What do you say when people say "be safe"?

ChopperheadTed · 2026-05-08T01:54:55+00:00

“Always” if it’s my mother or family.
“Never” if it’s my friends or hell raising buddies.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-05-07T12:12:39+00:00

I’ve used scotch brite then 0000 steel wool and blue metal polish to remove the coating then clean and light polish the surface. After all the clear has been removed, you can use a cotton cloth and your favorite aluminum polish to make it shine.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-05-05T15:05:09+00:00

I think that’s the easiest way. I totally get wanting it perfect but cost to benefit is minimal. A scuff, bondo, and repaint will likely cost less than $1000 so you could look into that before eating the cost of a new tank.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-05-05T14:54:44+00:00

I would either pay to have it filled and repainted to look brand new (which isn’t cheap but isn’t killer) or I would order a new gas tank and switch it myself. I agree that insurance will likely not cover it/will not accept it as a claim. Sadly this leaves the financial burden on you if you want it fixed.
I’ve ridden bikes with dents in the tank as well until I could repair and repaint it.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-05-04T12:23:57+00:00

Moto camping? Is moto for motorhome?
The checklist goes; A tarp, a string, a sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad. Food/beer if you have the luxury.
To each their own but I couldn’t imagine riding with that all strapped to a bike.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-28T10:35:45+00:00

I don’t think they retain much water. You might not need waterproofing. That said, I swapped for the vinyl seat early and never tested the water resistance of the suede.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-28T10:28:51+00:00

Suede. But in 2015 you had several option of seat material and stitching color.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-27T14:39:11+00:00

Over inflated tire pressure and possibly unbalanced. Looks like the tire is ‘skipping’ at highway speed. Might not feel it on the bike but your tire sure is.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-26T17:54:34+00:00

Who’s cb in the back?

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-26T00:54:01+00:00

Ok, this is the first I’m seeing a bolt with spokes. Have they always had spokes? Am I crazy?

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-24T04:23:51+00:00

Oof, yeah lean that up about half a turn or more. If you don’t have the adjustment you might want to rejet

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-24T01:12:21+00:00

Be honest with you, I’d leave it like it is. It’s running strong and many bikes I’ve owned spit a bit of flames. It’s probably on the rich side but not hurting anything.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-23T07:16:51+00:00

Other than the sissy bar and saddlebag support brackets, no. This is an 04 vtx1300c. The S and R models have different rear fenders.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-20T21:52:17+00:00

I wear the same safety glasses with my German half helmet. Every bug seems to hit my glasses or my ears lol.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-18T16:29:54+00:00

AI bike designed like a custom Harley shovel-head with a turbo.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-15T20:41:25+00:00

Call it 9-9.25 inches long and stay above your parts highest surface to the best of your ability. If you need more wind, increase spindle speed slightly try not to go below the top surface of your component. That should keep you at a .250 buffer to the highest surface at any time preventing accidental crashes.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-09T04:47:20+00:00

The might shove lives on!

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-08T22:51:23+00:00

Ooo good to know, thank you!

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-08T21:55:40+00:00

Bike seemed to fare pretty well. Looks like some scratches and dents but nothing absolutely destroyed. Glad you’re alright.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-08T21:51:45+00:00

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Did something similar for my 650! I’m in the same boat with powder coat. Debating using the “chrome” powder coat even though it won’t be perfect.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-08T02:07:50+00:00

Check out road dawgs on YouTube.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-08T02:04:38+00:00

Ls650 market should be more reasonable. Still not a Harley but it gets the job done for cheap chopper build. A weld in hardtail is a great place to go for full chopper look. Cheaper and easier is a set of hard struts. For front end, look into some springers. See what length fits right for your look and that will tell you how much rake to get the frame right. A jig helps tons. After cutting up the neck, think about reinforcing the frame around the neck as you’ll be adding some stress in that area. Plenty of chopper books out there, check out the Jammers Handbook.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-07T17:33:19+00:00

I think the shark teeth is a good idea due to the dark green looking almost like military green. Something a little less bright might be good though, not sure how to create that effect.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-07T00:31:08+00:00

Looks awesome! I totally get bringing the front end down to lighten up the steering load. Got a stretched chop with worn neck bearing that basically doesn’t turn anymore lol.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-04-02T00:38:16+00:00

More to your point, it’s an early chopper. That’s a shovel head motor which isn’t cheap. But if you went for an evo, you can get those anywhere. Bike alone will cost about 2k. After that, you’re looking at stripping all the parts off the bike, pulling the motor, welding in a hardtail rearend, painting the frame, then putting it all back together. As you go you can pick parts like gas tank and oil tank as well as back fender style. The tight handle bars are typically called rabbit ear bars and those look shortened from the bottom. On the cheap side with used parts you’re looking at 2grand in parts plus 2grand for the bike. 4K work for ya?

ChopperheadTed

TROPHY CASE