So you want to build a bobber/chopper? Look here first... (NEW INFO!)

[VonYinzer]

Rake and trail calculator. VERY IMPORTANT. UNLESS YOU WANT A BIKE THAT HANDLES LIKE A SHOPPING CART, STUDY UP!
http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html

More basic frame geometry info...
http://sportbike.natkd.com/motorcycle_geometry_101.htm
FREE DOWNLOADS:http://www.tonyfoale.com/software.htm

Great info for frame fabrication...
http://www.mechwerks.com/MechWerks_home.htm
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/tech/FrameFabrication.pdf
http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com/motorcycle-frame-blueprints.html

Know what your working with...
http://www.steelforge.com/ferrous/carbonsteel.htm
http://www.spaco.org/hrvscr.htm
http://www.onlinemetals.com/steelguide.cfm

You want to hardtail that S.O.B? Well build a jig!
http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/tech/FrameJigInfo.pdf
http://monsterguide.net/how-to-build-a-motorcycle-jig

A frame is only as strong as the welds holding it together...
http://www.weldingengineer.com/
http://www.esabna.com/EUWeb/MIG_handbook/592mig7_1.htm
http://www.ehow.com/video_4908534_what-difference-between-tig-mig.html

Properly set up suspension will make the difference between haulin ass to the party, and havin your ass hauled to the hospital...
http://wumrc.engin.umich.edu/~shiha/jpapers/87_JCSME_suspension.pdf
http://www.carbibles.com/suspension_bible_bikes.html
http://www.shockabsorbersworld.com/motorcycle-shock-absorber.html

Consider your wheels and forks as a part of the frame. Make it all right...
http://www.largiader.com/balancer/
http://splashmedia.co.nz/users/britten/art3.html
http://www.motorcycleparts-accessories-andmore.com/motorcyclerims.html
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/service_steering_head_bearings/index.html
http://dansmc.com/steering_bearings.htm


This by no means is an end all, be all of how its done. Just some info to make sure that when your lookin' like a badass on your newly built bobber your doing it without killing yourself.

 

[VonYinzer]

Re: So you want to modify your frame? Look here first...

Cool pic huh?

 

[Curbcast]

Re: So you want to modify your frame? Look here first...

Dude, what are you? Some kind of bionic link prompter? Your a treat to have on the site! Definitely giving back man! Making me look bad. I seem to be here just to learn. Selfishness...
Wicked links!

 

[VonYinzer]

Re: So you want to modify your frame? Look here first...

Just tryin to help out... I see a lot of "this is what I want", but not enough "how do I do this right?" I love custom bikes, and the folks who build and ride them. Dont want to see anyone pour their time and money into something thats not worth it.

 

[VonYinzer]

Re: So you want to modify your frame? Look here first...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFmlOFDH6dY

Part two:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Kk2_n6W7Co

 

[kbmx613]

Re: So you want to modify your frame? Look here first...

Thanks man, the gift of knowledge.....Holy crap this is some cool stuff!

 

[VonYinzer]

More info for the home builder...
---ITS THE LITTLE THING THAT MATTER... THATS WHAT SHE SAID...---
CUSTOM GAUGEShttp://www.thehoffmangroup.com/aurora/?gclid=CIe-65OFlZ8CFc5L5QodPg9ZJA
INTERNAL THROTTLE HOW TO:http://boardtracker.blogspot.com/2009/02/internal-throttle.html
http://www.bikernet.com/garage/PageViewer.asp?PageID=437
MAKE YOUR OWN CUSTOM TAILLIGHTS:
http://www.theledlight.com/ledcircuits.html

---IF YOU DIDNT MAKE IT, CAN YOU REALLY CALL IT YOURS? WELL OF COURSE YOU CAN, BUT MAKE IT ANYWAY YA LAZY JERK.---
---EXHAUST:---
http://www.magnumforceracing.com/ubend.asp (just a suggestion to get you thinking. Ive never used them and cannot reccomend them because of that.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4481199_make-motorcycle-exhaust.html
http://www.cyclespot.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-22.html

---PUT YOUR ASS ON SOME HOMEMADE CLASS:---
http://japbobbers.blogspot.com/2009/02/making-solo-seat.html
http://www.leathercraftsecrets.com/
http://www.ehow.com/how_15430_stitching-awl-leather.html

---SOME MORE WHEEL/BRAKE INFO:---
http://physiology.usouthal.edu/restore/wheel/wheel.html
WITH VIDEOhttp://www.ehow.com/videos-on_526_repair-motorcycle-brakes.html

--WIRING---
READ ME FIRST!http://www.electrosport.com/technical-resources/library/articles/how-motorcycle-charging-system-works.php
http://www.btinternet.com/~jhpart/bkwirec.htm
WITH VIDEO:http://www.custom-choppers-guide.com/custom-chopper-wiring.html
http://www.cyclepedia.com/charging-system-testing-and-troubleshooting/

---FREE ONLINE HOW TO---VERY COOL:---
http://dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm

---TIRES. BLACK, RUBBER AND KEEPING YOUR ASS OFF THE BLACKTOP SINCE THE 1800s. ---
WITH VIDEO:http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_523_change-motorcycle-tires.html
http://www.steelthundercc.com/tiresizes.html
THE REST IS REALLY ALL PERSONAL PREFERENCE.

---FUCK THE MAN... WELL KINDA, OK NOT AT ALL, JUST FIGURED I SHOULD SAY IT SOMEWHERE IN A BOBBER THREAD---
http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

 

[VonYinzer]

Im soooo bored at work today...

---CHAIN AND SPROCKET INFO---
http://chain-guide.com/toc.html
http://www.gizmology.net/sprockets.htm

---FRONT END SWAPS---
http://www.ohiocaferacers.com/ (Click on Tech Tips on the left...)

---KEEP WHATEVER THAT IS YOU PICKED UP AT THE BAR FROM FALLIN OFF.---
http://www.streetchopperweb.com/tech/0601_stcp_fabricating_sissy_bar/index.html

---BECAUSE ITS BADASS. JOCKEY SHIFT SET-UP---
http://www.bikernet.com/garage/PageViewer.asp?PageID=152

---CANT RIDE IF YA CANT SEE---
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/122_0310_headlight_aiming/index.html
http://www.gadgetjq.com/aimheadlight.htm

---SOME MORE CRAFT PROJECTS. BREAK OUT THE GLUE GUN AND GOOGLY EYES.---
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/articles/index?page=articles64.html
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-make-a-fiberglass-mold-for-a-motorcycle-fender/

 

[Maritime]

If this isn't a sticky yet it should be, this is going to save a lot of us google time. I am starting a project plan now for the basic parts of the bobber I hope to build and I want to do alot of this stuff from scratch. Von this is great! My budget is 0 and I am going to be scroungiing parts and building anything I can myself.

You Da man!

 

[Tim]

Sticky now

 

[Drewski]

Wow! Quite a volume of quality info here! Very good!

I would also say that safety should never be sacrificed! For any reason!

 

[Tunz]

awesome info here! thanks alot for this post...will come handy in the future undoubtedly!

 

[VonYinzer]

Know the history... PLEASE ADD TO THIS IF YA HAVE SOMETHING COOL!!!! This is just a start.

http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/13-rebels-mc-wild-motorcycle-gang/
HE DIDNT ALWAYS BUILD SHIT... http://www.arlenness.com/about_history.aspx
http://www.choppers.com/history.asp (This may be mostly B.S., but theres some cool stuff too.)
http://www.finchscustoms.com/
http://www.coachbuilt.com/des/h/howard/howard.htm ( Its not just a brand of FUCKING STUPID t-shirts and trucker hats...)
http://www.boozefighters.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easy_Rider

Now add your 2 cents folks...

 

[VonYinzer]

 

[Swagger]

Von, just had a chance to look at this thread...man you are a stud for compiling all this info.
All of it is useful at some point too. You rock brutha!

But damnitalltohell......you let the cat outta the bag on the custom gauges.

 

[VonYinzer]

Whoops.... ;D

 

[bradj]

safety is great but some times if you give your 22 year old drunk brother a pull start mini bike and you know it is gonna get bloody but you still encourage with quotes like "the only thing stopping you is you"," and what is the worst that can happen it is a mini bike" and "you will be able to stop it is a mini bike, puss" next thing you know your witnes to the greatest mini bike crash ever. SOMETIMES UNSAFE IS FUNNY AS SHIT

 

[Kanticoy]

Tube miter program. This lets you print out tube joint templates on paper to get your joints perfect for butt welding. Works great!

http://www.ozhpv.org.au/shed/tubemiter.htm

 

[VonYinzer]

Awesome addition man! Thanks!

 

[surplus 6]

how about making your own pipe/tube bender
http://favoriteprojects.com/how_to_build_a_tube_bender.htm