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Click here for: Mudflap Girl Part 2, the Bandit Engine and Spitfire update   It’s May 23, 2011, about two months before we roll out to the Badlands. Every year takes on a different character. It’s sorta like the new kid on the block. We never know exactly the direction this kid it going to […]

There we were, enjoying the completed restoration of a 1948 61-inch Panhead when Jesse James said, “Why don’t you run these?” “Run what?” I asked. “These cobbled-together, dual-carbed heads,” he muttered, setting them on the bench. I looked at them with the intrigue of a man who can’t ever leave anything alone. They were 40

This is a quirky series based on no facts or guidlines besides, “some filtration is better than nothin’.” When we rebuilt the top end of this 61-inch ’48 EL, we added two beautifully finished, hand built/altered Panheads that accept two polished 42 mm Mikuni carburetors. We didn’t know what the hell we were going to

If you ride a motorcycle, you have a relationship with a machine.Your motorcycle will bring you years of joy and satisfaction if youhave a positive relationship. Just like the association with yourspouse, kids or buddies; the amount of energy you put into yourmechanical connection with your motorcycle directly correlates withyour level of enjoyment. If you

He started engraving in 1980, after one of his partners, Hells AngelKenny Baker, told him to hang up the standard scroll style of engravingfor the tattoo kind of work, which he has since become well known for.C.J. was rumored to say, “Ya don’t have flowers and doilies tattooed allover yer body, so why the hell

Sponsored By Well, now the holidays are over and I’ve caught up on all the other winter projects, sold the convertible, and put up enough copy to keep Bikernet readers happy for at least another week, it’s time to get back into the rigid project. Although the engine from Custom Chrome came with an ignition

Sponsored By   The old module was removed from the timing cover to expose what you see below.   The new Crane module was then put in place as shown.   You’ll notice that this ignition system has the module located right on the timing sensor pickup. This is a littledifferent from the OEM setup

Sponsored By Below are a couple of wiring schematics that detail how the entire system is hooked up. Pretty simple.   In my case, the plug setup was for single plugs, with dual coils. Note that this is a single fire ignition setup.     The initial static timing is pretty easy. Open the timing

Sponsored By OK – the majority of the wiring at this point is taken care of. Now to the fun part. Making it look like a realscooter. For this segment, we add wheels and sheet metal.   We start by preparing the rear for the fender install. The passenger pegs (for looks only….) are installedfirst

Sponsored By   The grab rail is then CAREFULLY slid over the fender (using wax paper or some other type of paper thin matieral) to keepthe rail again from scraping the paint.   Here’s the wheel, as it is readied to be put into position. This wheel setup is a 5.5″ wide rim, with a

Sponsored By   Here’s another shot at the front with the brakes mounted on both sides.   Mounting the front fender is a snap. Four bolts, four nuts. But – remember, you want to mock this stuff up BEFOREyou paint and powder coat. If you don’t, Murphy’s law says you’ll have to grind something afterwards….

Sponsored By   So – here it is so far. At this point, it looks like a real motorcycle. Still missing the tail light, the head light,the belt drive cover, and some other misc. shit… But it’s close. Now for the cool factor.   The guys over at Joker Machine are some good friends of

Excelsior-Henderson www.excelsiorhenderson.com (612) 873-7000 (612) 873-7030 FAX Hi-Tech Custom Cycles Marty Ruthman (818) 901-7037 Buchanan Spoke & Rim (626) 969-4655 (626) 812-0243 FAX Headwinds (818) 359-8044 Al Martinez Custom Paint (714) 288-6700 (714) 288-6707 FAX Avon Tire (425) 771-2115 (425) 771-4246 FAX Back to the Project…

Bandit gave me this assignment a week ago, after a three-daydrunk. I was just comin’ around and, as usual, was on my last financialleg when someone dragged me out from under the work bench and said, “Ifyou want money to eat, here’s your assignment.” It was this tallOriental bookkeeper with big tits and a smile

With the help of our friends over at Chrome Specialties, Bandit and I aquired this front end for the project.It’s a set of 54 mm Inverted GBC forks. The 30″ length is just right for this low slung sled.   We start by preparing the neck. On this frame, we’ll need neck cups to install

Sponsored By Well, here it is December and I think the painter’s got his nose in the paint can. Suckin’ fumeswill make you goofy. Apparently, it’s made this guy goofy enough to forget I was planning on paying him to do this job.I sent the guy the sheet metal in August. It is still not

Sponsored By The majority of the wiring runs up the backbone of the frame to the dash, hand control switches, and the headlight.In this case, the ‘Dash’ is an instrument cluster mounted on the handlebars. Holding this in placewith some zip ties makes the job a lot easier.   The main harness connects to the