I started with an MTD that seems like it spent it's retirement half in and half out of a tarp. The frame was split in two places and there was a major stress crack back near the rear axle mount. After input and suggestion on this board, I had mixed feeling as to either a) start hacking away and creating a Frankenstein bike, b) completely scrap the idea and start over with another bike, or c) repair the MTD and update it a bit with a different engine and tires.
After flopping around on the ideas like an eel in a frying pan, I chose "C".
I spliced a section of frame and ground and rewelded the splits. I'm comfortable that structurely, the bike is as good if not better then the day is rolled off the factory floor. The original Tecumseh is pretty much done. I plan on rebuilding it, but that will be during the dead of winter when I lose my ability to spray paint. I bought a clone from Harbor Freight and mod parts from Affordable Cart. The govenor has been removed, a new cam installed and 1.2-1 rockers and 17lb. springs. I also bought the header and air cleaner. I'm kicking around buying the Mikuni for it, but that might wait until I see how well it runs with the stock carb. It has a 40 tooth rear sprocket, so it should have some top end to it as well.
The original torque convertor is long gone, so I bought the driver for a the TAV 30 and will use the existing 30 driven clutch. I also fabricated a drag bar style handlebar for the bike. The original handlebars look like they were the first thing to touch the roadway after falling out of the back of a pick-up. They can be salvaged, but that will be a winter project also.
At this point, I have all the parts I need except for a few wheel bearing. New throttle, cables, brake band, new tires, new foot pegs, and all new hardware. I will replace all the bearings as well.
I guess I bored everyone enough, so here some photos to look at.
Thanks,
Larry
This is the way I bought it..
Rusted driver...the inside was pitted so bad that there were holes in the clutch housing.
Frame welded, sandblasted, and primed
New tires
Frame painted in a basecoat/urethane clearcoat. Homemade seat, and original fuel tank.
Drag bars with a touch of bondo to hide the welds. I have to finish sanding the bondo.
Clone engine. The blue gas tanks it on simply to bench test it. It will not be on the engine once it's installed on the bike.
After flopping around on the ideas like an eel in a frying pan, I chose "C".
I spliced a section of frame and ground and rewelded the splits. I'm comfortable that structurely, the bike is as good if not better then the day is rolled off the factory floor. The original Tecumseh is pretty much done. I plan on rebuilding it, but that will be during the dead of winter when I lose my ability to spray paint. I bought a clone from Harbor Freight and mod parts from Affordable Cart. The govenor has been removed, a new cam installed and 1.2-1 rockers and 17lb. springs. I also bought the header and air cleaner. I'm kicking around buying the Mikuni for it, but that might wait until I see how well it runs with the stock carb. It has a 40 tooth rear sprocket, so it should have some top end to it as well.
The original torque convertor is long gone, so I bought the driver for a the TAV 30 and will use the existing 30 driven clutch. I also fabricated a drag bar style handlebar for the bike. The original handlebars look like they were the first thing to touch the roadway after falling out of the back of a pick-up. They can be salvaged, but that will be a winter project also.
At this point, I have all the parts I need except for a few wheel bearing. New throttle, cables, brake band, new tires, new foot pegs, and all new hardware. I will replace all the bearings as well.
I guess I bored everyone enough, so here some photos to look at.
Thanks,
Larry
This is the way I bought it..
Rusted driver...the inside was pitted so bad that there were holes in the clutch housing.
Frame welded, sandblasted, and primed
New tires
Frame painted in a basecoat/urethane clearcoat. Homemade seat, and original fuel tank.
Drag bars with a touch of bondo to hide the welds. I have to finish sanding the bondo.
Clone engine. The blue gas tanks it on simply to bench test it. It will not be on the engine once it's installed on the bike.
.................looking good
haha beautiful bike though. i like the old engine though, it's cool lookin
