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Building a Chopper

#23
karrot-x said:
That's the plan now. However, I need to find a good make/model for my ideas. Do you have any recommendations?
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Harleys are cool, but overpriced. Older bikes are cool and easy to work on, but I don't know about the availability of parts (I'm not a bike owner). Look out in your local free classified circulars. You can usually find them in grocery stores and gas stations.
 
#24
karrot-x said:
That's the plan now. However, I need to find a good make/model for my ideas. Do you have any recommendations?
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On a budget, consider something like Honda, Yamaha, or Suzuki. They dont command the overinflated prices of the Harleys. They also tend to be more reliable.

BTW, I found an $800 kit:

Link Removed

;)
 
#25
canopener said:
Harleys are cool, but overpriced. Older bikes are cool and easy to work on, but I don't know about the availability of parts (I'm not a bike owner). Look out in your local free classified circulars. You can usually find them in grocery stores and gas stations.
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I'm getting the feeling that Harleys are like American Fenders. Everyone copies their style and you pay a little more for their name.

guy n. cognito said:
On a budget, consider something like Honda, Yamaha, or Suzuki. They dont command the overinflated prices of the Harleys. They also tend to be more reliable.

BTW, I found an $800 kit:

Link Removed

;)
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll keep that one in mind. :0
 
#28
Someone mentioned or maybe you did, that you are only 17? If that's the case, take the rider safety course, buy a used starter bike, and wait for the custom. The Discovery Channel Biker wannabe fad will be over soon and there will be deals on "$30,000 invested" bikes all over the place.

Oh.....if you can just bolt it together, it's not a chopper, it's a custom. A chopper had to be chopped in some way, shape, or form. OCC doesn't build choppers. They build customs. Off the shelf, unaltered aftermarket frames, crate motors, brand new tranny.............all new parts......

Aint a chopper unless the hacksaw and grinder came out.

****One thing to remember bout building a new bike is that you don't start out with a title either. You'll need to pass a new construction DMV inspection (PITA) before you will be issued a title. This means all of your reiciepts and notorized bills of sale.....for EVERY component, which should come in an itemized list with a kit bike. Afterthat though, you will have trouble getting full coverage insurance on a special construction motorcycle. Best most companies will give you is liability. So when you happen to encounter that suicidal possum or raccoon at 65 mph, you will not get reimbursed for your bike.

Best to start out with a used titled bike.
 
#29
Diggler said:
Take a MSF course first. Before you even look for a bike. Then you might know what you want.

A lot of people talk strongly about getting a Ninja 250 for a first bike, I'm thinking of getting one for a commuter. Either that or a Suzuki GS500. Not sure yet.
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I plan on taking a saftey course and a aggresiving riding police course. I really don't want a sports bike. I want to be loud, scary looking, and shake enough for me not to get scared.


Rooney said:
Someone mentioned or maybe you did, that you are only 17? If that's the case, take the rider safety course, buy a used starter bike, and wait for the custom. The Discovery Channel Biker wannabe fad will be over soon and there will be deals on "$30,000 invested" bikes all over the place.

Oh.....if you can just bolt it together, it's not a chopper, it's a custom. A chopper had to be chopped in some way, shape, or form. OCC doesn't build choppers. They build customs. Off the shelf, unaltered aftermarket frames, crate motors, brand new tranny.............all new parts......

Aint a chopper unless the hacksaw and grinder came out.

****One thing to remember bout building a new bike is that you don't start out with a title either. You'll need to pass a new construction DMV inspection (PITA) before you will be issued a title. This means all of your reiciepts and notorized bills of sale.....for EVERY component, which should come in an itemized list with a kit bike. Afterthat though, you will have trouble getting full coverage insurance on a special construction motorcycle. Best most companies will give you is liability. So when you happen to encounter that suicidal possum or raccoon at 65 mph, you will not get reimbursed for your bike.

Best to start out with a used titled bike.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info. I've been looking into the title issue, and I'm assuming insurance on it would be outrageous. I'll probably not get it insured for quite some time. There is no way that I could afford the insurance on this bike and my Xterra.
 
#30
karrot-x said:
Thanks for the info. I've been looking into the title issue, and I'm assuming insurance on it would be outrageous. I'll probably not get in insured for quite some time. There is no way that I could afford the insurance on this bike and my Xterra.
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A 17 year old. On a motorcycle. In Virginia. Without insurance. Insurance is required in VA last time I checked. If you buy a used bike, most dealers won't let you drive off the lot without proof of insurance. Do not buy or build a motorcycle until you can afford to do it properly, which includes proper riding gear and insurance.
 
#31
guy n. cognito said:
A 17 year old. On a motorcycle. In Virginia. Without insurance. Insurance is required in VA last time I checked. If you buy a used bike, most dealers won't let you drive off the lot without proof of insurance. Do not buy or build a motorcycle until you can afford to do it properly, which includes proper riding gear and insurance.
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Uninsured motorist. It's a one time $500 fee. I plan on driving this thing around my neighborhood and the parking lot until I get it running how I want. This is really going to be strung out through atleast a year. I'll be getting a new job (hopefully) that will pay enough for me to insure and gas both.
 
#32
karrot-x said:
Uninsured motorist. It's a one time $500 fee. I plan on driving this thing around my neighborhood and the parking lot until I get it running how I want. This is really going to be strung out through atleast a year. I'll be getting a new job (hopefully) that will pay enough for me to insure and gas both.
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Actually, I think you can get a ticket every time you get pulled over. Get enough tickets and they can suspend your liscense. That, of course, assumes that you don't wreck it. If you damage someone elses property and you don't have insurance, they can (and will) expect you to pay out of pocket. If you don't, they will sue you and your parents (if you're still under their control.)
 
#34
guy n. cognito said:
Actually, I think you can get a ticket every time you get pulled over. Get enough tickets and they can suspend your liscense. That, of course, assumes that you don't wreck it. If you damage someone elses property and you don't have insurance, they can (and will) expect you to pay out of pocket. If you don't, they will sue you and your parents (if you're still under their control.)
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I wasn't refering to the ticket I was refering to the actual VDOT insurance plan. It's called uninsured motorist. You pay a $500 fee stating that it's your own ass if something happends. When I have the bike I'll be 18, no longer under my parents control. If I screw up then I'll be the one to blame, not my parents. That's actually an important part in doing this.
 
#35
karrot-x said:
I wasn't refering to the ticket I was refering to the actual VDOT insurance plan. It's called uninsured motorist. You pay a $500 fee stating that it's your own ass if something happends. When I have the bike I'll be 18, no longer under my parents control. If I screw up then I'll be the one to blame, not my parents. That's actually an important part in doing this.
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Ok, so if this type of plan exists (it does not here so I know nothing about it), then if you cause an accident and someone gets hurt then you are looking at never having any money for a very long time. Up here it is recommended to carry, I believe, $1 million in public liability/damage on your insurance (I carry $2 million, which comes with my reduced deductible plan). From what I understand about this waiver (if it exists) is that you're going to be financially liable for any damages. That seems to be a very dumb idea.
 
#36
I'm in the process of building a chopper myself.
Except mine can shoot things down.

ise_GI_Joe_Turbo_Chopper___19__Motorized_Military_Helicopter_With__Hands_On__Control1-resized200.jpg
 
#37
Geoff St. Germaine said:
Ok, so if this type of plan exists (it does not here so I know nothing about it), then if you cause an accident and someone gets hurt then you are looking at never having any money for a very long time. Up here it is recommended to carry, I believe, $1 million in public liability/damage on your insurance (I carry $2 million, which comes with my reduced deductible plan). From what I understand about this waiver (if it exists) is that you're going to be financially liable for any damages. That seems to be a very dumb idea.
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Very dumb if I ride this bike regularly. If I ride it every other sunny Sunday for 2 hours in my local area not as dumb; yet still dumb. Even then it's not the smartest choice. However, I'd rather have a bike sitting in my garage that I ride around my neighborhood and practice on. Then get a bike 3 years later when I can afford it and have no idea how to ride.
 
#38
karrot-x said:
Very dumb if I ride this bike regularly. If I ride it every other sunny Sunday for 2 hours in my local area not as dumb; yet still dumb. Even then it's not the smartest choice. However, I'd rather have a bike sitting in my garage that I ride around my neighborhood and practice on. Then get a bike 3 years later when I can afford it and have no idea how to ride.
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Can you afford proper riding wear?
 

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