How do you begin building a chopper (motorcycle)?
#11
You're in luck... there's so much available today that building a bike from scratch has never been easier. There's quite a few books out just in the last few years that cover this subject extensively. However, don't kid yourself, it's a big job, and depending on your skill level, can be daunting. Lots of guys have started a project, only to bail out when it became clear they were in over their heads.
To my way of thinking, a chopper has a specific look... raked and stretched with a long front end and a hardtail. Don't let anyone tell you that they don't ride or handle well, because they certainly can, if they are designed properly.
It's a lot easier to buy a new frame than modify an existing one. Even so, you have to have your plan together before you start.
What do you have in mind?
To my way of thinking, a chopper has a specific look... raked and stretched with a long front end and a hardtail. Don't let anyone tell you that they don't ride or handle well, because they certainly can, if they are designed properly.
It's a lot easier to buy a new frame than modify an existing one. Even so, you have to have your plan together before you start.
What do you have in mind?
Last edited by Mike; 08-03-2009 at 03:35 AM.
#12
You might think about starting out by building a bobber. Here's an example of what can be done to a pedestrian, small, metric cruiser....
http://www.riffraffcustoms.com/pdfs/...ft-customs.pdf
http://www.riffraffcustoms.com/pdfs/...ft-customs.pdf
#13
#14
Agreeing w/ others
I start w/ lots of 'zines getting ideas of likes & vs.. Also catalogs will give an idea of prices one will have to deal w/ now & in the future. Try to stay w/ something common & take a look around your hometown for good mechanics that will work on what you have. Often, lots of dealership shops won't touch an older cycle & also some shops will be to busy to synchronize dual/quad carbs &/or other miscellaneous tasks you don't know how to do or don't have the tools for. And that is another issue--TOOLS are expensive! I've been tinkerin' for yrs & still have to rent a special tool occasionally. That little-bitty red box in the garage is not enough. Cost is tricky. A two cylinder single stack motor (Triumph, Yamaha, Kawasaki, etc) may seem inexpensive & the smaller motor likable, but...
If $5-8 grand is spent towards Chopper, in my book that is about right. Like lots of others were saying--
If $5-8 grand is spent towards Chopper, in my book that is about right. Like lots of others were saying--
#15
#18
Make a plan before you start. Assess your capabilities and be honest with your skill level. Do you know how to weld? Do you know how to set up a drivetrain? Know exactly the look you want before you start and don't change course in mid-stream. Plan on building the bike almost entirely, then breaking it down for paint and reassembling it again. I started one once and realized that I was in over my head. Luckily, I hadn't gone too far, but it still cost me money selling the parts at a loss.
#19
I check craigslist a couple of times a day here. I've seen complete rollers needing engine an trans listed for as low as $900. I've seen a hard tail iron head unfinished "project" that had everything to finish it for $1000. Figure out the title laws an stuff before you start too. I'd hate to sink a couple grand into something I couldn't get plates for.