First off it must be noted this wasn't my idea nor am I doing the heavy lifting on this project. Just helping out a little with some admin and legwork. So all the real credit goes elsewhere. Here, however, is the idea:
Our own Big Brian came up with the idea of building a bike for charity. All the proceeds to go to MDA. It's a charity that as Harley Davidson riders we're all familiar with and trust. So it's both an easy and a worthwhile choice.
A small group have already worked the project to a satisfactory critical mass to bring it to the community at large. After some initial back-and-forth it was decided to build a Twin Cam Road King project. And this is where it gets interesting and even more fun.
Our project leader on this makes annual trips from SoCal to the great state of Maine. East in the spring and west in the autumn. He has offered to get as many of us involved in the fun as he can by using those trips in 2010 to bring the community together and build this bike.
We'll need to collect parts contributions as we can and cash contributions to fill in the blanks. The Big Man will load up parts and stop to visit us on his way east. A few sites will be picked where members can meet for a day or two to wrench and drink beer and eat pizza together. The specific where and whens will be sorted out later. But it's a heluva fun idea.
The parts pledged so far are significant and include:
Pair of FLHX wheels
1.25" rear pulley, swingarm and belt
5 speed tranny gear set
black handlebar control set
OE SEEG handlebars
OE SEEG exhaust
set of 203 cams, cam plate and oil pump
pair of 099 heads
set of 3.875" pistons and cylinders from a 95" build
Delphi ECM from an 04
16" Dunlop rear tire
While significant this list of course is by no means everything. That's where everyone else comes in.
First off will be parts. Look through your parts hordes. If you've got parts (large or small) that would help assemble what will basically be an 06 and earlier Road King here's a good place to use them up.
Logistics. If you are somewhere close to a likely SoCal to ME route and have a bike lift and a few tools and want to play make yourself known. I'm already looking forward to the Big Man pulling up here and some of the local crowd piling in for an evening or two.
Cash. Obviously some parts will have to be purchased. If you'd like to participate by contribution please don't feel that this is a diminished, less involved or in any other way "simple" method of support. All efforts on the projects behalf are important. And all will be appreciated.
Looking at just the big bits remaining the needs are obvious. A set of tins. A transmission case (or a transmission). Engine cases (or an engine). Primary housings and internals. And of course a frame to put all this in.
Paughco builds a 94-06 style touring frame. It'll cost around $2k. It's a good option. But if someone has or knows of a wrecked or burned bike project with a frame and title we'd likely spend less and would also avoid the "special construction" administrative hassles when it's all done.
I don't need to bore everyone will all the details. You all know as well as I do what we need if we're to pull this off. We'll need a fair sized boat load of parts contributions and a smaller boat load of cash contributions. It'll be for a very good cause and, if we pull this off, it'll be a lot of fun too.
Not asking for a dime nor a nut or a bolt right now. This post is only to gauge interest and gather an idea of what contributions might be expected. If you'd like to help please just say the word. I'll keep a list of parts offerings and money pledges. If you'd rather pledge anonymously that's fine too. Just let me know via PM.
All I ask is that no one make a promise lightly. If you pledge it would help tremendously if we didn't have to later go back and retrace those steps to get the parts or cash elsewhere. When the time comes this spring that we know for sure this is a "GO" I'll contact those involved more directly. You'll be provided an address for parts shipping or a place to send your money contribution to the project.
For now it's your turn. Have fun and play along with this project. And, of course, my thanks and the thanks of many others to those who join in.
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Topic: CVO Members Charity Bike Build (Read 3598 times)