My First Custom Chopper

[Maso]

First, let me start off by saying this is my first time building anything, so if you see anything i could do different, better, etc, please let me know. It has taken me about a year to get to this point since I havent had a whole lot of time to work on it. Its a mostly stock HF 6.5 with the gov removed, a custom exhaust, and I enlarged the stock intake box and drilled some big holes on the top of it (idk if this really helps or not), stock jets - doesnt seem to need re-jetting at this time, but I may just need to put some more hours on it. Its loosly based the the copper build on the other part of this web site, but I built it with a few things in mind... lower, longer... pointy-er. Also cheap, but of course thats not how it goes. Alot of parts were donated from my brothers old BMX bike (FREE). Funny thing is that when I started it, I had a small b&s (FREE) but broke the pull start recoil and it just didnt seem to be worth putting the $ into since it didnt have the best compression. So I bought this enigine, and... omg it fits! but a jack shaft was needed in order to keep the chain from rubbing on the fame, which geared it down prolly more than it needs to be (6.92 to 1) tops out around 25, but it has really good take off. I wont be blowing it apart for paint and other finishing touches until fall, cuz I would like to play with it during the summer! Anyway, even tho I havent sign up here until recently I've come back many times for help with this, that, and whatever. So ty all. I'll be posting more pics soon (cant do that at work).

 

[trikeman]

Welcome to the forum.
Nice little chopper. Ya 25 is abit on the slow side but not too hard change that.
Love these little choppers. Keep us posted

 

[Maso]

I have been working on my bike a bit, got some more parts coming but heres where im at so far.

 

[Maso]

those first two are what i did to the air box, ...seems to breath pretty good

 

[Maso]

getting some more work done, triple tree brakets made from old brake pads

 

[Maso]

getting the brakes, chains and tensioner worked out. new rear tire should be here tomarrow.

 

[mckutzy]

Im going to go out on a limb and by no offense , You have a good start and overall look, but your welds aren't looking good. Now this is probably still in the assembly stage, but all that I can see everywhere, needs attention.

The Torque of the motor on the JS, I reckon is going to rip it off.

The rear end where the axle is, That plate isnt held on with much, and being a hard tail that area is a high impact and stress point.

The forks need some proper securement, and I would suggest a fork tube with out holes in it.

The exhaust is going to need a bracket to support the weight, but allow it to move a bit.

The rear brake, Now im not too familiar with band brakes, but I think the top wire mount is going to need to be moved closer to the under mount, and the under mount is going to need a stronger reinforced mount. These bands are pinched to brake on the drum, so think of that.

Now this is just off hand, but it looks like there is going to need alot work still, all that is said is because I reckon it might be an accident waiting to happen shortly on or thereafter takeoff, were all about safety on here.

 

[Maso]

Well, as I've said before, I started building this to learn how to weld and while they're not pretty at all, they do seem to be pretty strong as I've gone for several rides on this before redoing it with no problems, this goes for the JS and the rear axle plates also. But maybe some reinforcment wouldnt hurt. Anyway, I do appreciate the input and will be continuing to work on it.

 

[Maso]

Also, if you look close at the forks they arnt welded to the triple tree yet because i was planning on using thicker metal, just put those forks in the brakets to show off what i thought was a pretty clever idea.

 

[Maso]

now before I go too far, can any recommend a good gear ratio? im at 6.92:1 atm, but cam still switch the JS gears for 3.61:1. thoughts?

 

[tundrabeagle3]

now before I go too far, can any recommend a good gear ratio? im at 6.92:1 atm, but cam still switch the JS gears for 3.61:1. thoughts?

Stick with the 6.92:1 ratio , if you use the 3.61:1 you will burn your clutch

 

[Maso]

what if i bought a different gear for something more like 5:1 or 4:1? cuz 7:1 is really low.

 

[mckutzy]

So why a need of change of gearing?

 

[Maso]

I was looking at another thread and they said "don't go lower than 4.2:1" or something like that. Maybe they meant higher? 7:1 has really nice torque but top speed will Prolly only be around 30 mph. Just curious if something a little higher would provide a better compromise of torque and speed. I'm not looking to do 50 mph but 35 or a little higher would be nice. However, if yall recommend leaving as is that's cool too.

 

[Maso]

I'm not familiar with the abbreviatio TAV

 

[Maso]

Haha, I should have guessed that, only seen TC before.

 

[landuse]

I would also not go for a higher gear ratio than 7:1. You will be wasting your money by burning clutches. Even a 6:1 ratio is going to be too high for the tyres that you are going to have on there.

 

[Maso]

i upgraded to a 13in tire in the rear, but keeping the 20in bike tire in front. ty ill just keep the current raio then.

 

[newrider3]

You're going to need to move the chain tensioner to the other side of the chain, right now you're putting a ton of force through it since it is on the side of the chain that is in tension and doing the work of powering the rear wheel. It's going to break off, especially with it cantilevered way out off of a thin piece of steel like that.
It has to deal with much less load when located on the return side (bottom) of the chain.

 

[Maso]

that makes sense