SOHC Project

Last time I posted my biggest concerns were carbs and pipes. I was using carbs from my stocker, and the pipes where running a little low. First lets start with carbs. With the carbs from my stocker the chop was running like a champ. However, that could only be a temporary situation as I was rebuilding my stocker at the time, and would eventually need those carbs back so I could get my stocker in good running order. Well, last weekend I road tripped up to Arkansas and picked up a 77 Super Sport from John, AKA Digurchop on the hondachopper web site, http://p196.ezboard.com/bhondachopper.showUserPublicProfile?gid=digurchop .

...heres a pic of the bike... (the one on the right)

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/marklocklear/detail?.dir=42ee&.dnm=e66fre2.jpg&.src=ph

So when I got back, I pulled the carbs off the 77 rejetted them, and put them on my chop. While they seemed to have problems on the 77, they run half way decent on the chop. So carb problem solved for now.

On to the pipes...

So the problem here was I was running MAC drag pipes which look great, but don't hug the frame very well, and hince run low to the ground. Probably only 3 or 4 inches clearance. For me, this is a problem for two reasons. #1-I don't want to slow down to 5 miles an hour every time a take a turn. And #2-It just ain't safe! Any bike I get, I want to RIDE!!! And I can't do that if I'm worried about dragging everytime I take a turn. All it takes is one time to lean to far, and this causes the rear tire to hop, and u'r eating asphault. So, what I did was this. I had a set of stock pipes that I had cut short, well, I cut them even shorter. They'r only about 15" long now. The leave the head and stop right at the point the down tube curves to form the bottom railing. Are they loud? You better believe it, but its a chop! Still is not as loud as an HD with stright pipes, so I don't feel to bad.

I havn't even rode it since I put the new pipes on it...had stuff go'n on every day after work. The weather is nice this weekend, so I'll ride some for sure. I'm just starting to scratch the surface of the power of this bike, as I become more comfortable on it. Now maybe its just me, but this motor feels like its get'n up. I'm comparing it to my Sportster 883, and it feels like I have at least that much power. Dare I say more??? No, I don't dare...not til I put it on the street with one.

Sorry about not having pics, the wifey has been back in NC for the holidays. I'll try and get some pics this weekend, and update this post.

L8r...

Its been unseasonable cool in Louisiana the last month, so I'm doing what I can outside. However, I must say I am very pleased with progress. I've probably put 10 miles on the chop in the last few weeks. Just padding around the neiborhood becoming more comfortable on it everytime I ride. She left me stranded the weekend before last due to a failed charging system. Well, after pushing it home and trouble shooting I found the battery wasn't charging. Thought I might have had a bad reg/recifier or stator. Turns out I just did a crappy job of wiring. Straightened that out, and the battery is staying charged with no problems. The wiring is still crappy, but once I feel everything is solid, I'll take a weekend and wire everything up right.

This past weekend I [finally] got my kickstand welded onto the bike. Not a great job, but its mine, and I can say I did it. My biggest concern right now is my exhaust pipes. These are a set of MAC drags I got on the cheap. They are wayyyy to low. Probably only 2 or 3 inches off the ground. Its seriously effecting my ability to lean into turns. I'm going to try turning them out a little bit and see if that gives me the clearance I need.

Carbs are the next issue. The last time I tryed to start it with the set of carbs that I rebuilt, it wouldn't start. So I had to go back to the carbs off my stocker. I think I want to take those apart again (the carbs I rebuilt) and soak the bodies in carb dip and see if that helps. I jetted up to 120's, and the plugs look good, but had a little bit of white on the tips (lean condition), so I'm gonna try 125's.

Got to put a new set of races in the neck. I feel like such a tool! When I put the races in the neck, I thought they were a little tight, so I shaved a little off them to make them easier to drop in. Bad idea! Now when I hit a bump, the neck feels like its about to rip off the frame. Lessen learned...you have to bang the races into the neck for a reason.

So thats where I'm at. I'm heading to pick up a 77 750 in Arkansas this weekend. Fighting a cold, so I hope I'm feeling better by then. Gonna spend the night with Senica J. while I'm up there. Its always a good time at his place.

Cheers!!!