Haven't started my building yet!

by Stephen
(Fort Lee, VA)

OK, this site has convinced me to go ahead and tell you all my story. When I was a kid I rode a family friend's motorcycle around his property a few times and fell in love. When it was time to stop he was there waiting for me...I pulled up and...yep, dropped the bike! I was never allowed to ride it again! Anyways I was about 11 at the time and it was a full sized bagger so I guess I have an excuse. So, fast forward 22 years later, 22 long agonizing years of never being able to own my own bike, 10 yrs in the Army, four deployments to Iraq for a total of 51 months in the sandbox, 10 yrs of marriage and two teen girls. Sure I have ridden other people's bikes, but for some reason I have never been able to go and get one! Recently I was talking to a friend of mine that was rebuilding a transmission for their Harley. I was explaining how as a vehicle mechanic and amateur welder in the Army I figured it couldn't be that hard to build my own bike from scratch and for as cheap as possible if not completely free. Well, my friend first explained to me in great detail that it is definitely harder than I think it is! Then my friend gave me a box full of parts to get me started!!! So like the title says, I am technically not even started yet, but thanks to my friend I have an air cleaner cover, front and rear blinkers, clutch and brake handles, and a few other misc things. I recently grinded a 3 leaf clover out of a 2 in sheet of steel that I plan on making into a custom air filter cover of some-sort, but we will see. My plans call for a bike that is LOW and long, but not as long as say an OCC bike or anything like that. Definitely a bobber, but not too stubby if ya'll know what I mean. I don't know if I will ever get this damn project financed, but hopefully with the help of friends and a little ingenuity, I can make it happen.

P.S.: I will post pics of what I got as soon as I get finished with this Army school that I am attending. (yep, one more thing stopping me from accomplishing my dream!)