Anyone see the choppers on the news? (19 December)

[Bonez]

And the CX500 of course,how could you miss them out?

You got me on that one. Must be a bit slow today. Grand kids have worn me out already.

[degrom]

Other alternative V-twin engines for choppers are RevTech and Ultima El Bruto donks.

What about a TL or SV engine? How many horses can a Harley produce? I am sure a TL V-Twin can give it a go... ???

[Waylander]

What about a TL or SV engine? How many horses can a Harley produce? I am sure a TL V-Twin can give it a go... ???

TL engones are 115hp according to a mate that rides one. But any engine can be used for a chopper. Makes them more original and back when they first started chopping bikes they did it to whatever they could get thier hands on so it would truely be oldschool.

[El Dopa]

What about a TL or SV engine? How many horses can a Harley produce? I am sure a TL V-Twin can give it a go... ???

I was wondering about that. The one thing about the SV engine is that it's a 90deg V-twin. Most of the choppers/bobbers I've seen use a far narrower configuration of V.

I assume that would cause some difficulties with frame configuration.

[degrom]

I was wondering about that. The one thing about the SV engine is that it's a 90deg V-twin. Most of the choppers/bobbers I've seen use a far narrower configuration of V.

I assume that would cause some difficulties with frame configuration.

Yes... If you build Lego choppers then your Mecano SV engine won't fit.

But you can always build a Mecano SV bobber that almost handles like a bike and has a proper engine!!! LOL

[madandy]

Know a guy building his own Chopper here in Tga... Has a HD engine that has been oversized & supercharged to the point where it no longer fits into a stock HD frame. He's imported an over sized frame from Carolina Customs and is building it up from all imported parts. 300 rear tyre. 250+hp.
Horses for courses...

[degrom]

Know a guy building his own Chopper here in Tga... Has a HD engine that has been oversized & supercharged to the point where it no longer fits into a HD frame. He's imported an over sized frame from California Customs and is building it up from all imported parts. 300 rear tyre. 250+hp.
Horses for courses...

Now why is the guy not on KiwiBiker? I believe it's part of the rules when you joint this forum... (One new member per year and cage to bike conversion gets bonus points... LOL)

Sounds really interesting. Please get the guy to post some pictures and say a few words. We are all interested in the topic...

[El Dopa]

Yes... If you build Lego choppers then your Mecano SV engine won't fit.

But you can always build a Mecano SV bobber that almost handles like a bike and has a proper engine!!! LOL

Well, yeah. But it's always easier to follow a trail someone has already broken than to donate sweat, blood, dollars and time that could be spent riding figuring it out from yuor own mistakes. Especially as I am more or less mechanically cack-handed.

[degrom]

Well, yeah. But it's always easier to follow a trail someone has already broken than to donate sweat, blood, dollars and time that could be spent riding figuring it out from yuor own mistakes. Especially as I am more or less mechanically cack-handed.

Very true...

My idea of custom chopper might be off a bit. I think of it as a one of a kind that you build your self and that you know like the palm of your hands. (I liked to make my own LEGO creatures... LOL)

I also think chopper is a life style you can't buy but have to live... Anyone can pay $50k for peace of metal, but can you really call it yours?

[ezinnz]

Very true...

My idea of custom chopper might be off a bit. I think of it as a one of a kind that you build your self and that you know like the palm of your hands. (I liked to make my own LEGO creatures... LOL)

I also think chopper is a life style you can't buy but have to live... Anyone can pay $50k for peace of metal, but can you really call it yours?

My thoughts exactly. People buying 'showroom choppers' don't get it. Hotrodding's the same : Ride What You Build!

[madandy]

Most of these 'Choppers' aren't even made to order...this outfit in Wellington is importing them already made up and painted? that's sad IMHO, but there is obviously demand - The chopper phenomenon is fuelled, mainly by wealthy or finacially better off born again bikers...if it weren't for these middle aged guys buying custom bike builders' creations there'd be a lot less chopppers and a lot more H.D.'s or other big, soft, cruisy, overpriced peices of art.

Now why is the guy not on KiwiBiker? I believe it's part of the rules when you joint this forum... (One new member per year and cage to bike conversion gets bonus points... LOL)

Sounds really interesting. Please get the guy to post some pictures and say a few words. We are all interested in the topic...

Ok I'm dragging the chain, only introduced two new people to Kiwi biker in 3 years, but one is a cage to bike convert...so I'm just scraping by!

As for the guy building the Chopper - He's a buisness man, Part owns a serious race car team, and "...too busy..." for online antics ...I'll be trying to convince him & his Woman to ride to Paeroa this Feb once he's back from the States. May be on the New Chopper but more likely his Hog or Trumpet.

I'll ask him for some more detailed info on the bike and take some photos for ya.

Andy

[degrom]

Most of these 'Choppers' aren't even made to order...this outfit in Well is importing them already made up and painted? that's sad IMHO, but there is onviously demand - The chopper phenomenon is fuelled by wealthy or finacially better off born again bikers...if it weren't for these middle aged guys buying custom bike builders' creations there'd be a lot less chopppers and a lot more H.D.'s or other big, soft, cruisy, overpriced peices of art.



Ok I'm dragging the chain, only introduced two new people to Kiwi biker in 3 years, but one is a cage to bike convert...so I'm just scraping by!

As for the guy building the Chopper - He's a buisness man, Part owns a serious race car team, and "...too busy..." for online antics...I'll be trying to convince him to ride to Paeroa this Feb once he's back from the States. May be on the New Chopper but more likely his Hog or Trumpet.

I'll ask him for some more detailed info on the bike and take some photos for ya.

Andy

Nice... Can't wait for February!!!! Me and a few mates are also planning to ride to the the bike show.

[El Dopa]

Very true...

My idea of custom chopper might be off a bit. I think of it as a one of a kind that you build your self and that you know like the palm of your hands. (I liked to make my own LEGO creatures... LOL)

I also think chopper is a life style you can't buy but have to live... Anyone can pay $50k for peace of metal, but can you really call it yours?

My last post probably got misinterpreted a bit. I'm not trying to suggest that a cookie cutter type 'custom' is what I'm after.

What I mean is, for example, if someone has already tried putting e.g. an SV engine or other 90deg V-twin in a custom frame, they'll have a pretty good idea of what problems it might cause, and how to steer away from these next time round.

So if I do start down the road of building my own from scratch, it's almost like a warning sign, or a friendly mates word in your ear telling you 'I wouldn't do it like that. I tried that and it was a real ballache. Try it like this instead'.

Just a quicker way to get through the maze without having to hit every single one of the dead ends.

[Geordie]

Merry Thingmouse to all, Hey El Dopa, you would appriecate my short movie 'The Worlds Fastest Mexican'... a spoof of 'The Worlds Fastest Indian'..

[degrom]

My last post probably got misinterpreted a bit. I'm not trying to suggest that a cookie cutter type 'custom' is what I'm after.

What I mean is, for example, if someone has already tried putting e.g. an SV engine or other 90deg V-twin in a custom frame, they'll have a pretty good idea of what problems it might cause, and how to steer away from these next time round.

So if I do start down the road of building my own from scratch, it's almost like a warning sign, or a friendly mates word in your ear telling you 'I wouldn't do it like that. I tried that and it was a real ballache. Try it like this instead'.

Just a quicker way to get through the maze without having to hit every single one of the dead ends.

Yes... I know what you mean.. You don't want to reinvent the wheel.

I have noticed a thing about the V-Twin setup,the back cylinder is always hard to get to. Things like valves and tappets are hard to get to.

I am planning on building my own chopper some day. But I would consider building a Metric Chopper using a proper Jap motor. A motor you can get spares for and that does not need tones of maintains. Was thinking of a gs1200ss motor. Buy a second hand one that's only 2 years old and with say 10'000km on. Then you can use most of the parts from the standard bike to build your chopper. Things like the brakes and Carb's are nice to have close to new state...

Else I would go for an old knuckle head and re-do the engine from top to bottom.

I would love to build my own frame,but that is asking a lot and will cost a lot of R&D. Well worth it in the end... (It's just getting to the end that's the problem!!! LOL.)