Your work flow...

[mindactivated]

Sup DDT crew,

I wanted to ask your opinion on your work flow for customizing your ride. Let's assume you're customizing or re-building from the ground up, or you want to go over EVERYTHING. Where would you start? Wheels? Exhaust system / airflow (pod filters?) / jetting / tuning? In what order would you do everything in?

I spent 2010 & 2011 getting to know my ride, changed a few things here and there, but I'm going to (hopefully) do some more serious work on my bike this winter as it's in serious need of some love and tenderness, and figured why not go all out?

(It didn't help that my right muffler is hanging by some coat hanger wire as of yesterday afternoon )

 

[66replica]

Do all the major mods without making anything look pretty. (No paint, no powder, no polish) Make sure everything works together properly and looks like you want. Also, if the motor isn't running, probably a good time to give it a check and see what needs to be done, if anything. Depending on the shape of the bike, get it in good running condition. If it's a basket case, I wait on this till later. Then, take everything apart, paint, powder, polish, reassemble, get it running, ride it!

 

[dp9]

yeah, make sure it at least has a free spinning motor and good compression first, then get to building. I get an idea of what i want the finished bike to look like, disassemble everything (sometimes leave the motor in), mod the frame, get the big pieces in place (seat, tank, motor, suspension), mod the frame more if need be. Then its just making everything fit around the big pieces which is all trial and error. install headlight, its too high, mod headlight mount, re-install, and so on with all the pieces.


Im a total amateur, so my process is rather organic and involves a lot of doing the same thing more than once (put it together, take it apart, put it together, take it apart...). I really want to see what other peoples processes are like.

 

[Fix]

Motor mechanical
Fuel system
Frame
Suspension and wheels
Controls
Drivetrain
Electrical
Brakes
Cosmetics (paint, polish, etc)

I would wait on the electrical and brakes until after the frame and controls since those mods can change wire and cable lengths.

 

[sasquach]

I got mine somewhat running and then I stared at it for a while till I decided what to do with it . Then one night decided it was time to cut up the swingarm then everything else is flowing from there . But ya I would thing the motor being free and in running condition is most important .

 

[cervin]

hmm i was thinking about the same question

thank you for asking and thank you to those who answered

 

[beachcomber]

Most of what's above - but BEFORE ALL THAT...................

1. Make a plan - decide exactly what it is you want to build, you can always change things as you go along.

2. Gather as many of the parts you are going to need for the project as you can afford before you begin.

 

[Rattlecan]

I've always been taught " Biggest Pieces first, set the stance and basic look and the rest will fall into place

 

[4eyes]

When I drag home new/old piece of shit classic project, the first thing I check/fix are the brakes.
Because a bike/car that won't start is a pain in the ass, but one that won't STOP will kill you.

 

[crazypj]

Most of what's above - but BEFORE ALL THAT...................

1. Make a plan - decide exactly what it is you want to build, you can always change things as you go along.

2. Gather as many of the parts you are going to need for the project as you can afford before you begin.

;D
Things will change as you go, you will probably end up with some parts ready for the next one when they don't fit in with the plan
I get bored easy so I take everything apart and work on a couple of bikes for extended periods, wheels, frames, enginesm etc.
I rarely have one plan, although some things don't change
The final part is always cosmetics although a lot of people have issues taking a well running bike apart and being 'bikeless' (which is why you need more than one bike 8) )

 

[Big R]

After I have an idea for paint/ frame modifications, I try to get it to a rolling chassis asap. Polished wheels, fork seals, etc. Because it SUCKS having an engine in a frame and nothing holding the frame up except the centerstand and a jack........it becomes an immobile pile o' parts real quick..

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

So much depends on what you start with. As a general rule, the first thing I do is get the bike running and the brakes working, new tires, then ride it for a while. This usually involves carburetor work, maybe a little electrical work, and the bike gets a good cleaning.

Then the fun starts. I usually get an idea for where I want to go with the bike, and I transform it in stages. I might do the front end, new bars with internal wiring, and re-wire the bike. Then it goes all back together and I ride it some more. Then I'll get the urge to do a new stage on the bike. That's when I will pull parts off and do paint, powdercoat, polishing.

New ideas become part of the plan as things progress.

I will sometimes acquire a good bit of the parts before I get started. Like the XS650 I am doing right now. I have a new seat, new forks, and distressed brown saddlebags that will be part of the build.