Thinking about building a bike from the ground up.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 50
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From: Washington DC
Thinking about building a bike from the ground up.
Hey guys i am thinking about building my first bike from frame up. What are some good sites for frames and engines and such. I would love to go with a used engine maybe a salvaged one? So i can save some money (New Baby in the house) Any ideas?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 8
From: Pittsburgh , Pa.
Do your research before you get too involved. Some states are a real hassle when you do any kind of a custom build. I know quite a few guys in Pennsylvania that gave up on their project because of new laws.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 2
From: Sin City
dont do it... cost ya twice as much. Start with a running bike or one with a blown engine. I tried a frame up build.... took me 9 months to build my rigid shovel, and a boatload of cash. But you are intimate with every nut and bolt.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 5
From: Massachusetts
I think I posted ir before, on this board. I tried once, to do the same thing. In the end, nothing you like will really fit, you'll get pizzed, run out of patience, run out of money. You'll always need one specific tool that you don't have. You'll always need a specific part that is hard to get, and when you find it, it takes weeks to get it. And in the end, you'll have a bike that runs quite like any other (if you're lucky).
As for the salvage, there is ARGO in New Hampshire. They have a lot of good deals there, but you'll still have to work on them. And you'll always have a salvage title, unless you change the frame. Nevermind the hassle with the RMV to get it registered.
You will NOT save any money. But you will lose time you could spend riding.
As for the salvage, there is ARGO in New Hampshire. They have a lot of good deals there, but you'll still have to work on them. And you'll always have a salvage title, unless you change the frame. Nevermind the hassle with the RMV to get it registered.
You will NOT save any money. But you will lose time you could spend riding.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 546
Likes: 1
From:
Ground up builds are fun and IMO, look better than anything produced by the factory, if they are done right. I have built 2 ground up builds (Shovelheads) and chopped up a metric UJM for sh*ts and giggles. I even helped a couple buddies with their custom builds as well. IMO the best advice I can give you is find out what your state requires when it comes to registering or titling a special construction and then figure the route you wanna go as far as style, engine and frame type. I did a lot of research on the internet for ideas and of course parts. Gather up every part you think you will need and start assembling. There is going to be a ton of parts you will not think about but that's OK, just take your time. A buddy of mine did a Flyrite kit bike and it came out awesome looking. Damned near everything in the kit to assemble from start to finish and the price wasn't bad either. The next one I build will be a pre 2004 Sportster and I am going to use a Led Sled weld on Hardtail kit. No title or insurance issues since it will be titled as a factory Harley. Don't be afraid though whatever you do. Check out sites like Clubchopper if you are going to do a modern build or if you are into older style stuff, the Jockey Journal is an excellent place to go for parts and ideas.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
I like the concept Roland Sands is putting forward: take a softail and re-build it from the frame up. He has developed some pretty cool looking kits to go from bone stock to radical bobber, and everything in between. I would look for an abused or wrecked bike with a straight frame and go from there.
http://www.rolandsands.com/
http://www.rolandsands.com/
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 808
Likes: 1
From: Southern Cal
Mphillips let me run this by you. The market on bikes is low right now and on choppers....even WORSE!! I wasn't in the market for one but a deal came up where I picked up a Proper Chopper on the cheap as a cage turned left in front of the rider and he stuffed the bike into the car. Forks were wasted and there was scratches however total investment for me was less than 8k with new sheet metal, forks, paint and miscellaneous. Just a thought...
Good luck
Good luck