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This was my first Harley. A 1980 Sportster that was just short of rat bike status. It was one big pile of rust, scratches, dings, dents and dry rot. I spent about a year tearing it down and rebuilding it.
All I did was sandblast, clean, paint and polish most of it. I replaced a few parts but only what was totally wasted. I spent more money on paint, beer and sandpaper than I did on parts. What you see here is the result of elbow grease, blood, sweat and "stick-to-it-ism". I will admit that I did have the tank and fenders painted by a pro. I did the sanding and primer work so it only cost me $100. (still a decent sized chunk of change but I wasn't going to skimp on that part. I wanted it to look good) I also bought new pipes and other small items. Most of which came from swap meets/junk bins for CHEAP.
The sandblaster (for the frame and a few of the iron parts) was borrowed. The workspace
was also borrowed at first until I found a place with a garage that I could afford. Some
of the tools were borrowed.
I picked the brain of a good friend of mine when I got into tight spots but I am proud to
say that it didn't happen TOO often. Let me just say it would have been a lot harder
without him. Thanks Smokey. R.I.P.
What I am getting at here is I'm tired of hearing people say they can't afford a NICE bike
or "I wish I could afford to fix my bike up". Stop whining and start doing. If
you are scared to do a total teardown, start small. Take off one part and polish it then
put it back on. Next week take off another part, sand it and paint it then put it back
on...
Before you know it your scoot will be getting looks and making you proud. GO FOR IT.
All you have to lose is some skin off your knuckles and a few pounds of couch spread. If I
can do it...
'Nuff said.
Now check out the pics:
This is what it looked like when I started. Notice the rust, scratches, dings...
The teardown has begun. Bye bye running scoot. Hello basket case.
Proof that I own a wrench and don't mind using it. Yes, that's my ugly self playing in the grease.
(side note: Hey Smokey, thanks for the use of your shed for all this. Sorry about the stains. Hehehe)
Yup, torn down to the bare minimum for the cleanup and I'd like you to meet Freya, Smokey's security system.
It turned out that Freya also has a large appetite for leather seats. I went over to work on the scoot one day and couldn't find the seat for it anywhere. Freya had EATEN it. I don't mean chewed on it, I mean EATEN it. The only thing left was the metal frame the seat HAD been attached to, a few pieces of foam padding and one concho. The rest was processed as yard fertilizer over the next week. She came real close to becoming a dog fur seat cover that day. Lucky for her I didn't really like that seat anyway. Besides, she DID guard the rest of the bike for me and I guess she was entitled to SOME kind of pay. Just so you know, I found another seat that was more comfortable and better looking at a swap meet for cheap a few weeks later..
After the sandblasting and painting... Finally back to rolling chassis status! Yes, that's my ugly mug again in the background coming back from getting another cold one. All this wrenchin' sure makes a guy hot and thirsty.
A friend of mine helping me wedge the powerplant back in.
Alright, who snuck this blue wire in here. My notes don't say nothing about no *%#@ blue wire.
Comin' together nicely. I was really getting excited at this point. I almost had a bike again.
The finished product, well almost. I still had to find a handgrip for the left side that matched the throttle grip but I could ride it now. Not bad for an amateur.
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This bike was eventually sold. I hated to part with it but I was ready for something different.
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