Some 6 years ago I bought a 2003 Buell Xb9R Engine off eBay. I think I bought most of the bits from there - a back wheel, then a front, some pulleys and belts, tank and rear fender, then another front wheel and a pair of Big Dog forks just for good measure, which I didn’t use but in hindsight should have kept um! I just fancied something longer than 26 over. I mucked around in the garage with bits of propped up boxes, crates and tins to get some shape. I then put some sketches down and took what I had up to John Tremlin of Heartland Choppers. John built the frame and forks and gave me back a rolling chassis.
Getting it back - thinking progress was well on its way...it took me well over a year to work out which oil tank? Battery box; do I need one? Where and how does it go together? Big thanks to Rob Andrews NCC Glos as we got brackets etc. cut out and welded on. Thanks also to Titch NCC Glos for sorting the gear box and rebuilding the engine Buell, we had done away with the cassette gearbox! There’s lots of one off stuff, the battery box that nearly so many times ended in the bin, started life as an old metal battery charger, the only bit remaining is the lid! Thanks to Chris Dean for making a stainless base and the polishing. The back light is a mini traffic light came off some old car that I bought from an auto jumble...we have had it working via a 2 way switch one for road use the other for full traffic mode! Not sure if we can get it fully operational. Richard at Motorcycle Wiring Specialists wired it, also got it running with all the right ignition etc. and it’s running a 42mm Mikuni. The pipes are by Paul Bayliss near Witney, I’d seen something similar but then you gotta make it work for your own bike, sounds sweet, bit warm though! Fourth attempt at a seat and Dan Keenan from Chelt covered it! Artwork by me, the paint by Tony NCC Glos but the frame, someone that will remain nameless, as it’s hard as chocolate and will have to be redone. The front Pulley from eBay for £20, baker off a primary big twin, as a gamble seems to pull ok although still a long way from giving it a full fist full. Saying that I find the thought daunting! Once I’ve settled into It. Big thanks to Tommy Cave, for turning out all sorts of one off stuff, stainless rear wheel acorns nuts, belt adjuster slides, those cable brackets that you can buy at 1¼“ he made at 1½” adapting a yacht fixing to take the headlight. I shaped the brake hangers, rear light mount and got them polished. The Horns are mustard sounding like a feckin Italian sports car. I’ve never done a from scratch build before, I’ve built plenty of bikes, but nothing like this. I won’t do another!
