$95,000 for what? How does the rear suspension work?

[Maki]

Just out of interest, given that I know nothing about cruiser type motorcycles and would love to know more, how is this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-243809540.htm

worth $95.000? Apparently it is "built to ride". I wonder what they build their other bikes for.

It is also well engineered, at least it was the best engineered bike in Asburton 2008. Given that fact I would love to know how the rear suspension works. The fender and seat are almost touching the rear tyre with no one sitting on the bike. Won't you be riding along with the fender scraping the tyre? Is that good engineering?

How much would you have to add to yer $95.000 to make that thing road legal. As far as I can tell it has no rear lights or reflector, no indicators and nowhere to put a licence plate... maybe it's just built to ride around yer closed paddock?

Finally, let's say you were able to make it road legal, how much would the insurance be? :gob:

["D" FZ1]

$25k for a rolling chassis so does that mean that it is $70k for the motor???

[Maki]

$25k for a rolling chassis so does that mean that it is $70k for the motor???

Must be one hell of a motor...

[mossy1200]

Number plate on left side.I notice only mirror on left so assume it american photo because we require it on the rt if only one mirror.
It may just be a show bike without road kit but the listing includes road legal so they must add the rest etc.
Very expensive bike.Think I would enjoy a cheeper bike plus cash myself more.

[White trash]

If you have to ask, you're obviously not actually interested in it.

But I'd imagine the fender is mounted to the swingarm, alowinf minimal clearance on the rear tyre but still has some suspension travel.

95K is a bit steep for a NZ assembled chop in my opinion but then, if it spins someones wheels, it's worth it.

[AllanB]

Ignoring the price it's a clean looking chopper. Bet it is scary as hell to ride!

[Maki]

If you have to ask, you're obviously not actually interested in it.

But I'd imagine the fender is mounted to the swingarm, alowinf minimal clearance on the rear tyre but still has some suspension travel.

95K is a bit steep for a NZ assembled chop in my opinion but then, if it spins someones wheels, it's worth it.

But looking at the photos the rear seat is attached to the fender...

I agree, if someone is willing to dish out $95.000 for it, then that is what it is worth.

[Rodney007]

Hmmn that is one hefty price tag, im sure custom choppers shouldnt be anything over 50k,

[White trash]

But looking at the photos the rear seat is attached to the fender...

I agree, if someone is willing to dish out $95.000 for it, then that is what it is worth.
Perhaps the back of the rear seat attaches to the fender and it flexs would be my guess. Just ahd a look at the pics and it's not actually my cup of tea.

I'm more into this sort of thing. 66 Bobber (http://www.suckerpunchsallys.com/09_66bobber.html)

At todays exchange rate I'd have it landed, ready for paint and assembly for under 35K

[Maki]

Perhaps the back of the rear seat attaches to the fender and it flexs would be my guess. Just ahd a look at the pics and it's not actually my cup of tea.

I'm more into this sort of thing. 66 Bobber (http://www.suckerpunchsallys.com/09_66bobber.html)

At todays exchange rate I'd have it landed, ready for paint and assembly for under 35K

That's badass, and the suspension is easy to understand. Old fashioned push bike style springs under the seat! ;)

[Lurch]

That is a lot of money for what looks like an overgrown pushbike.

[YellowDog]

No one has told this seller that there is a recession on and money is in short supply.

I am sure there will be a good time to charge $95k for a $35k bike at some time in the future.

[Elysium]

For that price I can buy two normal Harely's. I don't get why choppers cost more then a normal Harley as you get less physical bike then a normal Harely so to me they're a rip off.

[EJK]

This bike was designed for the New Zealand roads.

Oh huh. That's luxury...

[ukusa]

For that price I can buy two normal Harely's, I don't get why choppers cost more then a normal Harley as you get less physical bike then a normal Harely so to me they're a rip off.
What's a "normal" Harley? Are there "abnormal" ones as well?

[Squiggles]

Would it even make it from Timaru to Ashburton on a tank of gas? XD

[YellowDog]

It looks really comfy and easy to ride too!

[Maki]

Would it even make it from Timaru to Ashburton on a tank of gas? XD

It is a masterpiece of engineering so I am sure it must.

[Conquiztador]

Right... Where do I start?

Here: I have no connection with the builder. And would not build a bike like the one advertised. But that comes down to taste. Mine tended to have 20"+ forks and be rigid with wheels filled with spokes.

Said that, in NZ everyone is a custombuilder that tends to be able to make it cheaper and better... Probably why garages are filled with unfinished projects.

Yes, it is a heafty price tag. A friend of mine is in middle of building his ultimate custom. He has just paid US$ 2,500 for the handlebars (internal everything including brake mastercylinder and clutch hydraulics). Custom made forks to his specifications. US$12,000. And the motor...hope you are sitting down: US$65,000. Then there is frame (no stand, frame drops down to ground when parked), tank, wheels, paint etc. Not much change from US$ 150,000. That makes NZ$ 200,000+.

But back to the discussed chop. It is all down to taste. If you like a jap racer then this one will not have much attraction for you. And you will also have problems understanding why. And I can not help you there.

- The guard is mounted in the swingarm and moves with the wheel.
- The seat would sink in to the guard (se the raised part of the guard)
- Numberplate and rear lights are fitted on side of wheel.
- Indicators would be minimal (probably LED type fitted in handlebars/rearguard)
- If you were to buy the bits (including motor) separate, I assume you would be well over NZ$70K. Then there is all the work to make it all fit, the detailed customising and the paint.

I can also see 80 spoked wheels, gearbox with output on "wrong" side, 3 inch primary belt, and as stated 2200cc engine.

The reason that this girl won the engineering throphy can not be admired from these photos. You would have to be close to see all the detail and nice engineering solutions.

And I would not be surprised if this girl, if you ever have the previledge to test her, would make you scream in delight from the adrenalin buzz a tuned and sharpened big block gives you when fitted to a light frame. But it is not for everyone. Aquired taste.

[Maki]

Brilliant, thank you for helping me to fathom all this.

[grusomhat]

For something worth $95k and won awards, those are some of the shittiest photos ever to showcase something.

[marty]

Perhaps the back of the rear seat attaches to the fender and it flexs would be my guess. Just ahd a look at the pics and it's not actually my cup of tea.

I'm more into this sort of thing. 66 Bobber (http://www.suckerpunchsallys.com/09_66bobber.html)

At todays exchange rate I'd have it landed, ready for paint and assembly for under 35K

but WT - how does the rear suspension work?

[Conquiztador]

For something worth $95k and won awards, those are some of the shittiest photos ever to showcase something.

I second that!

[CookMySock]

I would love to know how the rear suspension works.It's a torsion bar off a caravan.

Steve

[Brian d marge]

Right... Where do I start?

Here: I have no connection with the builder. And would not build a bike like the one advertised. But that comes down to taste. Mine tended to have 20"+ forks and be rigid with wheels filled with spokes.

Said that, in NZ everyone is a custombuilder that tends to be able to make it cheaper and better... Probably why garages are filled with unfinished projects.

Yes, it is a heafty price tag. A friend of mine is in middle of building his ultimate custom. He has just paid US$ 2,500 for the handlebars (internal everything including brake mastercylinder and clutch hydlaulics). Custom made forks to his specifications. US$12,000. And the motor...hope you are sitting down: US$65,000. Then there is frame (no stand, frame drops down to ground when parked), tank, wheels, paint etc. Not much change from US$ 150,000. That makes NZ$ 200,000+.

But back to the discussed chop. It is all down to taste. If you like a jap racer then this one will not have much attraction for you. And you will also have problems understanding why. And I can not help you there.

- The guard is mounted in the swingarm and moves with the wheel.
- The seat would sink in to the guard (se the raised part of the guard)
- Numberplate and rear lights are fitted on side of wheel.
- Indicators would be minimla (probably LED type fitted in handlebars/rearguard)
- If you were to buy the bits (including motor) separate, I assume you would be well over NZ$70K. Then there is all the work to make it all fit, the detailed customising and the paint.

I can also see 80 spoked wheels, gearbox with output on "wrong" side, 3 inch primary belt, and as stated 2200cc engine.

The reason that this girl won the engineering throphy can not be admired from these photos. You would have to be close to see all the detail and nice engineering solutions.

And I would not be surprised if this girl, if you ever have the previledge to test her, would make you scream in delight from the adrenalin buzz a tuned and sharpened big block gives you when fitted to a light frame. But it is not for everyone. Aquired taste.


Please please throw half that money my way

I am building my ultimate chopper

and for a waaaay lot less than that

im trying to keep it under 3k

it is British based but that's my boat floater


On the defence though , if you are making a living off building choppers and you add the overheads on ,,,yes it mounts up REAL fast

Stephen

[McWild]

The phrase "more money than sense" comes to mind....

Different strokes I guess. Would rather have 18 2 stroke 250s personally but yeah.

[ready4whatever]

would be worth double that price if michael jackson rode it once

[Elysium]

What's a "normal" Harley? Are there "abnormal" ones as well?

Well take a typcal Harely and put it next to a chopper. The typical Harely has more parts, chrome, metal and tassles then a chopper.

I say normal because an "abnormal" Harely is a chopper in my opinion.

[ukusa]

would be worth double that price if michael jackson rode it once

What would that make Macauley Culkin worth then?

[cs363]

I always find it a bitt odd that the more that is taken off a bike the more expensive it is - this seems to apply both in the custom and sprots bike world :laugh:

Also, you'd think with the sheer number of custom Harley based (or look-a-likes) engines that are getting pumped out in the US and elsewhere that the costs for these would be coming down?

Just musing aloud, don't mind me.... :laugh:

[inorganic]

make it slow... make it noisy ... make it ugly ... and they will come grasshopper

[BIG DOUG]

Try and build one I'm 3/4's of the way through building my rigid bobber,you start with a frame and have to fill it in which means making most of the parts to get it to work having a lathe and tig welder and other equipment helps,it might cost you 20k or so and if you factor in about 50k in labour I work most nites and weekends on it,you make something that takes you 3 hours only to scrap it as it doesn't look right,tony's bike on trademe will be nice as I have judged his previous bikes at the magog's easter show and he builds nice bikes and conquiztador I hope when your friend has his bike finished he enter's it in a few show's so people get to see it.

[AllanB]

you make something that takes you 3 hours only to scrap it as it doesn't look right.

Darn right there - I've a small alloy muffler shield lying in the shed I did just that with the other weekend. Mark 2 is looking much better :2thumbsup

[cs363]

you make something that takes you 3 hours only to scrap it as it doesn't look right.

I think many of us know that feeling, however you can't charge (or at least in my book, you shouldn't) for that time, I for one would be bloody pissed off if I found that the price of a Ducati 1198R was justified because Luigi couldn't decide on how to make some of the components.... :laugh:

[SMOKEU]

Ignorance is bliss. There is always going to be some idiot that will pay 5X more for something than what it's worth.

[Brian d marge]

Try and build one I'm 3/4's of the way through building my rigid bobber,you start with a frame and have to fill it in which means making most of the parts to get it to work having a lathe and tig welder and other equipment helps,it might cost you 20k or so and if you factor in about 50k in labour I work most nites and weekends on it,you make something that takes you 3 hours only to scrap it as it doesn't look right,tony's bike on trademe will be nice as I have judged his previous bikes at the magog's easter show and he builds nice bikes and conquiztador I hope when your friend has his bike finished he enter's it in a few show's so people get to see it.

This is why we have computers

get it right 1st time on the computer then print the working drawings

Stephen

[mynameis]

Just looks like a bigger versoin of the annoying thing squids ride on, whatever they are called. Mini footpath motorcycle I think.

[jonbuoy]

This is why we have computers

get it right 1st time on the computer then print the working drawings

Stephen

Take me longer to draw it on a pc than to make a cardboard one.

[2wheeldrifter]

What would that make Macauley Culkin worth then?

not sure, he may have more rear travel though.......! lol

[chef]

looks a bit tinny for 95k, does it come with naked women?

[AllanB]

This is why we have computers

get it right 1st time on the computer then print the working drawings

Stephen

OK if you are planning on making 2,000 of them on your CNC machine. Or designing two Fire-fighter bike wheels on a unlimited budget!

It's very rewarding taking a plain flat piece of metal and shaping it into something 'special'.

Hand forming petrol tanks - nows there's a skill. I watched a DVD with Jesse James making a copper tank - he beat it up and formed it them decided it looked like crap so chopped it up and reshaped it until he was happy.

[lankyman]

Maybe there just aren't any decent engineers in Ashburton

[Brian d marge]

OK if you are planning on making 2,000 of them on your CNC machine. Or designing two Fire-fighter bike wheels on a unlimited budget!

It's very rewarding taking a plain flat piece of metal and shaping it into something 'special'.

Hand forming petrol tanks - nows there's a skill. I watched a DVD with Jesse James making a copper tank - he beat it up and formed it them decided it looked like crap so chopped it up and reshaped it until he was happy.

No I am making, one ,

mine

The computer cost nothing in materials and I can chop, shape, paint until I am happy

Once I am happy I can just print out , the drawings , ( in an Ideal world no tidy up~ tui moment )

No expensive software ,just Blender ( cgi) and Cad and Calculix

aat the moment ( when I get a chance ) I am working on the layout deciding tyres , shocks, tanks , seats , lights ( the front light is going to be a problem )

Cost to date ( excluding time ) $ 0


Stephen

Ps

Some ( quite a lot) of the parts will be hand made , depending on the finished layout

[BIG DOUG]

my best computer is my brain,I know how it will look in my mind don't need to waste time drawing it on a computer and I'm more a hands on person oh well of to the garage for another few hours.

[Brian d marge]

my best computer is my brain,I know how it will look in my mind don't need to waste time drawing it on a computer and I'm more a hands on person oh well of to the garage for another few hours.

but you would throw the part in the bin if it dint look right

that being said , if my shop was equiped with a lathe ( have one in NZ but not here,)
I would be in the shop as well, making ,,,stuff

Stephen

[Timber020]

What would that make Macauley Culkin worth then?

Not as much as the one riden by culkin being ridden by jackson!

Its a piece of engineering art that you can pose on and ride. Most art is a con, but so long as you can find a buyer for a pile or rubbish, a dead shark in a tank, a painting that looks like a 3 year old did it. The limit is the motivation and budget of the buyer.

At least with this one you could part it out. But if your paying more than 30k for an engine, you would expect it to be VERY special.