View source for SportFighter

[[File:header2.jpg|link=WideOpen]]

'''Updated: 02/012/2011'''

America is full of Harleys.  These are bikes that Americans think are the best.  This is because they know no better.  These are crap bikes.  The engines are excellent but old tech.  The frames are a mix of tubular and forged and weigh a ton.  All the poor craftsmanship is covered by low dollar chrome parts.   The only thing I can say I like about this bikes aside from the engine is the wiring.  It is tight and easy.  

With this said, '''The styling is sin'''.


I am constantly updating this bike. If you want to follow the progress and have an '''RSS''' client you can click [http://www.ibenson.com/index.php?title=SportFighter&action=feed&feed=rss here] to add this feed.
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==Reasoning==

Doc's first bike was a 1996 sporty (he didn't talk to me before he bought this bike).  After owning a few Ducs he totally abandoned this thing to a friend's garage.  When that friend damaged the tank, I suggested it was time to make a move. 

==Stock these things are hideous!==

Chrome up the ass.  Low to the ground.  Heavy.  Mushy.  Everything a bike should not be.
 
[[File:Sportfightstockyuck.jpg |link=File:Sportfightstockyuck.jpg |500px]]

==Breakdown==

Ever seen a Harley fly?  Ya, me neither.  They are too fucking heavy to fly.  3 hours and the bike starts to look like a fucking bike and not a couch. 

[[File:SportfightFlyingRight.jpg|link=File:SportfightFlyingRight.jpg |500px]]

[[File:SportfightFlyingLeft.jpg|link=File:SportfightFlyingLeft.jpg |500px]]

==Initial Mockup==

It's get stoked time!!  A friend of mine told me years ago that he had a Dunstall Aluminum Tank from a Norton he bought.  I didn't forget this when I started thinking this thing up in my mind and man, am I happy about it.

[[File:SportFightmock.jpg|link=File:SportFightmock.jpg |500px]]

==Modern Frontend Mockup==

How lucky am I that a Ducati 851/888 Front Triple mounts right up to this Harley!!

[[File:SportFighterMockRight.jpg|link=File:SportFighterMockRight.jpg |500px]]

Now I need to cut off the rear half of the frame, figure out the new Swingarm and rear subframe.  Never mind figuring out where your feet are gonna go.  Oui!

[[File:SportFighterMockFrontRight.jpg|link=File:SportFighterMockFrontRight.jpg |500px]]

My ugly ass thinking about seating and suspension height. 

[[File:SportFighterMockSeating.jpg|link=File:SportFighterMockSeating.jpg |500px]]

==Subtail and Swingarm Mockup==

'''02/12/2011'''

In the mail came a sad sad sight.  One very crashed Ducati Sport classic Frame.  Well, needless to say I chopped it in half as quickly as I could!!!

[[File:Opps.jpg |link=File:Opps.jpg |500px]]

I don't know what to say, other then I am getting excited!!!!!

[[File:SubFrameRightFront.jpg |link=File:SubFrameRightFront.jpg |500px]]

Love it.

[[File:SubFrameTop.jpg |link=File:SubFrameTop.jpg |500px]]

Tank Tank Tank.

[[File:SubFrameLeftRear.jpg |link=File:SubFrameLeftRear.jpg |500px]]

Did I mention I also got the wheels in!

[[File:SubFrameRightRear.jpg |link=File:SubFrameRightRear.jpg |500px]]

I only wish I could keep this single sided shock swingarm, but I can't.  The Harleys drive on the right side while the Ducatis drive on the left.  Because of this the chain (yes, this will be chain driven) will hit the hump on this arm.  I have a straight unit coming in the mail.  

[[File:SubFrameRight.jpg |link=File:SubFrameRight.jpg |500px]]

==What's to come==

Next week I will be in possession of the following:

Ohlins rear shocks.  Newer front end (Ohlins later).  Double shocked swingarm. 

I will then be spending about 6 hours in front of my milling machine getting the rear swingarm mounted.   

This will be what America should be building.  

I sure hope I can pull it off!

Stay tuned.

db

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