I want to build a chopper.

[Berto]

Like others have said, for a first build I would look for an Evo Sportster and go from there.I found a 1996 883 on CL for 2000$ the deals are out there just take your time and look for them. Look on www.chopcult.com or xlfourms.net for info and ideas.You can build a nice custom bike without knowing how to weld or fab parts. I have found that it is lots easier to spend money on a bike that I am riding than a pile of parts in the garage that someday might be a bike.

[Berto]

Originally Posted by rtwdoug

I'll be at the IMS show in NYC same time as york this year, which really sucks. It will be the first york I've missed in several years.
Doug

Are you going to be doing any shows at Bikeweek? Would love to hear you talk about your adventures

[Tucson Jim]

So because I'm an idiot, and quite incompetent mechanically (aside from doing my own regular maintenance), I have a strong desire to build a chopper. I want it to have a Harley Panhead engine.


I know nothing about building motorcycles. I'm a student (pianist) and have very little money.

Just going by what you said in the original post. Ask folks opinion and you're going to get them, both good and bad.

Riding a chopper built by pro's is scary enough. Seen a build off episode where a highly respected (Chica?) industry builder's frame weld came apart on the interstate.

So you can see my concern about an idiot with no knowlege of building motorcycles may be jeapordizing his/her safety, and those around them.

Best of luck.

[NortwestRider]

My son wanted to build a chopper for his first vehicle when he was 15..I bought a stock great running 87 Virago for $400.00,we built it under a tarp in our back yard and had a total of $600.00 ( including bike) into it when we finished.We left the engine stock and did only minor frame mods and built our own handlebars and rear fender.I rode it for about 5,000 miles before he got his license and he rode it about 4,000 miles after he got it.It was the perfect bike to start his love of bike building.He than built a KZ550 chopper several years later.

[Tucson Jim]

And for further reading, click on RTWDoug's profile and look for the thread called "The Wrong Way Round, on a Chopper".

nice pics and one heck of an adventure.

[IRideASlowBike]

Originally Posted by Tucson Jim

Just going by what you said in the original post. Ask folks opinion and you're going to get them, both good and bad.

Riding a chopper built by pro's is scary enough. Seen a build off episode where a highly respected (Chica?) industry builder's frame weld came apart on the interstate.

So you can see my concern about an idiot with no knowlege of building motorcycles may be jeapordizing his/her safety, and those around them.

Best of luck.

Even assuming I'd learn to weld reasonably well, I'd likely hand off critical parts like the frame to a professional.

If no one ever tried anything, nothing would ever happen.

[Ginger Beard]

Originally Posted by IRideASlowBike

Even assuming I'd learn to weld reasonably well, I'd likely hand off critical parts like the frame to a professional.

If no one ever tried anything, nothing would ever happen.

But...You'll shoot yer' eye out kid!!

[scottro]

You're in Pennsylvania, right? Save yourself some hassle and money by starting with either a complete bike w/ clean title or a titled frame. Getting a title for anything self-assembled in this state can be a PITA. You'll need to take whatever bike you build from scratch to an "Enhanced Vehicle Inspection Station" that's certified to inspect self-assembled bikes. The bike you build will need to have all the street legal goodies to pass inspection. Head and tail lights will need to be DOT certified. You'll need to provide receipts for all DOT parts. They'll take pics and send off to PennDot for the final say. It's pretty-much the same process for street legalizing a dirt bike. Here's a good write-up on it all.

http://www246.pair.com/oakdale/duals...conversion.pdf

[subybaja]

Originally Posted by NortwestRider

My son wanted to build a chopper for his first vehicle when he was 15..I bought a stock great running 87 Virago for $400.00,we built it under a tarp in our back yard and had a total of $600.00 ( including bike) into it when we finished.We left the engine stock and did only minor frame mods and built our own handlebars and rear fender.I rode it for about 5,000 miles before he got his license and he rode it about 4,000 miles after he got it.It was the perfect bike to start his love of bike building.He than built a KZ550 chopper several years later.

That's what I've been wanting to say throughout this entire thread. If you can't afford a $1200 basket case, maybe you should forget the HD namebrand and just build a bike you can afford.

There are 70's jap bikes lying by the side of the road that you could be building next month. Buy a MIG on Clist for $300 and start learning. http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/

"The perfect is the enemy of the good."

[LarryGee]

Took me nine months. Stripped this 52 Pan down to the frame and rebuilt everything but the engine. Didn't need it.

Someone said get one with a clean title. He's right. Better yet, get a bike that's already titled as what you want to wind up with. In other words, you don't want a title that says it's a custom build bike. No after market.

Good Luck.

[disston]

I think he has stated that one first criteria is No or Little money. Pretty Pan Head. LOL

[IRideASlowBike]

Originally Posted by disston

I think he has stated that one first criteria is No or Little money. Pretty Pan Head. LOL

+1, nice chopper.

This project will have to wait.

[bk brkr baker]

Originally Posted by IRideASlowBike

This project will have to wait.

And the voice of reason extinguishs the flame of desire.

[pennswoodsed]

Originally Posted by bk brkr baker

And the voice of reason extinguishes the flame of desire.

Alex,
If I may. No budget and no welding skills and hands that have value for other skills make stated purpose unlikely.

Not impossible , but irony aside,some would save you from yourself.

See Adam at Liberty Cycles in Phila,Pa for thought stim and ideas about inexpensive custom bikes.

Or if Reading isn't too far ,you could maybe see a friend's Honda chopper build ?
Regards,Ed

[IRideASlowBike]

Originally Posted by bk brkr baker

And the voice of reason extinguishs the flame of desire.

Not enough money to really start anything, and certainly not enough time. I have possibly as many as 4 international competitions coming up this year, so of course preparing for those takes priority. This thread was more of a general question about how to start.

I want to learn welding first, but the courses at the local technical college are themselves pretty expensive.