Does a chopper have to be a v twin?

**Colapop** · 25th October 2005, 12:50

Originally Posted by Waylander

Bring it on I say!! Can even be a sub forum of the Hogs and Cruisers one....

Well I got the front end off and now for the back. Unfortunately can't/won't be able to chop it - no dosh. Just a learning experience about things that come apart then go back together - hopefully. Look for the thread that start Can you help me put my bike back together!

**Shotgun** · 25th October 2005, 14:06

You want to fit a springer to your Virago? I dont think that it would work mate, the cost of just doin that to a stock scoot probably isnt worth doin it...but...anything can be done I guess, figure around 18, or 1900 bucks, I've very little overheads workin from home these days....

**Waylander** · 25th October 2005, 16:53

Well there isn't much else I want to change on it. What else would I have to do to it to make it more feasable? Change the neck or something else?

And 1900 is a damn good price. Gonna be giving you a call probably even for the Rebel's front end lol.

**Shotgun** · 26th October 2005, 06:52

I'm thinkin that it may hang up with your stock fueltank....one other thing to consider as well, it will never handle like the stock bike did after youve done it, it will tend to 'pogo' a bit as well... One thing I always get asked about my chopper "how does it handle" my answer is always " It aint no stock bike anymore, I didnt build it to handle, I built it to look cool"....LOL....Fastest I'ver had it with 2up is 158Kph, by myself, 174Kph.. but it dont like windy days...more so if its a side wind.

**Colapop** · 26th October 2005, 08:12

Originally Posted by Shotgun

I'm thinkin that it may hang up with your stock fueltank....one other thing to consider as well, it will never handle like the stock bike did after youve done it, it will tend to 'pogo' a bit as well... One thing I always get asked about my chopper "how does it handle" my answer is always " It aint no stock bike anymore, I didnt build it to handle, I built it to look cool"....LOL....Fastest I'ver had it with 2up is 158Kph, by myself, 174Kph.. but it dont like windy days...more so if its a side wind.

How big is the turning circle? Those forks look mighty long. Given the length of the forks, does your bike have a tendency to 'bounce' or be very springy in the front end? Does having standard straight forks reduce the springyness? Is it to do with thickness (dia) of forks too? I don't want to make this a 20 questions but ... can you give us a little spiel on fork do's and don'ts?

**Waylander** · 26th October 2005, 08:37

Knew it would affect the Handling but didn't thing it would do so by that uch...

ok maybe just a set for the Rebel then. That's not gonna be any more than a town bike anyway so not to worried about the handling.

**ezinnz** · 26th October 2005, 19:49

Well, I'll chime in with what I know to start. The length is a big factor. Whether a springer or traditional telescopic forks, if the legs are long you've got leverage as a major factor. That's going to create flex and even running a fork brace (like some do) won't eliminate all of it.

Springers pogo slightly anyway, that's why in the latter years, HD have added a shock to theirs to dampen them down. You get used to it quick though and it's part of the ride on a long bike. Choppers look cool with springers

Like Dave says, choppers are cool and you sacrifice something for that. Kinda like T-buckets are to the hotrod world.

They're not death traps if built right and if your trail is set up right they will handle fine. If trail is severely out one way or the other, the handling is deadly.

If you think of race bikes and them being short wheelbase and short front ends for handling speed and fast turns and then compare that to a chopper you see what we mean.

I get a fair bit of movement through my downtubes and my front end but you learn to deal with it. I haven't been at the speeds Dave has but at 120Kms, a sweeping bend has you 'thinking' the first couple of times!

No idea what my turning circle is. With my bike at almost 12 foot long, it aint tight!

I guess you need to weigh up the pros and cons before you jump in and commit to a bike so radical.

I've owned a lot of bikes and this was an easy decision for me. I get bored riding my buddies Dyna now. Just isn't anything else like it I guess.

**Shotgun** · 27th October 2005, 06:13

Well there aint much more I can add to that mate....except my first mistake was using a fat car tire to start with...a definite no no, I'd not suggest that to anyone...

Oh yeah, heres something I do at rallies for a giggle, wander back over to yer bike once a crowd starts lookin at it, just linger in the backround and just listen to all the experts......theres usually one dude with 3 or 4 mates intow in a circle tellin em the do's & donts of chopper buildin and his mates are totally awestruck with his vast knowledge of such things...they'd be the ones with color coded leathers to match their sport bikes......See? now I've explained how I got to learn what I know & where I get all my ideas on how to build stuff from.....everyone is gonna be doin it...LOL

**degrom** · 28th December 2006, 12:36

Originally Posted by Shotgun

Well there aint much more I can add to that mate....except my first mistake was using a fat car tire to start with...a definite no no, I'd not suggest that to anyone...

Oh yeah, heres something I do at rallies for a giggle, wander back over to yer bike once a crowd starts lookin at it, just linger in the backround and just listen to all the experts......theres usually one dude with 3 or 4 mates intow in a circle tellin em the do's & donts of chopper buildin and his mates are totally awestruck with his vast knowledge of such things...they'd be the ones with color coded leathers to match their sport bikes......See? now I've explained how I got to learn what I know & where I get all my ideas on how to build stuff from.....everyone is gonna be doin it...LOL

LOL... I was wondering why gaining knowledge was so hard for me. I was listening to the wrong people.

**Pixie** · 28th December 2006, 13:09

Originally Posted by Waylander

Lol they arn't really meant for back roads riding anyway mate. Eye catchers for cruising town or bike rallys. Just a way to express yourself on a more visable (and Audible for some of them) medium.

Oh I get it
An alternative to the penile implant, for the sqeamish

**scumdog** · 28th December 2006, 13:22

Originally Posted by Pixie

Oh I get it
An alternative to the penile implant, for the sqeamish

Yeah, sort of like trendy helmets/leathers/boots/cars/i-pods/cell-phones/hairstyles/car sound systems/low profile tyres/bling mags etc etc?

**Bonez** · 28th December 2006, 17:39

Originally Posted by avgas

While it wasnt a chopper, can anyone explain to me why they took the XS850, little brother to the XS11 and then attempted to make a cruiser out of it?

It was the trend at the time. There was a cruiser version of the 1100 too-

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...ht_special.htm

There was also the cafe racer styled "Sport" XS1100, which I personnally liked. Just needed a biger tank.

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...sport%2081.htm

These "custom"(Honda), "special", "midnight special", "Maxim" (3 yammy series), "L" (in the case of Suzuki) and "LTD" (Kawasaki) models would probably be a good basis to start a chopper project with if you could get hold of one.

**Woody@nztrails.com** · 28th December 2006, 20:22

Originally Posted by ezinnz

Some of the nicest choppers from the 70's were the ones built with Honda 750 4's. Hell, I'd love to build one of those now. They're a nice powerplant for a chop and look retro to boot!

I remember a guy who I think was linked to the Rusty Nuts club. He had a CB750 powered chopper and it was awesome ( in my humble opinion ). All the chrome work all over the bike was engraved and it was one of the most different bikes I'd seen at that time (8 yrs ago). Real old school look and the guy was a hard case dude too!

Choppers can be powered by anything - just look at all the ridiculous 50cc single powered "minis" around the place now!

**Cookie** · 7th January 2007, 10:52

I know this is an old thread, but it's still the appropriate place to paste a link to this: The latest in undersized choppers:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-82648733.htm

"Fully designed,developed,and manufactured by californian master bike builder" (Err - pass me a Tui).

**Waylander** · 7th January 2007, 10:59

Originally Posted by Cookie

I know this is an old thread, but it's still the appropriate place to paste a link to this: The latest in undersized choppers:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-82648733.htm

"Fully designed,developed,and manufactured by californian master bike builder" (Err - pass me a Tui).

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=38843