Month: July 2025

Final assembly, troubleshooting, testing, and finally… that first ride.

The Final Stretch

You’ve painted it. You’ve torqued every bolt three times. You’ve stared at it more than you’d care to admit. But now comes the part where you find out if your Frankenstein’s monster of a machine actually comes to life. Final assembly is a bittersweet mix of excitement and paranoia—especially if you’re like me and constantly second-guess yourself.

Here’s what you’ll tackle in this phase:

• Final Wiring – Go slow and double-check every ground and connection. Gremlins hide in the simplest oversights.
• Fluids – Oil, gas, brake fluid. Don’t forget thread sealer or crush washers where needed.
• Troubleshooting – If it doesn’t fire up, start with spark, air, fuel, and your kill switch (ask me how I know).
• Testing – Keep the first few rides close to home and short. Be ready to wrench again. It’s not “done,” it’s just runnable.

Getting It Legal

The most confusing part of building a custom bike isn’t the fabrication—it’s the paperwork. Each state has its own rules for titling and registering a custom build. My experience Ohio should’ve looked like this:

• Title – Apply for a custom/special construction title. This meant showing receipts, frame info, and photos.
• Insurance – Check with your insurer to see if they will cover you, or if you’ll need to find a specialty provider.
• Inspection – Some states require a safety inspection or even a DMV inspection of the VIN/frame before issuing plates. Word is, I need to go to the State Patrol one county over and get it checked out.

But my edperience actually looked like this:

• Title – Gasbox provided a brand spanking new title with the purchase of my full Lorain Frame. I stopped my local town cop one day to check and see if he could inspect my chop and giv4e me the star of approval, but he stated, and I quote: “I don’t care, I’m not telling if you don’t.” So, I just keep both my stock sporty title and the gasbox title handy when in doubt. Probably not the best plan, but in to quote our lord and savior, Shrek, “that’ll do Donkey, that’ll do.”
• Insurance – Again, I dont think they’re aware this sportster has been modified. Don’t be like me, do better.
• Inspection – Have you caught on by now?

I’m reluctant to post this information, but like, I need to be honest. I’m sure most of us are in this boat, so if you find any answers just comment below!

The First Ride

I’ll be honest—my first ride was more terrifying than exhilarating. My hands were shaking. I was listening for every sound, feeling for every vibration, half-convinced the front end would fall off.

But then I rolled into second gear. Then third. The wind hit just right and I could feel every choice I made along the way. It wasn’t smooth. It wasn’t perfect. But it was mine. And that feeling? You don’t forget it.

Susie Q’s first shake-down run was cut short when I lost all power and the bike shut off. Hmm, that’s weird, I thought,  because I remembered to fill her up with premium and turn on the gas and everything! After getting stranded in the countryside on the crest of the Appalachain plateaus in my county, I got trailored home and began my investigatory work.

After tracing the electric with a voltage tester, I found that my rectifyer was shot. No problem, I thought. I was still running the 32 year old stock part anyways. I purchased a brand spanking new chrome rectifier (which looks so so good!), mounted it up and went out for the second, and final, shake down.

Sun shining from above, hot pavement below my tires, and the smell of success hitting me in the face at 60 MPH, and I had done it. I felt like the personification of the guitar solo from Free Bird .

With only up to go, I set off on my journey with my little sporty chop. I have taken her to Cleveland, Sturgis, Pittsburg, Daytona, and all over rural Ohio since. Becuase of her, I have made so many new friends and have overcome so many fears and obsticles. Building a chopper with no prior mechanical knowledge wasnt easy (or cheap), but Susie Q came from my soul and she’ll always be my pride and joy.