chromoly rigid sportster frame thoughts ?

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so i have a idea bouncing around in my head for a few weeks now . before i get blasted for wanting to do this let me just say i have built several motorcycle rigid frames before and fell really confident in what i do .so here is the plan find a wrecked sportster for the engine and gas tank and hope front fork use parts to mock up and build a chromoly rigid frame bar hopper / bobber style skinny arse rear seat on frame no springs under seat you know the kind the ones that beat you to death i have never welded chromoly before i have a maxstar 200 and a 10 and 17 tig rig and no foot pedal what wall thickness of chromoly work for this ? i know its stronger than steel so i can use a thinner wall like i said keep in mind this is just a idea right now no plans are set in stone for this . anyone know were i can get free rigid sportster plans ? i want to calculate how much tubing i will need for this so i can see what the tubing will run meQuote Originally Posted by vwguy3  View PostHave you ever seen a cow that was welding overhead burst into flames my certs as of 1/29/14SMAW3G plate 2,4,6, 6Ghard wire and flux core 3GGTAW2,4,6 6G3G plate SS sch 80 6G
Reply:I have built many bikes bud, all Harleys, and modified tons. #1 why a sportster, and #2 why chromoly. I understand if it's something you just wanna do for the sake of it, but any reason a sportster and chromoly? Really no reason for it unless you were gonna build a high horsepower drag bike, where the sportsters in that category to a point make tons of low end torque and power. But a bar hopper! Eeeew. Waste of time and money. And nothing turns my stomach more than a bike with awesome lines to it powered by a sportster motor. Poopie!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:sportster because of the cheap factor only mods will be s&s carb straight pipes and cams i can buy a wrecked one that still starts up for less than 3 grand . chromoly mainly because of weight savings and i have cracked a few frames on Harleys from wheelies  .that and i just think it would be down right sweetQuote Originally Posted by vwguy3  View PostHave you ever seen a cow that was welding overhead burst into flames my certs as of 1/29/14SMAW3G plate 2,4,6, 6Ghard wire and flux core 3GGTAW2,4,6 6G3G plate SS sch 80 6G
Reply:I think using a Sportster is a waste of time and money. I see "bobbers" made out of 450 Hondas and laugh every time. And cracking frames from wheelies? Stupidest BS I ever heard of. It doesn't take a M/C rider to do wheelies. And on the street is even worse. It shows a total lack of any sense. And a M/C to bar hop? I knew people whose idea of going for a ride was going from one bar to another. What a waste, and even riskier to your health (and license). I got my M/C endorsement in 1966 and have been around the block on many HD's as well as other brands. It never crossed my mind to do wheelies, or go bar hopping. Oh- and think about the reason you can find plenty of wrecked motorcycles.
Reply:BTW- tylersloan- this is not meant as personal to you. I buried too many friends due to M/C use, as well as other reasons. Too many thought they were invincible, myself included. I got a needed lesson in humility while home on leave in 1970, while riding my first HD. Luckily, I had no major injuries, and my M/C didn't suffer much either. The first HD frame I saw internally, had 1" or so OD front downtubes, about 1/4" thick. Mine had a brazed frame, as welded frames didn't start until 1949.
Reply:the 2 i have screwed up were from the AMF days when quality went to crap . and i dont drink and drive / ride when i say bar hopper i mean the style of the bike low skinny and little of nothing on it .Quote Originally Posted by vwguy3  View PostHave you ever seen a cow that was welding overhead burst into flames my certs as of 1/29/14SMAW3G plate 2,4,6, 6Ghard wire and flux core 3GGTAW2,4,6 6G3G plate SS sch 80 6G
Reply:I remember well when A(dios)M(other)F(ocker) took over. I'm thinking mid 70's or so. Quality did go downhill. I would be perfectly happy with a 56 or 57 straight-leg rigid frame, with a Pan/Shovel engine, ratchet top trans, mouse trap eliminator, and a primary belt drive!  I talked with a friend of mine in Detroit a few years back, and he still has several bikes that he and I built back in the early 70's. We entered 3 HD's into the 1st annual Detroit M/C show, 1974. We got a trophy for our Panhead Chariot !Oh- the original "bobbers" were stripped down HDs. The style started after WW II.
Reply:Originally Posted by DetailerDaveI remember well when A(dios)M(other)F(ocker) took over. I'm thinking mid 70's or so. Quality did go downhill. I would be perfectly happy with a 56 or 57 straight-leg rigid frame, with a Pan/Shovel engine, ratchet top trans, mouse trap eliminator, and a primary belt drive!  I talked with a friend of mine in Detroit a few years back, and he still has several bikes that he and I built back in the early 70's. We entered 3 HD's into the 1st annual Detroit M/C show, 1974. We got a trophy for our Panhead Chariot !Oh- the original "bobbers" were stripped down HDs. The style started after WW II.
Reply:Nothing at all wrong with chopping a sportster. Your thoughts of buying a wrecked one is a really good way to go. I'd really encourage you not to use chromoly tubing. Everything you said about chromoly being stronger, so therefore you can use lighter wall tube is true. You probably know that racing chassis are often times manufactured from chromoly. You mentioned that you cracked some frames by doing wheelies. Chromoly will not prevent this from happening. Chromoly is much more rigid and will not flex the same as mild steel. Buy the sportster, use SAE 1025 DOM tubing and you should have no problems with it.
Reply:Personally I'd opt for a Buell for a donor engine etc. Basically a sportster engine on steriods. Also usually lots better brakes etc on a Buell, especially if you go with a XB.
Reply:Originally Posted by Showdog75Personally I'd opt for a Buell for a donor engine etc. Basically a sportster engine on steriods. Also usually lots better brakes etc on a Buell, especially if you go with a XB.
Reply:nice ill look for a Buell never thought of that and i would love a old knuckle or pan just don't have that kind of money again thats why i want to go with a sportster or Buell now .Quote Originally Posted by vwguy3  View PostHave you ever seen a cow that was welding overhead burst into flames my certs as of 1/29/14SMAW3G plate 2,4,6, 6Ghard wire and flux core 3GGTAW2,4,6 6G3G plate SS sch 80 6G
Reply:I'd hunt a bell as well. Drive train is blacked out already, if that's the look you're hunting.
Reply:Originally Posted by hillbillyfabI'd hunt a bell as well. Drive train is blacked out already, if that's the look you're hunting.