Author Topic: 78 750F Chopper/Digger (Read 77436 times)

SOHC Digger · « **Reply #300 on:** November 27, 2013, 10:16:20 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on November 27, 2013, 11:46:05 AM

What i think gives these type of bikes a well balanced look is to have the bottom frame rail as close to parallel to the ground as possible, having the front end to high unbalances the bikes IMO...

I could not agree more, Retro. I can't stand when choppers have a long front end but the bottom frame rails are pointing to the sky. It looks like someone didn't plan ahead when raking the frame. However, I am trying to find a compromise between aesthetics and function. Whenever I get around to dropping the forks to see how it looks, bottom frame rails will be my biggest focus. If it is painfully obvious that they are not parallel, I will keep things as they are.

jaguar · « **Reply #301 on:** November 28, 2013, 11:37:00 AM »

In the pictures the frame rails appear to point down slightly in the front, so slightly longer forks would fix that and give clearance.

How about a springer?

SOHC Digger · « **Reply #302 on:** November 29, 2013, 09:49:44 PM »

Quote from: jaguar on November 28, 2013, 11:37:00 AM

How about a springer?

I have a nice girder front end that I've considered, but I was planning on using it for my next build. If I get 4 over forks, I don't have to worry about relocating anything on the front.

Stev-o · « **Reply #303 on:** November 30, 2013, 06:23:48 PM »

Let's see the mock up.

SOHC Digger · « **Reply #304 on:** January 02, 2014, 04:14:06 PM »

So I just decided to stick with the stock forks for now. Going to save the girder for the next project.

I decided on tires. Avon Speedmaster up front and Avon Roadrider on the rear. They are ordered. I also ordered the stainless steel braided line kit from pampadori.

I replaced the taillight and mirror with diamond-shaped ones to keep with the geometric flow of the bike.

Aside from replacing some stock bolts with Allen heads, and fine-tuning the carbs, I am calling this project complete!

Stev-o · « **Reply #305 on:** January 02, 2014, 06:19:14 PM »

Good choice on the tires. Need help with the carbs?....ha!

EnginebyAdam · « **Reply #306 on:** January 02, 2014, 06:37:12 PM »

Sweet scoot

SOHC Digger · « **Reply #307 on:** January 02, 2014, 08:48:12 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on January 02, 2014, 06:19:14 PM

Good choice on the tires. Need help with the carbs?....ha!

Thanks Stev-o! I thought they were a good compromise between vintage look and performance. I think I should be good with the carbs... I know a guy

Stev-o · « **Reply #308 on:** January 03, 2014, 03:22:08 PM »

Quote from: SOHC Digger on January 02, 2014, 08:48:12 PM

Quote from: Stev-o on January 02, 2014, 06:19:14 PM
Good choice on the tires. Need help with the carbs?....ha!

Thanks Stev-o! I thought they were a good compromise between vintage look and performance. I think I should be good with the carbs... I know a guy

I put Roadriders on my Z1...love em.

I'm looking for a carb guy, let me know if your guy is available!

SOHC Digger · « **Reply #309 on:** January 09, 2014, 05:52:16 AM »

Picked up my wheels yesterday from the shop that I had mount and balance them. I am pleased except for the fact that they didn't remove the old wheel weights before they balanced them; they just added more. Oh well, it doesn't bother me enough to take them back and have them re-balanced.

Stev-o · « **Reply #310 on:** January 09, 2014, 06:15:19 AM »

Quote from: SOHC Digger on January 09, 2014, 05:52:16 AM

Picked up my wheels yesterday from the shop that I had mount and balance them. I am pleased except for the fact that they didn't remove the old wheel weights before they balanced them; they just added more. Oh well, it doesn't bother me enough to take them back and have them re-balanced.

That's sucks, I wouldn't be happy. No pride in workmanship these days.

Are they the taped on weights?
I like the weights that clip on the spokes, easier to clean the rim.

SOHC Digger · « **Reply #311 on:** January 09, 2014, 06:20:13 AM »

They are tapped on weights.

When I was younger, I was the tire boy at an auto shop. Step one, EVERY TIME, was remove the old wheel weights.

SOHC Digger · « **Reply #312 on:** January 09, 2014, 01:42:33 PM »

So I decided to take the wheels back in and have them rebalanced and I emphasized that I wanted all the weights taken back off. The mechanic was very apologetic and said they had a new guy filling in who should know better and that they would take care of it. So, that's alright.

Stev-o · « **Reply #313 on:** January 09, 2014, 03:03:37 PM »

Quote from: SOHC Digger on January 09, 2014, 01:42:33 PM

So I decided to take the wheels back in and have them rebalanced...

Good decision....you'll be glad you did. What wheels?

SOHC Digger · « **Reply #314 on:** January 09, 2014, 03:07:32 PM »

A nice set of stock comstars.

Syscrush · « **Reply #315 on:** January 17, 2014, 05:49:12 PM »

Good on ya for going back and having the weights taken care of. You would have thought about it every time you walked to the bike otherwise.

I can't speak to the Speedmasters, but Roadriders are great tires - better than I thought a bias-ply tire could be. That's what I rock on my 'X and for the street they inspire just as much confidence as wider 17" radials.

SOHC Digger · « **Reply #316 on:** January 17, 2014, 06:00:14 PM »

Thanks! The wheels look a lot better now. They took the clamp-on weights off and used adhesive ones. You barely notice them.

I chose the speedmaster front for vintage aesthetics and the Roadrider because I wanted Avon rubber on the rear. Good to know everybody loves the Roadriders!

Stev-o · « **Reply #317 on:** January 17, 2014, 06:10:16 PM »

You'll soon love the Roadriders too. Installing new bearings?

SOHC Digger · « **Reply #318 on:** January 17, 2014, 06:40:11 PM »

I checked the bearings out and they seem good, so I'm gonna let them go.

SOHC Digger · « **Reply #319 on:** February 28, 2014, 05:24:27 PM »

To commemorate the completion of this build, I got a tattoo of a 78F rod and piston. The pic doesn't do it justice!

DustyRags · « **Reply #320 on:** February 28, 2014, 05:29:17 PM »

Nice shading work! Ought to look good when it's fully healed. Keep the sun off it!

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #321 on:** February 28, 2014, 06:09:20 PM »

Quote from: DustyRags on February 28, 2014, 05:29:17 PM

Nice shading work! Ought to look good when it's fully healed. Keep the snow off it!

Fixed that for you...

tweakin · « **Reply #322 on:** February 28, 2014, 08:06:12 PM »

Quote from: SOHC Digger on February 28, 2014, 05:24:27 PM

To commemorate the completion of this build, I got a tattoo of a 78F rod and piston. The pic doesn't do it justice!

Looks good... Could use some new rod bearings, I am guessing yellows...

Stev-o · « **Reply #323 on:** March 02, 2014, 02:45:41 AM »

Would have thought you'd get a tat of a rack! (of carbs)

paradiddle1 · « **Reply #324 on:** March 08, 2014, 06:42:30 AM »

I'm loving that I found this thread. I have been looking for donor bike to build a digger - I have built 2 Amen bikes in the 70's when I worked at a chopper shop and wanted to do it again. So I have found bikes from a total piles of Junk to runners that I hated to disassemble. So last night I bought a 77 F2 not running but 90% complete. I was thinking to restore but I really want a choppah. Your bike has great lines revolving around the prism tank, comstars, stock brake's, low slung. So I think i'm off the resto project and back on a digger. I'm looking at the cycle x pro street frame with 34 deg but you say yours has 40 deg? My old amens were level with 6+ but I don't remember the rake. I guess what ever geometry it takes to get the height right.

I like a frame that has the bottom rail parallel with the road. I would keep yours the same height and if needed I would design the pipes to clear. I remember the old Fubar 4-2 pipes and they were tight to the frame and similar to the std 4-4 shorty pipes in height and tight. But I think u want an individual look with the pipes so I am sure you''ll figure that out. Great build.

Quote from: SOHC Digger on October 23, 2013, 04:56:07 AM

Ok, the bike is back together. I have to finish bleeding the brakes, but other than that, it is mechanically done.

I still have to get new tires, which will go on another set of Comstars that I have polished up. I also have my drilled rotors mounted on them.

The exhaust has some minor dents that I am going to try and pull out and then it will get sent out for powder-coating.

Eventually stainless steel braided brake lines will replace the stock ones. A lot of the bolts on the bike will be also replaced with Allen-head bolts to make it look a little cleaner.

But enough talking; here's some pics. Enjoy!

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Author Topic: 78 750F Chopper/Digger (Read 77436 times)