Dong Fang DF 250 RTB Bobber Information

[skullworkz]

Progress on fake oil tankfake oil tank1.jpgfake oil tank2.jpg

[skullworkz]

Hey everyone,

So I have to tell you that the reason I am building this bike is because I had a bike stolen from me the very day it was finished and debuted at the Woodward Dream Cruise. On my way home it was stolen not 5ft from me. As you could imagine I was devastated and searched in vein to recover this bike. Posted ads on CL and sent emails to all the local shops giving them the heads up and even driving around in grids looking for some dumba$$ riding my bike and giving him a fat lip. Spent hours in the police dept talking to the detectives. And believe it or not it was for a bicycle! A $2000 BICYCLE! So, after I came to terms with the fact that I may never see that bike again I decided that I needed to replace that bike. But, for $2000 I could have something else? I started doing my research for NEW $2000 motorcycles and I came across the 5!50 bobber. I was going to buy this bike but lucky for me they have crappy service and they NEVER called me back, EVEN after I called them and left a message that I was ready to drop the cash! I found the DF250 right after that and I couldn't be happier! Below are pics of my custom Electra Ghostrider with 3spd right hand jockey shifter, 115db airhorn, neon lights, bullet headlight, custom saddle, ect... What you have seen here is a/ and will be a documented account of my replacement build for this bicycle. IMG_0737.jpgghostrider1.jpg[ATTACH=CON

[skullworkz]

This build has been on a budget from China and Ebay. All paint other than OEM has been rattle can. MODS have been from the hardware store and bicycle shop. Seat from ebay and welded myself with a borrowed welder. Hired someone from CL to make the fake tank for $25 and tipped him $5. And, by the way he did a better job that I was expecting! I fashioned the "casket lid" from spare bicycle parts from the shop I work at. Mirrors from China $8, mirror clamps $5, LED blinkers (rear) $12, rear fender bolts (mounts) free from bicycle shop, Crank case MOD from O'Rielly's is a Mr. Gasket glass fuel filter and a Spectra cone filter. I used the tubing from the EPA crap for the new stuff to make the crank case stuff. Drag bars from SinCity cycles on Ebay for $13 shipped. Relocation of plate and taillight FREE, got a piece of stainless steel from a shelf hanger (most retail stores have these in brushed about 13" long) drew it out with pencil and cut with a hacksaw. Cleaned up the cuts with an air grinder. Leftover paint for most of this

[Goodbar]

Wow Skullworkz thats an amazing bummer story with a great ending! Cool Bike! It is pretty devastating to loose something you worked so hard on and so fast. Congrats on channeling that energy to getting the DF250 RTB to be your own. Looking forward to seeing your finished bike and the updates on the progress. You have proved what can be done without spending a ton of money with just resourcefulness Keep posting!

[Goodbar]

MOD IDEA: Here is what I am going to replace the Plastic oil tank with. A trip to Target store turned up this 19.00 buck 3pc Polished Stainless canister set. The next down from the largest size is a perfect size match to the DF250RTBs FAUX oil tank. It’s a nice nickel coated stainless part with a perfect size viewing window on the side that is covered with a tough plastic window that will be perfect to drill out the 2 large holes for the left and right rear wire groupings. I will then install 2 rubber sheet-metal grommets from
"Metro Moulded Parts inc" http://www.metrommp.com/ they have thousands of weatherstripping, grommets, pedal pads universal molded rubber parts etc. Then just drill out two small holes for the bracket attachment points. PLUS /It has a very snug and waterproof silicone seal for the side lid cap that pops off with plenty of force so no latches will be needed... for a supper clean look. I will install for looks only a real billet oil filler cap near the side and top. Ill post picts when done. should be a fairly easy install. Df250 RTB Fake oil tank mod 1 Forum.jpgIMG_3147 DF250 RTB Fake oil tank mod Side view Forum.jpg Those are my 5 inch seat springs that will installed in conjunction with the existing mono spring to give more support for my 190 pounds

[skullworkz]

Yeah, I considerd that same canister from Bed Bath and Beyond. But, it just was not the look I was looking for. I'm going to be installing my new fake tank today. I will post pics when finished.donger28.jpgdonger29.jpgdonger30.jpg

[skullworkz]

Ok, so I ran into some unforseen issues while I was installing my new "tank". My design was sound but I didn't take into consideration as to where the lid fixing bolts would fall. The one on the bottom left side fell directly into the hot battery terminal, so it had to be removed. I left the bolt in the lid to kinda balance it out and so there wasn't a blank hole to make you stare at it. Everything fit SUPER snug, I mean there was no room to budge, if it had been any bigger it would not have fit! I placed some double sided foamy tape to each side where it made contact with the battery box and the fiberglass rear fender. All and all I think this did wonders for the look of this project. My new grips/blinkers will be here tomorrow, I think. If so, then expect pics of those when they are done. Goodbar how did your tank turn out? Cant wait to see the pics of that tank, as that was the one I was really leaning toward

[Goodbar]

Skullworkz, that looks nice, I know its a coffin but I like the angles and the fact it looks like its really part of the Frame and bike. It actually looks more factory than the plastic round one. Bummer about the terminal and the latch. it is what I worry about the unforseen forgot about that crap . I am super slow on the tougher mods. Today I just worked on designing the spring brackets where they attach to the seat, the stock seat is kind of a strange set up and my seat is 2 inches off to the left, so I need to straighten it out without busting anything. I am adding side springs but will keep the Monoshock also on it. Everyone takes it off when they add side springs. Did your new seat go on perfectly straight after you welded the new brackets on the new seat. Maybe I will have to discard my old seat after all.
So what are you planning after grips and the blinkers are done? no doubt your hooked on mods and wont stop yet. I looked for vintage looking grips yesterday but didnt order yet, what did you choose? By the way the seat looks great.

[garryo]

IMG_1034.jpgIMG_1031.jpg
Hey guys - sold my DF last weekend, but kept the saddle bags - will probably put them on Craigslist for $120 for the set - but wanted to know if any of you may be interested - they are old school leather la rosa bags and probably cost me around $200 new when I got them in July last year - they're in perfect condition - send me an pm if you're interested.

[skullworkz]

Skullworkz, that looks nice, I know its a coffin but I like the angles and the fact it looks like its really part of the Frame and bike. It actually looks more factory than the plastic round one. Bummer about the terminal and the latch. it is what I worry about the unforseen forgot about that crap . I am super slow on the tougher mods. Today I just worked on designing the spring brackets where they attach to the seat, the stock seat is kind of a strange set up and my seat is 2 inches off to the left, so I need to straighten it out without busting anything. I am adding side springs but will keep the Monoshock also on it. Everyone takes it off when they add side springs. Did your new seat go on perfectly straight after you welded the new brackets on the new seat. Maybe I will have to discard my old seat after all.
So what are you planning after grips and the blinkers are done? no doubt your hooked on mods and wont stop yet. I looked for vintage looking grips yesterday but didnt order yet, what did you choose? By the way the seat looks great.

Goodbar these are the grips I am using http://www.ebay.com/itm/150965208324...84.m1497.l2649

The seat was off a little so before I welded it on I set it all on the bike to make sure it was staight. I used the old bracket from the OEM seat and didn't have to do any cutting, it happened to be the correct size after all. After the grips will be the headlight and then the risers I think. Here's the headlight http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-ME...0d9dc7&vxp=mtr

And the risers I am looking at but in a 7/8" http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Black-Bill...-/380477147658

And these levers http://www.ebay.com/itm/KURYAKYN-CHR...10989633113%26 They offer them in cable clutch, pic is just for reference