Faq – Help About Chopper Bike Parts
Robert asks…
I want to build a custom chopper. What’s a good Harley to start with?
I am looking for something that’s relatively cheap to buy and custom parts are readily available. In the end i’d like 18 degree forks, custom tanks and a 300 tire on the back etc. If possible it would be relatively easy to work with as well as the aforementioned details because this will be my first major bike project. I’d also like to know where the parts would be available, or at least good quality and well priced companies to buy them from.
I’ve checked out quite a lot of aftermarket parts and found dynas and softails can get a 300 tire on the back. Second of all i asked for help and not criticism. I admit I’m new to this but we all have to start somewhere. I’ve done plenty of minor work on dirt bikes and racing bikes and would now like to own my own harley to customise. If you’re not willing to help or give advice other than the crap that’s already here then don’t bother answering
Chopper Motorcycle Staff answers:
You can get a wide tire kit for Softails that will allow a 250 or possibly bugger rear tire. Hit the swap meets in your area for parts such as tank, seat, bars, etc.. The main thing is make it your own, get your vision solidified so it doesn’t just look like a pile of parts when your done. 300 tires look cool but seriously affect rideability and cornering, so be sure of what you want. Nothing you mentioned is cheap! That being said, check w/ a local bike shop (preferably not a dealer) as they will work more w/ you and will try more edgy stuff. Listen to the grey beards, read “The Horse” magazine and possibly even “Iron Horse” magazine now that Snow and Fritz are back on board. It doesn’t have to have hi $$$ paint, lots of chrome or a hot engine to be fun and keeping this in mind will keep your price down. Good Luck!
John asks…
How do I start my bike?
So, my boyfriend rides bmx and stuff and when I asked where he got it he told me he built it from scratch, ordered part by part from the internet… I’m new to this so I don’t really know how it works, but I’ve really wanted to get a bike of my own lately, not really into bmx but choppers are sweet.
Does anybody know what websites I should look at? Should I just order it full or build it or what? I have no idea… I need answers from someone who knows bikes! Thank you bzillions
Chopper Motorcycle Staff answers:
What a lot of leisure cyclists like to do, is start of with a good bike and then add to it at periods, improving the gears to a better standard and such and building their dream bicycle over a period instead of spending €4,000 in one foul swoop on a great machine
the big question is what does your budget dictate?
David asks…
rolling chassis for chopper build?
anyone know of any good websites of companies that have good prices on parts for building a bike and a rolling chassis for a chopper softail frame with 40 rake & 8 stretch holding a 300 or 330 rear.
Chopper Motorcycle Staff answers:
I have a friend who knows Harleys so well he can buy a bunch of parts at a swap meet and make a bike out of it. But, there is more to it than bolting parts on a frame. The parts have to be aligned or the bike will steer horribly. It might even self destruct. Brakes are nothing to experiment with, they have to be right or you are going to crash. If you really want to build it yourself at least get someone who knows bikes WELL to stop by once in awhile and look at what you have done, it will save you a lot of heartache later.
If you plan to buzz from one bar to another you can get by with a rigid hard tail, but let me tell you, if you plan to do any long rides, you best go with a softtail version or you will regret it. There are hardass types who might play you down for not having a rigid but I bet they don’t take off for two weeks and ride 4000 miles in that time. Years ago there were some hardtail frames that had some flex built into the frame that absorbed a lot of bumps but I can’t testify as to the new kits. One site I am familiar with is listed below check it out.
Build the bike to suit your riding style or build it to sell for profit.
Do a search on Yahoo and Google for “motorcycle kit” and you will find a wealth of info.
Courtesy of Y!Answers
