VTR1000 Chopper

[mikew305]

Your work and imagination are absolutely great Chris. I am really glad that I came across this thread. Keep us updated on your progress.

By the way, you mentioned that you wanted to keep your bike in bare finish but couldn't because of the weather in the UK. You should look into a clear coat over the raw metal or some other "weathered" finish that will protect the metal but still looks bare.

Cheers,
Mike.

[Trikeopath]

Cheers Mike.
I've been working on the 2 Trikes for the last few nights but there not too much to show just now. I've widened and beaded a pair of rear guards and made a load of bits in the Lathe to mount them. I'lll get some photo sup once I get them fitted.
If I can get one of them out of the way, I'll have a big hit on the VTR as there will be more space in the Shed.

[Lunchmin]

i think i actually check this thread more than my e-mail.
some of the best and most creative work i've seen.
i can't wait to see these rides done!

[Trikeopath]

Thanks Lunch, I'll try a add stuff a bit more often.
I don't usually update the trike stuff that much because they are not to
everyones taste and I've found I end up talking to myself on the other
forum I'm on. I did a Trike rescue once that barely got a single look, so normally
just show the highlights now.

I have nearly finished making all the stays for the rear guards now which is one
part of a trike build that I hate. Also it is one part which people normally screw up.
I've lost count of the times I've seen someone at a Rally trying to tie a busted
guard back on because the stays have sheared (myself included).

The guards have been widened by 50mm and beading added to the ends to
finish them off.

[vision]

Bike, Trike or steam powered Unicycle don't matter much to me. What I keep coming back to this thread for is to see the way you make your stuff.....super fast, very sturdy and with a great sense of style that make every piece unique.

[Lunchmin]

yeah- what vision said!
it's not only entertaining, but it's like taking a friggin' fabrication class watching you biuld.

[kustomville]

keep it up!!

[fairwaymike]

i cant believe i just found this thread. this guy is awesome

[Trikeopath]

Thanks for the kind words folks. Helps keep me rolling more than you know.

Managed to get ahead on the other projects so my bike gets some time on the bench.
I've started looking at the water pipes. I will put them through the frame where I can,
just got to work though it one at a time.

[vision]

Originally Posted by Trikeopath

...I've started looking at the water pipes. I will put them through the frame where I can...

Soooo am I understanding it right that you mean to run the water through the frame to take it to the radiator with minimal external piping?

Will you be sleeving the frame with an internal rubber hose? This build is just getting cooler and cooler.

[Trikeopath]

Originally Posted by vision

Soooo am I understanding it right that you mean to run the water through the frame to take it to the radiator with minimal external piping?

Will you be sleeving the frame with an internal rubber hose? This build is just getting cooler and cooler.

No Mate, the anti-freeze mix has anti corrosion stuff in it. Same as you would use
on a cast iron block to stop the water jacket getting blocked with rusty sludge.
You can't see too well on the picture, but I have also blanked off both ends of that tube and filed the welds out.
This is not a new idea. I've seen loads of stuff done this way. Chris Ireland used to build his V8 Trikes with water
in the Frame with no problems and he built hundreds of them.

We fly out to BKK on Friday, see you next week dude

[vision]

For those following this thread Chris is still in Thailand at the Burapa Bike week. He has the pics of that and if he doesn't post them in CC I will. I am sure he will be spending about 13 minutes unpacking, catching up and resting before getting back to work on the bikes again and then updating this thread. Chris, Andy, Frankie it was a pleasure meeting and drinking with ya and sorry you had to witness my wife eating 3 inch cockroaches and enjoying each one like it was Russian caviar. Next time come by our shop and we can break out the fire and hammers

[Vicodinwizard]

I was hesitant to look at this thread because of the title. Not that there's anything wrong whatsoever with import builds, it's just not my preference.

But after spending an hour+ going through this entire thread, (which shoulda been spent in the garage.... fuck you very much!!! ), all I can say is DAMN!!!

Seeing somebody build and progress that rapidly, is both inspirational, and discouraging. Makes me look at how long it takes me to do shit, after throwing away the 1st 5 attempts, and wonder what the fuck I'm doing wrong. Guess some people are just more talented than others. I'll keep at it, and probably still beat the shit outta myself, cuz I'm a masochist, but I gotta say Chris, I take my hat off to you. I'd buy you a beer anytime...

Gettin my ass out to the garage now to fire up the torch and fuck something up!!

[Trikeopath]

Originally Posted by vision

For those following this thread Chris is still in Thailand at the Burapa Bike week. He has the pics of that and if he doesn't post them in CC I will. I am sure he will be spending about 13 minutes unpacking, catching up and resting before getting back to work on the bikes again and then updating this thread. Chris, Andy, Frankie it was a pleasure meeting and drinking with ya and sorry you had to witness my wife eating 3 inch cockroaches and enjoying each one like it was Russian caviar. Next time come by our shop and we can break out the fire and hammers

Indeed Ron, it was a good for a giggle, and then some! Bloody brilliant to finally meet up.
I think I just about kept up with you on the Drinking front. Still not to fussed on squid though
You guys should have stayed for the night Parties it was awesome. I stayed until the death late Satuarday night and had to Hitchhike back to Central Patts.
I didn't Crash until Monday night and wasn't very well on tuesday. It was tea time before I could even look at another Bar.
Su's Cockroaches were fun, as was her amazing Radar skills that seemed to be able to find us in any Bar in the City.

[Trikeopath]

Originally Posted by Vicodinwizard

I was hesitant to look at this thread because of the title. Not that there's anything wrong whatsoever with import builds, it's just not my preference.

But after spending an hour+ going through this entire thread, (which shoulda been spent in the garage.... fuck you very much!!! ), all I can say is DAMN!!!

Seeing somebody build and progress that rapidly, is both inspirational, and discouraging. Makes me look at how long it takes me to do shit, after throwing away the 1st 5 attempts, and wonder what the fuck I'm doing wrong. Guess some people are just more talented than others. I'll keep at it, and probably still beat the shit outta myself, cuz I'm a masochist, but I gotta say Chris, I take my hat off to you. I'd buy you a beer anytime...

Gettin my ass out to the garage now to fire up the torch and fuck something up!!

Cheers Vico, Thanks for taking the chance and looking in.
I should change the Title really, as my thread is now that messy it only has about 30% to do with the content.
I'll be back in the Shed straight after work tomorrow so there should be something to update before the end of the week. Although with some of the bikes I have seen in the last 2 weeks I feel a new project coming on.
I'll post pics on here as I re-size them. (Ron, Feel free to add any of yours mate)