Building a chopper?

[phiire]

this has probally been done to death in this forum already so i apologize for that but can anyone point me in the direction of where to find the likes of 2nd hand frames and engines.

[hospitalfood]

no, but great idea. I want to build a bobber or cafe racer or both, will start with an old R series BMW as soon as I can buy a third bike.

I would recommend looking on the net for what you like then choose your starting point, i would also suggest avoiding jap parts if you want to be able to sell it one day

[phiire]

no, but great idea. I want to build a bobber or cafe racer or both, will start with an old R series BMW as soon as I can buy a third bike.

I would recommend looking on the net for what you like then choose your starting point, i would also suggest avoiding jap parts if you want to be able to sell it one day

i am looking at using a 1340 evo engine or S&S equivalent but the internet hasn't proved very helpful so far trademe and google nz seem to have a lack of parts and information.

[Molly]

There's a thread on here (in this section) started by someone who's just had her S&S motor Dyna written off but she's not buying it back to rebuild. Maybe (at around $5k) that'd be a good starting point?

By the way, second hand parts tend to be silly money in NZ. I used to pick up bits from ebay.co.uk as there was a lot more choice and it was a good bit cheaper (e.g. typically fifty quid for a wheel that most TradeMe sellers seem to want $250+ for).

Good luck.

[hospitalfood]

you might find it easier to buy a cheap harley as a starting point. that would be my angle. then get an engineer to sort the rake and possibly axe sub frame to tidy rear ( if you want a hardtail it gets even harder ). then find some forks somewhere ? ebay ? not really sure ?
I would try to find a harley with the 1340, or settle for the engine it has.

if you google harley chopper you will find heaps of them, you will probably find a company in the states that will give advice.
also, nz has batoutofhell customs or something like that.

part of the reason I'm thinking bobber is that it is a cool look for less work.
best of luck.

[phiire]

you might find it easier to buy a cheap harley as a starting point. that would be my angle. then get an engineer to sort the rake and possibly axe sub frame to tidy rear ( if you want a hardtail it gets even harder ). then find some forks somewhere ? ebay ? not really sure ?
I would try to find a harley with the 1340, or settle for the engine it has.

if you google harley chopper you will find heaps of them, you will probably find a company in the states that will give advice.
also, nz has batoutofhell customs or something like that.

part of the reason I'm thinking bobber is that it is a cool look for less work.
best of luck.
i am a boilermaker by trade so modifications shouldn't be too big a problem ive played with the idea of looking for a cheap harley with a 1340 or similar engine but broadening my searches to Australia i could pick up and ship a frame for around 2.5k haven't checked locally if i can get one made or 2nd hand cheaper here. That leaves me with a bit of cash spare befor i even get close to the cost of a 2nd hand harley

[rosie631]

There's a thread on here (in this section) started by someone who's just had her S&S motor Dyna written off but she's not buying it back to rebuild. Maybe (at around $5k) that'd be a good starting point?



Good luck.

That would be me. Was written off by Vero. Told them I didn't want to buy her back on Monday. Last time I saw her she was in the shed at Rolling Thunder. Could give them a ring and see if still there or where she was taken to. I don't know what Vero do with their written off bikes. Buy back price I was given was 5grand. No damage to motor at all. Would be a good buy.

[phiire]

That would be me. Was written off by Vero. Told them I didn't want to buy her back on Monday. Last time I saw her she was in the shed at Rolling Thunder. Could give them a ring and see if still there or where she was taken to. I don't know what Vero do with their written off bikes. Buy back price I was given was 5grand. No damage to motor at all. Would be a good buy.
thanks for the suggestion i might give them a call tomorrow i also haven't rang around any dealers yet Ive heard there is a few around that would have harley parts.

[rosie631]

I would have bought her myself but needed all my money for my new bike. There is a pic on my profile page if you want to have a look. There is also an album on there of pics after the crash. You need to add me as a friend to see those ones tho. I LOOOOOOOOVED that bike.

[hospitalfood]

be interested to see how you go with that ?

i guess i was thinking you could get a harley for 5-6k ( but maybe not a 1340 ) and it would cost heaps more to buy a frame, engine, controls, loom and electrics, lights, pegs, wheels, rubber, seat, forks, rear suspension, tank and guards.

i guess if you bought a harley you would still need to buy another front wheel but most of the rest could be adapted.

[phiire]

i am budgeting around 2k for the frame and 4k for the engine go from there ill be checking over seas markets the likes of ebay i was just hoping to buy kiwi if i could but as i mentioned i haven't rang around wreckers etc yet.

[phiire]

be interested to see how you go with that ?

i guess i was thinking you could get a harley for 5-6k ( but maybe not a 1340 ) and it would cost heaps more to buy a frame, engine, controls, loom and electrics, lights, pegs, wheels, rubber, seat, forks, rear suspension, tank and guards.

i guess if you bought a harley you would still need to buy another front wheel but most of the rest could be adapted.
could probably pick up a sportster for around that price but anything like a softail will cost abit more.

[stify]

I want to build a bobber or cafe racer or both, will start with an old R series BMW as soon as I can buy a third bike.



i have a few plans....:shifty:

[doc]

haven't checked locally if i can get one made or 2nd hand cheaper here. That leaves me with a bit of cash spare befor i even get close to the cost of a 2nd hand harley

Check out Orb at the Hog Farm, can get you his no if you need it.

[hospitalfood]

i have few plans....:shifty:

i love that bmw bobber, to much work for me but. will stick with the bmw frame but cut the subframe to lower the seat and probably use a custom tank

[phiire]

Check out Orb at the Hog Farm, can get you his no if you need it.
Ive worked with orb at the mill befor but i haven't gotten his number he would be a great place to start i am thinking.

[stify]

i love that bmw bobber, to much work for me but. will stick with the bmw frame but cut the subframe to lower the seat and probably use a custom tank

yeh, it's an ask...work and money wise...but it's cool.. thought about the bmw's...untapped in nz...cool bmw chopper in the pics

[hospitalfood]

yeh, it's an ask...work and money wise...but it's cool.. thought about the bmw's...untapped in nz...cool bmw chopper in the pics

very nice.

the bmw R100RT i have is a great bike, bought it to modify but it is to mint so i just ride it.
the bmw's are great bikes, would avoid the new ones due to complexity but the old 2 valve heads like my one are great, very easy to maintain and go forever, only weak spot being gearbox which is not a major to rebuild.

sorry to be putting this stuff in a chopper thread guys

[hospitalfood]

think that chopper is a guzzi, which i think is also a good option but more expensive to get a base one to work

[stify]

think that chopper is a guzzi, which i think is also a good option but more expensive to get a base one to work

opps... my bad, I tink it's cool thou

[stify]

very nice.

the bmw R100RT i have is a great bike, bought it to modify but it is to mint so i just ride it.
the bmw's are great bikes, would avoid the new ones due to complexity but the old 2 valve heads like my one are great, very easy to maintain and go forever, only weak spot being gearbox which is not a major to rebuild.

sorry to be putting this stuff in a chopper thread guys

I think the K model bikes can be a good base for a cafe project...kinda cheep too

[peasea]

this has probally been done to death in this forum already so i apologize for that but can anyone point me in the direction of where to find the likes of 2nd hand frames and engines.


What are you lookin' for dude? 70's style, full-on chop with KnQ seat, springer front end? Do you have anything to get started? I know of a couple of retro chopper groups, PM me.

[peasea]

I think the K model bikes can be a good base for a cafe project...kinda cheep too

If ya can be arsed with quite a bit of tinkering the iron head Sporty motor looks way-cool in a bobber. Modern sealants can help too.

[CookMySock]

http://chopperbuilders.net/

Steve

[stify]

If ya can be arsed with quite a bit of tinkering the iron head Sporty motor looks way-cool in a bobber. Modern sealants can help too.

I love the look of aircooled donks in a custom...my choice would be having somit a bit different

[phiire]

What are you lookin' for dude? 70's style, full-on chop with KnQ seat, springer front end? Do you have anything to get started? I know of a couple of retro chopper groups, PM me.

probably late 80's early 90's got nothing to get started at the moment was looking to secure a frame and engine before i even look at getting started id prefer to build it up from scratch i have a few ideas in mind and i think it would be easier to start from frame. Than modify an already complete harley and also i need a project.

[peasea]

I love the look of aircooled donks in a custom...my choice would be having somit a bit different

Does this appeal?

[peasea]

probably late 80's early 90's got nothing to get started at the moment was looking to secure a frame and engine before i even look at getting started id prefer to build it up from scratch i have a few ideas in mind and i think it would be easier to start from frame. Than modify an already complete harley and also i need a project.

Have you heard of The Hog Farm?

[phiire]

Have you heard of The Hog Farm?

i am familiar with the name the owner i have worked with in the past in fact i believe we even work for the same company.
nice bike in pic a lil rusty lol.

[pete376403]

HuttBoyz choppers in Lower Hutt. Don't know if they sell used, but they do have a lot of very shiney new in the showroom.
http://www.huttboyzchoppers.co.nz/

[peasea]

i am familiar with the name the owner i have worked with in the past in fact i believe we even work for the same company.
nice bike in pic a lil rusty lol.

It was a barn-find. Rusty is all good.

[stify]

Does this appeal?

not really...still lools like a harley....but this does

[peasea]

not really...still lools like a harley....but this does

Of course it still looks like a Harley, it's powered by one. The picture you posted looks like someone stole an idea off a custom Harley builder and powered it with................something else.

It's not a bad thing to power a custom with something other than a V-Twin though.

[phiire]

It was a barn-find. Rusty is all good.
now if only farmers out my way had bikes in there barns sadly they don't =[

[stify]

Of course it still looks like a Harley, it's powered by one. The picture you posted looks like someone stole an idea off a custom Harley builder and powered it with................something else.

It's not a bad thing to power a custom with something other than a V-Twin though.

I like most tings, but a HD is an HD, and most choppers are powered by em...I'd like somit a bit different

[rosie631]

If ya can be arsed with quite a bit of tinkering the iron head Sporty motor looks way-cool in a bobber. Modern sealants can help too.

Yep, that's what I'd use too. Can pick them up pretty cheap. And they're easy to work on. Even I used to be able to do a bit to my old one. Had a 76. Awesome old bike.:yes: And it didn't leak oil...............much

[rosie631]

I like most tings, but a HD is an HD, and most choppers are powered by em...I'd like somit a bit different

What about a bonnie then??

[Brian d marge]

There's a thread on here (in this section) started by someone who's just had her S&S motor Dyna written off but she's not buying it back to rebuild. Maybe (at around $5k) that'd be a good starting point?

By the way, second hand parts tend to be silly money in NZ. I used to pick up bits from ebay.co.uk as there was a lot more choice and it was a good bit cheaper (e.g. typically fifty quid for a wheel that most TradeMe sellers seem to want $250+ for).

Good luck.

what's the shipping like from the UK ? I am looking for a frame for my new project , cant find Jack

and Im in JAPAN!!!!!

so I have a choice of making one or importing one from the UK

Stephen

[peasea]

Yep, that's what I'd use too. Can pick them up pretty cheap. And they're easy to work on. Even I used to be able to do a bit to my old one. Had a 76. Awesome old bike.:yes: And it didn't leak oil...............much

It's a bit like anything really, the correct person on the spanners, careful prep' and assembly, the right tune up and things should work out. I had a 650 Bonnie for years that didn't leak, it used to amaze everyone. Reliable too.

[Molly]

Do you read The Horse magazine? Bit steep at $23 (from Borders) but it often features custom, owner-built bikes using non-HD motors that are put together on a budget. Lots of ideas for people who don't want to build their bike by just writing cheques.

[Molly]

what's the shipping like from the UK ? I am looking for a frame for my new project , cant find Jack

and Im in JAPAN!!!!!

so I have a choice of making one or importing one from the UK

Stephen

Hmm. Depends. I think it's worth buying a lot of stuff and shipping it in one lump (in the past I've stuffed parts around a bike I was bringing out) as it's done on volume not weight. The more you can stuff in, the cheaper each part works out at.

[FROSTY]

Phiiire. A good mate of mine is building a really nice scratchbuilt custom bike based on a suzuki Bully. Gimme a yeodle and I'll put you onto him. Hes a LOONG way into his build so he's figured out the contacts for the parts he can't or doesn't wanna make.
Best advice dude--USA the stuff outa the states is frigin amazing.

[Molly]

If it's any help, I've a mate down in Dunsandel who makes custom parts (lots of polished stainless). Mostly for Triumph and some HD but also for one-off builds. He's a talented bloke as it happens:

http://www.jonsshed.blogspot.com/

[BIG DOUG]

okay ebay is your friend,I just picked up a krafttech rigid frame no stretch 30 degree rake landed in new zealand $2200.00, $900.00 of that was freight and customs,I also picked up my bdl 3" beltdrive and gearbox pm master cylinder,hubs and spokes of ebay I'm of to the states next weekend so god knows what I'll come back with lol.

[phiire]

so after doing some research and finding some drawing plans etc online mainly thanks to everyone's help Ive decided to build my frame now what sorta bullshit can i expect trying to get it vind?

[AllanB]

Hmm - with car roll cages etc you need to have them designed or the design approved by an engineer. I'd presume the welding to be by someone with the trade cert as well (although trailers do not!). I'd say the same applies to a scratch frame.

Call your local VINZ area and get the name of your local certifier - see them first. From the guys I know who have mucked around with cars they say the easiest way to get certification is to get a good relationship with the certifier.

[phiire]

Hmm - with car roll cages etc you need to have them designed or the design approved by an engineer. I'd presume the welding to be by someone with the trade cert as well (although trailers do not!). I'd say the same applies to a scratch frame.

Call your local VINZ area and get the name of your local certifier - see them first. From the guys I know who have mucked around with cars they say the easiest way to get certification is to get a good relationship with the certifier.

My coworker is asme 9 and im 4711 so welding tickets aren't a problem my design however is certed in the states so im thinking i need to call a certifyer and run them by him first? to get them signed also would the engineer at work be good enough to sign them off he does all our jobs at work?