Topic: 1975 Amen Chopper

[britman]

Finished up the carbs today. As soon as the new float bowl gaskets arrive, “Test and Tune”. My first ride is not far off! As Sean B. suggested, I cobbled up a steady bracket that links the idle adjustment bracket to the frame for some additional support. While I’m waiting, started polishing the individual front spokes. COVID PROJECT! Damn thing looks pretty good.

If you will let us know when the initial launch will be, we will all come and line the streets, dress in full leather five dead cow Harley style regalia complete with bandanas, wrap around sunglasses along with consuming large amounts of Budweiser in the can.  We can end the days festivities by going to the local skin artist's shop for neck tattoos.....

Seriously good luck, it is a beautiful Chopper that you have perfected.  Hope the first spin is a true blast......

George

   

[BenelliSEI]

George..... waiting for parts is creating more work! This morning I started a “safety check” while the bike is still on the table. The huge bullets on the front axle nuts are chrome plastic, held on with a few drops of silicone? I could turn the LHS axle spacer, so thought I should tighten the nuts. The “bullets” were covering large 5/8” UNC nylock nuts at both end of the axle. Neither is fully engaged, and despite no washers, the locking nylon rings were not fully engaged. Lots of Loctite, but really not working.....

Fortunately, the long forks legs(?) are 5” apart at the top tree and 5.25” of spread at the bottom. I should be able to take 0.250” off the LHS axle spacer and pick up enough shaft to get some new hardware to better lock down. The real trick will be to get the Chopper safely sitting on the table with the front end raised!!!

P.S. old photo. Front caliper rebuilt and painted, wheel & spokes 1/2 polished up.

[BenelliSEI]

UPDATE: Shortened the front axle spacer and it all worked out (probably as it should have been from day one). The forks have a consistent spacing of 5” through their entire length and there is enough threads on the axle now to use two new nylock nuts. Both will seat properly and with some Blue Loctite, I’ll be more comfortable covering them with the huge, chrome “bullets”.

[chiefum]

This thread is really making me want a chopper. Excellent job!

[BenelliSEI]

This thread is really making me want a chopper. Excellent job!
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I’m certainly hooked! Unfortunately motorcycle insurance in Canada has become ridiculously complicated and expensive. I have a legitimate  ownership for the machine, but the VIN number is actually the cb750R-XXXXXX number from the engine (since 1974). No issue with the DOT, but may raise some red flags when I try and lic. and insure.

[BenelliSEI]

My local “Bolts+” store had some lovely 5/8” UNC nylock nuts (1/2 height). Cleaned up both ends of the shaft with a thread chaser file and used red Loctite with the nut on one end. Let it set up over night, slid it through and pulled down the nut from the other end, with no Loctite.

I often do this on shafts with threads at both ends. A small dab of red paint on the end with Loctite reminds me in the future. IE: undo it from the other end......... still waiting for float bowl gaskets.

[BenelliSEI]

Photos. Brake done and axle centred and properly secured. I’ll glue on the plastic “bullet caps” after the first few rides and a “nut check”.

[RAFster122s]

Check your nuts is something every male needs to be doing consistently. Both on the bike and on your person. Testicular cancer hits way too many males and they often ignore or don't recognize it until it is too late. Have your doctor teach you how to examine yourself if you don't know and do it at least monthly.
Could save your life...

[Don R]

 Nut and bolt and nut check. OK.

[BenelliSEI]

Finished the carbs and got them back on. Cables, remote fuel tank, breather hoses and hit the switch. Fired instantly, and 65-70 psi oil pressure. No leaks, the pull cable was holding the idle high. Fiddled a bit, timing was also a bit retarded. Set it all, nice lumpy idle and checked carb sync with the old SU carb “Unisyn”. Very close, left them alone. Pipes are loud, but sounds great! Chinese pod filters fit nicely, added in a pair of in line filters for now, tank on.

+20 more front spokes to polish and this project is DONE! Next time my shop mate comes for a visit (hopefully this week) going to take this rig for a “wobble”! I’ll have to dig out my old leather jacket and my ancient open face Bell....... now where are my Peter Fonda chrome aviator shades??

[PeWe]

Peter Fonda had the Ray Ban
Olympian Deluxe. No dark glasses.
https://www.vintage-sunglasses-shop.com/eyewear/1657/ray-ban-olympian-i-dlx-changeable

I have the version with darker glasses, G-15.
I bought mine 1988. They have got some damage during holidays. Maffia style sun glasses
I was happy to find a good looking used one on eBay for "only" 135 Euro summer 2018, looked almost like new.
Usually double for not that good one.
I found NOS in USA 4 years ago for $350US that should end up in over $500US for me with shipping+ VAT. Same vintage glasses seller raised the price to $500US later on.

Ray Ban Italy make a new version that look similar but not as cool around ears as the old ones with Bausch & Lomb made glasses. - BL engraved on upper corners. Really good glass -

My newer Italian made Ray Ban has not that clear view as the Bausch & Lomb glasses in my Olympian Deluxe.

I have seen many that try to sell the new made version as the real thing for double price or more.

[BenelliSEI]

Here you go.

[PeWe]

Like mine!
They are really cool

[Medyo Bastos]

Finished the carbs and got them back on. Cables, remote fuel tank, breather hoses and hit the switch. Fired instantly, and 65-70 psi oil pressure. No leaks, the pull cable was holding the idle high. Fiddled a bit, timing was also a bit retarded. Set it all, nice lumpy idle and checked carb sync with the old SU carb “Unisyn”. Very close, left them alone. Pipes are loud, but sounds great! Chinese pod filters fit nicely, added in a pair of in line filters for now, tank on.

+20 more front spokes to polish and this project is DONE! Next time my shop mate comes for a visit (hopefully this week) going to take this rig for a “wobble”! I’ll have to dig out my old leather jacket and my ancient open face Bell....... now where are my Peter Fonda chrome aviator shades??

I have a set of chrome top caps for those under my bed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[754]

 Really that much for shades ?.
 I would rather buy yet another set of Webers for a 750...

[PeWe]

Usual Ray Bans cost around 130-160 Euro here in Europe.
Sometimes a little bit lower on sale. But they are good.

The new version of Peter Fonda in Easy Rider Ray Ban Olympian Deluxe in the lower range.
Some of the old ones are collectibles.

[BenelliSEI]

I rode it today and it worked perfectly. Buddy took a video, but can’t seem to post it! Pictures tomorrow. Motor has tons of torque and pulls like a freight train. Very loud on the FUBAR straight pipes. 60-65 psi oil pressure and idles beautifully. Front disc is just touching the caliper mount, will have to add a very thin shim to the axle spacer on that side. Otherwise, total success. Turning at low speed takes some concentration. The front wheel wants to “fall over” and turn hard, so a significant amount of “hold” is required. I suspect this improves with speed.....

May have to “borrow” the plate and paperwork from my red K1 and take it for a slightly longer run on the side roads around the farm. Really enjoying this contraptions!

[Don R]

 I had a front engine dragster that had a lot of caster and the front wheels would fall over. Backing up stood them right up for some reason. Very stable at speed though.
 I'm close to breaking in my Vermont registration and plate.

[PeWe]

Matching tatoos and a wild look next to match the bike?

[RAFster122s]

When I was young a neighbor several doors down had a brother who had choppers and he was getting in trouble with the police often. One day his sister, Dianne, who was my age and I pushed his chopper up the hill and down the street to their house after he got picked up by police as he was about to leave the subdivision. It was over a quarter mile push and I remember well the bike's front forks wanting to fall over as you say. It was hard for the two of us to get the bike up the hill and to their house.  Luckily he had a front brake or going down the hill to their house to the dead-end turn-around they lived on would have been very dangerous.

[PeWe]

Counts Kustoms in the TV show Counting cars built a chopper or 2 where they used a very special fork that gave better stability.
How the wheel mount was displaced.

[BenelliSEI]

When I was young a neighbor several doors down had a brother who had choppers and he was getting in trouble with the police often. One day his sister, Dianne, who was my age and I pushed his chopper up the hill and down the street to their house after he got picked up by police as he was about to leave the subdivision. It was over a quarter mile push and I remember well the bike's front forks wanting to fall over as you say. It was hard for the two of us to get the bike up the hill and to their house.  Luckily he had a front brake or going down the hill to their house to the dead-end turn-around they lived on would have been very dangerous.

I didn’t get over 10-15 mph going up and down our road. Probably allow 200 yards in each direction. It will be interesting to see how it feels as the front wheel gains rotational speed and starts to stand up on it’s own.

[britman]

Congratulations.....


If you heard strange noises and things start to fall off the shelves in the shop, no worries, just the ghost of Peter Fonda......


Enjoy the "Beast", they do have a sound of their own and their own special ride.....

[BenelliSEI]

Lovin’ It! The tank is spotless inside, so I have to take off temp. fuel filters and install a clean, black hose..... after that, I’m done.

[Shtonecb500]

I rode it today and it worked perfectly. Buddy took a video, but can’t seem to post it! Pictures tomorrow. Motor has tons of torque and pulls like a freight train. Very loud on the FUBAR straight pipes. 60-65 psi oil pressure and idles beautifully. Front disc is just touching the caliper mount, will have to add a very thin shim to the axle spacer on that side. Otherwise, total success. Turning at low speed takes some concentration. The front wheel wants to “fall over” and turn hard, so a significant amount of “hold” is required. I suspect this improves with speed.....

May have to “borrow” the plate and paperwork from my red K1 and take it for a slightly longer run on the side roads around the farm. Really enjoying this contraptions!

my wheel sits out really far and yeah at speed its better to do anything, getting stuck in rush hour is the absolute worst...I rather turn my bike off and come get it later at night if I get caught in a traffic jam.  My riding style is very very different on the chop, it's very "cowboy" I would say. I'm doing a lot of feathering and coasting to avoid the harsh stand still and hold the wheel up straight. I had a 17inch hallcraft on mine and installed a cl350 front wheel, gave me a larger 19" wheel, doesn't fall over as much and easier to balance. Aesthetically speaking, the 17 inch wheel up front looked better, it was sleeker and sexier, but that brake in that hub couldn't stop itself from rolling down a hill. Im considering lacing a 17" inch rim to the cl hub to get my proportions back in line.