Green4991
J-Rad
Hey guys, I'm looking to build a mini chopper, any good tips that you've learned from building your bikes? Thanks
Tips
- Thread starter Green4991
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think about what you want before you start building it lol. research and more research. then go a head and start building 
have fun! this is my build thread to if you would like to steal some ideas http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9475
if you need to know anything just ask me im happy to help
have fun! this is my build thread to if you would like to steal some ideas http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9475if you need to know anything just ask me im happy to help
Green4991
J-Rad
Thanks man.
robbie
New member
Look at as many pictures as you can find. There's no sense in reinventing the wheel. This kind of building project has had a lot of good thinking poured into it already, so look at how everybody else did it and then sketch your own design that includes some of the best engineering from everybody else's designs.
The most important thing for you is to build a bike you can be comfortable on. Get an empty bucket and some bricks. Sit on the bucket and put your feet on the bricks, and put your hands up like you're riding. You can use phone books or bricks to make your seat higher if you need to, or use a chair. Rearrange everything until you like it. Since you said "chopper", I'm guessing you want to sit low with your hands and feet a little bit high. Once you decide how you're going to sit, take measurements between hands, feet and seat.
Make marks on paper for these three details, then draw your engine to scale, making sure you know where the spark plug and carburetor stick out. Only after you get these details on paper, THEN draw the rest of the bike frame.
I like to use a proportional scale, such as 2cm for a foot, or 1cm for 10 inches, or whatever fits the paper best. That makes it a lot easier to draw accurately. Don't guess the location where your spark plug sticks out because it may fool you and bump into the frame.
I built a little bike this spring by measuring myself first. I sat on a kitchen chair, put my feet on a block of wood, and held my hands up. I wanted to sit upright like an old fashioned moped. The bike looked kind of nerdy when it was finished, but it was perfectly comfortable. I ended up selling it to a college student who wanted to ride it to class. When he sat on it, he looked like he was sitting on a chair, just the way I designed it!
The most important thing for you is to build a bike you can be comfortable on. Get an empty bucket and some bricks. Sit on the bucket and put your feet on the bricks, and put your hands up like you're riding. You can use phone books or bricks to make your seat higher if you need to, or use a chair. Rearrange everything until you like it. Since you said "chopper", I'm guessing you want to sit low with your hands and feet a little bit high. Once you decide how you're going to sit, take measurements between hands, feet and seat.
Make marks on paper for these three details, then draw your engine to scale, making sure you know where the spark plug and carburetor stick out. Only after you get these details on paper, THEN draw the rest of the bike frame.
I like to use a proportional scale, such as 2cm for a foot, or 1cm for 10 inches, or whatever fits the paper best. That makes it a lot easier to draw accurately. Don't guess the location where your spark plug sticks out because it may fool you and bump into the frame.
I built a little bike this spring by measuring myself first. I sat on a kitchen chair, put my feet on a block of wood, and held my hands up. I wanted to sit upright like an old fashioned moped. The bike looked kind of nerdy when it was finished, but it was perfectly comfortable. I ended up selling it to a college student who wanted to ride it to class. When he sat on it, he looked like he was sitting on a chair, just the way I designed it!
MacfarlaneRacers
New member
Ye Research Is Good.
You Need To Think What Type You Would Like (eg: racing,stunt)
Dont Worry About The Engine ! Thats the last thing that should be on your mind
You Need To Think What Type You Would Like (eg: racing,stunt)
Dont Worry About The Engine ! Thats the last thing that should be on your mind
KieranM
Doin It!!
Dont Worry About The Engine ! Thats the last thing that should be on your mind
........not really.....but each to there own
robbie
New member
I wouldn't say that the engine should be the last thing on your mind. In fact, obtaining an engine, a back wheel, and sprockets is the best first step you can make.
All other items are subject to change. If you build a bike and THEN get an engine, you may end up cutting your frame and putting it back together to make the engine fit.
All other items are subject to change. If you build a bike and THEN get an engine, you may end up cutting your frame and putting it back together to make the engine fit.
Walter Keller
Member
Use the KISS principle
Keep It Simple Stupid - OEM off the shelf parts, no bicycle parts, no weed wacker engines, no vert shaft engine conversions, if your just learning to weld, pratice on scrap instead of your project frame. Dont reinvent frame design - look at all the others out there and pick a simple proven design. Just because its free doesnt mean its for me or your project.
Keep It Simple Stupid - OEM off the shelf parts, no bicycle parts, no weed wacker engines, no vert shaft engine conversions, if your just learning to weld, pratice on scrap instead of your project frame. Dont reinvent frame design - look at all the others out there and pick a simple proven design. Just because its free doesnt mean its for me or your project.
Are you talking about the God-awful way he types or what he said?
r97
Measure twice cut once
stunt, chopper????
, this came up on google images,
i second the above, research, research, research, ideas, ideas, ideas, planning, planing, planing, build, test, adjust, fix, finish, ride!
also i would say having an engine is a perfect reason to start a build!
KieranM
Doin It!!
Bit Of Both To Be Honest
sideways
Unfinished projects king.
Ye Research Is Good.
You Need To Think What Type You Would Like (eg: racing,stunt)
Dont Worry About The Engine ! Thats the last thing that should be on your mind
Well..... He said he want to build a chopper so your first statement is redundant.
As said above, an engine and wheels are the best things to first have when designing a bike or go kart. You can then design everything around those. It's a bit difficult to have to adapt your design to fit a different engine or wheels.
Thanks
Hayden
porsche930dude
New member
yup you need all the parts before you start the frame . build it just like your seeing it in your head and you wont be disapointed. thats the best plans there is.
crazyman
New member
Black plumbing pipe will be your friend. 
I have a pipe bender from Harbor Freight that's nice for bending pipe for stuff just like this.
I have a pipe bender from Harbor Freight that's nice for bending pipe for stuff just like this.
Green4991
J-Rad
Thanks guys.
Green4991
J-Rad
Keep It Simple Stupid - OEM off the shelf parts, no bicycle parts, no weed wacker engines, no vert shaft engine conversions, if your just learning to weld, pratice on scrap instead of your project frame. Dont reinvent frame design - look at all the others out there and pick a simple proven design. Just because its free doesnt mean its for me or your project.
Yeah man, thanks man. I'm hoping to build like a cruiser type bike, but I know its a mini chopper so...its pretty unlikely to be a long distance cruiser haha! Any good sites around for looking at bike designs or just look at them in Google images?
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