Skullworkz: Thats a lot of curves to figure out, Pretty cool cover, Nice stitch work! Is it the cloth backed stretch Pleather? Man your so close.
Installed the turn signal indicators LEDs in the empty holes by speedo...
Attachment 9884
Printable View
Skullworkz: Thats a lot of curves to figure out, Pretty cool cover, Nice stitch work! Is it the cloth backed stretch Pleather? Man your so close.
Installed the turn signal indicators LEDs in the empty holes by speedo...
Attachment 9884
Freakin AWESOME! leather cover!
Hi goodbar, hi everyone. First of all, thanks for the welcome. I like community. It's where you can contribute and get knowledge, hence my interest in this bike. I like the Springer, but I think I am partial to the flat black original bobber. I am 5 foot 10 inches, solid build, 225 pounds, so I am concerned about the rider weight to engine power ratio. I am reading about sprockets and teeth to try to compensate, but I want to at least get that baby to cruise at 75 miles per hour, indicated. The forums have differing opinions, some say at stock it can hit 75 imph, but others say add sprockets to both front and back. Knowing that it is harder to add to the front, according to what I have read so far, is the best bet a 35 tooth in the back, and should I buy a new chain? Is there another solution, other than sprocket changes? Thank you all again, live to ride,ride to live!
Howdy bf,
I believe and correct me if I'm wrong you guys, that the front sprocket change will help start off speed and the rear will help you hit higher speeds running so I'd go with the rear first, yes? If you're only changing the rear you won't need a new chain, but a better chain can't hurt as I've hear these chains aren't the best. 35-38 sprocket depending on hills where you live etc.
Best, Xeta
Goodbar: It is actually real leather that was harvested from a leather jacket I purchased from a resale shop.
Bikerfool: You are correct about the sprockets, the rear will help you with top speed. I'm running a 35t on mine and I weigh around 180-190 on any givin day. The front sprocket is much harder to change out due to the inside area where the sprocket lies. You will have to get VERY handy with a grinder to make a different sprocket fit. With just the 35t on mine it moves pretty well and I really cant notice a differance in take off other than I doesn't wind out as fast in 1st and 2nd and in 5th gear it doesn't sound like its going to blow up. At your weight I would go with the 38t.
Oh, and Xeta thanks for the like on the tank cover:thumbsup:
Hello and welcome,Quote:
Originally Posted by bikerfool
I may be completely wrong with this but
I seriously doubt that it will ever cruise @ 75 mph regardless of rear sprockets. You may manage to get it up to 70 but that would not be a speed that you would want to ride at with the engine maxed out. I never plan to ride on interstate, and highways i take are only around 55 mph which seems more geared for that caliber of the engine and bike. I hope that doesn't influence your buying decision but i believe most people that are not satisfied in the end usually buy a larger motorcycle. it all depends on your expectations and riding plans i guess. I prefer fuel efficiency over extra hp. good luck and hope to hear more from you.
freezerboy, it will not influence my buying decision. The main idea is to at least reach 60 imph, hopefully just stock, until I can afford the changes to sprockets and such. I have no business as a first time rider (caveat, rode a Suzuki 1200 a couple of times, down a stretch of freeway, but that was nearly 20 years ago...) going over sixty, but I want to be able to maneuver out of tight spots just in case. xetaprime, you stated that a 38 might be good for me if I go the sprocket changing route, I'll do more research. I understand that there is a breaking in period for the bike, so I know initially, I am just going to be riding that baby around the block. I am parking in a parking lot, any suggestions as to security measures? Initially, that is going to be my primary investment, keeping it from getting stolen. I have not really seen posts in the forum on this. I should add that the more I see the new springer model, the more I am thinking of getting it, I wonder if the materials that construct this newer model are better than the original?
Attachment 9886Bikerfool, Everybody buys this bike for different reasons, I bought it because of its light and thin profile, hardly takes up a bunch much more room on my garage floor than a pedal bike. Add that the cool factor, the low cost of the bike and the low insurance price of 130 a year, its easy to work on and super fun to mod. ( keeping me sane this winter) I have a big heavy Vtwin bike but could easily justify buying this street bike also, because of low cost and the small footprint it takes up in my garage and the fact its very different than my other bikes. Not that you cant get this bike to be that do everything you want by changing all sprockets, new chain, even a bigger bore engine etc. But why. The DF 250 RTB is really built for non high speed commutes and cruising around town it fills a really nice niche in my 3 types bikes. Dirt and trails with my Yamaha WR, backroads and hiways, errands ,short commutes for the DF, and freeway long distance out of town road trips with the big Vtwin. We hope you get the DF it would be a great first bike. You can lock it with this http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Disc-Lock.aspx for 55 bucks , But 2 guys can lift this bike and throw it in the back of a pick up pretty easy.
It has a built in system on the forks,when you get the bike you can see it clearer. You turn the wheels fully to the left, and on the forks is a locking cylinder that keeps the forks turned to the left so noone can walk it away.I know that isn't much, but even trying to walk it up a ramp into a truck or soething makes it quite difficult when the bike is constently turning left. You can also get a titanium bike lock that can be put on the rear wheel as well. as for anything else.. not much you can do. Maybe even chain it to s tree of pole or something.
If they want it,they will get it..plain and simple. But honestly,it is rare thet you hear of a motorcycle being stolen. I mean, the theif would have to load it into a truck to get it, or run down the road with it as you cannot kick start it. So it makes for a difficult steal. Just thoughts from me. I worry more about who might want to pilfer through my saddle bags since they are not locked..but I really do not have anything in them worth stealing..so I don not even think twice about it.
even with my heavily modified bike , unless im drafting or have a good backwind my bike tops and cruises @ about 72 indicated which is actually 65mphQuote:
I want to at least get that baby to cruise at 75 miles per hour, indicated
of coarse Ive changed both sprockets 17 - 35 (impossible with dong stock chain) increased main jet and added the air ram
most peaple want the bobber to be a bad ax bike , which it kind of is and isnt
look at it like this , its a 75-80 mpgallon awsome looking moped
It needs to be 400cc, then problem solved.
problem is solved for me without 400ccQuote:
Originally Posted by Hdnet1
I have absolutely no need to go fast. i do nottravel long distances for long periods of time,I have all my 8000 miles on it through city driving here and there and everywhere.So why would I need to go above 70mph on it. Besides, it gets a little squirrely after 60, especailly with the conditions of the roads around here, and I feel real confortable cruiseing at around 45ish even when the speed limit is only 35. I love it. been the best thing I ever bought as far as bikes go.
I had a Nija,back in the 80's, for like three weeks, and tore up San Diego on it while I was in the Navy..and for those 3 weeks, i thought I was gonna kill myself..but that throttle was so much fun to twist...I could not help myself...this bike,just the opposite, and i like it that way.
Speed limits around here, for the roads, can be at 35-45-55, respectively. The one road that seems to be 55 mph, is due to it's connection with US1. Now, I'd like to try to take a long crazy trip with rest stops on US1 from Jacksonville to Miami, but it appears that may not be possible since stretches of this historic highway are 65 to 70 mph. I don't mind long slow trips. :-) I understand that the bobber is fun to ride, but that it can be a bit harsh on the tucus after long periods of time.
Awhile back someone bought a bobber at a dealer who had a custom seat cover made. He said the dealer was going to try to find the measurements so more covers could be made, any updates?
That was me...Babyswiss: Here is the update He had to look to see if he still had the pattern. He got back to me and said he lost the pattern for the DF seat but offered to make another if someone would send him their seat. His seat cover is really nice and has foam sewn into it and all the edges are surged, he then sews Velcro to back side so you just slip it over and folf back side for a nice tight seat cover. He can make the covers out of any material or colors and could certainly get a tuck and roll also. His name is Andy at A1 Auto Upolstery call 1 608 222 1461 Madison Wisc for a quote. I posted to try to buy a extra seat so I could send to him, with no takers. Keep us posted! Attachment 9904Quote:
Originally Posted by Babyswiss
it looks like he did a nice job on it!Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodbar
Hey Goodbar, I have one of those crappy seats if you want it. $10 and you pay the shippingQuote:
Originally Posted by Goodbar
Skullworkz: Bummer I need a seat with the frame and all, as I remember you used your frame to attach it to your new seat. I would pay 35.00 plus ship for a old seat with the entire original frame.
I would first send it to A1 to get a seat cover pattern made and then use the spare seat frame later on to try to attach to a new seat.
All I used was the Y bracket, the seat and internal frame is all there. I accept paypal and will ship it today along with some nice shiny allen head bolts to replace some of the cheap chinese bolts that you currently have installed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Goodbar
EDIT: Ship tomorrow, do to the holidayQuote:
Originally Posted by skullworkz
Here is a few more pictures of additions to the DF
1 A studded Leather pop holder
2 Glass and chrome Spectra fuel filter
3 Crank Case breather with new bracket. I am getting ready to install my new stainless steel Oil Tanks and needed a way to support the new crank Breather to it. See close up of simple S bracket I will use to install it to the steel tank.
I just used a soft metal chrome C clamp I opened up and bent it and cut it so it slides under the clamp on the filter and the other side will bolt up to the new tank. The Bracket is pretty invisible.
Attachment 9915Attachment 9916Attachment 9917Attachment 9918Attachment 9919
Skullworkz: I need the Y Brackets also as I CAD designed a seat pan spring plate I can mill out on my CNC that just bolts in between the Y brackets and attaches under the rear 2 acorn nuts and then too the 2 Front bolts so dual seat springs can be added in a snap with no alterations to the bike or having to loose the extra support of the Mono shock. I need The Y Brackets as it is the part that attaches to the Mono seat spring. This bracket would be a real bitch to fabricate from scratch. I really need a complete seat! Bummer!
By the way, I had to straighten out my seat before I added my springs and my buddies seat bracket got adjusted while it was still on the bike. They were both almost 2 inches to the left using a jack handle. That worked super fast. :eek2: Just shoved the handle between the 2 vertical plates had one guy hold the bike and wrenched it as hard as I could to the right. Perfect.
Babyswiss: Seeing that you do not need the Y bracket to make the seat cover, my wife has an online shop that you can order the seat cover from. She will make it out of whatever material you would like. The site is on Etsy and the company name is GeeksWithScissors'. Let her know that you would like to order a seat cover for the DF. Name your color and material and she will send you a quote. Also, the tank covers are available as well. Attached is a NEW pic of the finished tank cover. Attachment 9920
Ok, so here are the details on the tank cover. It is leather, and hand made by my wife who is the co-CEO of geekswithscissors'. It has a horizonal seam across both sides of the tank (you can see it on the top right side of the cover in the pic). It needs to be tightened up a bit, but it is 10 deg here right now and I am NOT going out there right now to take a better pic. When it is tightened up it will be just under the gas cap. The prototype had velcro straps under the tank to pull it tight. The new cover has brass grommets and nylon lace to keep it tight. Before you ask why didn't I use leather lace, I did and it snapped under the tension. Nylon was the best choice due to it's strength and durability and of course the cost per foot. Underneath is fabric backed vinyl with the vinyl facing the tank, will add durability and keep it from sliding around on your tank. ALL seams are serged AND top stitched! Every cover will be different due to material, color and stitch. Keep in mind that ALL leather WILL be recycled from leather garments (so the designs are endless). As for the saddle covers, we could do whatever you could imagine, custom stitch, materials, seams, quilt, tuck, roll, diamond, zig zag, you name it!
WooHoo! My BLUE df baby finally arrived today! After a brief inspection in the freezing cold, i signed for it. Not a scratch or mark anywhere, so im pretty happy with the delivery. The entire bike was wrapped in 2 layers of plastic so its pretty clean overall. ill prob wait a few days until it warms up a little more here before i start it up. But i wont wait too long so as to see if i need any warranty parts or anything covered for 30 days.
The semi driver that made the delivery in my residential neighborhood ripped out a few phone and cable lines of my neighbors in the process. so see how that goes i guess.......anyway when i come up with something new and creative, i will post pics.
Freezerboy: Congrats on getting your Blue Df Today, glad it arrived safe and scratch free to boot. Bummer on the Semi Truck wire takedown. Not your fault! Enjoy!
and ...Post a Pict of your bike.
Had Time today to finally get my Buddies Black DF running today.
When he bought It would not start. It was as simple as a clogged idle jet. held it up to a strong light and was plugged for sure. A little copper wire thru the Jet and it started instantly and ran super smooth. Needless to say he was smiling big. Ill fine tune it in the morning.
be sure to go to acadamy and pick up a universal camping fuel bottle and micro bungies to strap it to the frame (mine is right next to my battery) , with no reserve on the tank the fuel bottle "reserve" has save my and others butts , quite alot
my bike see's nearly only highway use , and with such a little tank even with 75-85 pgallon milage can chew thru fuel quite quickly
Ive often thought whats the point of having a bike that gets 85mpg when it only holds about a gallon :p , gunna pick me up a monster tank from a older harley so not need fill up ($3.50) every hundred miles