Hey guys,
So I am going to be working on my first bike build and figured I would get started on the build thread. You may have seen my other post where I talked about getting the frame for this build for free! So how could I not try to build it up?
I have never welded or really worked with metal at all, so luckily the guy who gave me the frame is actually going to help me and teach me his ways... he built a chopper out of a similar frame about 10 years ago (here is a link to pics of his build- http://bikerodnkustom3.homestead.com/gallery168.html)
I want mine to be a little bigger than his so I got a Huffy Cranbrook (for $35) and will be using that as the donor bike. The 26" wheels are a little too big for the rear end that is currently on the frame I have, even if we cut out the spot for the brake so I think the plan is going to be to cut the rear end off of the Cranbrook and weld that onto the chopper frame so it is an easy fit.
I am not sure exactly how long we are going to go with the front end yet, but I believe we are going to get round bar and use that and see how we like different lengths. I want it to be stretched, but nothing super crazy... I want it to look cool, and still be rideable. I was looking at springer front ends, but I am trying to keep my budget down and the ones I like get up there! I am not a huge fan of the old school ones where the spring pokes out the front, but I like the ones that are styled more like motorcycle ones where there are usually 2 springs side by side and run parallel with the fork.
Handlebars- not sure which ones I am going to use yet but I am leaning towards a set I have from a cafe racer motorcycle and will just need to decide which way to flip them... I was also considering using a different set from another huffy cruiser bike and flipping those upside down so they are more low profile and streamlined to the bike... I think that final decision will come as we are working on it. I am thinking about adding a little sheet metal work to add shape to the frame, but again I think that decision will happen on the fly, and I may mock some stuff up with cardboard and place it before we actually start the work to see if I would really like that or would rather keep the frame the way it is.
I think this is going to be a slow build because I don't have any of the stuff to work on the bike myself and will be somewhat at the mercy of the other guy's schedule. Either way, I will be updating as I move forward!
Lastly, paint! I am going to be using a car that was built by West Coast Customs that has an awesome super dark red paint scheme with black wheels... that is the plan as of now at least! All comments and suggestions are welcome as this will be my first build! Thanks!
This is the car from west coast customs that I want to mock the paint scheme off of.
So I am going to be working on my first bike build and figured I would get started on the build thread. You may have seen my other post where I talked about getting the frame for this build for free! So how could I not try to build it up?
I have never welded or really worked with metal at all, so luckily the guy who gave me the frame is actually going to help me and teach me his ways... he built a chopper out of a similar frame about 10 years ago (here is a link to pics of his build- http://bikerodnkustom3.homestead.com/gallery168.html)
I want mine to be a little bigger than his so I got a Huffy Cranbrook (for $35) and will be using that as the donor bike. The 26" wheels are a little too big for the rear end that is currently on the frame I have, even if we cut out the spot for the brake so I think the plan is going to be to cut the rear end off of the Cranbrook and weld that onto the chopper frame so it is an easy fit.
I am not sure exactly how long we are going to go with the front end yet, but I believe we are going to get round bar and use that and see how we like different lengths. I want it to be stretched, but nothing super crazy... I want it to look cool, and still be rideable. I was looking at springer front ends, but I am trying to keep my budget down and the ones I like get up there! I am not a huge fan of the old school ones where the spring pokes out the front, but I like the ones that are styled more like motorcycle ones where there are usually 2 springs side by side and run parallel with the fork.
Handlebars- not sure which ones I am going to use yet but I am leaning towards a set I have from a cafe racer motorcycle and will just need to decide which way to flip them... I was also considering using a different set from another huffy cruiser bike and flipping those upside down so they are more low profile and streamlined to the bike... I think that final decision will come as we are working on it. I am thinking about adding a little sheet metal work to add shape to the frame, but again I think that decision will happen on the fly, and I may mock some stuff up with cardboard and place it before we actually start the work to see if I would really like that or would rather keep the frame the way it is.
I think this is going to be a slow build because I don't have any of the stuff to work on the bike myself and will be somewhat at the mercy of the other guy's schedule. Either way, I will be updating as I move forward!
Lastly, paint! I am going to be using a car that was built by West Coast Customs that has an awesome super dark red paint scheme with black wheels... that is the plan as of now at least! All comments and suggestions are welcome as this will be my first build! Thanks!
