Mutt Shovelhead to mess around with - trying to get back into life

[bpeak]

Cool design on the arm bpeak, that is one heavy duty son of a bitch lol

thanks man!

Most recently I've been rewiring the whole bike. Top to bottom.
I 3D printed a custom battery tray similar to what Hawthorne Company makes/sells but adjusted to my dimensions and to fit some different breaker and distribution devices. Unfortunately I forgot to take a pic of the tray before I mounted it.

For all the gory details on how I wired it... I actually shot a 12-part video series on the step-by-step soup to nuts. You can find links to these videos over in the "how-to" section at:

https://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56489

Now just on to engine tuning and a full blown loctite party...

[bpeak]

[bpeak]

Also with the help of a cool dude via Instagram... I was able to learn a bit more about this springer front end.

I had searched a TON online trying to find info. Should have been easy with the obvious rockers and square leg setup. But I always came up empty handed. Then it was suggested that it's most likely an S.I.E. Choppers Inc springer. With that nugget of info... it all came together...

[bpeak]

That's my springer in that first pic from the previous post... in the lower left.
Man... $250 for a brand new chrome springer.
Also crazy to think that I'm going to be trusting a springer that could be upwards of 50 years old.
Yikes. But rad.

[ExplodingCoffinEmporium]

The springer on my current shovel build is in it’s 50’s as well, although tight and right. I’ve got to give her a good clean up though and might end up sending her out for a re-chrome in the next few years as she could use a bit of a refresh. Figured she’s lasted this long without any bullshit or major stress points that I’ve been able to notice, lmao I should see if one of my friends in the radiographic department would do a few x-rays for me off the clock one day. I dig the old catalog images you posted, cool stuff.

[james69]

bpeak, rad stance! What is the length axle to bottom tree? I recently came across a 16 over? (38" axle to bottom tree) oem harley springer and am thinking of putting it on my big twin evo chopper. I have 1 3/4" up in the frame and extended the top tube/country bar as well 1 3/4" to fit the evo in a shovel frame. Stock rake.

Anyway great looking bike dude!

[bpeak]

bpeak, rad stance! What is the length axle to bottom tree? I recently came across a 16 over? (38" axle to bottom tree) oem harley springer and am thinking of putting it on my big twin evo chopper. I have 1 3/4" up in the frame and extended the top tube/country bar as well 1 3/4" to fit the evo in a shovel frame. Stock rake.

Anyway great looking bike dude!

Thanks man!

So from the top of the lower tree... to the rear leg pivot... is 35.75".
From the top of the lower tree... to the axle... keeping in line with the springer angle... is 37.0"

So depending on the method, this qualifies as approximately a 14-over.

Will definitely say this though with regard to your potential setup. This bike, a 14 over, with 30-degree stock neck rake, and a 19" rear wheel... the engine is kicked up at an 11-12-degree pitch. It's quite a bit. 16 over, depending on your neck dims you said, and what rear wheel, could be the same or more engine tilt. Also... my bike... the lowest point of the seat height is 27.5". I'm 6'-4" tall and this thing is up there for swinging the leg over. Granted, my seat is the TCBros sportster king/queen which is thicker than most. But still. Tall for sure. She's got 8.25" of ground clearance so curbs aint no thang. Haha. But it's up there.

[james69]

Thanks for the measurements! I don't have the springer in my hands yet as it's in transit. But I will compare when I get it. Figured i'd give it a go on mock up and maybe be able to get away with it with the little bit of up I put in the frame to fit the big twin evo. :-)

[bpeak]

Haven't tried to fire it yet. Gotta rig together a solution for the oil tank drain plug while I have it all empty.
But had to move it out of the garage this weekend to facilitate some other project space.
First time in the wild with this stance... and I'm in love.

[MIKESIERRA]

Haven't tried to fire it yet. Gotta rig together a solution for the oil tank drain plug while I have it all empty.
But had to move it out of the garage this weekend to facilitate some other project space.
First time in the wild with this stance... and I'm in love.

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Dig the wrecking ball. Sweet build my dude.

[bpeak]

Got er runnin! Had the ignition timed wrong at first. It bucked. Let me know it wasn't happy. Got it timed right. And then she fired right up.

[bpeak]

And the obligatory "cold start kickstart" chopper video that all the cool kids do.
I just didn't think it'd turn out this good...

[bpeak]

As far as builds go... that's a wrap. Took it for a quick shakedown run.
It needs some love but mostly in the category of maintenance and upkeep now.
First ride on the bike.
First time foot clutch.
First time with combo of foot clutch and no front brake.
First time foot clutch, no front brake, on NC twisty hilly backroads.
Fun. Terrifying. Insane. Loud. Bouncy. But fun.
Commence... permagrin.

[bpeak]

Had some spare time to tinker with an engraving idea I had for a while.
Brass ignition cover with the plague mask top-hat idea.




The lean and style was super rad to look at.



But honestly... not my vibe as far as actual riding.
So... chopper circle of life continues. This machine made it's way to the new caretaker recenetly.
On to the next one...