# So I'm thinking about building a "chopper" this winter... **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [June 22, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073 "2012-06-22T13:20:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/1 "2012-06-22T13:20:37Z")
Rigid, v-twin. Simple… Need a creative outlet for the winter. I want to fabricate a lot of the peripherals, but will be buying the major components, probably all new… I don’t want to build a frame, and will probably order a paughco frame. I will probably order a new S&S motor, and a new transmission and drive. Is this a bad plan? (not so much from a financial standpoint, but from a practicality standpoint) I’m going to put my budget around 20K. I don’t expect to ever get that out of it. I just don’t want to spend time that I could use doing interesting stuff like building and planning on FIXING. Where can I find people with experience about what’s good start. Once I have a solid foundation, I can let my imagination run… What I don’t want to do is get bogged down with what I refer to as the “MkIV disease” where there is “a way to do it”. You gotta poke & stretch and slam or else it won’t be cool… But I also don’t want to start with a cavalier and do a juiced\_z4 build (no offense dan, you know what I mean)… if that makes any sense. The combination of seeing these pics and riding my dad’s harley for the past couple weeks is what gave me the itch: ![http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4128/5094537425_fbd587660a_b.jpg](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4128/5094537425_fbd587660a_b.jpg) ![http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4086/5095119398_bb92aa839b_b.jpg](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4086/5095119398_bb92aa839b_b.jpg) ![http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4145/5094504469_f6e7a9ae41_b.jpg](http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4145/5094504469_f6e7a9ae41_b.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/2 "2012-06-22T13:33:46Z")
:tup: you already know my take on this ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/3 "2012-06-22T13:34:15Z")
Are you keeping it AWD? ---
**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/4 "2012-06-22T14:00:19Z")
:tup: [http://www.chopcult.com/default.php](http://www.chopcult.com/default.php) ---
**Author:** ![venompwr2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/venompwr2/32/7280_2.png) [@venompwr2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/venompwr2)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/5 "2012-06-22T14:01:43Z")
I can’t see the pics, they are showing as red x’s for me but are you looking to a _standard_ kind of chopper with a big tire and raked front end or something more one off? I don’t think building your own is a bad idea if you have the time and money to do so, and you can make it exactly what you want. I’m restoring/modding an 80s bike and that is a challenge for me with finding certain parts and fabrication needs, so I personally wouldnt take on building one from the ground up w/o more available equip, but it’s something I’d def be interested in giving a go at somepoint in my life. If it’s going to end up just like some chopper you can buy, I’m not sure I’d do it aside from the fact of being able to say that I made it. New S&S motor will eat up a good chunk of that budget. You seem to make some cool stuff, so I say do it. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/6 "2012-06-22T14:13:25Z")
The pics i hotlinked from flickr… let me rehost. ---------- Post added at 05:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:12 PM ---------- ![http://i.imgur.com/MQt3u.jpg](http://i.imgur.com/MQt3u.jpg) ![http://i.imgur.com/MFciN.jpg](http://i.imgur.com/MFciN.jpg) ![http://i.imgur.com/UVnUg.jpg](http://i.imgur.com/UVnUg.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Wahoo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/wahoo/32/8265_2.png) [@Wahoo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wahoo)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/7 "2012-06-22T15:39:54Z")
Cool build ---
**Author:** ![KuntryQuestTSi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kuntryquesttsi/32/5010_2.png) [@KuntryQuestTSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KuntryQuestTSi)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/8 "2012-06-22T16:15:04Z")
Hard tail? You will learn where pot holes are really quick. Even the spring loaded seats aren’t much help. How ever you build it MAKE SURE YOUR COMFORTABLE SITTING ON IT. I mean, there your legs are, the rise and pull back of the bars and seat potion. My 58 is way more comfortable than dads 06 soft tail. O’m slouched on the soft tail, on my hard tail I sit in the seat as it almost gives me back support. Edit: YOU’RE (?) ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/9 "2012-06-22T16:39:36Z")
I saw this and screen captured it last week… i’ve been debating doing the same, just getting the house settled first takes priority. Arent you moving out west too? ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/10 "2012-06-22T18:37:30Z")
> [@Willybeen](#): > > Arent you moving out west too? no thats me when i finally get my transfer approved from uncle sam ---
**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/11 "2012-06-22T18:47:49Z")
It would probably be fun for a few weeks. How much actual fabrication is there? I will admit to being jaded by american choppers… Flair does not belong on bikes. I would be interested seeing what You come up with to make it different though. I have seen a fun of awesome bikes that always "seem"so simple. I’m biased thighI weld like shit. ---
**Author:** ![Gus](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gus/32/5112_2.png) [@Gus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gus)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/12 "2012-06-22T20:13:58Z")
Nice! Can’t wait to see the paint scheme! ---
**Author:** ![King](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/king/32/7329_2.png) [@King](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/King)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/13 "2012-06-22T21:26:00Z")
You posted this at 4:20 - could just be stoner talk. I like something like this…w/out rear seat ![http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/gervynmoh/mustard.jpg](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/gervynmoh/mustard.jpg) Or something more along the lines of a chopper’d cafe. ---
**Author:** ![woz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/woz/32/7605_2.png) [@woz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/woz)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 10:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/14 "2012-06-22T22:10:43Z")
[www.jockeyjournal.com](http://www.jockeyjournal.com) is another good forum, chop cult is my new fav though. [http://4qconditioning.blogspot.com/?zx=27fcb851d987e7ff](http://4qconditioning.blogspot.com/?zx=27fcb851d987e7ff) that is a blog i started keeping up on of a builder in oakland, posts some pretty some stuff. you also know my take on this… mod something existing, you may have to do a bit of fixing but i dont think it will be nearly as time consuming as you think, i had half my engine apart and back together in a day on my bike… ---
**Author:** ![joelster](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/joelster/32/7258_2.png) [@joelster](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/joelster)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 4:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/15 "2012-06-23T04:04:10Z")
Are you dead-set on a Harley engine? My take on it is that just about every conceivable type of chopper has been built based off of a Harley. Put a Ducati V-twin in a chopper frame, or even a Jap V-twin. It doesn’t have to be fast or anything, i’m assuming you just want a cruiser to toy with. Here’s a Ducati you could buy locally and rob some of the parts off of such as disc brakes, master cylinders, etc, wiring, signals… and it’s only $5k. A S&S engine can set you back way more than that. [http://buffalo.craigslist.org/mcy/3024894710.html](http://buffalo.craigslist.org/mcy/3024894710.html) ![http://images.craigslist.org/5L65H15Ja3G73K23L4c5jc2b64a9325841c5a.jpg](http://images.craigslist.org/5L65H15Ja3G73K23L4c5jc2b64a9325841c5a.jpg) I’m sure there are people out there that would cringe about cutting up a sweet bike, but that makes it cool. ---
**Author:** ![King](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/king/32/7329_2.png) [@King](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/King)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 4:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/16 "2012-06-23T04:56:40Z")
^^^ thats actually kind of a cool idea. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 5:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/17 "2012-06-23T05:45:38Z")
Is a cool idea for sure… but aren’t most of them water-cooled? That doesn’t make for a great chopper… ---
**Author:** ![King](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/king/32/7329_2.png) [@King](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/King)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 9:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/18 "2012-06-23T09:08:55Z")
Probably but I feel ALL bikes are more or less air-cooled regardless of if there is coolant or not- if you don’t keep moving your nuts roast. What’s the concern, where to have a radiator without it looking ghey?? ---
**Author:** ![joelster](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/joelster/32/7258_2.png) [@joelster](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/joelster)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 10:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/19 "2012-06-23T10:39:51Z")
> [@newman](#): > > Is a cool idea for sure… but aren’t most of them water-cooled? That doesn’t make for a great chopper… Nope, a lot of them are air-cooled. I don’t know every which one that is air-cooled, but even the newer 2011 Monster 796 is air-cooled: Looks like the Monster line is air-cooled and possibly some GP style bikes that are a bit older. Here’s a local Monster for $7k: [http://buffalo.craigslist.org/mcy/3064151663.html](http://buffalo.craigslist.org/mcy/3064151663.html) That radiator in front looks like a small oil cooler or something. You could probably part out what you don’t use and make some coin back. ---
**Author:** ![1QIKZ](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/1qikz/32/6112_2.png) [@1QIKZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/1QIKZ)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073/20 "2012-06-23T12:10:58Z")
If you’re really bored, come to my house. I got an assload of shit you can fix. Sorry Newman, can’t picture you on a bike. You need to look meaner. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/so-im-thinking-about-building-a-chopper-this-winter/224073.md?page=2)