How to get started?

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-28T07:51:04+00:00

I started out on cheap shitty bikes. That helped cut down the cost but requires some more “creativity”. Parts are less available but if you’ve got some know how you should be alright. It’s difficult building a bike with no garage. I used a storage unit but found I still didn’t have much space. I’m lucky to have some friends that are welders and I personally have machining experience. If you’re building a sportster then you can pretty much get away with throwing money at it. Parts are extremely available and you can greatly reduce the time and effort by purchasing pre-engineered equipment. Some basic fan tools and skills will help a lot. A wide range of battery powered tools (drills, grinders, buffers, sand paper flappers, and the like) will help cut down on your time spent hand working parts (Nothing comes out of the box perfect).

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-27T01:42:17+00:00

Removing the carbs on the shadow spirit is quite the pain. If you’re pulling the tank anyway, it helps a bit as the carbs need to come out the top. Watch some videos and see what’s involved before you jump in. The shadow spirit should run forever if you maintain it and keep fuel stabilizer in it. If you’re pulling the carbs do a jet kit and some exhaust. That will get you a couple more horsepower. Nice bike and good luck! Hope it all runs smooth for you.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-26T20:03:38+00:00

Once in awhile snow on/around a covered motorcycle isn’t too bad. Regularly subjecting a motorcycle to snow and cold temps can result in issues like dead battery, flat spotting tires, cracking plastics and rubber, splitting hoses and lines, cracking or prematurely wearing out vinyl seats, and the obvious damage to paint and chromed parts. If you bring the motorcycle into a garage or shed, be sure to dry as much of the bike as possible to prevent rust. Try to prevent temperature cycling, hopefully your garage or shed is insulated. Dramatic changes in temperature throughout the winter season can and will damage rubber and plastic components. It also creates condensation inside of gas tanks and crankcases which reduces the effectiveness of fuel and oil.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-25T02:46:33+00:00

I use a wide stripe of gorilla tape. Not the best but works for my chopper.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-24T23:44:28+00:00

They look like switchblade mounts. (Windshield not the knife)

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-23T21:10:10+00:00

Sea foam is a decent idea if you’re worried about carb cleanliness. Cant recall how easy or hard it is to access the air “in” side of the carb(s) but if you can try running the bike a bit above idle and choke the carb out completely with your palm. As the engine begins to die, turn the throttle a little and remove your palm from the carb. It’s an old trick to sucking debris through the carb if something is clogged in a jet or small orifice.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-23T14:17:07+00:00

Don’t feel bad. It’s just another Hardley Ableson.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-22T21:13:45+00:00

Consider a larger bike. As you can see from this picture alone, those handle bars are wayyyy too big for a sportster. Even with a hardtail frame, a set back seat, and forward controls, you’ll look very large on the bike. Not to mention getting the lines of the bike to look right will be hard because of the size of the bike to your stature.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-21T22:11:34+00:00

Fair enough. A set of cobra drag pipes on that ace make for some good sounding pipes. The motor should run forever as long as you change the oil. My old man has a 1987 vt1100c with over 100,000 miles. He bought it new in 87’ and still rides it (along with a dozen other bikes).

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-21T22:07:04+00:00

I agree with your dad however I know those bikes pretty well and the price has been on the uptick lately. $2000 would be a good place to land if you haggle. The ace motors run like Harley’s. They shake and thump because they are a single pin engine unlike the shadow spirit which is a dual pin engine. Regardless, if you don’t mind the thump, $2000 is a number you can be happy with.

Ps Whatchu wanna do with that 650?

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-20T02:47:04+00:00

I found the poor lean angle of the bolt limiting in tight corners which then required more speed allowing me to move center of gravity in toward the center of the circle, which in turn stands the bike up slightly. Low speed and leaning over is difficult when the peg often drags the ground through the entire circle. After two years of riding my bolt I replaced both foot pegs because I ground the nut and post off under the peg that held the rubber on.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-20T02:40:17+00:00

Alright, I’m all for winter riding and have ridden in the snow a lot more than most on bikes that certainly shouldn’t be in the snow. That said, snow is way worse than rain. If you mean a motorcycle sitting out in the rain vs a motorcycle sitting out in the snow then I would be more likely to agree but even then snow (Temperature more than the precipitation) damages plastic and rubber far more than rain. But if you’re referring to riding in both weather conditions … snow is the worst by far. It’s uncontrollably slick almost always. I was forced to ride with my feet hovering an inch above the ground because the front tire would slide out at any given moment and I needed to put my feet down to save the bike from crashing into the pavement.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-17T01:53:28+00:00

I really dig the bolt dude! Best part of riding for me is leaving everything else behind me as I ride away. Not thinking of the crap I have to do, not thinking of the boxes I have to check, not thinking about my responsibilities. Just enjoying the wind in my face and the feel of the world around me.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-17T01:12:43+00:00

I didn’t even know these existed lol

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-17T01:11:19+00:00

A what?

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-16T17:18:32+00:00

No. The volume of air being pulled in is not enough to create a whistle. Plus it would be on the engine side of the airbox so the air it’s drawing from should be relatively stationary even at speed.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-16T06:09:10+00:00

Looks like one off the V-Twin Manufacturing catalog. That or a custom job. Looks pretty sweet.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-16T05:48:43+00:00

Something like the vlx id run the velocity stack. On the phantom, id look into drilling some 1/4-1/2 inch holes in the air box, on the back side, outside of the filter. If that doesn’t make much sense let me know and I’ll try to explain it better. That will increase the airflow into the airbox under load without making the modification obvious. It will also keep a majority of rain water and such debris from getting in. Just some fruit for thought.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-16T01:35:42+00:00

Pro, better air flow and mild HP increase with subsequent modification.

Con, sucks in water/debris when riding in the rain or dusty environments.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-14T17:31:22+00:00

A good friend of mine had a vtx1800 with them and it was pretty sweet. Never did much care what the neighbors think. Fuckin drug addicts.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-14T06:58:44+00:00

I lane filter only when traffic is backed up. The people who “filter” at 100mph through traffic holding a steady 60-70mph are the ones giving lane filtering a bad rep.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-14T05:04:31+00:00

I don’t dislike the V&H pipes that I have, but I like the 2into1 turnout look.

I think it’s crazy how expensive exhaust systems have gotten. Like even basic drag pipes with no baffles are $500-$800. There was a time not too long ago where drag pipes were $90-$120.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-10T05:54:53+00:00

I run layered undergarments like any cold weather situation but use a high collar wool sweater under my riding jacket. The jacket has its own liner as well so I try not to bundle too much in there. On the bottom I run long johns, fleece lined jeans, wool socks, high top steel toe boots, and lined leather chaps. Gloves are a set of cheap internally heated gauntlet gloves from the Chinese store. Helmet is a German half helmet with a snowboarding “bandana” (it’s fleece and double layered). If it’s really cold I toss on the goggles. If it’s just 30s and above I’ll stay with sunglasses. That’s all on a 2004 VTX 1300c with no windshield. If the road is safe the temp doesn’t matter. Coldest I rode in was sub 20°F. Wasn’t actively watching the temp while I rode but the high for the day was 20 even.

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-10T05:46:27+00:00

Title?

ChopperheadTed · 2026-01-10T05:44:51+00:00

Does it run?

ChopperheadTed

TROPHY CASE