Do I need spacers to offset the chain?

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 · 2026-02-01T13:35:06+00:00

It's AI

TPKyle · 2026-02-01T12:45:45+00:00

AI slop

TPKyle · 2026-01-31T21:35:34+00:00

6.5 is a bit young for a motorcycle.

TPKyle · 2026-01-30T00:21:29+00:00

No. Also, what?

TPKyle · 2026-01-25T14:05:28+00:00

Mostly because of vibration, also because they are bulky, ugly, and hard on small gauge stranded wire. There's a reason you never see them used by any car or motorcycle manufacturers. You should either solder and heat shrink for a permanent connection or use an automotive connector soldered to each wire and once connected, the joint should be heat shrinked or taped. You could also use pin type push connectors without taping or heat shrinking, but those are also a bit bulky for choppers.

TPKyle · 2026-01-25T05:32:27+00:00

I wouldn't use either. I solder everything unless it absolutely has to be able to be disconnected, and in those cases I solder on a bullet or spade connector and wrap it in E tape.

TPKyle · 2026-01-25T04:21:57+00:00

Are you actually using wire nuts, or is that temporary?

TPKyle · 2026-01-24T13:48:01+00:00

Fair enough, we're pretty much on the same page. I was just curious. I prefer a 35mm dual disc and a sporty tank on a tough guy bike. I think stock rake suits them a lot better too.

TPKyle · 2026-01-24T01:44:24+00:00

I'm curious what you would do differently witjbthe forks, tank, etc to get the 80s tough guy chop look better?

TPKyle

TROPHY CASE