"the Flange Beater" 78xs650 build

Started this thing several years ago. Bought a cobbled up P.O.S. chop online. Got home from Iraq and rode it a little until the right bottom rear leg cracked pretty bad. Had a friend add gussets and more welds to the shitty frame. Still wasn't happy with it. So I ended up seeking out the building expertise at "Gypsy Choppers" www.bigassbike.com for help re-doing the back half.

I got into it pretty heavy for a while and then my son (third child, two daughters 6 & 7) was born and it's been sitting since. I hope to get back on it SOON.



Web pic from when I bought it.


Me playing with stripes when I got it home.



Switched up the tank and some new stripes in prep for the Smokeout 9




Clutch was toast... I learned really quick that those "Specialty Clutch Tools" S U C K



Briggs & Stratton test fire tank.


Rear fender also cracked.


The following are pics I took at "Gypsy Choppers" while re-doing the back half. Brad did the fab and welding. I learned a LOT and held coffee / smoked camels.




Hard to see in this pic but the whole right leg was tweaked in. Had to pry the bitch apart to get the rear wheel in or out.

Back to work, BAM one side gone.








I <3 Platting Tables!







Giving the engine a bubble bath.

Not going to bore you with a whole lot of talk. If anyone has questions of what's going on let me know and I'll explain.

Brass Candlestick Holder pegs







Highly technical master link...









I <3 Mag Drills!

Miller High Life can tail light and tag bracket.








Briggs connecting rods.



Here's how she sits in my basement at the moment. Hopefully back to work soon.

I dig that high Life tail light set up. Actually the whole thing.

Nice pics,looks good

LOOKIN good fellas!

WoW!

nice build. all in the basement? get it together and rip it right up the stairs! hah

Looks killer so far keep us posted.

hell yeah man. nice build

brad is the freakin' man. you live close to waynesboro? tell 'im poop said hey, will be up there soon. he's got a good head on his shoulders, doesn't put folks on the road with something that'll bust their ass later. and just a good all around guy.

scoot looks good. keep us posted.

Thanks for all the compliments guys. I need to get motivated and finish this bitch.

Poop, I'll tell Brad hey for ya. His work is top notch. There are several really outstanding builders in the Valley, but he's the only one I wanted touching this thing. Plus I was lucky enough to hang in the shop and help a little. Learned a ton of great stuff that I can apply to my own shop on the next one.

I'm in the middle of buying an 86 Softail, and playing Mr. Mom this weekend to a very sick 8 month old boy. Don't know when I'll be able to get back on it, but when I do, I'll post some progress fo'sho.

Love it! Keep it up. I don't think that master link is gonna hold though, you need a couple more twists in it, haha.

This kind of build must cost crazy money...

Originally Posted by Ghosttown

Love it! Keep it up. I don't think that master link is gonna hold though, you need a couple more twists in it, haha.

Noted. I may swap to heavy duty boot laces instead.

Originally Posted by davidabl

This kind of build must cost crazy money...

Not too bad so far. My biggest "Wasteful Spent" amount was the $1500 for the bike from previous owner. I have no regrets though. I'll be the first to admit I didn't know what I was looking at when I bought it, but it has been a HUGE learning experience, so no hurt feelings here.

I won't however figure up all the dollars and cents spent on this build, because it is of no concern to me in the end. This thing is my baby and as long as I'm happy with the outcome, I don't care what it costs.