- Joined
- Feb 28, 2009
- Messages
- 117
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I have a couple of choppers I have been working on. When I decided to build something, I liked this style of bike. After spending so much time looking at what every one else is building, I want to try a low stretched out one. But for now, I have these done.
There is a story that goes with this. Some of you know I am trying to open my own shop. I thought it would be really cool to be able to sell chopper and low rider parts. I needed to place a minimum 1st order to get an account open so I bought a bunch of stuff that I wouldn't normally buy. I had a couple of old frames I wanted to do something with. Then I found another supplier that carries much more stuff, so I got an account there too. I was hoping to be able to sell semi-custom-made-to-order choppers. I ordered every thing I needed to assemble a bike, right down to the repainted frame. I then put it together as a bare bones bike to show what the base model would look like. The problem is that although the parts are cheap, by the time you get everything you need, it adds up. I don't think I will be able to sell very many of these around my area.
This is the base model I came up with, rides very nice. It is made up of only the cheapest parts I could find. I wanted to up sell from there.
Then I had this old Huffy frame sitting around so I used up some of the other parts I bought and put this one together. It turned out better then I thought. Looks great. I live in Steeler country, so this one may just sell.
Since I had my base model covered, I wanted to build one that would be a higher end model. As part of my first order, I bought a springer front end. I then saw the post someone had about making their own fiberglass tank. I had to give it a try. This is something I hope to never try again. It turned out nice, just way to much work.
I decided to go all out and add disc brakes on the front.
The bike is not perfect. One issue I had was when I tried out the rear wheel, the bike sat so low the pedals hit. So I went with a 24" one. When I ordered the spokes, I was off a little, which I didn't know until midway through lacing in the 3-speed hub. I took it partially apart and tried a 4-cross instead, problem solved, I thought. I got all the way finished before I noticed when I started to put it together again, I must have twisted the hub the wrong way. So now the valve is not in the right place. There was no way I was going to do it over again. It will just have to stay. The other thing I am not very happy with is the paint. It is black rustoleum metallic. I wish I would have tried it on something else first. It is a little grayer then I would have liked. The long springer front end is a little hard to ride too. I think it will just take some time to get used to it.
What do you think?
There is a story that goes with this. Some of you know I am trying to open my own shop. I thought it would be really cool to be able to sell chopper and low rider parts. I needed to place a minimum 1st order to get an account open so I bought a bunch of stuff that I wouldn't normally buy. I had a couple of old frames I wanted to do something with. Then I found another supplier that carries much more stuff, so I got an account there too. I was hoping to be able to sell semi-custom-made-to-order choppers. I ordered every thing I needed to assemble a bike, right down to the repainted frame. I then put it together as a bare bones bike to show what the base model would look like. The problem is that although the parts are cheap, by the time you get everything you need, it adds up. I don't think I will be able to sell very many of these around my area.
This is the base model I came up with, rides very nice. It is made up of only the cheapest parts I could find. I wanted to up sell from there.
Then I had this old Huffy frame sitting around so I used up some of the other parts I bought and put this one together. It turned out better then I thought. Looks great. I live in Steeler country, so this one may just sell.
Since I had my base model covered, I wanted to build one that would be a higher end model. As part of my first order, I bought a springer front end. I then saw the post someone had about making their own fiberglass tank. I had to give it a try. This is something I hope to never try again. It turned out nice, just way to much work.
I decided to go all out and add disc brakes on the front.
The bike is not perfect. One issue I had was when I tried out the rear wheel, the bike sat so low the pedals hit. So I went with a 24" one. When I ordered the spokes, I was off a little, which I didn't know until midway through lacing in the 3-speed hub. I took it partially apart and tried a 4-cross instead, problem solved, I thought. I got all the way finished before I noticed when I started to put it together again, I must have twisted the hub the wrong way. So now the valve is not in the right place. There was no way I was going to do it over again. It will just have to stay. The other thing I am not very happy with is the paint. It is black rustoleum metallic. I wish I would have tried it on something else first. It is a little grayer then I would have liked. The long springer front end is a little hard to ride too. I think it will just take some time to get used to it.
What do you think?
