Your bike and your dreams, but man that 91 looks freakin' gorgous! I wouldn't cut it up.

I'd tell the wife to chill, keep that as your main ride, by an old 4 speed , cone shovel from the 70's or early 80's and swap it into a rigid frame and have that as the around-town chop.

 

My buddy that restores classic and muscle cars has told me since the 80's. Buy one someone has dumped all the money in let him take the hit. Or find a close to finished project someone has just lost interest in, way cheaper in the long run.

He's doing a 1965 mustang. The guy has $80,000 in it and it's still in pieces. You can buy nice restored ones all day long for $10,000-15,000.

I think if you chop that Springer up you'll dump $1000s into it and it will end up being worth less than it is in it's current state.


Here was a good deal on a basket, bargains are out there:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-David...m=111209743763

And a 1994 FXSTC for $3500 - How did I miss that one?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1994-Custom-...p2047675.l2557

 

To make a chopper you can't just rake the front end and put on long forks. Well, you can but it looks retarded and won't handle with ****.

To do it right, the steering head has to be raised and raked, which means a complete redesign of the frame.

I was thinking about buying a wrecked Harley and making a chopper, did a lot of research on what it would take. In the end I found to do it right you have to buy a chopper frame, wheels, forks, shocks, tank, bars, controls, all new. You can put your old beat up Harley engine in there or buy a new engine as well.

So wtf, why do you want to build a bike. Life is too short, just go buy one.

 

I am coming to my senses. I decided it would be stupid to mess with my springer. I am going to look for something already built.

 

Since I wasn't doing the internal engine work or trans because I stayed with my stock frame- the out of pocket is for parts- the experience you would need is transferring everything out of your frame and back- alignment of your drivetrain and engine is critical-shimming and such.

If you stayed with the stock frame there are angled bearing cups that kick your front end out 3 more degrees, then all you have to do is extend your forks or buy a springer with the added inches to keep your rake trail balanced.

http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/vu...part/BC-495160

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/sa...rt/SAM-S2-912B

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/fr...rt/FPE-HD00264

 

I decided to keep the Springer like it is. I found this one on ebay. The guy wants $19K for it. Says it's new with only 5 miles. Has front brakes, turn signals and speedo. I might like one with a different paint job though.

 

This. Just won't get that real old school look without a rigid.