EatACactus's '80 Ironhead Build

Taking shape nicely!

Show us when you fix that front wheel, I have one with a little bend just like it I'd like to save.

Originally Posted by EatACactus

Working on an update post now


Thanks man!


You aren't seeing things, there's a bend in the lip of the rim. I'm hoping to have that sorted out before long.

It's looking good. Nice to see another '80 (Bastard child of Harley/AMF)

Picked the pipes up from the chrome shop this past Saturday, made one last test fit, and tore it all down for paint.

Cool build, I like the little money-saving fix-it tips! Nice to see.

Looking good so far, man!

looks great

So, I've been working on paint the last few nights and for the first time on this project I've disappointed myself. I was really looking forward to pinstriping this tank as a throwback to the AMF years. Unfortunately something just didn't flow right. You be the judge....



I must have moved the stripes about 10 different times. More towards the middle, higher up, wider gaps, changed the angle of the bends....nothing. Not one single configuration looked right to me. Out of frustration I wiped down the tank, tossed on another coat of paint and cleared it. Pretty bummed out, but I guess that's what I get for trying to stripe with no experience.



Yes, that's a Yamaha Chappy moped with a Honda XL80 motor on it in my paint booth.

I like the striping, might not fit on this build, but someone out there would jump on that tank. IM digging the silver frame

Originally Posted by MegaDON666

I like the striping, might not fit on this build, but someone out there would jump on that tank. IM digging the silver frame

Thanks man, silver frames are starting to become "my thing" I suppose.

I'm digging this build man! Great job! Can't wait to see more updates and the final product.

Very nice

Damn.

I'm getting closer to getting to go for a cruise but am being held up by the brakes (no pun intended). For some reason I can't get any feel in the brakes what-so-ever. I've run about a half a bottle of fluid through the line and I still can't t get them to grab the rotor. I tried both conventional pump methods and reverse bleeding to no avail. I get a solid stream of fluid but no pressure. Any insight? The MC is the stock part of the ironhead and the rear caliper is a GPA, with new orings and pads.

I'm not the smartest guy here on this subject, but maybe this will help. I've been told the "old" system is a high volume low pressure system and modern stuff is low volume high pressure. Maybe that old MC just doesn't have the pressure to do the job.

You might try pointing the caliper straight up while bleeding, then bolt it back in position afterwards. I think you are trapping air in the current position above the bleeder.

yep, that thing is looking sick. real clean

Badass thread dude stoked to see the finished product

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I ended up getting a master cylinder rebuild kit from a local shop that fixed the issue.

I finally got the bike to start consistently. My timing was too far advanced and the rear cylinder was being starved fuel on start-up, making things a lot more difficult. I adjusted the spray pattern of the main jet which helped a bit, but I'm thinking I still need to bump both the slow and main jets.

After sorting out a few other small issues, I decided to take it for its first ride. For some reason I couldn't get the clutch to adjust properly. No matter what I did, the clutch would ride every time I would give it any throttle.

Upon popping the primary cover, I found this;


Pretty much every one of the pressure plates were destroyed like that. Nice huh?

Note to self;
Next time you buy a bike that's beat to shit by the previous owner, check the clutch before trying to ride it. There's a good chance the last guy blew it to bits before selling it.