How legal is your chopper?

[Wired1]

I've been looking and drooling again over the "project" bikes on Turdeme and came across this little gem http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=55392219. Now it's a piece of crap as it stands but I do like the idea of building a chopper and this might be a good place to start. I don't much like the idea of a Triumph chopper but I do like the springer front end and I could probably sell off the other bits I don't want like the engine and Harley bolt ons (why would someone do that to a Triumph? - I mean it must be worth more as a standard bike?) and use a good old XV motor and tranny...
What I want to know is how much can you chop a chopper (if a chopper should get chopped?) before it needs recertifying, and what is the drama with getting it certified anyway? I mean do you need every weld looked at or is it more a case of major frame alterations that need someone looking over your shoulder?

[Shadows]

Now it's a piece of crap as it stands....

I don't much like the idea of a Triumph chopper

You're dead right that is definately a piece of crap. But maybe you are on to something, just a rolling frame can set you back a fair few grand new so it could be a starting point.

And I agree, Trumpy choppers just don't seem right to me either.

As for the actual question you asked, I'm fucked if I know!

[popelli]

and use a good old XV motor and tranny...

if you are going to use an XV motor then you may as well throw the whole bike away

the only thing that will be of any use is the forks

grafting a shaftdrive motor into a triumph frame is more trouble than it is worth

[Motu]

Forget the forks - do a rough measurement of the trail....

[Wired1]

Yeah it was an off the cuff comment - although with a chain drive XV it might work. I think what appealed to me was the springer front end.

[Wired1]

Forget the forks - do a rough measurement of the trail....

I just had another look it does appear to have negative trail or at best zero. This thing wold handle like a supermarket trolley at speed, hop the lucky new owner figures it out before they open her up...

[Motu]

I've done a few miles on a chop with a homemade springer front end with such long rockers that it had 8in of negative trail - it was ok to ride...but you wouldn't want to push it.

[Paul in NZ]

I gotta agree with Motu here. Home made spinger? Blerch! never riden one of them I'd trust that didn't weight as much as the rest of the bike!

Put it this way! Ask yourself why on earth someone would sell a fully functional (or near as dammit) bike that 'only needed a cert - easy' when it would be worth much much more with that cert? Maybe he knows it aint gunna get it????

As for vinning it?

Good luck!!!!

[hunt]

dont know the answer to your question, but looking at the bike the best parts are the engine and the tank,,whoever reconned the motor would of spent a few bucks, i dont think that particular bikes a bargin buy, a complete rolling triumph just had the engine removed sold on trade me last week, i think it went for $1825, auction 53746800

[Paul in NZ]

dont know the answer to your question, but looking at the bike the best parts are the engine and the tank,,whoever reconned the motor would of spent a few bucks, i dont think that particular bikes a bargin buy, a complete rolling triumph just had the engine removed sold on trade me last week, i think it went for $1825, auction 53746800

Depends on what was done to the engine.

Easy to spend a few bucks on rings and gaskets but you can drop $5k into one of those if the head is rooted etc.

Thus far I've spent around $2K in parts and engineering.

Reco stock cams
re harden followers
new rocker spindle seals
upgrade tappets
New valves and guides
rebore
New pistons rings
grind crank end (big ends OK)
clean out sludge trap
new cam bushes
all new bearings
replace oil pump (up grade)
new primary chain and sprockets
new gear box sprocket
modify chainchase
repairs to cases
Boyer

Still got to do the carb... sigh!

I would not use a big triumph twin with an unknown history without stripping it down for a look see.

I would not

[Motu]

grind crank end (big ends OK)

Oh man,how many times have I seen that!? Thugs who try to knock the crank out of the right hand case with a claw hammer! That end of the crank is soft and mushrooms over.I use (used to) my Triumph crank gear puller then press the crank out....

[Paul in NZ]

Oh man,how many times have I seen that!? Thugs who try to knock the crank out of the right hand case with a claw hammer! That end of the crank is soft and mushrooms over.I use (used to) my Triumph crank gear puller then press the crank out....

Yup!

I think the wear here was a contributing factor in the engine failure. I better remember to fit an oversized seal into the timing cover ;-)

The rest was in real good condition! I also stress relieved to rods and they came up great (phew)....

Low comp pistons and an easy life for this girl.... erm... well....

[hunt]

Depends on what was done to the engine.

Easy to spend a few bucks on rings and gaskets but you can drop $5k into one of those if the head is rooted etc.

Thus far I've spent around $2K in parts and engineering.

Reco stock cams
re harden followers
new rocker spindle seals
upgrade tappets
New valves and guides
rebore
New pistons rings
grind crank end (big ends OK)
clean out sludge trap
new cam bushes
all new bearings
replace oil pump (up grade)
new primary chain and sprockets
new gear box sprocket
modify chainchase
repairs to cases
Boyer

Still got to do the carb... sigh!

I would not use a big triumph twin with an unknown history without stripping it down for a look see.

I would not

yea i know what your saying there, just added my receipts up for my engine and gearbox overhaul and i got $2444, and thats without new rods, and nothing done in the primary, now while i'm on the subject of the primary,does anyone have a primary cover that has the inspection hole to strobe time thru, that they would like to sell at a reasonable cost, to fit my 72 650?, pm me if you do,
I'm guessing the seller on trade me would want $4k for that bike, its bloody expensive to build up project bikes these days.

[Paul in NZ]

I bought one of those a while back for.. well nothing actually! They are usually munted around the 2 bolt holes cos people don't use the spacers under em. Cost me about $50 to get John to weld it all up and make it spiffy again.

I just bought a slimline tank for $70.... It erm needs a bit of work!! (ah hem)

[hunt]

this one might be of interest if you havent seen it already, i'm not clever enough to get a link up but its on trade me auction 55772058, triumph chopper, rigid frame with gsx 650 engine, photos are crap but its a chopper alright