Who says Softail 5 speeds don't fit in 4 speed swingarm frames?
We're going to use Tommy's old enclosed belt drive inside a Softail OEM inner and outer primary - that alignment is next on the setup list, then on to the rear wheel/trans sprocket/wheel sprocket alignment. So far, so good......
See, that's the whole idea with this frame, and the bike.
Even if they know their Harley models, people at first glance will think it's an '85 FXEF Fatbob, because that was the last year for the 4sp, and the 4sp-style swingarm frame, but it had the Evo instead of the Shovelhead. Plus, the FXEF in '85 had the same 4.2gal. flatside tanks that the '85 Softail had, because the front half of the Factory '85 4sp FXEF frame shared that with the Softail that year. We're going to use 4.2gal. tanks on this vs. the 5 gal we were originally going with.
Then, they'll see the 5sp instead of the 4sp, then they'll see the Softail primary, then they'll see the sidecar loops, and then they'll wonder where this bike came from. That's what we're after. Like I said, this bike is appearing more Factory production-like as we go along, because we're adapting in a lot of years of stock parts.
Irish Rich is the owner of Shamrock Fabrication/Irish Rich Custom Cycles, a "no frills" custom motorcycle and fabrication shop. Rich has been involved with custom motorcycles and hot rods for over 44 years, and is a member of the Sinners, out of Southern California. Rich and his motorcycles have appeared in Street Chopper, DicE Magazine, The Horse, Easyriders, IronWorks, S&S Performance Times, Bigtwin, Show Class Magazine, Jesse James' documentary "The History Of The Chopper", One World Studios' "The Harbortown Bobber", and Joyrides Art Co.-"The Photography of Mark Kawakami". He also currently writes, and has written tech articles and feature stories for most of the custom motorcycle publications, and wrote an ongoing column for the first 16 issues of Greasy Kulture Magazine.
2 comments:
Cool looking frame. Cant say Ive ever seen side car loops on a swingarm frame. Nice work for sure.
See, that's the whole idea with this frame, and the bike.
Even if they know their Harley models, people at first glance will think it's an '85 FXEF Fatbob, because that was the last year for the 4sp, and the 4sp-style swingarm frame, but it had the Evo instead of the Shovelhead. Plus, the FXEF in '85 had the same 4.2gal. flatside tanks that the '85 Softail had, because the front half of the Factory '85 4sp FXEF frame shared that with the Softail that year. We're going to use 4.2gal. tanks on this vs. the 5 gal we were originally going with.
Then, they'll see the 5sp instead of the 4sp, then they'll see the Softail primary, then they'll see the sidecar loops, and then they'll wonder where this bike came from. That's what we're after. Like I said, this bike is appearing more Factory production-like as we go along, because we're adapting in a lot of years of stock parts.
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