ChoppersBobbers.com-Chopper Building Tips- Page 2- Articles on Customizing & Building a Custom Bike from scratch or a bike kit.
Custom Chopper Kits
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Whittaker]Kathryn Whittaker
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Whittaker]Kathryn Whittaker
Choosing the parts that your custom chopper will be made of can be very confusing, considering the large numbers of custom chopper bike kits available on the market today. Chopper innovators like Biker’s Choice, Phantom Cycle, Paul Yaffe and many more sell chopper-in-a-box kits available for chopper enthusiasts. Thanks to these kits, custom choppers have become quite affordable and are no longer necessarily toys for millionaires or master mechanics.
Custom chopper kits provide the future chopper owner with all the instructions and just about every component necessary to create a perfect chopper of ones dreams. Jesse James, famous for his Discovery series “Monster Garage”, offers a Big Book catalogue loaded with individual parts and accessories needed to create a fully custom bike with truly unusual frame configurations and groundbreaking metal sheet parts as seen on his TV show. However, the most exquisite details, such as an unusual tortoiseshell finish of the gas tank, can be obtained in your custom chopper only if you have your chopper built from scratch by Jesse himself.
Before you start building your custom chopper you need to ask yourself what kind of chopper are you interested in building. Then you have to set up a budget for parts, labor and inevitable cost overruns. The price of the parts has scared many chopper enthusiasts from building a custom chopper of their own, but if you have exact specifications and the time and skills to invest into the project, then parts can be fairly inexpensive. If you choose the parts for your kit at the lower end spectrum, you will still end up with bike that will look like a Jesse James creation but will still have enough money left to throw a party when your new chopper leaves the garage.
When you select the parts for your custom chopper kit, try to use the most genuine parts available on the market within your price range. Sometimes even if you have a beautiful design in-mind, you can end up with poor-looking chopper, due to a lack of attention to detail by different suppliers
Complete custom chopper kits typically consists of an engine, chassis kit, exhaust pipes, tires, steel tanks and other metal parts, taillights, various controls, a seat, headlamp and many more. The extras supplied with a chopper kit would vary depending on the brand of chopper chosen. To finish your project, you will need paint and sometimes battery acid. Most chopper kits do not provide mirrors, speedometers or other accessories. These you can buy separately according to your taste.
To avoid unpredictable result, experienced chopper builder recommend waiting until you can afford buying all the accessories from one manufacturer. Waiting may not be easy when it comes to building your dream come true. But when you finally complete your custom chopper, you will be really glad you waited.
Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Choppers please visit [http://www.choppers-guide.com/]Choppers Guide and for additional Chopper articles please visit the following article page [http://www.choppers-guide.com/chopper-articles/]Chopper Articles.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Whittakerhttp://EzineArticles.com/?Custom-Chopper-Kits&id=89329
All About Choosing Custom Choppers Kit
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_E_Martin]Chris E Martin
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_E_Martin]Chris E Martin
Choosing right parts for your custom chopper bike can be very confusing, mainly when we consider the large numbers of custom chopper bike kits available on the market today. Chopper innovators like Biker’s Choice, Phantom Cycle and many more sell choppers in a box kits accessible for people hunting for choppers. And in fact, these kits of custom choppers have become quire affordable and no longer pertain only to wealthy people. A custom chopper kit offers you with all the necessary instructions and simply about every component required to create a perfect chopper of ones dreams.
Before you start to build up your custom chopper bike you require to ask yourself that what type of chopper are you interested in building. Then further you need to set the budget for your parts, labor and expected cost overruns. The price of the parts has scared many chopper fans from building up a custom chopper by their own, but in case you have exact specifications and the time and skills to invest into the chopper project, then parts could be quite cost effective. If you are choosing parts of your kit at the lower end spectrum then you would still end up with a bike, which would look like a Jesse James creation but would anyhow have enough money left to throw a party when your new chopper leaves the garage.
When selecting the parts for your custom chopper kit, try to use the most real parts accessible on the market with your set budget. Sometimes even if you have an amazing design in mind, you could end up with poor looking chopper, due to less attention to detail by different suppliers.
Complete custom chopper kits naturally comprises of an engine, chassis kit, exhaust pipes, tires, steel tanks and other required metal parts, taillights, various controls, a seat, headlamp and carries many more. The extras supplied with a chopper kit will actually differ depending on the brand of chopper selected. To finish your project, you would require paint and sometimes battery acid as well. Most chopper kits do not offer you mirror, speedometers and other fancy accessories. These you could purchase separately according to your taste and preferences.
To avoid volatile result, experienced chopper builder suggest waiting until you could afford buying all the accessories from one manufacturer. Waiting might not be simple when it comes to building your dream come true. But when you finally complete your custom chopper, you would be really glad you waited.
Chris Martin is a SEO Copywriter of [http://www.xtremetexaschoppers.com/]Texas Chopper.
He's written many articles in various topics. For more information visit: [http://www.xtremetexaschoppers.com/]TexasCustom Chopper.
Contact at [mailto:chrismartinseo@gmail.com]chrismartinseo@gmail.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_E_Martinhttp://EzineArticles.com/?All-About-Choosing-Custom-Choppers-Kit&id=588364
Custom Chopper Build It, Or Buy It?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brian_McGill]Brian McGill
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brian_McGill]Brian McGill
Like many motorcycle enthusiast, I too love chopper's from the extreme detail of OCC choppers to the Bad Boy Bikes of Jesse James, there is just one glich, I'm not rich.
There are 2 basic approaches to getting what we are after, buy or build. Obviously both approaches have their own unique drawbacks and as you may have guessed there is quite a bit of cost in each route.
Buying a chopper is by far the fastest, easiest and in many cases the safest route to take. I allow it is the fastest way because the bike is already built for you, easiest because you just have to have the money and safest because in most cases these bikes are built by professionals. If you are prepared to buy a chopper, compromise is the operative word. You have to be able and willing to weigh what you want in a chopper against what you can afford in a chopper. In my experience what I want in a chopper usually doesn't even come close to reflecting what I can afford. Unfortunately through most of my shopping I have found even used name brand choppers like OCC, Jesse James, Ironhorse are all well out of my price range. At best your looking at a bike that is 3 to 5 years old and still cost as much as a new Harley.
However, the benefits to buying a name brand or professionally built chopper are still ever present. First, safety. The welds and precision that the bike is assembled with is generally unparalleled by the novice builder. (I'm not saying it can't be accomplished by a novice builder.) Second, Veh. Registration. This is one of the aspects that is often over looked when people jump into building their own chopper. When a chopper is built from the ground up, it has no V.I.N. (vehicle identification number or serial number) which makes it very hard for the private citizen to register. People who build these bikes for a living usually have this problem worked out with the corporation commission in their state and understand what steps must be taken to register the cycles legally. This problem is often solved by buying a prefab frame from a respectable frame shop or company.
Now to build, you must look first at your mechanical and metal working capabilities. Much of the knowledge can be gained with research. The physical act must be supplemented with the right tools. This is the area where I find a lot of people overlook a large cost. Having the right and dependable tools at your disposal is priceless, however the price of the tools can sometimes be staggering. Wrenches, mig welder, cutting torch, air compressor, air cutoff, grinder and impact wrenches, frame jig this list could last for pages. The number of tools needed to build a chopper from scratch is substantial. Your capabilities with a welder must be better than average.
Chopper Kits come in all shapes and sizes. Many of these kits are complete packages with everything needed (except the tools) to build a chopper with exception of paint. The kits generally come straight metal or primered. These produce some exceptional looking choppers for around $12,000 and a lot of elbow grease. As I mentioned earlier, knowledge is a must, don't go in blind. (try looking at the HR3 chopper kits, they are great looking bikes)
Chopper-mod. This is what i call it when you start with a motorcycle and simply alter the triple tree, and extend the forks. I have seen these type's of choppers that are equally appealing. But all and all you can usually tell that they are not a custom. They still have that "store bought" look to them. The price of this option is directly proportional to the brand of bike you start with.
Any way you go when acquiring the Chopper of your dreams is only limited to what you can afford and/or your capabilities to put forth the elbow grease needed. There are yet more options to consider when pursuing a chopper, these are just a few highlights and hopefully some helpful insight.
33yo Harley superglide owner , currently in the middle of a restomod on a 1952 intl. p/u
More info and links to Custom Chopper kits check out http://my-custom-chopper.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_McGillhttp://EzineArticles.com/?Custom-Chopper-Build-It,-Or-Buy-It?&id=635475
More info and links to Custom Chopper kits check out http://my-custom-chopper.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_McGillhttp://EzineArticles.com/?Custom-Chopper-Build-It,-Or-Buy-It?&id=635475
Eight Reasons to Build Your Own Chopper or Kit Bike
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Powers]Tyler Powers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Powers]Tyler Powers
Choppers are great fun to ride, and if you want to build one it can be an amazing and rewarding experience. You can buy one from a former owner or from a custom motorcycle builder. Here are eight reasons to build your own custom chopper or kit bike:
1. Kit bikes are easy to build compared to a "start from scratch" chopper. You start with a rolling chassis and go from there. You are only committing to the frame, motor and front end when you go with a kit bike. If you have never built a motorcycle before, the kit bike is the way to start and then later build a scratch chopper. You'll end up with a classy ride you love even when you begin with a kit.
2. The customization is entirely up to you. You choose the accessories and features for your motorcycle and the end product won't be like every other bike on the road!
3. The experience is a great reason to build. Not only will you learn about motorcycle design, balancing and ergonomics, you will know how every single part in the motorcycle works and be able to perform repairs easily.
4. The chopper you build, whether from a kit or from scratch, will fit you and your personal needs. If you love suicide shifts, you can have it. If you want a lower profile for easy balance when stopped, you can design that right into the motorcycle. Ladies, especially, love the custom motorcycle because many petite women don't feel comfortable with a high profile motorcycle, yu can build the motorcycle to suit your body.
5. Building your own chopper is a LOT less expensive than building a built machine. If you design and build your own scoot, you'll get what you want at a fraction of the price a custom builder will charge. After all, you are putting out all the sweat equity yourself!
6. By building your own chopper, you can spread the expense over a period of time rather than having to pay for everything up front. When you buy a showroom motorcycle, whether chopped or not, you have to pay for everything at one time. This often means financing becomes involved and you have to plan for all those payments. If you are already on the road on a stock bike or another chopper, you can perform your build of a new chopper over a period of time, adding parts as you have the money. Sure, this may not be the fast track to having a completed ride, but it can often represent the sensible way to get what you want and have it paid for in full when you first ride out! You'll save tons of money on interest chargers over financing.
7. Bonding with friends and fellow riders is another great reason to build a bike. Usually when you start a build, friends drop by to help and see the progress. This allows quality time to chat and share tips and tricks. Sure, bonding can occur on the road, but it's nice to have some garage time with your buddies.
8. Family members are often more supportive of the motorcycle when you are putting time into it at home yourself. It keeps you at home and the whole family can participate in the project. Even the kids will get excited as the motorcycle comes together!
Copyright 2006 Tyler Powers
Tyler Powers is a contributing author and webmaster for http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com. You'll find more time and money saving information on buying or building a custom chopper (or motorcycle) at http://www.custom-choppers-guide.comthan you can shake a stick at.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Powershttp://EzineArticles.com/?Eight-Reasons-to-Build-Your-Own-Chopper-or-Kit-Bike&id=251892
Tips to Build a Chopper
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_E_Martin]Chris E Martin
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_E_Martin]Chris E Martin
Bikes drive many people crazy and there have been instances wherein many people are involved in building their own customized bikes. This article is going to help you provide some of the tips with which you can build a cheap chopper. First of all it is important that you define the word cheap in your terms some people define cheap as an amount less than $5000 and some people consider an amount of less than $20000 as cheap, however the tips mentioned below would suit any user to stay below his budget.
Check out your expertise level: To build a cheap chopper it is important that you do all the work right at the first time, incase you do commit mistakes in the first instance then this re-work will definitely cause you a concern as this will add up to your cost and thus it would raise p your budget. For the work which you do not expertise in, it is advisable that you do hire a reasonable priced professional who can actually do it well. Believe me this will pay you well in the long run.
Plan earlier: Do not start work on building your chopper half planned it is always advisable that you do plan properly and then decide on what you are going to do. It is preferable that you decide on what the parts you would require are and what would be your range of price, and choose the parts from the variety of options. It is not necessary that you buy each and every part at once, but it would be better that you stick to a particular plan otherwise you may be in a position wherein you would be hanging with urgent purchases and these purchases would make you to purchase things at a high price, so always ensure that you purchase things ahead.
Incase you are intending to buy all cheaper stuff then it is always advisable that you buy stuff separately instead of buying a rolling chassis.
Reuse the same parts: It would be an excellent idea incase you are considering using the old parts but the parts which are in good condition. For example a frame would not reveal if it is new or old one which has been custom painted. The same case will apply to the tanks also.
Use the external sources: Most of the work you do can be really enhanced once you read the online publications, see the videos and on consulting few of your friends you have done this before. On the net you will find loads of information, you can even get the step by step guide on building the cheap chopper.
Remember quality is first: It is always important to remember that you do not sacrifice the quality under any circumstances. If you have to make a choice between two parts one of which is highly priced but offers extremely good quality then it is advisable that you do not choose the cheaper part as this will not last long on the creepy roads. So just remember that you do not sacrifice quality on any circumstances and give utmost importance to safety.
Chris Martin is a SEO Copywriter of [http://www.xtremetexaschoppers.com/Moto_Catalog.asp?Id_Category=6]Chopper motorbike. He has written many articles on Custom choppers, custom chopper kit, east Texas chopper, chopper for sale ...etc. For more information visit: [http://www.xtremetexaschoppers.com/]Xtreme Texas Choppers or email us at [mailto:chrismartinseo@gmail.com]chrismartinseo@gmail.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_E_Martin http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-to-Build-a-Chopper&id=1530515
Complete Motorcycle Kits - Building a Chopper the Easy Way
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Steve_Murray]Steve Murray
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Steve_Murray]Steve Murray
If you are looking to create your own, unique chopper, complete motorcycle kits can be extremely beneficial to your project. Motorcycle kits can end up saving you quite a bit of money and time because they provide the convenience of having all necessary parts in one place. Building custom motorcycles has become increasingly popular and so, there is a greater demand for complete motorcycle kits.
Most kits are dedicated to providing you with all necessary components to build your dream custom bike on your own. If you chose to get parts separately or used, you will not have the satisfaction of knowing that all the parts are new and will work well together. Many times, ordering parts online or from a mechanic will force you to wait and you may not even get what you want. With kits all parts will be available as and when you need them.
Motorcycle kits generally include all technical parts so you can build your custom bike. Parts such as the chassis, the engine and the wheels are all included, although, paint, decals and other parts related to the design will have to be purchased separately to add a touch of your personality to your custom bike. Mirrors and speedometers are also not included, but these items can usually be purchased for relatively low prices.
Many people who build their own custom bikes will advise you to buy parts used, however, although it may save you some money, you may not be making the best decision. Parts that you get from junkyards or sales may not work as well as new parts because they are too old. It is also impossible to know how old the part is, so you will not know how long it will last, or if it will even work with the rest of your bike.
You will want to make sure all of the parts are working correctly because it can affect your safety when building the bike as well as riding it. Using a kit is the best way to stay safe because you know where the parts are coming from and that they are brand new. If a part has been over used, it can actually endanger you. Many times, when building a custom from scratch, cutting corners to save money is not the best idea.
For those of us just getting into the hobby of building our own custom motorcycles or even experienced builders, a complete motorcycle kit can make the process go much smoother. Many of the complete kits come with detailed instructions so if this is your first time, you can still create the bike of your dreams. After you finish will all the technical parts, you can begin customising your bike and really make it your own.
Want to learn more about building your own motorcycle? Visit Custom Chops Free tips and advice on how to build your own chopper. http://customchops.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Murray http://EzineArticles.com/?Complete-Motorcycle-Kits---Building-a-Chopper-the-Easy-Way&id=1497498
Chopper Kits - Not Just For the Professionals Anymore
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tom_Wheeler]Tom Wheeler
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tom_Wheeler]Tom Wheeler
More and more people are building their own motorcycles using chopper kits. These are the life size versions of model motorcycle kits. What use to be left up to the professionals is now quickly becoming a hobby for amateurs. You can purchase one of these kits to upgrade your current bike, or to completely build your own.
Because there are so many options when it comes to getting a "bike in a box", the first thing to determine is your budget. Though you could end up saving lots of money by doing it yourself, depending on the look and feel you want, once you finish purchasing all your extras you might end up spending about what you would have if you had purchased the bike from a dealer.
Should You Upgrade?
Secondly, you need to decide whether you are upgrading your current bike or want a completely new one. If you are upgrading, every manufacturer has parts and accessories you can purchase separately, or kits for certain areas like the chassis or frame.
Building from Scratch
If you are building from scratch, then you need to determine which make and model you like the best. Then determine what color and finish you want. Though a chopper kit comes with all the parts, it does not come painted or finished. This is one way to truly put your mark on the bike and make it your own.
For the inexperienced builder, there are several options when it comes to learning how to put your kit together. For those that like to figure things out by getting their hands dirty, you will have the time of your life figuring out how to put your chopper kit together. Be prepared for trial and error, and possibly some leftover parts, but that is the fun of it, right? For those that like reading, there are detailed instructions included with each kit, as well as several books you can purchase or download with instructions on exactly how to build your own bike.
For those that learn by watching someone else there are a couple of options as well. There are instructional videos and DVDs. You can watch them as many times as you like until you are comfortable with the process. If you are able to hook up a TV and VCR in your garage, you can rewind and playback as you assemble your kit. There are also classes or "boot camps" you can attend where you will have an instructor there to help you along and answer any questions.
Are you looking for a greasy, mechanical, do-it-yourself, garage project will occupy you for a couple of weeks? Putting together a chopper kit seems to be the hobby that is becoming increasingly popular. These days, you will be hard pressed not to see at least one motorcycle zoom by you on the road. Just know that could have been you flying by on your custom, personalized bike built with your own two hands.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Wheeler http://EzineArticles.com/?Chopper-Kits---Not-Just-For-the-Professionals-Anymore&id=769222
Specialty Tools for Building Choppers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Powers]Tyler Powers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Powers]Tyler Powers
If you are building a chopper, you'll want to have the right tools on hand to get the job done right. There are some specialty tools you'll find make the build a whole lot easier. Below are some of the specialty motorcycle tools you'll want to have in your tool chest.
Chain Breaker: The master link on a motorcycle chain is installed with the intention of it being sturdy and not releasing at the wrong time. This means that breaking the chain's master link loose to remove the chain or adjust the length can be quite difficult. However, a chain breaker meant just for this purpose is not expensive and is well worth every dime you'll invest in purchasing a good one.
Chain Press Tool: Of course, one your break the chain, you'll want to re-install that chain or a new one onto the bike later. The chain press is a handy tool to make this simple and easy and avoid the "banging hammer, black and blue thumb" method.
Clutch Holding Tool and Clutch Spring Compression Tool : This pair of tools are especially handy. You will at times need to work on your bike with the clutch compressed when there isn't anyone around to hold the clutch for you. With the clutch holding tool, it isn't any problem to have the clutch held in a compressed position for you. The clutch spring compression tool is a must-have for working on your clutch. You can obtain the pair for under $100 if you shop around.
Handle Bar and Subframe Straightener: You are going to have times you need to straighten a bend in your chopper frame or handle bars. Get the job done right with a straightener tool which you can find at a reasonable price. Because this tool will have to withstand a lot of pressure, be sure to buy a quality tool with a good guarantee.
Hydraulic Brake Bleeder: If you like to work alone when doing a chopper build, you may not have someone around when you need to bleed the brake lines of any trapped air. For under $50, you can add a hydraulic brake bleeder to your tool kit and do the job alone quite easily.
Compression Tester: Engine rebuilds or troubleshooting will be easier when you have a quality compression tester on hand. A good quality compression tester for your chopper will cost $100 or more, but you'll use it for many, many years, making it a sound investment.
Flywheel Puller: This inexpensive tool is a must-have for working on choppers. You can pull flywheels with ease and without harming the part by using the right tool for the job.
Crank Case Splitter: Getting into the crank case can be impossible unless you use a crank case splitter. This won't be the least expensive tool in your collection but it will make an engine rebuild much easier, so invest in a quality crank case splitter for your chopper builds.
Fork Tools: To work efficiently on your custom chopper forks, you'll want several tools. First, a fork oil gage level is a must-have so you can check the oil levels in your forks. Fork seal drivers will make installing new fork seals much easier.
Carb Sync Gage Set: If you run a chopper with more than one carb, you'll want a sync gage set so you can tune all the carbs to perfection.
Jet Wrench: A jet wrench for adjusting your carb jets is another great addition to your took chest.
Valve Shim Adjustment Tool: Valve shim adjustment is a tedious task to say the least. With the right tool, it can be done without nearly as much frustration. The cost is low and the added efficiency is priceless.
Spoke Wrench: If you use spoked wheels, you'll want to have a spoke wrench in your tool box to adjust the spokes.
Wheel Truing Stand: To adjust the spokes so that your wheel turns perfectly requires a stand in which you can mount the tire and allow it to spin freely. A wheel truing stand will run you $100 or more but it's an investment in a quality tool that you'll use for decades to come.
Tyler Powers is a contributing author and webmaster for [http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com]Custom Choppers Guide. You will find specialty articles on chopper building, [http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com/custom-motorcycle-paint.html]custom motorcycle painting, and a free mini course on motorcycle building mistakes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tyler_Powers http://EzineArticles.com/?Specialty-Tools-for-Building-Choppers&id=568265
Building A Custom Chopper Motorcycle, Where Do You Start?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ian_Parish]Ian Parish
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ian_Parish]Ian Parish
So you want to build a custom chopper? I do too, so the first question I asked myself, is where do I start. Should I make a business plan, a schedule, a financial statement, or should I just buy my wife some flowers and blindly proceed? I guess I should do all of the above but not necessarily in that order.
I will start by trying to justify this purchase and or endeavor, to do this I will make a list of my reasons for building a Chopper. 1) I want to ride a custom chopper, a totally cool stretched out, fire breathing, gas eating, pavement pounding, old lady scaring, 2 wheel monster. 2) I want to be able to say "I built that" when someone asks me where I got that totally sick bike. 3) I want to be able to customize the bike beyond the standard add on parts I can get for my current bike a Harley Davidson Fatboy. 4) I want to be able to make this dream come true, meaning I need to be able to pay for it. A $35,000 chopper is out of my current budget. 5) I have been talking about this for 5 years so why don't I get to it and stop doing all the talking and start doing some building.
Now I have a few reasons on paper a will look at my options, then make a plan, a schedule, and find some extra money.
Let's start with a my build options, and plan on a slow and steady approach. I realize I will need to do a lot of research before I start. I have 4 basic options, a kit bike, a rolling chassis, a start from zero build, or an extreme makeover of a current motorcycle.
Option 1) If I start with a motorcycle kit I maybe the farthest ahead from a mechanical perspective, and farthest behind from a financial point of view. What do I mean by this, well a kit bike has all the parts it just needs paint, labor, gas, oil and some love. The problem a complete kit bike will cost me $12,000 dollars right up front. This is a bit out of my spend a ton of money now then not be able to ride a bike for a year or two thinking. If I get a kit, I maybe able to get it together faster, as I will be motivated and have all the parts ready to go. As a first bike I think this is a very good option, when you consider all the expensive mistakes I may make along that way. One drawback to this option is the amount of customization I can do to the bike as it is put together. Because all the parts are in the kit, I may resist the urge to get new bars or different sheet metal, or other parts.
Option 2) Start with a Rolling chassis, this is the middle of the road option, spend a lump sum of money, about 1/2 of what the overall bike will cost and get a basic setup that all works together.
A Rolling chassis kit consists of a Frame, 2 wheels, the forks, and triple clamps and bars, all build and configured to work together. Add a motor and a transmission and all the major workings of the bike are in place. This setup helps avoid some of the major work needed to mix match and fit these items together. This option also allows for a ton of customization in the parts that people see and the parts that give a bike it's personality. For me this is a very serious option to consider. I would only have 1/2 the cost and 1/2 the parts sitting around and gathering dust until I get time to get it together.
Option 3) Find each and every part one at a time and build a completely custom motorcycle. I know I could do this, but I also know I will encounter more unexpected and possibly expensive issues with this type of build. This option would give me a bike that no one would ever duplicate. This could be very good or this could be very bad. What if some possible combination of frame, motor, forks, or wheels didn't work together? It would not be discovered until the motorcycle was all together. I think this option is better left to the serious professional who build bike all night long, as the are working on other peoples bikes, and running businesses during the day. I may consider this for my second custom chopper.
Option 4) Take an existing bike and start cutting and changing it. This is maybe as involved as chopping and re-welding the frame to create a new rake and angles. Or it could mean just getting a new frame and using the engine, transmission, and various other part to build a new machine. I like this idea, and I think it would be a lower cost alternative to all new custom parts. With this option you are also able to keep the current registration and title if the frame is not replaced. This is also a lower cost option because a lot of the miscellaneous parts can be reused.
I know that in one page all the possible combinations of Custom Chopper build can't be completely explained, I just hope this information give you something to start with and build on. It has help steer me in the direction of a rolling chassis, so I better get shopping.
Ian Parish is an avid motorcyclists and Jeeper. He has been involved with both sports for the past 20 years. He has jumped into building a custom chopper full force and is assembling that parts and the plan, on his website [http://www.MyChopperBlog.com]MyChopperBlog.com. Check out the website as I need all the help I can get. He is the owner of [http://www.RedJeepClub.com]RedJeepClub.com and [http://www.MyChopperBlog.com]MyChopperBlog.com
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Building a Bike from a Custom Motorcycle Kit
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Christine_Harrell]Christine Harrell
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Christine_Harrell]Christine Harrell
For many, off the shelf bikes just won’t cut it and a custom bike is the only way to go. For years, the idea of having a custom bike was out of the range of most budgets and most custom motorcycle kits were poor quality. However with the rise in interest in customized choppers, the custom motor cycle kit has become a great option for those who won’t settle for any thing but a custom bike but either can’t afford a Jessie James or desire a more intimate connection with their bike.
Choosing the overall style
The chassis is what truly sets the overall style of the bike. When searching for a custom motorcycle kit, focus on the shape and design of the chassis to find one that fits your style. Try not to let the paint designs on the photos sway your decision on chassis style as the paint can be completely customized later.
The chassis is what truly sets the overall style of the bike. When searching for a custom motorcycle kit, focus on the shape and design of the chassis to find one that fits your style. Try not to let the paint designs on the photos sway your decision on chassis style as the paint can be completely customized later.
Customizing details
With a custom bike kit you don’t need to settle for a mass-produced shelf option, you can build a chopper that is completely unique to any other bike. There are literally thousands of nuts and bolts and hoses and tubes that come with a custom bike kit, giving you the very important base design of the bike. Items like mirrors, foot pegs, gas caps, etc can be purchased individually to create a completely custom flair.
With a custom bike kit you don’t need to settle for a mass-produced shelf option, you can build a chopper that is completely unique to any other bike. There are literally thousands of nuts and bolts and hoses and tubes that come with a custom bike kit, giving you the very important base design of the bike. Items like mirrors, foot pegs, gas caps, etc can be purchased individually to create a completely custom flair.
Weighing the cost
The cost of a motorcycle can be valued in dollars or time. For some people, money is less of a problem than time and others have the opposite dilemma. Still others may have the funds to purchase a customized bike from a bike builder, but would rather build their machine themselves for the experience and to understand every aspect of its design and inner workings.
The cost of a motorcycle can be valued in dollars or time. For some people, money is less of a problem than time and others have the opposite dilemma. Still others may have the funds to purchase a customized bike from a bike builder, but would rather build their machine themselves for the experience and to understand every aspect of its design and inner workings.
Repair and maintenance
Because you’ll have an intimate knowledge of the bike’s design and function with a customized motorcycle kit, future repair and maintenance won’t be a costly issue. When something isn’t working correctly, you’ll know how to troubleshoot the problem and if something needs to be replaced, you’ll know exactly how to do it. When you build your chopper from the ground up with a custom motorcycle kit, there is no need to depend on any costly repair shop.
Because you’ll have an intimate knowledge of the bike’s design and function with a customized motorcycle kit, future repair and maintenance won’t be a costly issue. When something isn’t working correctly, you’ll know how to troubleshoot the problem and if something needs to be replaced, you’ll know exactly how to do it. When you build your chopper from the ground up with a custom motorcycle kit, there is no need to depend on any costly repair shop.
Today, custom built motorcycles reign supreme on the road. A custom motorcycle kit is the perfect way to get all of the essentials you need to build your bike and then customize it with a slick paint job and unique chrome accessories. Unless you’ve got more money than time and aren’t interested in the craft of bike building, a custom motorcycle kit is the way to go for building a custom bike.
Author is a small business internet marketing consultant and the cofounder of nGenuity Solutions.
For additional information on parts for a custom motorcycle kit, please visit http://www.JirehCycles.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Harrell http://EzineArticles.com/?Building-a-Bike-from-a-Custom-Motorcycle-Kit&id=193249
