I am lazy, and got a West Coast bicycle for my birthday. Since I don't ride bicycles, I mounted a HF 212 with a torque convertor, added a few changes to make it look like a flat tracker. Video
My first Harley back from last century was the Sportster, on top, I built myself you couldn't roll a beer can under it yet was the most comfortable bike I ever ridden. graduated to the pans and by this century after years of riding and tearing up my body they sit. Still bring back lots of memories of a pint in the boot and roads to nowhere
Looks like a fun build!...I built this mini chopper pit bike back in 2004 when Schwinn came out with their OCC stingray chopper bicycle.I had used the engine from a junk Honda atc110 3 wheeler that i had and made the tank out of fiberglass.It still runs and rides today!
I built this over 20 years ago during the chopper craze before discovering the HAMB. Oil tank on the front of the frame. Hand built the gas tank and all the sheet metal. I still have it but no desire to ride it anymore. It's worth almost nothing. Building bikes is what started this hotrod madness I have. I had a part time business called Twisted Metal rods and choppers.
These builds were started in a small small shop in a Cincinnati suburb. I still talk with the builder
Before his passing the Prez of the local 1 % club did the same to a brand new Evo Softail springer All chrome except the tires, grips & seat. Your eyes would hurt when it was viewed from certain angles
Photo I took these photos of my co-worker's current project. (at work) Don't ask me, I don't know enough about motorcycles to know.
Question from a NON-cicle rider guy........Are those really tall ape-hanger handlebars comfortable ?! I've seen a lotta guys that have them but.....their bike is always too loud to ask them if they're comfy !! 6sally6
Well I’m a vertically challenged person , I personally do not like riding with apes . As far as the look , kinda like big tits , look great but are they really needed ?
Hello, Having taken a ton of photos of custom motorcycles, one can attest to the handling of Harley Sportster stock handle bars as ones that fit just right. They are not tiring on long rides and give a direct grip and control on all roads, even on gravel. I made a short back rest for my wife to fit comfortably on the back. That throws off the steering/handling a bit, but the level of the stock grips and handlebar still allows direct motion when a road hazard or two is in the path and one has to make a swerve to avoid it. I really wanted a lower front fenderless stance with the Ceriani style forks with smooth lines and disc brakes. But, these guys I knew traded an extension kit for my stock forks for some custom photos. I got used to having the front end slightly higher. The modified lower level stance with the tree kicked out a degree or two… Now, the handling would be somewhat stock as far as the grip and level of the handlebars. But, one would have to get over the tendency of the front wheel to flop over easier due to the raked angle out… Jnaki I was able to ride one long extended front fork motorcycle up the block and back. The handlebars were up around eye level and felt weird. The extended front fork wanted to flop over when at a stop light. At speed, the front end seemed to take a track and hold until a little bump in the road or whatever. Then, it felt a little strange, wanting to drift left or right. If my hands were higher up as in “ape hanger” style, the long forks and tire would have flopped over. For me, knowing the need for absolute control as in desert racing over hills and sand washes, the higher up your hands are, the less control you have. Plus, after a 50 mile coastal road trip, you arms and hands are at such an angle that you will be extremely tired holding it up over your head the whole distance. No, you are not actually resting while gripping the bar grips. More like hanging on… I get it now, ape bars, hanging on...etc... ha! Low and level, with extended angle on the tree. Easy grip for good handling and control. A simple seating with arms straight out to the grips. As if one is sitting at a counter having a cup of coffee and a snack. Good grips, arms relaxed and comfortable. YRMV
No they are not comfortable,this is about the look/style.I could drive for 1 hour, then 20 min brake. Thats to get my hands and arms back to life again. This was back in the 1970-80s. Now days it`s the same,1hour drive then 20 min brake. But now it`s my ass that need a brake! Here is me arriving to a bike meet 1987.
The Jalopy Journal
