got a couple questions about building a black cloud...

elwood521 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:07 PM

well i've done some research and figured i'm gonna try and build a black cloud. only 23 and don't have alot of experience wrenching on bikes other than putting on some exhaust and chrome stuff on my road king but want to try and was hoping for some advice... can anyone recommend a dealer to get the ultima kit from? i've heard ultima doesn't send a manual with the kit, if true should i get a H-D manual? anything i should consider before diving in? thanks in advance....

Homegrown · #2 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:10 PM

HD manual is a way to go. Get about a 98 or 99 softail shop manual.

No idea on the dealer but someone will chime in. Oh and nothing really to know except give it a shot cause you will learn as you go. Experience will answer your questions.

rastoy · #3 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:15 PM

Does anyone do a shop/parts manual on CD? I got one for one of my jap bikes and find it easier to work with - not to mention the parts portions blows apart each area of the bike and it helped me not forget to put stuff back on when rebuilding.

elwood521 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:16 PM

thanks for the speedy reply... how do i upload a pic into my profile.

Homegrown · #5 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:18 PM

If you want them in your gallery click on the camera and then you will see upload photos at the top right.

elwood521 · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:23 PM

thanks again man

tobor · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 07:41 PM

elwwood
welcome to Club Chopper

I got my Black Cloud from http://www.e-m-cycle.com .
They're good people and have been around fr awhile...

You might wanna check with keeper22 or slayrr40 and see were they got there,s from.
You may find a better deal..

Good luck

Lock Up · #8 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006, 05:23 PM

elwood
Call Jireh. I just completed a FB250 and they let me change just about everything. Richard will send you a catalog and a parts list. It takes some time but I went through the entire parts list and substituted most parts for others, one because I don't like some things that come in the kit and two because I wanted it to be as different from the kit as possible and still get the kit price. Jireh will let you sub, delete, or add anything in their catalog. I did my research and they have the best prices from what I could find.
Good Luck with the build.

mle · #9 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006, 06:59 PM

Ellwood,
One thing to think about is that on your first build it may be worth paying a little more and buying it from a company that is going to give you the best tech support from start to finish.
Steel Thunder Custom Cycles is an ultima dealer and their customer and tech support is top notch.
You can call them anytime mon. thru fri.

Rockhewer · #10 (**permalink**) 02-20-2006, 07:21 PM

actually about $1000 more... with strict limitations on what you can change.
I've found this here club chopper all the tech suport I've needed

freeway · #11 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mle
Ellwood,
One thing to think about is that on your first build it may be worth paying a little more and buying it from a company that is going to give you the best tech support from start to finish.
Steel Thunder Custom Cycles is an ultima dealer and their customer and tech support is top notch.
You can call them anytime mon. thru fri.

I can second that, and I`m in the UK, when I looked to buy my kit I contacted them, very helpful and good prices, just did`nt have what I was looking for, only reason I dealt elsewhere.

On the manual I`m sure 85 - 90 would be better.

LSCTommy · #12 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 01:33 AM

Hey elwood,

I'm 51 and probably have less experience than you building bikes. But, I just started my first bike a couple of months ago.
Homegrown hit the nail on the head. Just start building. You will definitely learn as you go. Go slow. REAL SLOW. The tendency is to want to hurry up and get the bike done. Can't do that. It will bite you in the ass if you do. You will make less mistakes, and you will definitely learn. Mle also has great advice. Buy from someone who will give you great support. This may take a little bit of research, but will be well worth it in the end and, it may cost you a little bit more. But, good knowledge is not free. Do your research first.
Good luck.

OhioChris · #13 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 06:42 AM

Go for it man. It's not rocket science. With the help of the experts on this site, and from who you buy the kit from, you can do it. I was hesitant also, but glad I pulled the trigger and went for it.

nitrohead70 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 03:19 PM

Just ordered a FB250 from Steel Thunder, and Larry there seems pretty sincere. I too have been doing a lot of research on who to buy from, and I believe that Steel Thunder ranks right on up there. I know that the Black Cloud is 17,250, THAT'S WITH SHIPPING TO YOUR DOOR! Some of these other places you have to watch out for as far as shipping and pick up. Big Easy, for example, doesn't include shipping ('bout $250 or so), and if I'm not mistaken, you still need to go and pick it up at the nearest shipping "hub", which could be 100 miles from town. Oh, let's not forget, there's pretty much an endless array of upgrades and substitutes as well.

mle · #15 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 06:06 PM

Nitrohead70,
I talk to Big Easy back in 04 about a kit and tried to get some info on them and at that time they were in Louisiana and I could'nt find a store front or a bussiness lic. listed in the state of La.
Since you have to pay all the money up front , I went with Steel Thunder and paid $500 more for peace of mind.
They have been in bussiness for 20 years
and I don't regret it a bit.
I had ignition problems 9 months later and Larry shipped me a new hi 4 with no charge.
Now I see on the Big Easy web that they are in Colorado.