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This was a sketch I made in 2004 when designing my little chopper, based off an old Honda CM200T Twinstar. After making the sketch, I brought it to my buddy Aaron, who was a mechanic and had experience as a welder, to get his opinion. He thought it was pretty wicked, but the design of the frame was beyond his capabilities and he lacked the proper measuring equipment to set up a straight and stable frame.
So, ultimately, the stock frame was chopped and raked instead. Oh well. I would've had a hell of a time tracking down a springer front end for a bike that small anyhow...
Some old photos of the actual bike (with stock exhaust system, which was later replaced with a custom dual set-up):
http://www.ratbike.org/pages/843cm200twinstar.htm
Stock bike looked like this:
http://www.2040motos.com/_content/c.....122712/001.jpg
So, ultimately, the stock frame was chopped and raked instead. Oh well. I would've had a hell of a time tracking down a springer front end for a bike that small anyhow...
Some old photos of the actual bike (with stock exhaust system, which was later replaced with a custom dual set-up):
http://www.ratbike.org/pages/843cm200twinstar.htm
Stock bike looked like this:
http://www.2040motos.com/_content/c.....122712/001.jpg
Category Artwork (Traditional) / Miscellaneous
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 800 x 599px
File Size 219.2 kB
Yeah, I heard that too. And the springer front ends really live up to their name; they bounce the front of the bike like a freaking pogo stick unless you've got a shock absorber in there somewhere to take up the bounce effect.
We eventually used the stock forks, but the steeper rake allowed us to drop the back of the bike a few inches and make it a hardtail (which, after my transplants, I was forbidden to ride on).
We eventually used the stock forks, but the steeper rake allowed us to drop the back of the bike a few inches and make it a hardtail (which, after my transplants, I was forbidden to ride on).
I had two motorcycles in my life, one was a Harley with a busted transmission, never did get it fixed, and sold it.
Before that though, I had an early 70's Honda 100cc.
Quit laughing!
Funniest incident I had riding it, I was on a rural road, and I heard this huge rumble behind me.
Biker gang passed me, their Harleys literally shook me and my little egg-beater.
And yes they were laughing their butts off.
Before that though, I had an early 70's Honda 100cc.
Quit laughing!
Funniest incident I had riding it, I was on a rural road, and I heard this huge rumble behind me.
Biker gang passed me, their Harleys literally shook me and my little egg-beater.
And yes they were laughing their butts off.
People who ride 70s or early 80s bikes are the bravest people I know. These are the people who have no fear about being stranded in the middle of Bumfuck Nowhere, and I'd give a thumbs up to the guy on a ratty old 70s 250cc before the guy on a brand new big cruiser or adventure bike.
Mechanical reliability is for people who fear adventure. :)
Mechanical reliability is for people who fear adventure. :)
Pretty much THIS. Besides my ol' '82 Twinstar (which I still have, believe it or not), I've also got an '85 Honda CB700SC Nighthawk (great bike, smokes like an old whore when you really get on it due to worn rings though. Getting the engine rebuilt later this year), a '95 Honda Shadow 600 (current project) and an '02 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (I've put 18,000 miles on it since I got it in September 2011, I think). Both the Vulcan and the Nighthawk are my daily drivers.
Harley's come from the factory with busted transmissions, didn't anyone tell you that?
That little 200 was my first bike and I've still got it. There are over 100,000 miles on that engine!
As for the Harley guys laughing at you on your little bike, don't worry about that. I always laugh at them when I see them pull over due to overheating in traffic, while I creep on by on my modern, water-cooled Japanese motorcycle.
That little 200 was my first bike and I've still got it. There are over 100,000 miles on that engine!
As for the Harley guys laughing at you on your little bike, don't worry about that. I always laugh at them when I see them pull over due to overheating in traffic, while I creep on by on my modern, water-cooled Japanese motorcycle.
Living in the same state Harleys are manufactured, yes, I do have a bias towards them, somewhat.
And you do have to admit the sound is distinctive.
But 2 summers ago, we did have that problem you mention, the air-cooled Harleys (in addition to air-cooled other makes) were overheating in the 90+ temperatures.
This morning though I wish it was like that right now, it's 12 below outside!
My Dad used to have a Honda scooter, he liked teasing the Harley riders at the local gas station.
"Wanna race?"
And you do have to admit the sound is distinctive.
But 2 summers ago, we did have that problem you mention, the air-cooled Harleys (in addition to air-cooled other makes) were overheating in the 90+ temperatures.
This morning though I wish it was like that right now, it's 12 below outside!
My Dad used to have a Honda scooter, he liked teasing the Harley riders at the local gas station.
"Wanna race?"
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