Can you build a bike from scratch?

[the JoKeR]

If I can build a Hummer from scratch, you can build a motorcycle from scratch!

[bornl33t]

I though that was a joke.... but ummm...... wow. I'm very impressed by someones welding skills, very nice welds

[bornl33t]

well, I think this is what I've decited to do right now.

I'm going to buy a 1200cc harley sportster.

Build the frame from scratch
use the motor and tranny from the sportster.
Buy rims, tires, front forks, a rear swing arm assembly and maybe some other misc parts.

The rest of the sportster I'll be parting out over E-bay. The sheetmetall will all be made by scratch or restored from an bike junkyard. I found a place in my area that will send out parts to be chrome plated and I have enough experiance with high gloss painting and airbrushing ( remember the flamed hoppers? )

That's how things are looking right now, they may change tomorow but I think I'm starting to understand bikes and the artwork that goes into each custom made machine.

The end results that I'm looking for are a custom chopper with a high cubed engine ( not sure if the sportster is going to be enough at this point, but going to try it ) I'm looking for a mild frame, soft tail and low to the ground. A wide frame, WIIIIDE rear tire. Short rear and front fenders. Single seater, no sissy bar, no springer forks, long gastank, and flames....... flames are a must.

Now I just gotta start saving my pennies. I'm guessing the project will run about 10000$-13000$ and something close to 2 years of actuall work.

I think these are all realistic figures. If anyone has any critic they'd like to add, be my guest. 13000$ isn't something I'm not going to take advice on

[Star_Base_CGI]

Watch that show Orange county choppers. They build theme bikes for around $75,000. Looks like above picture.

They dont even have any rear suspensions. Try and get a wrecked Harley that still runs.

I saw some engines online. Just engines mind you but you could get a 1000cc Jap engine for around $1000 or $2000. DO you know how seriously fast and geared those things are but they are water cooled? I think they pull 12,000 RPMs.

I think If I had $12,000 I could do it. I have a 1995 motercycle and 2 Bicycles I built out of junk found in the nieghborhood.

If your build a chopper you will need everything front end chopper including shocks, handlebars and uppers.

Id say your main cost will be welding equipment, front end and engine.

See the bikes arent even that nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ayphotohosting

The belts are all open. You could have a small accident with that stuff but I do think they have belt covers.

There rear those no shocks. they just weld bolt washer things to mount the fender. The tanks are custom hammered.

[Thordic]

American Choppers are not West Coast Choppers! They are out of NY state! Orange County Choppers! Don't be takin credit for east coast skill! :)



This is the best bike they've done, IMO.

[Star_Base_CGI]

Sorry I lost my thinking cap today.

Must feel depressed or soemthing.

[RRfireblade]

Originally posted by Heat
well, I think this is what I've decited to do right now.

I'm going to buy a 1200cc harley sportster.

Build the frame from scratch
use the motor and tranny from the sportster.

NNNNOOOOOOoooooooooooo!!

Don't you dare put a sportster motor in a custom cruiser!!

That's worse than those Ferrari kit cars built around a Fiero chassis and engine.Put your money in the engine first and add chrome and other shiny later.
And unless you have a very good understanding of frame geometry,I wouldn't build your first from scratch.Stability and handling are paramount in a motorcycles design.It doesn't take much to unsettle a bike under load and next thing you know your doing the old ***-phalt slide.I've taken brand new bikes to Computrack and even the factory sometimes have alignment problems.Not worth it IMO.

My .02

Jay.

Jay.

[bornl33t]

Originally posted by RRfireblade


NNNNOOOOOOoooooooooooo!!

Don't you dare put a sportster motor in a custom cruiser!!

That's worse than those Ferrari kit cars built around a Fiero chassis and engine.Put your money in the engine first and add chrome and other shiny later.
And unless you have a very good understanding of frame geometry,I wouldn't build your first from scratch.Stability and handling are paramount in a motorcycles design.It doesn't take much to unsettle a bike under load and next thing you know your doing the old ***-phalt slide.I've taken brand new bikes to Computrack and even the factory sometimes have alignment problems.Not worth it IMO.

My .02

Jay.

Jay.

well it's either that or chop up one of those police style harleys, they are failry cheap around 10000$
I've already decided that I can't afford a "nice" motor. The evolution motors you typically see in custom bikes run roughly 5000% another 2 for the tranny. 7 grand for just a motor makes little sence, unless my name was jesse james

[Pokaris]

My experience with the Sportster 1200 was not good. I hardly kept the bike as long as I waited for the thing to show up. It started leaking oil fast. This was a 97 in 97 so I dont believe there have been any major overhauls to that engine. Might look into one of the Japanese V Twins.

[RRfireblade]

A good 80ci motor can be had as low as $2000 used.Keep an eyee on Ebay and the classifieds.I'm in Daytona and I see 'em all the time.

Hang on............

See...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2425746418

Jay.

[bornl33t]

umm.... wow, ebay comes through again, that's freaking awesome. So maybe I won't part out a bike afterall...

[bornl33t]

I'm going to be in IN TOMOROW!!! I wish I had 2k$ right now.... bah....

[Zumina]

OCC makes nice bikes, but it seems they take the same bike, make a different tank and fender, then call it radically new.

[bornl33t]

I just scored a century mig welder 110v 20% duty cyle for a wopping 300$ WITH TANK. it's a year old and comes with a warrenty I'm stoked

[RRfireblade]

Originally posted by Zumina
OCC makes nice bikes, but it seems they take the same bike, make a different tank and fender, then call it radically new.