Bitten off more than I can chew??

[uriel]

Hi, this is my first post in the bike forum, so be gentle

How to begin? Well, I'm really into 60s/70s Yank muscle cars and would love to buy/restore one, but have no garage/yard. After an unsuccessful search for a garage I started to think about building a bike. I've always liked bikes (though never ridden them), especially big choppers (oo-er). As I'm single and live alone I could do it in the flat and the small back yard.

So here I am, I've bought a chopper frame from eBay with forks, wheels, seat, tank and a few bits and bobs. The plan is to get a donor bike from a breakers, something with a nice big V-twin and take the engine/drive/gearbox and everything else to make it go from that and somehow fit it to the frame.

The trouble is that I don't know much about bikes, actually I know nothing. I have a basic knowledge of mechanics, but nothing special, but I feel I have a fair bit of common sense. I wasn't too concerned about this, but now that it's here and taking up a huge space in the flat I wonder if I can actually pull this off...

So, I guess I'm asking has anyone here done this before? Are there any good online communities/forums/technical resources for bikers? Am I stupid for trying this?

[Mon Ami Mate]

Not stupid, just brave! Where does the frame come from?

[a j]

Best of British mate. I rebuilt (?) a suzuki GT380 (cough) years ago, it was modified with rear sets, clip ons etc etc on good days rebuilding it was great, but mostly it was bloody difficult as i then, like you now had little knowledge of bikes. I would say though its one of the best ways to learn, what have you got to loose?

[eliminator]

Might be easier if you use the engine that goes with the frame - all the mounts line up. That avoids building plates to patch the gaps.

Do you know what the frame is?

[uriel]

I figured it's be the best way to learn, steep learning curve, but rewarding. I also like the idea that when I'm riding, it'll be something I've built from the ground up and if anthing goes wrong I (should) know how it goes together and how it works.

The frame was originally from a Kawasaki, but other than that I really don't know. I was planning on getting an engineering shop/specialist to fabricate and weld on the engine mounts/plates.

I'll post a couple of pictures at some point over the weekend, perhaps one of you guys will recognise it. My digital camera doesn't work with artifical lighting.

Thanks for the encouragement

[tuscan_s]

a j said:

Best of British mate. I rebuilt (?) a suzuki GT380 (cough) years ago, it was modified with rear sets, clip ons etc etc on good days rebuilding it was great, but mostly it was bloody difficult as i then, like you now had little knowledge of bikes. I would say though its one of the best ways to learn, what have you got to loose?

GT380! Wow, my Dad had one of those! They felt quite quick back in the day. If I remember rightly he also had a GT550 and had a more powerful front headlight!

Oh the joys!!

[qball]

Definately brave more than stupid - I'm in the same boat as you (well sorta).

I bought a Suzuki rg125F off a mate on the cheap with the idea of rebuilding it just so i can understand bikes a bit more - always been a car nut but working with a couple of bikers, they've got me thinking...

Getting a 125 means i can drive it on my licence after a CBT but that's not much use atm as it's lying on my workshop floor in bit while i try and work out how to get a seized bolt out that holds the engine/swingarm in!

I'd advise ya on getting a manual if your building a specific bike as these can prove to be invaluable, especially if the only thing you know about bikes is that they only have 2 wheels!

P.S. anyone know where the handbrake is?

[tvradict]

To get a seized bolt out, just heat it. Don't make it go burny burny red hot, just hold a blow torch to it for a few minutes on a good heat, then immediatly spray a little WD40 on it and turn it, with a little effort it should come out without shearing.