Well, this build started in my head about twenty years ago. I am just 26 though. This bike was bought new by my grandfather in 1970 from a local Honda shop. He parked it in his basement in 1980 when he bought his Harley FLT. Ever since I was big enough to climb on this bike in the basement I wanted it. I used to go downstairs for hours and wipe down the chrome and painted sections. I kept it cleaned because I always thought one day he would give it to me. I did this over the years. When I was older I would go down and kick it over everyonce in a while to make sure it hadn't seized up. The bike has 5,500 miles on it. It has some rust in most places because it sat in his shop for the last two years. Well, I picked it up a bout a year ago and put it in my little garage. Well, grandpa has parkinsons disease and now cancer. This build is a tribute to him and the era in which he lived. When he was my age he bought this bike as a gift to himself. He worked crazy hard his whole life. He taught me everything I know about anything to do with my hands. I used to go down to his house every weekend. We would get up at 4:30 each morning and get started working on his farm, and then move on to his rental houses and finally end up in the shop working on whatever project or tool he needed fixed that evening. I've been waiting to build this bike for about 20 years. I can't tell you how pumped I am to finally get started on this thing. The overall these is going to be between a cafe cruiser and a semi chopper. I've got in my head what I want to build so I'm getting after it on a pretty decent budget so far. So anyway, enough with the talking here are a few pics of what I have done so far.
I got too excited while tearing it apart and I don't have a pic of it when it was all put together. I do have a picture somewhere of my grandpa sitting on it with a full faring with my mom on the back sometime in the mid 70's. I'll put it on when I find it.\
Second is of the tank rust removal I used. worked really well.
Third is of the bike as it sits right now. I've got a ton more to do but this is kindof what I'm going for. I still haven't figured out the seat. I really want to come up with something that looks vintage. I don't want some glossy massive cafe seat bolted to the back.
Last pic is of me on the bike. This bike may be a little bit of a mismatch size wise for me. Good thing I don't give a crap.
and last, does anyone know what this is and does. I'm still a little bit of a noob when it comes to electronics.
thats all for now. I'm still debating on painting the wheels and lower forks black. haven't decided if it will look right or not.
