Poverty Flatts Cycle & Parts

My Scooter

2010-07-26T17:38:00.000-07:00

My scooter started as a stock 99 sporty that was laid down and the neck was twisted about 5 degrees to the left so we built a frame backbone is + 11 legs are + 6 with an arch style single leg , 40 degree rake 39" Springer I put together . A friend of mine did the paint started with black base coat faded fire mist blue and smoked into a gray .Then another friend fogged in a reaper for me did some polish work .

Staing with the reaper theme went with a lot of skeleton and skull type accessories

Here is the fogged in reaper turned out good

Mike's custom build(progress report)

2010-05-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry for not doing my weekly updates but I've been real busy . I got Mike's bike as far as we can for now needing more parts . So I delivered it to him until he gets more parts . Now it' my turn to start putting my sporty together

About 60% there last picture before she hits the tlr .

Mike's custom build(progress report)

2010-03-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM !!!!!!!!
Have you ever got wrapped up in what you are doing and know that you are missing some thing even if you have looked at it a 100 times .
And when you really start making progress it hits you right between the eyes .

The small things in life wont fit the big things in life no matter how many ways you look at it .

To sum up things Mike bought a wheel set up for a wide glide and told me he wanted to run a narrow glide .

And I did not realize what we had done until right this minute .

Nothing like fore sight .

Its a good thing I know a guy!!!!!!!

Remember if you are on 2 or 3 wheels we are family.

Later

Ricky B.

http://www.bigjohnnpovertyflatts.com/

rickyb@bigjohnnpovertyflatts.com

Mike's custom build(progress report)

2010-03-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

lining up the seat for the bottom seal can some times be a little FRUSTRATING!! but with some patience it comes together

and with both legs were they need to be you real proud of the way it looks you set it up

Whala you have a narrow glide and all you need to do is install a wheel and put her front legs on .

remember if your on 2 or 3 wheels we are family.

Ricky B.

www.bigjohnnpovertyflatts.com

rickyb@bigjohnnpovertyflatts.com

Mike's custom build(progress report)

2010-03-01T17:44:00.000-08:00

I started on the front end we got from Mid - USA motorcycle parts lowers are Missile style and the
uppers are 41 mm + 10 . They will be mounted on a Chopper Customs Inc. narrow tripple tree .

links:
www.mid-usa.com
www.choppercustoms.com

Any time you start a new front end it's always a good idea to take a look inside it seems that no matter who makes them there is a little dirt or shavings in the bottom . Most can be cleaned out with a rag and a stick . This one has a little junk inside but I have worse .

remember if your on 2 or 3 wheels we are family

Ricky B.

www.bigjohnnpovertflatts.com

rickyb@bigjohnnpovertyflatts.com

Mike's custom build(progress report)

2010-02-21T13:56:00.000-08:00

Mike's Fender showed up and in the set fit mode right now but the lines are staring to come together for her and it should not be long now before she will stand on her own

we have a little gap to over come at the front of the fender in order to center the wheel but the lines are looking good on her 9" tire 11" fender she looks a little fat from behind but still good

bring tranny and upper rail and bottom rail together I have a few ideas but it will need to look good , fit her lines as well .

Remember if your on 2 or 3 wheels we are family

Later

Ricky B.

Mike's custom build(progress report)

2010-02-18T18:56:00.000-08:00

We started playing with the position of the tank to figure on out let an wires being ran where . And where top mount should be and how it would look

setting the top mount in place and tacking it on

Mike stopped by so we mounted him too see how things needed to fit and see if he liked the set up .
I can say he is a happy customer

Mike's custom build(progress report)

2010-02-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

Out of jig and clean up now to put rear end together and put motor and trany in

part of the fill welding we do

2010-02-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

Big John just before we get it out of jig

out of the jig doing the bottom finish welding then some clean up and some fill work then sit the rear wheel and motor

Remember if your on 2 or 3 wheels we are family

Ricky B

Mike's custom build(progress report

2010-02-07T12:23:00.000-08:00

Big John doing some final welding before we take it out of the jig . Then we can mount the wheel and do some clean up and start with motor mount .

Mike's custom build (pulley adaptor continued)

2010-01-21T03:16:00.000-08:00

we had a pulley with a 2" center and need to fit it to the custom rim Mike bought it has a 2.220 center and the adaptor was a quick answer .

classic fit but we may need a different pulley to line things up right but this should get us where we need to be to axle plates and finish tacking things so we can get Mike out to sit on it and see how it fits him and make changes if needed .

if your on 2 or 3 wheels we are family

thanks

RickyB

Mike's custom build (pulley adaptor)

2010-01-16T09:37:00.000-08:00

Everybody meet Wes the machinist you will be seeing a lot of him on this build . He will be doing all of the machining that is needed .

this is what he started with 5/8" 6016 billet aluminum for the pulley adaptor

Mike's custom build (axle plates)

2010-01-16T09:14:00.000-08:00

Axle slide plates we decided on Skull plates just to be different and too add a little detail to the bikes Skull and bones theme.

we needed them to fit a 1" axle so off to Wes the machinist to open the hole about 1/4"

then I added another project making an adaptor for the pulley

Mike's custom build

2010-01-16T08:22:00.000-08:00

We set up the jig for for rake and stretches and start cutting and bending for the front part of the frame . This one is a 4" out and 8 up but I believe it will change down a little

These are the wheels Mike got from

from Rob's Used Harley Parts .

at http://www.robsusedharleyparts.com/

stop by take a look he is good people

and has good prices .

This is the rebuild Mike also bought from Rob .

A good clean motor to work with that is a change for the good.

Mike's custom build

2010-01-16T08:03:00.000-08:00

When asked when I was going to update the blog and pics . I said when I get a round to it well a friend gave me one now I guess I need to get on the ball

We start with Wes the Machinist doing a neck for the project we selected an old school hour glass look .

We set it up for 1" tempken bearings

Then mark it with who it is for ,rake needed , backbone stretch , leg stretch , single or double legs .

Just to keep thing straight on what we are working on it helps a great deal

Mike's custom build

2009-12-24T07:04:00.000-08:00

I have received an e-mail from Rob White of Rob's Used Harley Parts .
He was nice enough to link us to his site and we will do like wise . Rob has
treated my customer Mike Toms very well with service and pricing .

This just shows you that shopping a round can save money and yes there are good deals out there to be had. I'm a believer in saving money and the little guys sticking together . Not every body is well known, but locally we have the small builders for the every day guy that wants an affordable custom .

I will be adding photos of the wheels, motor , tranny that was purchased from Rob's later .
I told Rob that I would give every body his info and a link to his site on the blog so here is the info.

Rob White
703-476-6607
http://www.robsusedharleyparts.com/
Reston, Virginia

Go and take a look a round and look for some good deals he has them . He is good people!

Remember if your on 2 or 3 wheels we are family
later
Ricky B.

Well it took almost 19 mounths but we have a build

2009-12-19T05:56:00.000-08:00

We build our frames from scratch we start with machining the neck and bending the pipe setting the axle plates . Well it took 19 months and a lot of talking but we have a build for a customer. I will be adding pictures and take every body that reads my blog through the build with us as we progress . We have an Evo motor and 5 speed tranny to get started with my customer picked up a set of rims and as soon as I get it cleared with the business he bought them from I will put a link in so you can visit his site as well. They have treated my customer very well and extremely fair on pricing . Here is a list of vendors involved so far.

Big John's Custom Iron Works

http://www.bigjohnnpovertyflatts.com/

208-219-1313

MID-USA Motorcycle Parts

St. Louis,Mo.

http://www.mid-usa.com/

There are others but I need to clear it with them before I can link to them but as soon as I get

their ok I will post a link to them .

Remember if your on two or three wheels we are family

later

Ricky B .

Customer Service

2009-09-05T04:17:00.000-07:00

Customer Service is defined as helping your customers solve a problem they have with your business , a purchase , or an employee in a matter that satisfies the needs of the customer in an equitable manner for both parties involved .

Now with that said what has happened to it over the years with the introduction of computers and cheaper overseas labor it has become push 1 for this or 2 for that to prevent personal inter action . Unfortunately we as humans well most of us seek out human contact when we have a problem and because of that we have a tendency to get frustrated the longer we have to push buttons or stay on hold . And by the time some body finally and actually picks up most of us are ready to rip of their arm and beat the poor person with the bloody end of it .

My personal opinion is just that an opinion and I'm just spit balling here but just maybe we should put more Americans to work helping others with problems for our employers . My feelings are if a customer has a problem with my business there is only one person and one number to push that is me and my number . I realize that this is thinking outside the box but it is not a new idea but this has been very effective for me . I know Your are saying yeah right I can call and actually call and get the owner of a business . It is true believe it or not if I don't answer you will get my voice mail and you can leave a message and I will call as soon as possible.

It has been said that small business is the backbone of America but what needs to be said is that good customer service is the backbone of the small business which with out it small business would fall . Remember it is the personal touch and interaction that creates a quality product .
I do not care if you are selling apples,boxes ,cars , or dogs it comes down to quality customer service with personal interaction even if you do not have the answers learn where to get them and learn to follow threw and call the customer back even if it is not what they want to hear ,you will find that even if it is bad news the reception you receive if not welcomed will be respected .

There are several things I believe strongly in and quality customer service is in the top five where my business is concerned . In life we have few thing we can depend on being there when needed . When you deal with Poverty Flatts Cycle & Parts customer service will be there and will resolve the problem to the satisfaction of both parties involved .

If you are on 2 or 3 wheels we are family .
Ricky B.
http://www.bigjohnnpovertyflatts.com/
208-650-6471

Poverty Flatts Cycle & Parts: Dropping Prices

2009-08-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

Poverty Flatts Cycle & Parts: Dropping Prices

Dropping Prices

2009-08-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

To My Brothers & Sisters That ride,

After very careful consideration and talking to riders in Southern Idaho I have decided to drop my pricing to give my customers the best pricing possible . I believe that every one who wants to ride should , make the improvements that make your scooter yours . We all have different ideas on what looks good and what fits us weather it is stock , chrome , or custom one off parts we do what makes it ours . And Poverty Flatts Cycle & Parts can help with those needs.

Ladies are taking the front seat more and more and some times they need certain things done to their bikes so they are more comfortable with their bike we can give them some ideas so they can do the work themselves or we can do the work for them . Women that I have talked to have told me that above every thing their comfort of operation is foremost in their minds . Even if they like the looks , sound , and brand if they are not comfortable they won't even consider buing a bike . Comfort of operation to most women I have found several items that are major concerns for them that guys don't think twice about they just work around it because they like the bike and the image it implies .

Women and their bikes #1) when sitting on the bike they would feel more comfortable if their feet can be flat on the ground while holding the bike upright . #2) the weight distribution needs to be a comfortable balance instead of a balancing act . #3 ) the reach forward to the bars can not be past a normal reach . # 4) foot controls are were a comfortable reach is real important some time in order to reach they need to scoot up on the seat .# 5) Reliabilty is also a great concern when they are on a run or just riding around town they don't want or need an unreliable bike . Unlike a guy that will work the bugs out most women don't want to be bothered with them they want a trouble free ride that is more enjoiable . You can't blame them men have been tring to do that for years and have succeeded a few times

When concidering a bike most women will go to a smaller bike to get a comfortable fit . They could balance a bigger bike but it might be with toes instead of flat footed and most dealers will drop the bike at a cost that is not in the budget . And most are not out to impress they just like to ride for the enjoyment of the ride they don't have to go like a bat out of hell to get there which I find very appealing why rush just because you can dose not mean you have too . Any way hats off to the ladies and if we can help in any way please let us know .

I would like to invite everyone to my website to check out the new prices and to let me know your thoughts on things from new price list to women on bikes and how I can help or just say hi is cool too

If you are on 2 or 3 wheels we are family

ride safe !

later

Ricky B.

Poverty Flatts Cycle & Parts

http://www.bigjohnnpovertyflatts.com/

623-696-9222

frustrated with sells 10% discount on harley parts

2009-03-29T13:17:00.000-07:00

I am new at this Internet thing but I will try and put things in as I go along . I'm tiring to open a custom motorcycle shop in southern Idaho . And have set up an on line store with Mid-USA Motorcycle parts that will ship directly to the customer . We have set a 10% discount off retail to bolster our sales . So I'm opening this blog for input and suggestions as what I can do for more sales and what is possible in the future . I believe that if I work hard and push forward with the ideas of quality parts and customer service at an affordable price I will succeed in my dreams to become a quality business .

In this economy we face great difficulty in every day life just to survive but it is the small things in life the make it more bearable like a short ride down a familiar road to a favorite spot , or just a ride some where with brothers for a cause what ever it may be , or just alone time with your bike and the wind . it is the experience of freedom that no one owns but we have all experienced in one form or another riding your scooter , jumping out of an airplane , hiking in the mountains.

let me know what you think of my blog and give some input please and thanks for your time