First Build, Slammed Chop

[chop-n-build]

Some pics of my first build. I have had this idea in my head for years but never had the right
situation to do it. It's still under construction but moving along fairly quickly. Still has use of
all gears. I just got the brakes working front and rear and I'm working on the cable for the
rear derailleur. The rear brake control and derailleur control (not pictured) are/will be
mounted on the jocky style lever on the top tube. It's already been out on it's first test ride
and everything seems to be good. Still quite a bit more to do though.

 

[OUTLAW]

oh great, a Burrito bike. me like em Burritos. nice job so far. looks like ya brazed those handlebars or are they welded. keep us posted.

Outlaw 8)

 

[chop-n-build]

Thanks. All the joints were MIG welded first and then I go back with the gas welder and add brass for looks, as this bike will not get paint.

 

[OUTLAW]

aw, ok. that works for me. keep up the good work. think this will be awsome when it's done.

Outlaw 8)

 

[DesignIt]

Lookin' good!

 

[chop-n-build]

Thanks

 

[chop-n-build]

Got handle bar fab done today, rear derailluer cable routed, new cable housing cut and installed
along with jocky shift gear control. I took it out for a quick ride tonight to check everything out. It
all worked flawlessly and man it rocks to have gears!!! I am so glad I kept the gears!

 

[OUTLAW]

so dude, whats goin on with ya build.

Outlaw 8)

 

[chop-n-build]

Since last post, I started sheetmetal fabrication for center panel. Originally, I was setting
up to do 1- 3/8 " hole saw cuts throughout the piece but, my new drill arbor was too big for
my drill to chuck. So, necessity is the mother of invention, again. I did a border of smaller
holes and ran screws with flat washers and lock washers all the way around, 1 inch in from
the edge on all sides with 1-1/2 inch center to center spacing. It's a look I have always liked
also & better than the original idea. The center of the panel is marked off with the outline
for stainless steel inserts that will go on last, so I know where they will be. I was going to fab
front and rear fenders for this bike, but, after much thoguht decided against it.

Cleaning out holes before chamfering.

I go through antique and specialty stores all the time. I actually do more work on custom
art and other things more than bikes. When I see something interesting, I grab it even
if I'm going to cut it up and use it for something else altogether. Found this 90 degree
bracket with star already rust patinated. I first thought I'd cut out the star and only use
that, but then quickly found a way to use it as a 90 degree frame gusset. It's double
cool, because it adds style and character and makes the frame stiffer and stronger.
Especially because it's cast iron. Also why it's brazed in. However, all finish welding
on this bike is still to come.

 

[King Zebba]

Man that's lookin good! Gunna be fun to ride!

 

[OUTLAW]

I am a thinkin that this BURRITO is gonna be the sicest one ever built. that is so tight. great job. ya have some maddd skills. carry on.lol. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Outlaw 8)

 

[chop-n-build]

More finish welding and brazing today. I wanted to get all fab work done so I could get
on with metal finishing and what little paint this bike is going to get, which will basically
be accent pieces only.

Steel tabs welded in for sheet metal mounting.

After marking and drilling frame tabs and center sheet metal piece I fabricated over
a week ago.

 

[OUTLAW]

that is sooo BA. BADD TO THE BONE. righton, very tight. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:



Outlaw 8)

 

[chop-n-build]

To The Finish!

Well it certainly took some doing, but it's done! My personal opinion, this bike is an
absolute slice of Americana old school chop and build hot rodding style. Right from
the get go, I wanted to be able to seriously fly on this bike. I like riding fast so I kept
the weight down, kept center of gravity in mind, and kept all the gears! My roots are
in racing where functionality comes before style. It's gotta look bad to the bone, but
it's gotta ride good and fast first. I wouldn't want to get in a wreck on this bike, but I
have already ridden it fast and it handles good. Future plans include a hand built front
end and a 26 x 4" rear wheel with a jack shaft drive to still maintain all gears. But,
for now, it's done and I am more than pleased with the finished product.

 

[OUTLAW]

very nice job. yep a fat tire will be kool and a handbuilt front end. now go ride it.


Outlaw 8)

 

[chop-n-build]

I have since put a lot of miles on this build. It's turned out to be one of my best handlers
even with a lot of rake. Since last posting, I added white walls, replaced the dice
on the suicide shift with a skull, added a water bottle holder for those long hot Texas
rides, added chrome accent pieces and lights. It's for sale now, but, if it doesn't sell, I'll
just continue to enjoy cruising it.

 

[Tommy Atoms]

Looks Sick! You have a good eye for the nice lines. Im building one of these right now called Oooooze, check it out.

 

[chop-n-build]

Thanks. The lines of a bike are the make or break for me. I don't care if it has the ultimate paint job, ten tons of chrome or what era or class you want to put any bike in, if the lines are not there forget it. I spend hours in fabrication sitting there just looking at the frame as it comes together and have re-cut and re-done whole sections of frames to get the whole stance of a bike right. It's something that I think gets too little attention in the bike building process compared to component and accessory choices.

 

[kingfish254]

Nice work!!!!

 

[Road Master]

Serious Skills and Vivid Imagination! I'm thinking about stealing your nut and bolt idea except I want to use acorn nuts. Great Job!