Despite a couple of week trip out to Wyoming and Colorado; we still found time to finish up the Q ship chassis before breaking it all back down for powder and chrome. At this time, the chassis is 99% complete; save the wheels which need some serious love; and making up of some spacers for the NOS Red Wing shocks to fit as I wish.
For those of you interested in points judging -- there are several things quite incorrect on the rear half of the bike starting with the swing arm and chain guard, followed by the fender struts, tail lamp, and tag holder. None are the correct 64CH parts . . .but they fit and function fine for these purposes. Again, if your goal is a 100% correct restoration -- seek out guys who will help you find all the correct parts. In this case, if someone in the future wants the chassis at 100% -- it won't take but an afternoon to fit the correct parts.
Here are some "progress" photos:
IMG_2515.jpg
IMG_3893.jpg
IMG_3894.jpg
IMG_3895.jpg
IMG_3896.jpg
Now for the not so fun part; Mrs. Chuck noticed just how much we have been spending on the Q ship and asked we take a little break and let ye olde bank account replenish before buying more stuff. Chuck smells overtime a comin’ to keep Mrs. Chuck happy at the holidays.
Anyways, the beating over spending brought up an excellent point.
One of the objects in doing this project series is sharing just what it costs and takes to put a basket case like this back together. We have a $10,000 total all in goal . . .and by all in I mean all in. Tax, title, parts, insurance, and the eventual trip out West to participate in an AMCA National Road Run with the Q ship.
So, Chuck pulled out his log book and here are out total expenditures to date:
$1,500 – Purchase price for about 80% of the bike, full motor, and clean title
$450 – shipping from Denver to Chicago
$500 – Dytch Big Bore Cylinders and matching heads
$191 – title, registration, and plates
$10 – insurance
$115 – tax on purchase
$75 – handlebars
$100 – handlebar spirals, grips, and internal wires for the magneto and throttle
$100 – Dr. Dick/Morris Magnetos “unbreakable” kicker shaft
$75 – Steel rear motor mount
$150 – Horn (trust me, this was a bargain)
$80 – oil tank mounts and special bolts
$60 – head lamp
$75 – head lamp visor
$25 – shift lever and rubber
$50 – side stand, spring, pin, and top motor mount
$45 – fuel tank decals
$350 – complete front end (trees, sliders, tubes, tube covers, and front trim)
$25 – rear brake rod and adjusting nut
$20 – forged oe kicker arm
$40 – swing arm and all internals
$10 – foot peg rubber
$80 – miscellaneous hardware (bolts, screws, lock washers, flex locs, and plain washers)
$50 – Colony steering stem mounting kit
$40 – NOS Red Wing shocks
$40 – KONI progressive springs for the red wing shocks
$12 – License holder
$10 – NOS 22T countershaft sprocket
$15 – Chain guard
$25 – NOS front brake pivot
$50 – Front wheel hub rebuild kit
$24 – NOS front brake cam
$11 – NOS Rear Axle collar
$10 – Front axle, nut, and washer
$20 – front brake cable tube, adjuster, and fender clamp
$20 – Clutch Cable
$20 – Brake Cable
$30 – Tail lamp assembly
$20 – OE kicker pedal and fresh rubber
$20 – CS seal kit
$25 – Clutch lever and perch
$20 – Brake lever and perch
$15 – Fuel Petcock
$35 – NOS 51T rear sprocket and rivets
$60 – Repo “smooth” fender struts
$25 – Full motor gasket kit
$25 – ’72-E73 head gaskets
$40 – Repo solo seat (later style)
$15 – NOS diamond drive chain
$40 – NOS diamond primary chain
$15 – NOS Raybestos clutch plates
$250 – Fairbanks-Morse Magneto and rekey
$10 – Dual muffler support
$20 – Voltage regulator
$5,138 – so far.
Remember what we said earlier about basket cases costing more than you might think? Chuck's partner in crime, Will McGaughey, just picked up a running, mostly original 1966 XLCH for just about half this cost at the end of September and I know of several very clean and very original ironheads selling in the $2500-3000 range right now. Most are 70s to 80s models; but still AMCA eligible.
In this case, we still aren’t done spending just for the Q ship chassis. Other parts that will come into the shop over the next 8 weeks include:
$600 – Rims and Spokes
$200 – Tires and tubes
$75 – brakes and brake springs
$100 – handlebar switches and mirrors
$250 – solo seat mounts and t-bar
$1,225 – yet to go on chassis.
In addition, we are enlisting the help of two outside vendors – one to powder coat the chassis bits and one to rechrome the lower fork sliders. Together, this should be right around $500.
This means we will be a bit under $6,900 into the project before we have even started in earnest on the drive train.
This is partially why Will and Chuck gave the advice to seek the most complete bike you can -- basket cases rarely are the bargain of the century as all the little parts add up. Sure, 20s and 50s going out the door don't seem like a lot at the time -- until you sit down to add it all up. Then the picture becomes very clear. You can buy a LOT of really nice bikes for what we've already invested.
But, then again, does anyone do this because they EXPECT to make $$?
Anyways, to the other half of the equation -- as we stated almost everything has come via AMCA contacts.
Vendors and Enthusiasts who have helped with parts or parts advice include:
• Scott Lange (AMCA member)
• Gerry Raino (AMCA member)
• Jack Raino (AMCA member)
• Dr. Dick (sportster guru)
• Model H (AMCA member; sportster nut)
• Legends MC (AMCA member)
• Ted Borman (AMCA member)
• Bills Custom Cycle (Pennyslvania)
• Michael Taylor (AMCA member)
• Rick’s Decals (AMCA member)
Parts were acquired via email or phone calls – and also at the following swap meets:
• AMCA Wauseon National Meet (Wauseon, OH – held every July)
• Chief Blackhawk MC Swap Meet (Davenport, IA – held every Labor Day weekend)
• Walneck’s Swap Meets (April = Woodstock, IL and Sept/Oct = Morris, IL)
• AMCA Wolverine Chapter Swap Meet (Southeastern, MI – generally mid-May)
• Gilmore Auto Museum motorcycle weekend and swap meet (Hickory Corners, MI – generally mid-June)
As for our service providers:
Precision Plating, Quincy, IL – chrome
Land Air Express – pallet/crate shipping
Advance Powder Coating, Rockdale, IL – powder coating
I will share the invoices for the powder and plating when they come in.
The end goal here is to share as much as possible to help folks decide on the direction of projects.
Please don't hesitate to ask questions or post how you'd do things differently -- just be forewarned -- we'll ask for photographic evidence. Arm chair building or paper racing don't cut it :-)
For those of you interested in points judging -- there are several things quite incorrect on the rear half of the bike starting with the swing arm and chain guard, followed by the fender struts, tail lamp, and tag holder. None are the correct 64CH parts . . .but they fit and function fine for these purposes. Again, if your goal is a 100% correct restoration -- seek out guys who will help you find all the correct parts. In this case, if someone in the future wants the chassis at 100% -- it won't take but an afternoon to fit the correct parts.
Here are some "progress" photos:
IMG_2515.jpg
IMG_3893.jpg
IMG_3894.jpg
IMG_3895.jpg
IMG_3896.jpg
Now for the not so fun part; Mrs. Chuck noticed just how much we have been spending on the Q ship and asked we take a little break and let ye olde bank account replenish before buying more stuff. Chuck smells overtime a comin’ to keep Mrs. Chuck happy at the holidays.
Anyways, the beating over spending brought up an excellent point.
One of the objects in doing this project series is sharing just what it costs and takes to put a basket case like this back together. We have a $10,000 total all in goal . . .and by all in I mean all in. Tax, title, parts, insurance, and the eventual trip out West to participate in an AMCA National Road Run with the Q ship.
So, Chuck pulled out his log book and here are out total expenditures to date:
$1,500 – Purchase price for about 80% of the bike, full motor, and clean title
$450 – shipping from Denver to Chicago
$500 – Dytch Big Bore Cylinders and matching heads
$191 – title, registration, and plates
$10 – insurance
$115 – tax on purchase
$75 – handlebars
$100 – handlebar spirals, grips, and internal wires for the magneto and throttle
$100 – Dr. Dick/Morris Magnetos “unbreakable” kicker shaft
$75 – Steel rear motor mount
$150 – Horn (trust me, this was a bargain)
$80 – oil tank mounts and special bolts
$60 – head lamp
$75 – head lamp visor
$25 – shift lever and rubber
$50 – side stand, spring, pin, and top motor mount
$45 – fuel tank decals
$350 – complete front end (trees, sliders, tubes, tube covers, and front trim)
$25 – rear brake rod and adjusting nut
$20 – forged oe kicker arm
$40 – swing arm and all internals
$10 – foot peg rubber
$80 – miscellaneous hardware (bolts, screws, lock washers, flex locs, and plain washers)
$50 – Colony steering stem mounting kit
$40 – NOS Red Wing shocks
$40 – KONI progressive springs for the red wing shocks
$12 – License holder
$10 – NOS 22T countershaft sprocket
$15 – Chain guard
$25 – NOS front brake pivot
$50 – Front wheel hub rebuild kit
$24 – NOS front brake cam
$11 – NOS Rear Axle collar
$10 – Front axle, nut, and washer
$20 – front brake cable tube, adjuster, and fender clamp
$20 – Clutch Cable
$20 – Brake Cable
$30 – Tail lamp assembly
$20 – OE kicker pedal and fresh rubber
$20 – CS seal kit
$25 – Clutch lever and perch
$20 – Brake lever and perch
$15 – Fuel Petcock
$35 – NOS 51T rear sprocket and rivets
$60 – Repo “smooth” fender struts
$25 – Full motor gasket kit
$25 – ’72-E73 head gaskets
$40 – Repo solo seat (later style)
$15 – NOS diamond drive chain
$40 – NOS diamond primary chain
$15 – NOS Raybestos clutch plates
$250 – Fairbanks-Morse Magneto and rekey
$10 – Dual muffler support
$20 – Voltage regulator
$5,138 – so far.
Remember what we said earlier about basket cases costing more than you might think? Chuck's partner in crime, Will McGaughey, just picked up a running, mostly original 1966 XLCH for just about half this cost at the end of September and I know of several very clean and very original ironheads selling in the $2500-3000 range right now. Most are 70s to 80s models; but still AMCA eligible.
In this case, we still aren’t done spending just for the Q ship chassis. Other parts that will come into the shop over the next 8 weeks include:
$600 – Rims and Spokes
$200 – Tires and tubes
$75 – brakes and brake springs
$100 – handlebar switches and mirrors
$250 – solo seat mounts and t-bar
$1,225 – yet to go on chassis.
In addition, we are enlisting the help of two outside vendors – one to powder coat the chassis bits and one to rechrome the lower fork sliders. Together, this should be right around $500.
This means we will be a bit under $6,900 into the project before we have even started in earnest on the drive train.
This is partially why Will and Chuck gave the advice to seek the most complete bike you can -- basket cases rarely are the bargain of the century as all the little parts add up. Sure, 20s and 50s going out the door don't seem like a lot at the time -- until you sit down to add it all up. Then the picture becomes very clear. You can buy a LOT of really nice bikes for what we've already invested.
But, then again, does anyone do this because they EXPECT to make $$?
Anyways, to the other half of the equation -- as we stated almost everything has come via AMCA contacts.
Vendors and Enthusiasts who have helped with parts or parts advice include:
• Scott Lange (AMCA member)
• Gerry Raino (AMCA member)
• Jack Raino (AMCA member)
• Dr. Dick (sportster guru)
• Model H (AMCA member; sportster nut)
• Legends MC (AMCA member)
• Ted Borman (AMCA member)
• Bills Custom Cycle (Pennyslvania)
• Michael Taylor (AMCA member)
• Rick’s Decals (AMCA member)
Parts were acquired via email or phone calls – and also at the following swap meets:
• AMCA Wauseon National Meet (Wauseon, OH – held every July)
• Chief Blackhawk MC Swap Meet (Davenport, IA – held every Labor Day weekend)
• Walneck’s Swap Meets (April = Woodstock, IL and Sept/Oct = Morris, IL)
• AMCA Wolverine Chapter Swap Meet (Southeastern, MI – generally mid-May)
• Gilmore Auto Museum motorcycle weekend and swap meet (Hickory Corners, MI – generally mid-June)
As for our service providers:
Precision Plating, Quincy, IL – chrome
Land Air Express – pallet/crate shipping
Advance Powder Coating, Rockdale, IL – powder coating
I will share the invoices for the powder and plating when they come in.
The end goal here is to share as much as possible to help folks decide on the direction of projects.
Please don't hesitate to ask questions or post how you'd do things differently -- just be forewarned -- we'll ask for photographic evidence. Arm chair building or paper racing don't cut it :-)
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