sportster job

LagerDrinker · #1 (**permalink**) 07-24-2007

im a big fan of rat bikes and hot rods so to me the perfect bike is a ironhead kicker sporty. i have questions though. if i do find an complete xlch should i chop it? i mean they are rare around these parts. next is... ok , not planning a real chop, ive been seeing hardtail frame kits with springer frontends and wheels on ebay for under 1500.bux are these any good or just total shit? ive been looking around and see some are welding their own. i do have a welder but i lack artistic vision. i know what i like but dont exactly have the patience to get the bends the way i like.(lets just say i can make two pieces of metal stay together and my welds do look good)
so anyway, i was thinking of one of those kits with an ironhead kicker powering it and adding handshift/foot clutch. this wouldnt be an everyday bike. my 02 sportster is everyday. from those who have really chopped bikes i would like honest opinions and suggestions. im kinda limited budget. Btw, whats a fair price for a complete xlch these days?

fexlh · #2 (**permalink**) 07-24-2007

I would find a Frankenbike that's already been messed with, that has a promising engine and put it in the frame you want. You are correct, these Irons are getting rare in their stock form.

LagerDrinker · #3 (**permalink**) 07-25-2007

i did find one rigid frame xlch on ebay for sale. i might go that route. finding a complete good condition xlch would have me wanting to restore it.

jerseymutt · #4 (**permalink**) 07-25-2007

Lagerdrinker,

One of the problems with the frame swap rout is titling the bike if it is made after 1970. After 1970 they had frame #'s and the new frame will most likely have #'s on it as well. The law states that if it has frame #'s those are the # you must use. So a donar engine after 1970 in a replacement frame will probably have to be titled as a 2007 special construction (and you can only build one in your life time now). A pre 1970 if you use a replacement frame with #'s will be titled the same way.

If you cut up the stock frame and use the #'rd HD neck you don't have to worry. Assuming the bike you bought has a clear title. A good hardtail kit will work well too and are very reasonable.

If you part out the bike and keep the engine / trans the title that you got with the bike goes with the frame if it's a 1970 or newer.

Just somethings to think about. Not trying to discourage. Have fun.

Mutt

LagerDrinker · #5 (**permalink**) 07-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerseymutt

Just somethings to think about. Not trying to discourage. Have fun.

Mutt

discourage??? Hell, thats great info you gave

jerseymutt · #6 (**permalink**) 07-25-2007

Something I don't understand and someone may be able to set me straight is if the VIN code (17 didgits just like on an 1980 or later car) on the replacement frame has a year code that designates it as a 1996 I am told they still register the year of the final build inspection. So if I build a bike with an older 1996 VIN code frame, complete it in 2007 and take it for final inspection and a title they will title it as a 2007. Is this what DMV's are doing now?

Mutt

Chief · #7 (**permalink**) 07-25-2007

Not sure about Stateside, but up here in Canada, the registration of your bike is by the frame number.

I built my bike from the frame up, using an aftermarket custom softail frame and a Shovelhead engine. The frame was numbered as a 2002 FXST style frame, and that's what my registration and ownership say it my bike is. A home-built, 2002 FXST. The frame is not HD, it was built by a well-known registered motorcycle mechanic/builder in Toronto.

fexlh · #8 (**permalink**) 07-25-2007

Let me clarify. I would just avoid taking something too complete or perfect as a hardtail project. But that's me. If it's already got all kinds of wrong parts on it or had things changed, it would be too expensive to take back to original and therefore not a waste to chop it.

richard · #9 (**permalink**) 07-25-2007

Lets back up.....and go over the "Special Construction" .......

What state are you talking about?

I plan on registering 2 old BSA's that I have no paperwork on. I also WANT them to be registered as the year they were made!

So "splain Lucy"........ I want more info on this!

thanks

jerseymutt · #10 (**permalink**) 07-26-2007

Richard,

I am not trying to sound like an expert cause Lord knows I have been having trouble with this stuff but I have been looking into it for a while and have found a lot of info. You living in NY have an advantage over most states it is a little easier for you guys without titles to get them but guys I know in NY (thru the internet) have told me you have to be very carefull if not using frame #'s. Guys title their MC by the engine # ignoring the frame # and get their bikes impounded. I am told the NY State PD is very big on this.

With your Britt bikes If they have #'s from the factory on the frames that's the # you should use. And in NY it should be pretty easy to get a title. If you are putting a 65 engine in a 2007 frame with a vin# you should title it as a 2007 special construction.

A new frame (if built by a registered frame builder) will have a 17 digit Vin# on it and the 8th digit from the right will be the year of the frame. After 2000 (starting in 2001 if I remember correctly) they used a #. Before that starting in 1980 it will be a letter. A=1980, b=1981, y=2000. It's the same as the vin # on a car. Hope this is accurate, I keep a cheat sheet at work to refer to.

Guys with older Harley engines (Harley before 1970 were titled by the engine # and had no #'s on the frame) putting them in aftermarket Vin # frames are getting themselve into trouble and getting bikes impounded. Also states that require inspection of the bike before being titled (like Georgia) will not be alowed to title it by the engine #'s, will have to use frame #'s, produce an MSO / bill of sale for the frame and bring it up to specs for the year of manufacture of the frame. Then they have to take it back and add things like blinkers.

All this is very un-official info. You will have to do your home work on your own. Many states are also clamping down on title factories like International and Broadway. We can't use them here in Jersey at all anymore. Plus you can't do a VIN search in Jersey on anything without a 17 digit VIN, but the cops can. And they won't perform a search for you if you ask cause if it comes up hot, they have a lot of splainin to do.

Hope this helps someone / anyone.

Mutt