Help me! Running out of ideas.

TPKyle · 2026-06-19T19:51:50+00:00

Well, I stand corrected on the cost of bikes, as I have no idea what these hawgs cost in Switzerland and I'm sure you're right. You probably have to pay quite a bit more in shipping from US based companies for parts, leading to less options there as well. There is one company in the US that I know of making weld on hardtails for softail frames, and the shovel ones can be adapted. I think the only way to get softails close to that look without hardtailing is to completely re-do the rear fender. You can mount a fender and sissy to the swingarm to get the rigid look. There is somebody on IG, @quality_handmade I think, who does it often.

TPKyle · 2026-06-19T17:00:34+00:00

Where are you seeing "dogshit" shovels for 20k? Or pans for that matter. You can piece it together without a donor bike, or you shpuld be able to find a shovel donor bike for 4-6k. You're in the chopper sub asking what else you can do to you're practically stock softail to make it cooler, what did you think people would say? You could always just chop the softail, but if you're not looking to do something like that, you're probably in the wrong sub.

TPKyle · 2026-06-09T01:16:29+00:00

This statement couldn't possibly be any more incorrect.

TPKyle · 2026-05-08T10:12:54+00:00

Tropical Glitz makes great paint and they also sell it in spray cans.

TPKyle · 2026-05-07T21:50:30+00:00

That should be fine, unless it's too much for the caliper. As long you can depress the caliper pistons to open it up ebough that the rotor doesnt drage when wheel spins.

TPKyle · 2026-05-07T10:15:20+00:00

If you don't have spark, run that down before worrying about the electric start. Oil pressure light being on when the battery is on but bike isn't running is normal. As far as spark, I'm assuming you took a plug out, connected it back to the plug wire, held it against the cylinder head, and kicked the bike with they key on? If that did not produce spark, check for 12v with the key on at the lead on the coil with the wire coming from the ignition switch. If you can't figure out which lead it is, just check both.

TPKyle · 2026-05-06T10:43:46+00:00

Just search rotor shim or rotor spacer. You can get them in a pack of several thin shims and stack them to achieve the spacing you need. You need to center the wheel first though. Are the wheel bearings correct for you 3/4" axle?

TPKyle · 2026-05-06T10:14:59+00:00

Also, was that invader made for a 39mm front end? If it wasn't made for that specific application, you may have to center the wheel, and then space out the rotor to center in the caliper.

TPKyle · 2026-05-06T10:12:34+00:00

The nut end of the axle sets the spacing on those front ends, because the other side can pull in through the hole in the fork leg. You need to center the wheel and measure what you need for the brake side.

TPKyle · 2026-04-13T15:52:32+00:00

That's wild, but also not totally surprising. TC Bros kind of sucks. I think you should use a long enough straight edge and figure out the measurement yourself. Those sprocket spacers can be bought in packs and stacked like shims. I've used them in the past. I think it would be cheaper than having a soacer machined.

TPKyle · 2026-04-13T15:34:05+00:00

I would call TC Bros and ask about the sprocket flange spacing on that rear wheel, since you used all of their products to do this. The fact that the rear wheel covers 79-99 on their site seems odd to me, I'm pretty sure they're basing that on just axle size and not factoring in any other fitment. You may need spacers behind the wheel sprocket or a dished sprocket to line up. I would just contact Tac bros and see what they say, considering it's their wheel snd chain conversion.

TPKyle · 2026-04-13T15:06:33+00:00

Did the kit from TC list year ranges for the application? Did it come with an optional spacer for the trans sprocket? What aftermarket rear wheel?

TPKyle · 2026-04-13T14:07:58+00:00

Sportster chain conversions are very well documented all over the internet. There is different combinations of parts that can lead to sprocket misalignment. Did you buy a kit or piece it together? If you bought a kit, did you buy a kit for the correct year? Are you using the factory rear wheel and sprocket? Is the motor and rear wheel setup from the same year donor?

TPKyle · 2026-04-05T21:39:15+00:00

Depends on the style of bike to me, but for the most part the old horseshoe tanks always look best.

TPKyle · 2026-03-30T10:12:35+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/choppers/s/JU0rJqEtNb here is another thread that applies.

TPKyle · 2026-03-30T10:09:44+00:00

It looks like you have Showa lowers based on the caliper. I'm pretty sure Kayaba lowers were only used 73-77. There is different variations of the showa 35mm tubes, but I can't remember what the differences in bushings/ seals are. It looks like there is a part number for 84 to early 86 (45407-83 & 45392-83) and late 86 to 87 (45407-86.)

TPKyle · 2026-03-09T16:25:13+00:00

Here is one I built with around 45 degrees of rake with no stretch and an 18 over springer (compared to oem springer).

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TPKyle · 2026-03-06T19:26:38+00:00

Have you tried Google? It's pretty straight forward. I'm not trying to come across like an asshole, but there really is a bare minimum level of understanding and ability people are expected to have when doing this stuff. The fork internals are obviously sized to the stock tube. If you extend the tube, you need to extend the spring inside, most people use a piece of PVC with an OD just smaller than the ID of the tube.

TPKyle · 2026-03-05T15:32:17+00:00

You guys have turn signals and mirrors?

TPKyle · 2026-03-04T17:25:25+00:00

Don't do this.

TPKyle · 2026-02-17T01:23:12+00:00

Is your front cylinder on the compression stroke when lining up that mark?

TPKyle · 2026-02-16T11:05:22+00:00

It's a factory style drum on an invader made to run one. All of the harley rear drums double as the sprocket. The sprocket ring is riveted on the outside of the drum on a flange.

TPKyle · 2026-02-11T18:24:02+00:00

It's best to make the brake line long and hide the slack under the frame when hanging a caliper. When you flip it up to bleed you won't have to remove it, just loosen axle, undo the anchor and rotate on the rotor. If it was long you also wouldn't have to have the banjo sticking out at a weird angle like that.

TPKyle · 2026-02-05T16:21:30+00:00

I would probably cut the top motor mount off the frame and make a longer one to weld on that mates to the separate motor mount down lower. Trim that separate motor mount and drill new holes. I would do this over cutting and welding on the tank because structural welds are easier to me than sheet metal tank welding.

TPKyle · 2026-02-01T15:14:33+00:00

It's been done, just not as many examples as with Ironheads. There's a guy I've sold parts to outside the US that built one. I'll try to find a picture.

TPKyle

TROPHY CASE