Topic: 1975 Amen Chopper

[BenelliSEI]

Spent a few minutes going over my latest “acquisition” today. Never had one, always curious. This motorcycle called out to me because of it’s history. Picked it up from the original owner/ builder: Maurice D.  He built the machine from parts he bought at Tony Carlini’s Shop (Carlini’s Cycle  Creations, Dearborn Michigan) in 1975. The engine was built for him, just around the corner at Hendley Performance. It’s an early K1.  Maurice purchased the Amen (American Engineering Co.) for about $300, new. The front end, tank, seat and rear fender were built by Carlini. Maurice assembled the bike, and did all his own paintwork. He kept it in this condition for +45 years! I’m not a chopper guy, but I’m hooked on this one......

[BenelliSEI]

Maurice had a stroke a few years ago. It hasn’t slowed him down much, but riding is out. His huge work shop was filled with several restored tractors (he’s a very successful farmer in S.W. Ontario) and a few new projects too. He’d installed a new battery, and from cold the machine fired instantly. He explained that even for the past few years, he ran it regularly and “rolled around the property a bit”!

[BenelliSEI]

Looking at it today, it really only needs a little dusting and polish. But..... that alloy “controls box” just doesn’t look right. I assume the coils are hidden in the redbox, but that shiny “addition” seems an afterthought. It only contains a key switch, push button (start) and three way switch for lights (Off - Hi - Lo). There is no horn, but should be?

I’m thinking that box could disappear? Some really subtle bar switches and a key unit hidden somewhere else? Maybe some original Honda bar controls? I want to keep it “1975” so no modern electronics. SUGGESTIONS?

[BenelliSEI]

Today, I also decided the foot boards are a bit too “Massey Ferguson”. I found the original Amen pegs, in a box Maurice gave me. May try to fit them instead.

[754]

 IT,S CARLINI  that sold him the parts.
 Some guys have a wiring box  under the carbs, Amen also made one that fits under oil tank  very clean, but some wiring work.
 Coils can also go under carbs , so youcan make it look even nicer.

[britman]

Congratulations, that machine has character.  To me these bikes just bring you back to an era gone by.  The one I have in my garage is most impractical motorcycle I have ever owned, but damn do I enjoy a short ride now and then....

[BenelliSEI]

IT,S CARLINI  that sold him the parts.
 Some guys have a wiring box  under the carbs, Amen also made one that fits under oil tank  very clean, but some wiring work.
 Coils can also go under carbs , so youcan make it look even nicer.

Frank..... Carlini corrected. Some great ideas, thanks. When the coils went under the carbs, did you run the HT leads through the barrels?

[BenelliSEI]

Congratulations, that machine has character.  To me these bikes just bring you back to an era gone by.  The one I have in my garage is most impractical motorcycle I have ever owned, but damn do I enjoy a short ride now and then....

Good News! I have never ridden one. It will have to be a dry and sunny day......

[BenelliSEI]

Another good laugh today, I was thinking about getting the chopper up in the air. It will have to wait for my big table to be free of the s/c project. No way it can go on my smaller one (this pic) and might not even work on the larger one. This thing is LONG!

[754]

See if we can see the wire's and wiring box.
 You can see the wire going upward, coils are hard to see , but under carbs, I built  a bracket.
 You have to use 7 mm wires, but it looks sooooo much cleaner..  and coils that use plug in wires helps.
 Electric box is width of the battery hole, about 5 or 6 inches tall, if I find mine , can't take measurements.
 Meanwhile  enjoy the bike ..

[Alan F.]

Frank are those the stock forks turned backwards so calipers are behind?

[onepieceatatime]

Frank..... Carlini corrected. Some great ideas, thanks. When the coils went under the carbs, did you run the HT leads through the barrels?

I saw one where they were run along the frame, under and in front of the engine. They were some pretty long HT leads.

[754]

 Yes , stock forks, bought them brand new form Honda...was glad  to be able to get hardchromed forks ... that would not ever peel. Wish I remember what I paid. . I think they are sold up an inch or so... so 1 understock.
 I trimmed the adjuster tabs off the fork lowers,  got them and calipers chromed by Platingmaster. , and yes ls are reversed.
 Coils do not seem affected by  mounting behind cylinders. . Having the plug wires hanging down or draped over the valve cover is not the cleanest look..

[britman]

Another good laugh today, I was thinking about getting the chopper up in the air. It will have to wait for my big table to be free of the s/c project. No way it can go on my smaller one (this pic) and might not even work on the larger one. This thing is LONG!

I had the same problem, a little scrap wood to the rescue....

 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,184515.0.html

[StockRider]

Another good laugh today, I was thinking about getting the chopper up in the air. It will have to wait for my big table to be free of the s/c project. No way it can go on my smaller one (this pic) and might not even work on the larger one. This thing is LONG!

I had the same problem, a little scrap wood to the rescue....

 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,184515.0.html

Wow, reading that thread from britman makes it look like britman may have been the one responsible for pushing John over the edge..., shortly there after John bought the 1975 Amen Chopper AND found a sweet Sandcast project!

[BenelliSEI]

Another good laugh today, I was thinking about getting the chopper up in the air. It will have to wait for my big table to be free of the s/c project. No way it can go on my smaller one (this pic) and might not even work on the larger one. This thing is LONG!

I had the same problem, a little scrap wood to the rescue....

 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,184515.0.html

Nice solution. Will try it!

[BenelliSEI]

See if we can see the wire's and wiring box.
 You can see the wire going upward, coils are hard to see , but under carbs, I built  a bracket.
 You have to use 7 mm wires, but it looks sooooo much cleaner..  and coils that use plug in wires helps.
 Electric box is width of the battery hole, about 5 or 6 inches tall, if I find mine , can't take measurements.
 Meanwhile  enjoy the bike ..

Frank..... I like how clean yours look around the neck/ headstock. Will plan some changes.

[bwaller]

Mikuni 29mm smoothbores. Worth the price of admission!

EDIT: they might also be VM28's from an early Z1. Pull an filter pod to take a pic of the carb inlet and I'll tell you in a jiffy!

[BenelliSEI]

Here you go.

[bwaller]

Ok, not smoothbore but second generation VM28mm from a Z1. Sometimes they were bored to 29 or even 30mm but those appear not to be. He must have preferred the Mikunis over Keihins for some reason.

[BenelliSEI]

Ok, not smoothbore but second generation VM28mm from a Z1. Sometimes they were bored to 29 or even 30mm but those appear not to be. He must have preferred the Mikunis over Keihins for some reason.

Thanks for this. Someone here needs them, so “movin’ on”......

[BenelliSEI]

Wow, reading that thread from britman makes it look like britman may have been the one responsible for pushing John over the edge..., shortly there after John bought the 1975 Amen Chopper AND found a sweet Sandcast project!


Yup.... the “parts bike” was a super extra bonus, but truthfully, I’m pretty pleased with this one too.
I find it weirdly attractive and it makes me smile every time I look at it!

[Don R]

 Sweet, I agree on the small changes.  Dang, Frank's old bike is cool too.

[BenelliSEI]

Sweet, I agree on the small changes.  Dang, Frank's old bike is cool too.

Thanks Don. The more I look at that control box, the “bigger and uglier” it gets! Kind of focused on my Rickman and the s/c for now, but still thinking about this one!

[BenelliSEI]

Sean..... here’s a photo of the “extra” pod filters, for those carbs I sent you.