Well, they made some nice looking bikes in the Eighties! The Honda VT700 Shadow was not one of them by the way. The Japanese did get some things right however – its got a twin engine and two wheels for starters. So the challenge for Sander here was to keep the nice stuff and eliminate all the rubbish.
First of all, the tail needed to evaporate as quickly as possible. Rigorous measures were required. The bike was disassembled, and the frame was chopped down half way. The built in airbox had to make place for a normal upper main pipe, so a Harley Sportster tank would fit. After this, rebuilding of the wishbones began and – our biggest welder friend forever – Anton installed new wishbones safely, together with the other new frame parts. This gave the frame exactly the look Sander aimed for.
Just the way it was born.. ugly with hints of cool
Then the time came to build up again, letting go everything that was ugly. Check all the details. The nice metal flake repaint job rocks huh?
- Just finished mounting the engine back in the frame. It still fits!!
So almost there, still not happy with the exhausts. Sander’s primary reaction: grind off and build it the way you like it.
- Made a new exhaust with the old mufflers. I didn't like the looks of it... Way to bulky...
Nice little project finished!