Tips for first build

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Tips for first build

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Tips for first build - 3/27/2008 1:03:46 PM

trane0605

Posts: 607
Joined: 2/1/2008
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Hey fellas, I figured I would post here since many of you build your own bikes. I'm pretty comfortable with cutting and sanding on metal and have been toying with the idea of buying a rigid roller from some company and then transferring parts over from a donor bike. The stuff that intimidates me is things like knowing how to make sure all the drive trane parts are lined up and spaced properly as well as the proper way to torque things. Do any of you know if any of the kits come with assembly plans that describe how to do these things or is this stuff just way to over the head for a regular joe?

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Post #: 1

RE: Tips for first build - 3/27/2008 5:51:59 PM

Vikingnomad

Posts: 516
Joined: 2/9/2008
From: NY but live in Jackson, NJ
Status: offline

The "Bike in a Box" stuff I have been looking at seems to come with all you will need including oil and a battery, ya just gotta paint the tins and frame then put the sucker together.

Da Bone

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Post #: 2

RE: Tips for first build - 3/28/2008 3:51:26 AM

rebeltruce

Posts: 220
Joined: 10/2/2007
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Recent years have brought all kinds of "bikes in a box" kits. For the most part the kits I've dealt with always have some tweaking here and there.

Unless the kit says that it's been fitted, bolted together and then torn down for you to re-assemble be prepared to have a few fitment issues.

So far as lining up the drivetrain and such there are plenty of good books and tools out there for that.

If you don't weld, I would suggest learning to weld or at the very least make a welder your friend! Cuz stuff never fits perfectly. Plus there is always something you will want to change.

Starting with just a frame and moving parts over from a donor, can be the most challenging.....but the end result is well worth it. Remember you can never have to many tools.

So far as torque specs...motorcycles are motorcycles 90% of the parts are common, so I've always used the torque specs from the donor, in other words I use the shop manual from the donor bike.

The hardest part for me has always been wiring.

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Post #: 3

RE: Tips for first build - 3/28/2008 7:01:42 AM

trane0605

Posts: 607
Joined: 2/1/2008
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Thanks for the help guys

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Post #: 4

RE: Tips for first build - 3/28/2008 7:10:27 AM

dog155

Posts: 4621
Joined: 11/5/2006
From: Windham,Maine--God's Country
Status: offline

Jump in,get your feet wet,you will be glad you did.

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Post #: 5

RE: Tips for first build - 4/9/2008 9:27:40 AM

gunnert

Posts: 411
Joined: 9/16/2006
Status: offline

My .02 is DO YOUR HOMEWORK!.
1. Registration: in Virginia it's no easy task. You'll need the MSO's from the motor, transmission, and frame, receipts for the same plus "...all other receipts", about two months (that's how long ago I sent in my paper work) and more, and from $600 on up for taxes. Doesn't matter that you paid taxes for the parts, this is a use tax.
2. Insurance: I have found only ONE insurance company in the US that will write a full coverage policy on a home built custom bike (Foremost). Other companies, e.g. Progressive, Geico, etc, give lip service. They offer ONLY liability. Expect insurance, with minimum coverage, no medical, and $1000 deductible to be between $1500 and $2500...

In hind site, if I built another bike I would start with wrecked / cheap HD frame and go from there....

Good luck...

< Message edited by gunnert -- 4/15/2008 5:17:04 PM >

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Post #: 6

RE: Tips for first build - 4/14/2008 11:40:50 PM

NotHere

Posts: 243
Joined: 4/5/2008
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Great advice Gunnert.

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Post #: 7

RE: Tips for first build - 4/15/2008 6:24:45 PM

lolife

Posts: 1842
Joined: 10/10/2006
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just jump in head first and do it.................its not rocket science............ . The spacing on the wheels can be difficult......... . . .but again its not rocket science.............. . . .I built my first in 110 days......start to finish..................... . . . ...................Im now ready for my second................................... . . . ........................

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Post #: 8

RE: Tips for first build - 4/16/2008 2:40:12 PM

lanceropolis

Posts: 16
Joined: 3/24/2008
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Yeah the spacing is what is freaking me out... Well that and the alignment... and the wiring... and the welding... oh crap.

L

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Post #: 9

RE: Tips for first build - 4/17/2008 3:34:36 AM

rebeltruce

Posts: 220
Joined: 10/2/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: lolife

just jump in head first and do it.................its not rocket science............ . The spacing on the wheels can be difficult......... . . .but again its not rocket science.............. . . .I built my first in 110 days......start to finish..................... . . . ...................Im now ready for my second................................... . . . ........................

lolife,

Not to hijack the thread....but who makes the Springer front end you have on your Sporty? I've been contemplating changing the front end out on my 'custom' Sporty.

Thanks!

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Post #: 10

RE: Tips for first build - 5/13/2008 1:43:43 PM

Righteous

Posts: 227
Joined: 4/18/2008
From: Houston, Texas, USA
Status: offline

The "bike in a box" sounds like a good idea. All the parts are made to fit each other. And, title should be straightforward, even though it will be a special custom.

So what "bike in a box" do you recommend?

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Post #: 11

RE: Tips for first build - 5/13/2008 5:40:13 PM

megawatt

Posts: 297
Joined: 12/7/2007
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Righteous,
I am hesitant to recommend any kit. I've never built a bike from a kit. I'd rather hunt down a basket case or a fixer that is already registered to minimized the registration work. I bought my bike from a salvage yard and had to jump through some hoops to get it registered in California (it came from Oregon) but it had been registered before so I imagine it is easier than doing it SPCN. It now has a salvage title which supposedly lowers its resale value but it's such an old model year (1979) that I doubt having a salvage title will have much affect on its resale price plus I intend to own this thing for a loooong time. There isn't much left of the original bike at this point but I believe having a frame with a title made registering much easier.
Whether you go with a kit or a basket/fixer, I strongly suggest you talk to somebody at your DMV to learn what you can about the registration process in your area to avoid nasty surprises.
Oh yeah, talk to your insurance company regarding a kit or salvage bike. If you go with an already registered basket/fixer they probably don't have to know you bought it in pieces.
I am with AAA and they didn't care about it being a salvage title bike as long as it passed the registration process which, for me, involved the DMV, CHP and a shop to do the brake and light inspection.
Now all that BS aside, I have found that building my bikes myself, has been the most rewarding way to get on a bike. If you like doing this kind of stuff and you do it right, I think you're gonna love it man.

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Post #: 12

RE: Tips for first build - 6/19/2008 10:10:34 AM

carpe_diem25

Posts: 32
Joined: 4/28/2005
Status: offline

The best bike on a box kits I have seen come from Big Bear Choppers. They have some killer designs as well. Others I have seen come from Ultima or Custom Chrome.

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Post #: 13

RE: Tips for first build - 6/19/2008 6:53:52 PM

traveler

Posts: 3019
Joined: 6/19/2005
Status: online

In case you are not aware, I am curren tly building a chopper/bobber.
\\;
If there is only one thing I can tell you, is that NOTHING EVER JUST FITS!!!! \\; I don''t give a crap if the company that made the product said it would fit, IT WON"T....seriously, you will have to midfiy everything....COUNT ON IT!
\\;
"Bike in a box". \\; Ok, what you get is alot of lower quality parts...the brakes are lower quality, alot of the parts just look cheap IN MY OPINION.
\\;
The BEST way to do this, again, in my opinion, is to start with a Harley Davidson with a clear title. \\; This is what I did. \\; Sportsters are the best bike to use to build a custom. \\; Narrow, compact motors, can be built up, VERY tough, and becasue everything is "unitized" meaning the tranny, engine, etc, is all one piece, you jsut drop it in.
\\;
Another way to go, is to go ahead and buy an aftermarket frame or a full kit, and buy a titled frame from a harley. \\; Then cut off the head tube with the VIN numbers and replace the head tube on the new frame with the harley one. \\; Technically illegal, but who is to say that you didn''t jsut rebuild the Harley?
\\;
Look, the front half of my frame is the factory harley, already titled and licensed. \\; The back half is a Led Sled Customs rigid kit, that I have cut and chopped on as I am fitting stuff up before powercoating.
\\;
Just remember, this is not for the faint of heart. \\; Of course it can be done, but it isn''t jsut a quickie little job.
\\;
~Joe
\\;

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Post #: 14

RE: Tips for first build - 6/21/2008 6:44:39 AM

lolife

Posts: 1842
Joined: 10/10/2006
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quote:

ORIGINAL: rebeltruce

quote:

ORIGINAL: lolife

just jump in head first and do it.................its not rocket science............ . The spacing on the wheels can be difficult......... . . .but again its not rocket science.............. . . .I built my first in 110 days......start to finish..................... . . . ...................Im now ready for my second................................... . . . ........................

lolife,

Not to hijack the thread....but who makes the Springer front end you have on your Sporty? I''ve been contemplating changing the front end out on my ''custom'' Sporty.

Thanks!

\\;
\\;
\\;
\\;
\\;
\\;
DNA................. . . . ..............Just remember Kids................ . .Nothing fits.........That''s why they call it custom............ . . . .You have to make it fit............ . . . .............

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Post #: 15

RE: Tips for first build - 6/22/2008 10:16:36 AM

traveler

Posts: 3019
Joined: 6/19/2005
Status: online

Yea, I know. \\;\\\\\\; Trust me.
\\;\\\\\\;
I keep writing that for the benefit of the others on here. \\;\\\\\\; It''''s not like OCC on T.V. \\;\\\\\\; It''''s a hell of a lot of work. \\;\\\\\\; The rewards are HUGE, and you learn alot, and you end up really "knowing" your scooter. \\;\\\\\\; I just hate to see someone jump in not being prepared for alot of headache. \\;\\\\\\; There''''s a never ending supply of half finished bikes for sale. \\;\\\\\\; ANYONE can do this, it just takes 1. money 2. time 3. patience.
\\;\\\\\\;
If you don''''t want the hassle, just buy a really nice Harley, get a nice custom paintjob and some nice wheels and forget it.
\\;\\\\\\;
~Joe
\\;\\\\\\;

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Post #: 16

RE: Tips for first build - 6/22/2008 11:26:51 AM

stroker93

Posts: 21
Joined: 3/29/2008
Status: offline

There are many bikes in a box,,,,,those kits don''t go that well together. There is always a need to cut,grind,weld or replace...There are many "so called" custom shop builds that are junk,,,,poor welds,improper wheel spacing,cheap Taiwan parts. Its "your" bike use good parts ,,,it will cost more ,but again what is your life worth? \\; I recycle many HD parts or build my own...if the price is too good to be true,,,,its junk!...And get help from a friend, I''ve tried to do it all.....not a good idea......its hard too be great at every aspect of bike building...ie \\; paint, fab work ,motor assembly, wheel lacing and so on.
Dave

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Post #: 17

RE: Tips for first build - 6/22/2008 9:54:34 PM

CSA

Posts: 541
Joined: 3/15/2008
Status: offline

Yeah I have seen those kits! It''s looks tempting but for me the pleasure will be in the build itself. I am in no rush and if it takes a long time then it takes a long time. My brother and I are restoring a 68 Camaro and it''s about 70 percent where we want it. We have been wrenching on it for the last 4 years and there is no rush. Like I said the pleasure is in the sitting around drinking beer, and spinning wrenches. It''s for sure a Hot Rodders Journey!

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