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Building a Chopper

K

karrot-x

Inactive
Feb 21, 2004
2,702
1
38
Omicron Persei 8
www.blackhorizon.org
#1
So, I haven't been watching Orange County Choppers every moment I can. Nor have I bought season three dvd, and a hat..

:hiding:

I want to build a bike, I want to build a very basic chopper that has a stretched frame, big tire in the back and looks don't really matter. If all it had was a primer paint on it I'd be happy.

The only problem is I don't want to spend more then 600-800 for the kit. Help me find it :).
 
#2
I have a mechanic/machinist buddy who is building a chopper. He had it mocked up last weekend and the thing looks awesome. Now he's priming the parts to be painted. It's going to look killer. I'll see if I can get some pictures.

I think he said he has around $20 000 into it and he built the frame and is doing all the body metalwork himself. I guess that's a little more than you're looking to spend.
 
#5
MJ5150 said:
Yeah, funny one. You want us to spend our time chasing down something that does not exist.

-Mike
Click to expand...

... ok... That is an example of an unhelpful post.


"You are going to spend closer to (...) and here is a place to find out more about (...)"

That is an example of a helpful post.

Please helpful posts only.


The only reason I'm making this thread is to find out how likely it is that I can build the bike. This would be my first time with anything automotive and even my first bike to ride. I posted here because generally this is a very helpful board. Thanks for reading.
 
#8
bikertrash82 said:
You are going to spend a MINIMUM of $12,000

The absolute cheapest place to build a box bike out of

Link Removed
Click to expand...

That's going to give me everything I need? Or is that over the long term, I don't want to have it ready by friday. However I don't want to have it for 3 years and still not ride.

All the tools I'll need for this build will be given to me (hopefully). Compressor, air gun, grinder, and the random automotive bits I should have.
 
#9
karrot-x said:
I could careless how it looks and what it has stock. If it's only sheet metal and aluminum plus a frame and motor I'd be happy. My first goal would be to get it running.

EDIT: I actually do care about the physical shape, I want to be able to mount a wide tire on it and have it a little long. Other than that I'd be happy.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I don't understand how this is a reply to my post.
 
#10
You would be very lucky to get the basic of basic's together for 12K.

That will MAYBE get you a standard softail put together with chinese nock-off parts.

The fact that you want a stretched frame and wide rear tire are going to add several thousand to that at least because you are dealing with non stock parts.

People don't build bikes because they're any cheaper, they build to get exactly what they want.

They ain't just bolt togethers either. You pretty much need SERIOUS skills and a fully equiped facility.

A one year build time is about what you can expect if you do it out of your garage on a spare time basis.

I'd think 18k would be a more accurate estimate of what you want. Then add paint on top of that.

If you do that yourself and do it right it's a couple hundred hours and at least $800 in materials.

If you look around that link you'll see that basic rolling frames are 5k and up. Motors are >4k. Transmissions are >2k

And that really is the cheapest place to buy. No one else is even close.
 
#11
Geoff St. Germaine said:
Sorry, I don't understand how this is a reply to my post.
Click to expand...

You're right, I was thinking that. I originally wrote a response to it and then deleted that part. Sorry :).

bikertrash82 said:
You would be very lucky to get the basic of basic's together for 12K.

That will MAYBE get you a standard softail put together with chinese nock-off parts.

The fact that you want a stretched frame and wide rear tire are going to add several thousand to that at least because you are dealing with non stock parts.

People don't build bikes because they're any cheaper, they build to get exactly what they want.

They ain't just bolt togethers either. You pretty much need SERIOUS skills and a fully equiped facility.

A one year build time is about what you can expect if you do it out of your garage on a spare time basis.

I'd think 18k would be a more accurate estimate of what you want. Then add paint on top of that.

If you do that yourself and do it right it's a couple hundred hours and at least $800 in materials.
Click to expand...

It sounds like buying a used bike would be better. Do you have any recommendations for a make that I could add wide tire and long neck later?
 
#12
karrot-x said:
That's going to give me everything I need? Or is that over the long term, I don't want to have it ready by friday. However I don't want to have it for 3 years and still not ride.

All the tools I'll need for this build will be given to me (hopefully). Compressor, air gun, grinder, and the random automotive bits I should have.
Click to expand...

I think that you should probably do some more research at a forum that isn't predominantly bass related.

Google returned this, but I'm sure there are a ton more:

http://www.custombike.org/chopperforum/
 
#14
canopener said:
Karrot, you can always buy a $500 bike, fix it up as wanted/needed and sell or trade up for a more reliable bike in the future.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking of doing. However I still have no idea what to look for. I'm looking at Harleys and I know that's going to be a huge junker if I get it for my price. I want to stay American, if that's not going to be possible then what others should I look for?
 
#15
karrot-x said:
The only reason I'm making this thread is to find out how likely it is that I can build the bike. This would be my first time with anything automotive and even my first bike to ride. I posted here because generally this is a very helpful board. Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...
OK, I'm here to help. You are now going to find out how likely it is that you can build the bike.

Very, very unlikely.
 
#17
bikertrash82 said:
You would be very lucky to get the basic of basic's together for 12K.

That will MAYBE get you a standard softail put together with chinese nock-off parts.

The fact that you want a stretched frame and wide rear tire are going to add several thousand to that at least because you are dealing with non stock parts.

People don't build bikes because they're any cheaper, they build to get exactly what they want.

They ain't just bolt togethers either. You pretty much need SERIOUS skills and a fully equiped facility.

A one year build time is about what you can expect if you do it out of your garage on a spare time basis.

I'd think 18k would be a more accurate estimate of what you want. Then add paint on top of that.

If you do that yourself and do it right it's a couple hundred hours and at least $800 in materials.

If you look around that link you'll see that basic rolling frames are 5k and up. Motors are >4k. Transmissions are >2k

And that really is the cheapest place to buy. No one else is even close.
Click to expand...
OK, now this is an example of a helpful post, which says exactly what I said above, only using way too many words.
 

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