal. It's gonna end up as a hi-mid setup.. I used an old Triumph rigid pedal I found lying around to save a bit more time.

shovel build - progress again...

I used a late model sportster tank which I don't think has ever had petrol in it by the lack of fumes.. With this tank I have the option of a hidden gas cap or something more ornate.

shovel build - progress again...

I then fabricated mounts for the sportster tank I picked up on thursday. That paint will be coming off with nitromors..

shovel build - progress again...

Nice to get back into the shop and resume the build yesterday. I got hold of some fork springs last week and fitted them inside the forks before fabbing a set of narrow (20") 'bars & a headlight mounting bracket.

Terry Slack's Triumph Trophy street bike..

Terry, my good mate and fellow Triumph fan has hustled his new flat-track inspired bobber back together after a rapid color change.. I liked it as it was but it's gonna be super cool in this new shade of blue!

shovel build progress..

It's been a few days of running around sourcing parts & materials: a bit frustrating when I'm in build mode! BUT, I have the bits now to get this bike onto it's wheels - so to speak- where I can complete the final fabrication. Photos to follow at the weekend..

shovel build progress..

No picture today but did a bit of unglamorous, fiddly finishing off from yesterday. The fender is solidly mounted now; should cope with the occasional bum on the top of it too. I made a load of calls & have located uprated fork springs, a neat sporty tank & some 3" seat springs.. All being well I should be sitting on a bike which looks fairly complete by the weekend with a bit of luck!

shovel build more progress...

I will finish off the welding on the sissybar tomorrow, & make up a proper tranny plate.

shovel build more progress...

Hopefully I will still dig this sissybar design as time wears on. I thought I'd add this little license plate reflector too.

shovel build more progress...

Made a small sissybar from some black iron rod.

how a man clears a loft...

2nd trash burst..

how a man clears a loft...

Needed to clear my loft today. Wanted to get it done in a couple hours, so..

shovel build big progress...

I should get the fork springs, seat springs & leather next week; hopefully I can fab the 'bars, pipes & fender mounts next week too - just leaving the mid frisco controls, lights, brake components and sidestand to add. Then I need some dosh: I don't have a clutch, primary, carb or ignition..

shovel build big progress...

Need to make some fender stays, a fender bracket & top motor mount next. If I'd had some fork springs & a tank then we could have seen the whole bike today!

shovel build big progress...

With the frame welded I could really get stuck in & fit the motor, seat & oiltank and also place the rear wheel for fender mounting 2morrow. I have yet to drill a proper tranny plate.

shovel build progress..

Martin Peters of Marton Engineering in Mkt Harborough made a superb job of the welding - TIG throughout.

'73 shovel - dry build starts...

Ah... a thing of beauty (to me anyway!) I can get on with the dry build now as soon as I drill the last motor mount.

The funniest bike!!

And the winner is.. this! Unashamedly influenced by the best of Orange County Choppers, this "wild custom" thrills the onlooker with it's "modernity" and "hot rod design cues". Coming to a car wreck near you soon..

funniest bikes...

At #2 the bike that OCC's Paul Snr presented hopefully to the Dragon's Den panel..

funniest bikes...

The final 3 .. At 3 - just for the streetfighter connoisseur - this beauty combines "muscular performance with sublime styling"

funniest bikes...

Hmm.. There's a idea.

funniest bikes...

At #5 Ronald McDonald or is it "Turd-burgler"?

funniest bikes...

Even the coolness of B&W photography can't hide the sillyness of this bike. The brother can..

funniest bikes...

Mr "I've got more flatheads than sense" makes it to #7.. (Or is it one of those fairground rides?)

funniest bikes...

In at #8 and winner of the best redneck engineering award..

Day off..

.. and what did I do on my day off? Spent 3 hours on JJ trawling the funniest/silliest bikes thread is what.. My "top 8"

shovel build update...

The frame was collected today for final welding and will be finished off tomorrow morning! I took a day off..

shovel build update...

I plan on covering the seatpan in some old worn leather from a jacket perhaps.. Ditto the pussy pad. Sissy bar or no sissy bar..????

shovel build update...

I also finished off my seat this morning. I used 3mm mild steel for the pan; which was shaped somewhat; and the front mountings too which should be plenty strong - touch wood! Springs on order..
My frame is being final welded tomorrow, but it should only take the one day. Happy 'bout that.

shovel build update...

I completed the fender this morning. It's fitted with inner & outer reinforcement strips. It will be mounted strongly enough to support a usable pussy pad. I dig the look of the rib down the fender too..

shovel build more progress...

Knocked up a quick seatpan out of 3mm mild & also made a strip to widen my rear fender slightly.

thumb damage..

Only a minimal bit of a scuff but I'm reviewing my no gloves policy after 3 burns today and this from the grinder..

shovel build...

Braced both the motor mounts as they pick up from single tubes.. I felt this was the neatest arrangement. Tomorrow the frame goes in for final welding. Yay!

shovel build progress..

My frame goes into the welder's shop for final welding on wednesday.

shovel build day 8...

I fabbed the three transmission mounts. I made a quick tranny plate for alignment purposes only. Tacked them firmly.

shovel build day 8...

It's nice and level.

shovel build day 8...

The frame is about ready for the full welds..

shovel build day 8...

That about wraps up the fabrication on this frame. Just 2 small gussets to add under the motor mounting plates. Ran out of argon!

thought of the day...

I woke up this morning and I just thought how lucky I am to work on bikes and build stuff like this - every boys dream!

PlumKrazy build pics..

Awful quality pic but they're the only shots I have left of PlumKrazy - my last bike - during it's build. Oh well..

Reading for Mum's funeral.

I have decided to read this poem at the service.

Peace my heart...Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet.Let it not be a death but completeness.Let love melt into memory and pain into songs.Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest.Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night.Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your last words in silence.I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way.

shovel build day 7

The small triangular piece of steel may be added under the front mount - possibly - (gonna ask my welder mate..)

shovel build day 7

Motor mounts done. Most fiddly job yet, but easier than a Triumph twin actually, IMHO.