The saga of the Amazing Shrunken FXR continues. This project is not one that is merely slapping together after-market products to build a facsimile of a customized Harley-Davidson. From the start, Bandit and I sought to create a unique 'signature' bike. Even though we have used a lot of after-market products, most have been modified to fit our design plan. The products we use, from the FXR Pro-Street frame to the Rev-Tech engine to the Joker Machine quality components, to Cyril Huze, Avon and BDL are some of the finest products available.

Because some of the fundamental elements of design were modified, we have been constantly fabricating new brackets, tabs, mounts, and studs. Each modification created new issues relating to the fit and function of the drive train. It seems as if we've bolted and unbolted the elements of this bike a hundred times. For example, the frame was modified by Dr. John to fit the Rev-Tech engine into our overall design concept. The top motor mount was bent to fit the new spacing. We used this motor mount point to position the Cyril Huze tear drop gas tank. When we positioned the tank we related it to the handle bar clearance at maximum turn position. Rubber mount brackets were welded in place. The tank was cut at the underside back end to fit low on the frame. It looked hot. Next I cut the La Pere seat pan to hug the pointed rear of the gas tank and strengthened the seat back. There is a continuous double-'swoop' from the handle bars to the back of the rear fender. The seat pan looked hot.

Then we tried to put the engine in. It didn't look fit. The engine was mere fractions of an inch from fitting. Even if we could have hammered it in place the subsequent tight tolerances would surely create problems as the bike rattled and roared down the road.

At this point, we cut the original tank brackets and repositioned the modified tank a little higher on the top frame tubing. The tank looked hot, the engine fit, but now the handle bar swing is a fraction of an inch too close to the tank. This means we will probably have to have custom handle bars.

It still looks good and we're still optimistic. Even as we dropped the tank down on the new rubber mount brackets and began putting in the 5/16" bolts, we found that the right rear bolt was too long to fit. So we got a bolt with a thinner head and with my small fingers, I got the bolt in and started. We were still looking hot.

We decided to see if the belt fit since Bandit had cut and rewelded the swingarm 1.5 inches shorter for that Amazing Shrunken look. Bandit said no, the belt wouldn't fit. It wasn't suppose to. I said it looked close. As we looked at the bike we realized we'd had to remove the engine, drop the transmission, which meant we'd have to support the swing arm. It always seems harder than hell to make something easy. So with a couple of scissors jacks, hunks of wood, and a crow bar, we were able to loosen the rubber mount on the left side of the pivot point of the swing arm. Then we gingerly slipped the belt in, put the rubber mount back and bolted everything back together. Damn! It fit perfect and we were looking hot.

Wait a minute. The right side of the belt was almost touching the edge of the back fender. Quick surgery with a saws-all cut a chunk out of the fender. Fender fits, belt don't rub, bike still looks hot.

As we cram more operational parts together, the room to move gets less and less. Next we positioned the oil bag, which also brought up the issue of the battery accessibility. With bungee cords, a busted yard stick and some wood shims, we finally got the bag in what seemed a reasonable position. Four rubber mounted brackets were fabricated then welded into place. It looked Hot. Everything was bolted in place. And everything looked Hot.

Ah, but not so fast kimosabe. We shaved the fins off the back of the oil bag for more clearance. With the two rubbermounts in place at the rear of the oil bag under the seat pan we had enough clearance for the battery, in the front for the engine and exhaust, under it for the starter motor, but no clearance for the ever moving rear fender. It needed at least 1.5 inches of shock play since it's attached to the swingarm. We had to peel the bag out of the frame and take it to the Famighetti's metal fab shop, Fam-Art, for their expertise. They came up with a plan to scoop out the back of the bag to the battery box without shortening the overall look of the bag. Then the fender will have the clearance to move with the swingarm and still look hot.

Next, we neet to investigate whether the Joker controls can be mounted mid frame. At the same time we will begin fabrication of the Amazing exhaust system. It's gotta be lookin' hot one way or another.

--NuttBoy

On to Part 7........

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