View Full Version : Rat/Bobber/Chop
Just wondered if anyone could advise on a good starter project for someone with very limited electrical and mechanical skills, but a relatively practical person and a good learner.
I want to find a bike that's not to complicated to chop/customise as a first project. Engine size not really an issue, just something that's relatively straightforward with a bit of research etc.
Any ideas appreciated.
I would recommend a 70's or early 80s bike with a steel frame an old fashioned engine.
Old Yamaha and Suzuki singles and twins are good as a very simple engines. Check out what House has posted on this forum.
I would recommend a 70's or early 80s bike with a steel frame an old fashioned engine.
Old Yamaha and Suzuki singles and twins are good as a very simple engines. Check out what House has posted on this forum.
I have been looking at his stuff but he seems to have a lot of engineering skills.
Everything 70's and 80's seems to be fetching top dollar. The safest thing for me is something that doesn't need a complete engine rebuild for a first project. I'll keep trawling gumtree and ebay :)
Just wondered if anyone could advise on a good starter project for someone with very limited electrical and mechanical skills, but a relatively practical person and a good learner.
I want to find a bike that's not to complicated to chop/customise as a first project. Engine size not really an issue, just something that's relatively straightforward with a bit of research etc.
Any ideas appreciated.
Check out johnnycactus0 , he does a nice job on a Yamaha SR250 . Ive posted the links for his 1st and last videos for the build and he covered and filmed everything in between .
First look at the bike .........https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyw1KB9keYE
Build complete............https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcccuuXyJkc
Check out johnnycactus0 , he does a nice job on a Yamaha SR250 . Ive posted the links for his 1st and last videos for the build and he covered and filmed everything in between .
First look at the bike .........https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyw1KB9keYE
Build complete............https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcccuuXyJkc
Brilliant, that's the sort of thing I wanted to do. Thanks for posting that.
Just seen this on Gumtree and wondered if it might be any good.... https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/honda-cx500b-spares-or-repairs/1161009895
Or this.... http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=231890640880&alt=web
Brilliant, that's the sort of thing I wanted to do. Thanks for posting that.
Just seen this on Gumtree and wondered if it might be any good.... https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/honda-cx500b-spares-or-repairs/1161009895
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6f/0b/f8/6f0bf83cb6f1103ec6f7cdc3d87d75e0.jpg
Here's a nice example :cool:
The guy in the Gumtree ad says he's not sure if the bike runs. If I was undertaking a first project like this , I would want a runner and wouldn't want the project complicated with engine " Foibles " maybe as a first project , a purely aesthetic strip down and conversion would be less overwhelming .
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6f/0b/f8/6f0bf83cb6f1103ec6f7cdc3d87d75e0.jpg
Here's a nice example :cool:
The guy in the Gumtree ad says he's not sure if the bike runs. If I was undertaking a first project like this , I would want a runner and wouldn't want the project complicated with engine " Foibles " maybe as a first project , a purely aesthetic strip down and conversion would be less overwhelming .
Yeah, I think an engine rebuild is a bit much for a first project. The CBX wasn't that cheap considering it's a potential non runner.
The one thing I do have in my favour is that my sisters partner does rebuild 50's Harley's and the odd Norton up in Warwickshire, so he knows his stuff, although he says he knows nothing about modern or Japanese bikes
wheelers
30-03-16, 05:05 PM
do you know the history of CX500's?, best not go there due to their history.
rebuilding Harleys!! https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/harley-davidson-1970s-ironhead-sportster-project-xl1000/1160502462
the motor turned over when I had it rewired, but lost the interest and time.
there was a running bandit 6 recently for £600 that wanted tlc, tidied up they would still get over £1000
do you know the history of CX500's?, best not go there due to their history.
rebuilding Harleys!! https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/harley-davidson-1970s-ironhead-sportster-project-xl1000/1160502462
the motor turned over when I had it rewired, but lost the interest and time.
there was a running bandit 6 recently for £600 that wanted tlc, tidied up they would still get over £1000
He's more 50's Panhead's and Shovelhead's, and tends to import from the states.
I don't want to taking on something too complex as I have limited time, very limited space and extremely limited knowledge or experience !
What are the YX Yamaha's like? Not seen many of them.
wheelers
30-03-16, 06:35 PM
YX's were only around for 4 years so chassis parts may be hard to find, the motor on the other hand is a de-tuned fz600, which could actually beat the fz up to 4th gear.
the 'radian' was probably brought out to fill a gap in the market as a cheaper alternative to the race rep FZ , being cheaper to make with drum brake rear and no fairing. Ive not heard of any problems but was probably a 550 bored out so not that over big to make un reliable. the YX dropped out of favour when race reps became desirable also around the time when 400cc grey imports were coming in by the container full being a cheaper option for the race rep speed merchants.
most of my formative youth spent in Sutton Benger , Seagry and living in Christian Malford. Bikes were a necessity.
YX's were only around for 4 years so chassis parts may be hard to find, the motor on the other hand is a de-tuned fz600, which could actually beat the fz up to 4th gear.
the 'radian' was probably brought out to fill a gap in the market as a cheaper alternative to the race rep FZ , being cheaper to make with drum brake rear and no fairing. Ive not heard of any problems but was probably a 550 bored out so not that over big to make un reliable. the YX dropped out of favour when race reps became desirable also around the time when 400cc grey imports were coming in by the container full being a cheaper option for the race rep speed merchants.
most of my formative youth spent in Sutton Benger , Seagry and living in Christian Malford. Bikes were a necessity.
Thanks for the info. I had the same thing growing up in a village and needing a bike until I joined the army at 17, so only had a couple of 50's and a H100, until last year :)
Julie_S
01-04-16, 08:49 PM
1952 AJS 500 single, 1970s forks, A7 BSA rear suspension, Chopper in the 1980s currently a rat black bobber. Not used in about 5 years. Simple machine all around....
Has to be a Honda Benly, picked up my first one for £50 and hardtailed it. I knew nothing about wiring but this bike taught me loads.
Before and after....
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/housecraig/Bobber%20project/DSC00734.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/housecraig/media/Bobber%20project/DSC00734.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/housecraig/Bobber%20project/DSC01260.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/housecraig/media/Bobber%20project/DSC01260.jpg.html)
Has to be a Honda Benly, picked up my first one for £50 and hardtailed it. I knew nothing about wiring but this bike taught me loads.
Before and after....
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/housecraig/Bobber%20project/DSC00734.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/housecraig/media/Bobber%20project/DSC00734.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/housecraig/Bobber%20project/DSC01260.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/housecraig/media/Bobber%20project/DSC01260.jpg.html)
That looks great House !
I like the Benly's as a straight bike as well. What size engine is it?
That was a later 12v 200cc which was ideal as they use the CDI ignition so no battery required. I liked the fact it had drums front and rear and loads more aluminium which could be polished. There's a lot of fabrication work involved when going down the hardtail route. Some bikes can look just as nice without it. Check out LBC (low budget customs) on Facebook, they churn out some nice stuff.
Last Train
09-04-16, 04:54 PM
Nice work House :cool:
That was a later 12v 200cc which was ideal as they use the CDI ignition so no battery required. I liked the fact it had drums front and rear and loads more aluminium which could be polished. There's a lot of fabrication work involved when going down the hardtail route. Some bikes can look just as nice without it. Check out LBC (low budget customs) on Facebook, they churn out some nice stuff.
My welding's not too bad, knowledge of electrics is a lot better than it used to be. Engine set up and tuning etc are a bit more of a worry, but I have fixed up a few old cylinder mowers which were quite nippy :D
Norton/Villiers F12 (BSA Sloper), on a Ransome's 20"
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ujwvm69tuf54h74/2015-04-14%2016.34.27.mp4?dl=0
Last Train
09-04-16, 05:51 PM
My welding's not too bad, knowledge of electrics is a lot better than it used to be. Engine set up and tuning etc are a bit more of a worry, but I have fixed up a few old cylinder mowers which were quite nippy :D
Norton/Villiers F12 (BSA Sloper), on a Ransome's 20"
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ujwvm69tuf54h74/2015-04-14%2016.34.27.mp4?dl=0
Yeah man.
Bolt a seat to it, sorted :D
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