harley frame

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well i picked up a 1200 evo sportster motor the other day, as though i don't already have enough projects to do.Im gonna build me a chopper  anyway do i have to use DOM tubing for the frame?Its 200.00 for an 1 3/8 piece 20 ft long and 3/16 wall,and i know I'm gonna mucky plenty doing all the fitting and bending.I see frames on ebay that mention it and some that dont,any ideas? thanks Victor SuperRanger O/A                                         Solar migLincoln Powermig 140Southbend 9in lathe350# kohlswa anvilMiller Maxstar 150 stl etc....
Reply:DOM is going to be more consistant, stronger, possably slightly prettier. Other then that, if you stay within the load spec for the tube you are using, and keep the seam on the inside of all bends (as much as you can)... You will be fine.
Reply:Check out www.choperhandbook.com there is alot of info on frame building
Reply:Be very carefull of building your own frame, most of the welds are critical welds, and almost everything bases off the frame. If things like motor mounts and engine mounts aren't lined up correctly you will have problems. Another  important area is how the neck of the frame is set up, rake and trail are very important. A frame jig is a handy item to have to build a frame. If you have the skills to build a frame, go for it and post some pics. Otherwise there are alot of built frames and custom frame builders out there. Alot of custom bike builders buy frames and tweak them to their style. Not knowing your bike building skills this is just basic advice, I just want you to build a safe custom, good luck.
Reply:Originally Posted by HRBBe very carefull of building your own frame, most of the welds are critical welds, and almost everything bases off the frame. If things like motor mounts and engine mounts aren't lined up correctly you will have problems. Another  important area is how the neck of the frame is set up, rake and trail are very important. A frame jig is a handy item to have to build a frame. If you have the skills to build a frame, go for it and post some pics. Otherwise there are alot of built frames and custom frame builders out there. Alot of custom bike builders buy frames and tweak them to their style. Not knowing your bike building skills this is just basic advice, I just want you to build a safe custom, good luck.
Reply:In the 4x4 stuff bending and welding D.O.M is no big deal.  Cages,roll-bars, all sorts of stuff.  You should be fine.  Those chopper books can seriously help you out just dont let pride get in the way and ask questions.Also have you considered insurance on this monster.  My chopper's title says HOME MADE MOTOR CYCLE  or something similair...... this really hurts in value and not to mention INSURANCEheres mine     GOOD LUCK    weld it like you own it
Reply:That chopperhandbook.com shows using erw tubing? ill have to look that up.Homemade title is fine with me,i have the original Harley title for the motor.No insurance required in florida for motorcyles.Im gonna build a welding jig for the frame,and i imagine ill oxy-acet weld the frame together Victor SuperRanger O/A                                         Solar migLincoln Powermig 140Southbend 9in lathe350# kohlswa anvilMiller Maxstar 150 stl etc....
Reply:Depending on the state you live in, you can title your cycle like a manufacturer. You need a business license, which is not too dificult. Then you need to call Society of Automotive Engineers and get a WMI (world manufacturer identfier), they will assign identifying numbers for your vin. Then, you should contact american bank note and get a MCO/MSO. After that, you should contact National highway traffic safety (I think) and send them a vin decoder. That just says what certain vin number postions mean, for example; motorcycle, or number of cylinders etc.Then once you have the MSO, and a receipt (you may have to write your own) you can go to the title office and title your bike as a manufacturer under your business name. It sounds like alot of steps, but well worth it. I have been building custom trailers for some time and people I sell too have no trouble licensing them. And do not contact your local L&I or revenue service. You do not need a dealers license to sell vehicles (up to 5 in washington state). Those agencies just want to sell you permits and take their cuts. Its not necessary if you are only building a few.Hope that helps, have fun.Bill
Reply:Lot tougher than the old days of taking it to your local DOT and letting them look it over and stamp the numbers on.Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:I asked this exact question last week on the Miller board and didn't get NEARLY as good of a response.  I love all this information I'm hearing.  I really like Exile Choppers and their motorcycles, but I don't want to spent 1995.99 on a frame.  Both of Exile's two choppers are built using basically the same frame with the same 45deg rake so I'm planning on buying a frame I read about in V-Twin magazine for $595 with 45deg rake and going from there.  I want straight (drag) bars, a solo seat with P-pad (the fiancee loves to ride), and either an old Sportster motor or an older v-twin.  I don't want to plop down $5000 just for an S&S-created 120ci monster or anything...just something to play with and cruise around the block on and show off my 6'1" redhead.
Reply:Originally Posted by BWS29128I asked this exact question last week on the Miller board and didn't get NEARLY as good of a response.  I love all this information I'm hearing.  I really like Exile Choppers and their motorcycles, but I don't want to spent 1995.99 on a frame.  Both of Exile's two choppers are built using basically the same frame with the same 45deg rake so I'm planning on buying a frame I read about in V-Twin magazine for $595 with 45deg rake and going from there.  I want straight (drag) bars, a solo seat with P-pad (the fiancee loves to ride), and either an old Sportster motor or an older v-twin.  I don't want to plop down $5000 just for an S&S-created 120ci monster or anything...just something to play with and cruise around the block on and show off my 6'1" redhead.
Reply:Just as another side note, if you do any joints that are slip fit or need bushings installed, you can do so with DOM.  Not the case with ERW.
Reply:Originally Posted by olddadYou gonna build an IronHead ?...a REAL Harley...not one of the copies of the jap copy of the REAL Harley ? Pics of the build if you would...gotta love them REAL Harleys...like a stud dog, marks it spot wherever it stops. Me likes them real bikes, leave the AL for Zap to Tig on...lol
Reply:Didn't figure it'd take long to get a rise outta somebody...lol...nothing wrong with the new stuff, especially if it's running like you say your's does. I don't hotrod anymore so the old iron suits me just fine, won't hold up to that racing though...lolEnjoy your scooter, that's what they're for !!Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:Hey cheers bud ...great attitude   Im a drop dead "old school Harley guy";however, they are a dying breed.  Again Im gassed up here on the bike thang.  Just talked today  to a co-worker about the regrets of selling that iron head.Hail to Ghost rider   weld it like you own it
Reply:Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:3/16 wall? I think that must be on the BIG side...what are most frames made of? 1/8?? .095??Might wanna check with a motorcycle frame builder...My Babies: HF Drill pressHF Pipe Bender3   4.5" Black and Decker angle grindersLincoln Electric PROMIG 175that´s it!
Reply:.080 erw will do the trick for ya although some will use a peice of 120 wall for the backbone 90 percent of the frames out there on the road will be 080 or thinner....its gonna be a personal choice for ya basicaly.Only you know how you ride...do you beat the living snot out of it ,enjoy seeing how many extra miles you can get on the real tire only and think the idea of street tires on an mx track is cool or do you ride like a normal sane individual..lol. lots of places that sell frames do the MADE WITH DOM ONLY merely as a bells and wistle attention getter to enable em to sell at a higher price Your erw will also be a little more freindly in the bending stage...yes the weld can and does effect the bend a bit but u will find that it is a consistent effect unlike dom wich can do some strange things while bending as well as being considerably cheaper
Reply:The chopper handbook mentioned earlier in a post has good information about wall thickness, and if you end up buying a frame ask them for a mso. That way it won't be titled as a home-built.Bill
Reply:Here is the best site I have found for building a chopper. http://64.172.168.34/neatstuff/index.htmIt has downloadable plans for the frames, jigs, and tools needed to build a chopper. A lot of great info. I am planning on building one myself but I am working on the sheet metal parts first. I bought a planishing hammer and I am in the process of setting up an english wheel. I am planning on building a few gas tanks over the winter and may try some fenders. Post your progress as I am sure their are some people including myself who would love to see the project in progress. If you decide to do the sheet metal work yourself, I may be of some help to you and you can ask any question anytime. Have fun.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I bought my frame so I dont have a clue. weld it like you own it