Rigid Paughco Rubbermount Sportster Frame Build

[Dennis]

Two steps forward, one step back.  Front off to fix the steering stop.



The plan was to use the fancy smancy steering stop kit I bought.  The whole idea was to not damage the expensive powder coating.  Turns out the powder coating got damaged by the steering stop nubs on the lower triple tree.



The fancy smancy steering stop kit requires replacing the lower bearing race.  With most neck tubes it is easy to get to the bearing race from above and hammer it out.  This one is hour glassed shape.  I tried every tool I had but could not get the bearing race out.  I could have waited and gone and bought a specialty tool (more $$, ... more delay), and then taken the triple tree and fancy smancy kit to Jeff for all the requisite machining (more $$ ... more delay) and then I'd still have to fix the powder coat damage.



Since I should have welded in a steering stop in the first place, that's what I went for.   Lauri helped.





With a little paint, no one but me and the members who follow this thread will notice.  That's my hope anyway.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Sr.X]

That's the kind of fix I can relate to, make it work and spray can over the evidence. It will not take away from the "built it myself and riding it hard" factor. Is this the bike you are taking to Terrace?
Later, Bob

[benwaechter]

In the future Dennis, run a bead of weld inside the bearing race, it will fall out. But this works as well clearly.

[fast1]

  First off, my instincts told me it would run. Well. Second, I think you have the most supportive and helpful Wife in the club. This goes a looonnnggg way when buiding a bike! At least now the stop is done right and you can sell the fancy kit on e-bay or kijiji.  Mock-up pics look great. How is the paper chase going? CHEERS!

[Dennis]

THE PAPER CHASE

Getting the bike registered in time may end up being what prevents me from riding to the Show 'n Shine.  Here's where I am at.

Monday, June 8th 10:00 a.m. I take my completed Application For BC Assigned Vehicle Identification Number, supporting documents (Manufacturers Certificate of Origin for the frame, Sales Receipt for pile of parts, etc). I could not get a good photo of the serial number on the frame with my camera no matter what lighting I used.  The powder coating made the numbers ... soft.  They can still be read visually but don't show up clear in the photo.  Anticipating a problem, I did a Statutory Declaration wherein I swore that the frame is the frame described in the Manufacturer Certificate of Origin. 

To expedite, all documents were faxed from Barton/Hub and originals sent by mail.  Very positive first response .... looks like smooth sailing.

Tuesday a.m. I spoke to Mark at Xcalibur to confirm I don't need an appointment.  As soon as he gets the VIN plate, they'll call me and I'll bring the bike in.  We discuss last minute things to make sure.  He was the one who told me I had better have the fork stop in or else it may not pass.  Hence the above described work.

Thursday a.m.   Barton/Hub relates message from ICBC.  Very happy with my documents.  No problem about the frame numbers because of my thorough Statutory Declaration.  However,  in my Application, I was to supply serial numbers for the frame, the engine and the transmission.  On the Application I wrote "unit construction" instead of a serial number.  ICBC needs confirmation of what the donor bike was, presumably to confirm that it was a unit construction.  I guess ICBC does not know what a "Harley Sportster"  is which is what the Sale Receipt refers to, and the photos are pretty clear that my bike is a Sportster.

They needed another Statutory Declaration to confirm what the donor bike was.  I provided a long and very descriptive, and perhaps humorous Statutory Declaration describing why I was confident that the pile of parts I bought was all from a 2004 Sportster.  If you're curious, I have attached a pdf version.  I ducked out of work to delivery this to ICBC (via Barton/Hub) in the early afternoon.

Thursday, after work, I ran into Janet from Barton/Hub.  She told me that right at the end of the day ICBC called her.  They want to set up an inspection of the frame with a local ICBC representative.  I guess my first Statutory Declaration is not longer "smooth sailing."

Friday a.m. (ie, this morning).  Called ICBC.  The fellow assigned to my file is not back until Monday.  A little ingratiating with the receptionist and whining about 5 years of building for the Father's Day Show 'n Shine and I get the supervisors direct email.  Working on that next. 

A few emails and waiting all day.  No inspector lined up.  Fug. 

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Dennis]

That's the kind of fix I can relate to, make it work and spray can over the evidence. It will not take away from the "built it myself and riding it hard" factor. Is this the bike you are taking to Terrace?
Later, Bob

That's my goal.  In its "touring chopper" form it will have panniers and maybe even the windshield.  I've never ridden more than a few kms with a windshield but I know many people swear by them.  I think they're butt ugly, but I ride like an old lady and try to avoid rain.  Bugs on my glasses and in my teeth I can deal with.

[stevecrout]

Because part of the registration process is a visual confirmation of the numbers you may be able to toss it on the trailer and bring it to them at your convenience?

I did the registration of the 71 Commando during a trip home in December and the person in the insurance company office and I had this conversation when it came time to sight the numbers:
ICBC -  "Just drive it by here so we can have a look and confirm the numbers" 
Me - "I might need to have insurance - yes?"
ICBC -"Just get a temp permit"
Me - "Sure, but you have to agree to come for a ride around the block with me once I get it here"
ICBC - "Huh?" Then she looked outside and saw the snow falling on the already snow-covered roadways
ICBC - "Oh Ya - That's OK - just put it in the back of your truck". 
Me - "Sorry, believe it or not, some of us in PG don't own a truck"
ICBC - "Well, are you going to be home at 5:30?" and to my surprise, the person came to the house, in a dress and heels no less,  climbed over my old Jag, wiggled past the R100 leaning against the wall and stumbled to the back of the carport then used the cellphone to shine a light on the serial numbers and I had my confirmation!

[fj1200]

That's an insurance company that should be supported for going above and beyond.

[Dennis]

Hiding the damage. 





The latest with ICBC is that the inspector is in Kelowna.  Nice fellow who said my papers were in order, and that if I could get a better photo, he'd see about approving it without me having to wait until the next time he is in Prince George.  After much farting around with a light and different angles, this is the best I got.  I can see the numbers and letters. 



This afternoon will be determinative.  ICBC says they send the VIN plates by courier.  That means if the afternoon unfolds favourably, the VIN plate could be at Ecalibur this week.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Dennis]

THE PAPER CHASE CONTINUES ...

The nice Kelowna inspector says there is another number.  Its located on the lower right side, behind the oil pump outlet line.  I was at work when I got that email.  Home again and fug, my re-located master cylinder is in the way.  I took if off for the photo but there is no way to get all of the digits without taking off my master cylinder, front exhaust and probably the oil line.  I did what I could and sent him the best photo.  I told him what I thought the other missing two digits were.  He got back telling me what the missing three digits are.





I am just waiting for the final nod of approval before I re-assemble the master cylinder.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Dennis]

STOLEN BIKE.

The donor 883 Sportster was stolen from someone in Alberta in 2005.  The ICBC inspector has been very helpful and has no questions of my bona fides.  The serial number was doctored.  The first two letters "DU" never existed for Sportsters.  The correct letters for a Sportster are "CJ."  If you look at the photo below and enlarge it, you can see the one punch mark above the "D" which is not perfect.  I never even considered it before.  The bike was advertised as being cleared with the RCMP, and twice I checked with the RCMP to ensure it was not stolen.  However, I always searched the wrong serial number.



If the bike had been ICBC insured, there would have been no problem because they diligently transfer ownership of stolen vehicles back to themselves.  However, in Alberta the private insurers don't always do that so the engine actually could still be registered with the original owner. 

As it stands, the inspector cannot give me the nod of approval, so there is no way the bike will be registered anytime soon. 

I am confident of the law that applies in this situation.  I am a bona fide purchaser for value.  In a worse case scenario, I will get a court order saying that its mine.   Before that I will try to chase down the legal owner and get the appropriate documentation.  I hope the poor person from whom it was stolen got full compensation and will be cooperative. 

This will be an interesting saga, which I will share with the brethren right here.

I guess the Smithers XS650 Bobber will be my Show 'n Shine bike and probably my daily rider for awhile... maybe a long while.

Peace & Police, Dennis

[Rusty Bucket]

It's the exact thing we always assume isn't going to be a problem when we swap unpapered bikes around - natch, it would be the Harley bought from a pawn shop...  feel your discomfiture with the circumstances and result.   No doubt there will be an eventual satisfactory resolution, but the interlude is certainly less fun than having it over with.  Bad news - just bad all around news.

[fast1]

  Truly crappy news. My heart sank when I read it, really feel for you buddy. Hope you killed a six pack to dull the pain. Peace and perseverance.

[Dennis]

After a brief look at s. 354 of the Criminal Code (possession of stolen property), I thought it best to contact the RCMP.  Nice constable lady came by my office and looked at all the documents, photos and contacted the ICBC investigator.  File opened, but she said they aren't going to do anything further.  She was able to quickly get the last phone numbers for JJ's New To You (from whom I bought it) and they are no longer in service.  I mostly wanted to make sure I was not in jeopardy personally, but also to make sure they were not going to seize the bike from my garage.  I was armed with case law where the RCMP have been held liable for damages for wrongfully seizing property subject to civil litigation where ownership is in issue.  I did not even need to use it.  She said they would seize it if was part of a murder investigation, but otherwise its mine.  I guess no one was killed during the robbery.

Curiously, her CIPC search did not show it was stolen even with the correct serial numbers.  After a certain period of time (she did not say how long) they wipe them off.   I guess the ICBC investigator has better information.

She confirmed that the most important thing about having a file open is that I will be able to say in an anticipated court application that I did contact the RCMP and provided them with all the details.

Still waiting to find out who the legal owner is.

Peace & Police, Dennis

[Dennis]

In anticipation that the legal issues will be sorted out, I still need to complete the bike so that it will pass the inspection.  Apparently you need reflectors with your license plate.  This is made out of 1/4 inch plastic.



Peace & Grease, Dennis