Sorry it has been so long since my last post…

At this point in the project, I finished installing the front end and had a rolling assembly. at this time, I had to route hose for the oil tank and oil cooler and completely wire the bike. Once the wiring was complete, including new switches in the hand controls, new starter relay and voltage regulator, it was time to fire the motor. A few adjustments were then needed on the original (but rebuilt) Bendix Zenith carburetor.

I then bled the front brake, adjusted the drive chain and was off on my first ride. I only took the bike around the block, but man was it sweet to hear that engine roar. I shut her down and let the engine cool completely. I later fired the motor, let it idle until warm and shut it down to cool several more times before taking the bike on a real ride.

With the engine in the frame, it was time to complete my project. It took another full year from this point to finish. I had yet to realize how many more parts were needed, and some plans were changed along the way. At this point, I had the rear wheel and brake assembly installed, as well as the chain and fender. I also installed the oil bag and battery tray. Up front I installed new bearings in the neck cups. I went with Timken tapered rollers rather than the old loose ball bearing set-up. The risers and drag bars are also in place.

After getting the frame situation under control, it was time to start on the motor. As you can see from the photos, I had my work cut out for me. I completely disassembled the motor and again had to consult a professional for help. The left half of the engine case was severely damaged and had to be partially reconstructed. Once this was done and the machine work complete, my good friend Tim Cummings of “The Old Man’s Hog Shop” helped with the assembly. We then set the frame over the engine and bolted it up. Due to the design, the swingarm had to be installed on the frame prior to engine installation. The forward mounted foot controls were also installed at this time, as they bolt to the front motor mounts.

In February 2004 I purchased this 1974 Sportster with the intent to rebuild it and drag race it. As I began tearing this “rolling basketcase” down, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Once down to the bare frame, I discovered the backbone was bent. Do I buy a replacement frame, or get this one repaired? I opted to repair this one so as to avoid having to title the bike as “assembled”.

Ron Finch of Finch’s Custom Styled Cycles made the frame repairs, as well as adding 4 degrees of rake to the neck. I then took the frame to have it sandblasted for powdercoating. It was then that the sandblster advised me of the hole rusted in the bottom of the frame… Now on to a local welder to have more repairs made.

Recently I was contacted by one of the administrators here at UsedHogParts.com about doing a blog of my bike projects. Since I love to talk about bikes, naturally I jumped at the chance. For those of you who have been following Frank’s journey across the USA, let me introduce myself.

My name is Geoff Brown, I’m Frank’s “little” brother. I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was five, when our dad brought home a Honda Z50 mini trail for me. At sixteen I was riding a two-stroke oil-injected enduro, on which I took my cycle endorsment test. After that I rode several different metric cycles until I bought my first Harley, a 1974 Sportster at age 29. At age 31 I purchased a 2001 Ultra Classic.

Although the Sportster was my first Harley, I didn’t ride it until this spring. It took five years of work in my spare time to get the bike restored, modified and road-worthy. I hope you enjoy the stories of these two bikes as much as I will enjoy telling them.

2001 Ultra Classic

1974 Sportster