Willow...An Evolution

Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

frogman said:
I'm just gonna throw this out as an idea, I love the sediment bowl pure genuis ;D
Click to expand...
I really think I need to work it in now. Maybe the time wasn't right before or something (or I just got lazy ;D ). Anyhow, I have a couple ideas on how to mount it and run the copper. I think thats part of the battle. The other thing I think some of those operated off of pressure and not gravity. I need to figure out which ones used gravity feed. Anyhow thanks man I'm glad your digging it!

CrescentSon said:
For colors, I want to see this thing in raw steel with gloss black, and gold leaf!
Click to expand...
The one thing I'm kicking myself over is the dimples I had to put in the top of the tank. Its going to take some putty. not much at all but it might as well be. I thought about just paint the top and clearcoating the sides. I've been thinking about colors for a while and I keep coming back to silver
/brushed and black with gold pins. So we are not far off on the colors.
I'm thinking maybe a logo like the old one with the winged shoes with Willow Racer around the outside some how. Something like this but a little more refined:
511e8.jpg

hermes1.jpg


I'm very open to ideas though ;)

Wingspan said:
I want to go on record now saying that the first thing you should do when this bike is finished...the VERY first thing...is buy another bike to cut up when the urge next strikes you. Every incarnation of this machine has been brilliant, but this one especially deserves a long and happy life. :)

Lovin' it man, keep it up. Can't wait to see the end result. 8)
Click to expand...

I've got one already waiting in the wings brother. The 750 the boys and girls brought me when they came to visit last year is just itching for a new life.
Anyhow, awesome compliment Wingspan. I can't thank you enough. I'm really hoping that i can add some touches that will really set her off.
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

Just glad to help man, she's a beautiful machine. The fixture is easy, you can replace the petcock with one like this off a tractor, worst part is finding the room for it.

...ebay.com/Sediment-Bowl-Assembly...

They were meant to be gravity feed systems in bouncy fields so running down the road prolly won't even effect it, plus they still have shut off valves. Just need to look for one with a tall bowl so you can get a shot glass in there. ;D Local tractor supply stores or farm stores or dealers may have them around. There's about 300 listings on eBay right now as well. Be cool to find a vintage one in decent shape some had really cool bowls.

Could come out the side with one that feeds from the side but most of them don't have built in valves.
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

Thanks frogman. Our tractor supply has a few nice ones to chose from. I'm thinking of mounting it to the frame behind the tank but I'm not sure. I need to see where the fuel levels will be and that will probably determine about everything. Thanks man, I'll keep ya posted
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock


Ok like I said earlier I think the bike looks a little different sitting on the ground instead of 3' up on the table. So I rolled her outside and took photos from a bunch of different angles. I apologize for so many photos but doing this in the past has really helped me visualize and get a feel for where the build is headed. Sometimes its led to complete changes but in this case I feel the styling is close.



A tribute to a board track racer with art deco styling. "The Willow Racer"
I do have a couple real nice surprises I've not mentioned yet. I can't wait for the reveal. However, still have a ton of work to complete but this is where she's at:


DSC_0510.jpg


DSC_0498.jpg


DSC_0506-2.jpg


DSC_0509.jpg


DSC_0504-1.jpg
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

I have been into bikes for a long time. I have seen so may variations of them that they tend to bleed together. That in and of itself tells me that similarities between builds manifest themselves more often than not, and I think that we all find ourselves falling into a rut of thinking that what we like is what we have seen before. It is the typical "herd mind-state" I suppose.

Some things bike related will always and forever be aesthetically beautiful, and some of course will never be.

What my buddy Troy here has done is Something different entirely. He has recreated the mold and taken something from his dreams and pursued it. To be able to take the molten magma that is generated by the mind's forge and use skill to produce it in the tangible world takes not only a cruise ship full of gumption, but also artistic ability and skill. I think that he has nailed it with this one fellas.

We have no limitations, only variable ways of solving problems. When we can't roll out a tank, we cut out a trailer fender. When we have no tubing bender, we use a HF pipe bender in ways that it was never meant to be used. Time taken to use a cut off wheel rather than a plasma cutter is just as effective, but the former takes a lot of willpower and patience to execute, an in return we get the pleasure of doing something in connection to those who came before us who were forced to use their hands rather than the luxuries that we find now.

What he has is something that he has created in his head. He also has the ability to pursue that vision into the realm of reality. Sometimes I think that what we want to see is what we are used to: an imprinted image that has barraged us time and time again in the images we peruse an has infiltrated our subconscious. What Troy has done is dreamed and realized. He has created the image rather than mimicked it.

In my humble opinion, what he has going here is perfect. It has tact, purpose, and beauty. What more can we ask for?

As for me, I will be sitting back and enjoying the show!
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

Looks great man. I was worried about the pipes not flowing properly with the lines of the frame, but with the tank on there it looks fantastic.

I may have missed it somewhere, but are there any plans for the little tube part of the frame that is pointing at the rear fender?
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

Kiley I had to read that about 10 times to digest it. I think I'm going to keep frame that and keep it forever! Wow, brother you most certainly have a way with words. I don't feel I'm so deserving but I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Big Rich said:
Looks great man. I was worried about the pipes not flowing properly with the lines of the frame, but with the tank on there it looks fantastic.

I may have missed it somewhere, but are there any plans for the little tube part of the frame that is pointing at the rear fender?
Click to expand...
Thanks brother.
are you talking about the backbone? If so it will get closed off by welding the head of a large carriage bolt. At this point though nothing on the frame is welded. Its all only tacked together. Currently I'm trying to decide how to run the wires off the fender. I could run a tube under the fender or on top. I'm leaning toward on top so the fender will look ribbed. I'm just not certain where the wires need to go to so they can be hidden. What I'm getting at is they could run inside the backbone or down into the lower chain stay tubing.
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

Troy you thought about leaving those tack welds on the tank showing rather than griding them out? then tool the tank like i did the wifes bike... clear that and call it a day! would really flow
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

I think you should sand all the welds smooth and have it dipped in copper. That would look incredible!

--Chris
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

Well said Kiley. Troy your bike looks great. The pipes look great the frame is awesome. keep it up you had already created something special. You are just taking it over the top now.
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

That tank is perfect. Love the knee cutouts! Every detail is unique yet they all come together to make a masterpiece. You have set the bar high for custom bikes!
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

Troy, its a beautiful blend of your mechanical abilities and artistic talents...
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

lookin much and much more gooderer brother ;)
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

Awesome Build, truly an artistic statement.
Love it.
:)
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..AKa Beat the clock

I really appreciate the kind words fellas. Just don't get to attached to that tank ;D . It was close but I decided it needed a little more work. I kept looking at the Indian board track racer I post a while back. I kept thinking to my self that if art deco were alive in 1913 the tank would be skinny, and long but with fluid bends. Hmmm....

I thought I'd try a little foam work and see what I could come up with. I now have a plug that will be used to make a female mold. Still have a bit more smoothing but I love the shape. Here is the awesome part: A good friend is willing to allow me to use his shop and walk me through the entire process. He has 30 years experience in composite work and currently builds high tech composite planes (including their fiberglass gas tanks!). I'm super stoked!

Not sure on the colors just yet but since the tank will be done in gel coat finishing should be relatively painless. I'm sure not all will like the new one but that's ok.

DSC_0538.jpg


DSC_0541.jpg



I believe this tank, due to the way it slopes away from the backbone, will allow the backbone to be more predominate.
DSC_0562.jpg


DSC_0566.jpg


DSC_0574.jpg



Its very hard to tell just how skinny the tank is until its compared to the rear fender. The pictures also make it look shorter than it really is too. I wanted the tank to look somewhat straight from above to keep it from looking too chopperish. It really reminds me of a 1950s bicycle tank.
DSC_0570.jpg
 
Re: Willow...An evolution..

I love it, Troy. It just looks perfect in there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

DTT Light or Dark

  • DTT Light
    • www.jadusmotorcycleparts.com
    www.lostapostle.ca/
    www.sparckmoto.com

    Spread the Love

    Back
    Top Bottom