'27 JD Cut Down Project - SWAN

[Steve Swan]

i snapped this picture the other day without planning to, it its a good one.

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[Steve Swan]

A Nice Pair... This wonderful madness began August, 2013. Finished the green one May, 2017. Started Frankie October, 2018, finally finished, January 26, 2025. Good grief, how time FLIES. Could not have done either one without so much wonderful help from an amazing worldwide community of awesome guys.

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[Steve Swan]

Thanks, guys! Spring is around the corner! And longer daylight hours soon!

[exeric]

Man, you stay busy, Steve and you sure get a lot done. Beautiful work, and a stunning result.

[pisten-bully]

That is indeed a beaut! Nice work all around Steve!

[JoJo357]

That's one sweet looking JD Steve. Congratulations on an excellent ride. I hope you'll do a video of 'Frankie' running.

*M.A.D.*

[Peter Cooke]

Absolutely fantastic Steve. Very well done!

[Steve Swan]

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[Steve Swan]

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[Steve Swan]

Frankie saw sunlight today after being disassembled for a year. The Electric Blue Pearl does not shift hues in the light. The Butane Blue Metallic looks distinctively gray in the direct light, and really shifts hues depending on the light, in these pics, the camera really picks up the blue. What i am most proud of is how the magnesium front brake off a 1981 Kawasaki KX250 dirt bike easily adapted to the fork. With modifications, i was able to use the Kawi hollow axle paired to a factory H-D solid axle and the stainless heim joint connects the floating backing plate to the rear rocker stud which is 13/32" longer than factory. The nifty little chrome guide for the front brake cable is from a 1972 Yamaha LS2 RD100 twin, the little clevis that attaches the brake cable to the bottom lever at the is from a 1965 Yamaha 250 YDS3. I have a couple bolts from a Honda CB750 and a Moto Guzzi on it. And i fashioned a piece of aluminium screen to keep the bugs from getting stuck in the horn. I couldn't resist putting a Truett & Osborn sticker on the tool box lid as i have their flywheels in the engine and the "Re'vit!" sticker is from textile riding gear. The final product exceeded my expectations.

A bit deflating, when i went to start the engine, no spark... A year ago, i had a prefectly running motorcycle. I have spark to the coil from the ignition switch. Trouble shooting electrical stuff is a weak area for me. Tomorrow, i'll check the 2 grounds.

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[Peter Cooke]

Thanks Steve, I had read somewhere that some clear coats make the ink in the decals run but apparently not this one! I'm currently doing my 31V in Police blue and the painter is up to applying the decals so the more info I can feed him the better!

[Steve Swan]

Looks really good Steve, well done. Did you clear coat the tanks again after the decals went on? If so, wondering what your paint system was, as in clear over base, 2pk urethane, etc?

Thanks, Peter! Yes, exactly. 7 coats of clear over base, urethane. I wanted shiny and went for it. It is Dodge truck colors. The Butane Blue Metallic has as much gray in it as blue and delightfully shifts colors and hues depending on the light; it's not granular like the way it looks in the chip. I haven't had the bike outside yet, but the contrasting colors should really pop in the sunlight. And the colors are reminiscent of a traditional Police Blue and Silent Grey Fellow, so the it's not like i painted it school bus yellow, purple plum, or Mary Kay Pink

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[Peter Cooke]

Looks really good Steve, well done. Did you clear coat the tanks again after the decals went on? If so, wondering what your paint system was, as in clear over base, 2pk urethane, etc?

[Steve Swan]

Beautiful! Do you live somewhere warm, so you can take the maiden voyage? Or are you stuck in the cold like a lot of us?

Yeah, we have snow on the ground! we'll probably have a warm day or two though!

[joe fxs fxr]

Beautiful! Do you live somewhere warm, so you can take the maiden voyage? Or are you stuck in the cold like a lot of us?