OCC Chopper Bike Build

I've started work on my new build, an OCC Chopper bike I found in a dirty garage. I've already spent several hours on my projectt and I don't even have a kit!

These things are not perfect for motorizing, as the engine has to be kicked left with the end result being the right rear engine mount stud is close to center of the frame. I could have dropped $40 for a pre-fabbed motormount but I simply don't have an extra penny to spend on this. I've created by own by measuring carefully and drilling holes in thick metal. It's a system of transition plate and muffler mounts that I've used before.

The saddle was trashed! I found some material and worked up a new cover with some homemade rivets. It wil work for a while!

The V-brakes, front and back, are good but the headset cap is trashed. I have to rig up some kind of fix to get a tight setting on the headset.

The handlebars are just weird an I don't want to use them. I'll find a simple straight bar as that will maximize function. In traffic you want narrow bars to sneak through tight spaces.

I patched the rear tube but I cannot inflate the sketchy tire because my floor pump failed. My frame pump that I carry for my push bike commutes to work has mysteriously disappeared from my backpack. It doesn't reay matter though because I bought a very cheap motorcycle tire on ebay as I am told they will fit on the fat rear rim. But, boy, this thing cannot be mounted like a bicycle tire. I am going to have to spend $20 for a motorcyce inner tube and maybe buy a few tire tools. There are some hacks on youtube - not sure how I will settle this. If I use the moto tire I will use a 40 tooth sprocket. If I have to default to the 20" bicycle tire, then it will be 36 tooth. At any rate, there's a lot of work ahead for me before this thing yanks me down the road!

Here are some pics:
 

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I have to perfect my current bike before I move on to another project. I'll be itching to do something in the spring!

Interesting: today was garbage day so I took the carcass of the OCC frame out to the curb last nite. No saddle. No wheels. No front fork. No handlebars. Somebody took it before dawn!

Wonder if they noticed the rear dropout have been cut off?
Probably just a scrapper I put out frames that have been cut up for what ever reason totaly un usable and they are always gone before the garbage pick up.
 
I have to perfect my current bike before I move on to another project. I'll be itching to do something in the spring!

Interesting: today was garbage day so I took the carcass of the OCC frame out to the curb last nite. No saddle. No wheels. No front fork. No handlebars. Somebody took it before dawn!

Wonder if they noticed the rear dropout have been cut off?
Instead of tossing it you could have chopped it up and used the tubes for exhaust etc. Maybe make a steel forge with a metal trashcan, plaster of Paris and a leaf-blower and learn Styrofoam reduction casting using green sand (finely-ground moist kitty litter).
 
Instead of tossing it you could have chopped it up and used the tubes for exhaust etc. Maybe make a steel forge with a metal trashcan, plaster of Paris and a leaf-blower and learn Styrofoam reduction casting using green sand (finely-ground moist kitty litter).
I'm chopping up the old Frankenstein to build onto the new one, so I'd say this idea isn't a half bad of one.
 
Poor chopper :(...whatcha thinking about tossing all them parts on now?

Actually, I do have something in the back of my head. I have a heavy duty 1" bearing - I may try to weld up a cafe racer frame from scratch. I think I can fab my own headtube (as well as bottom bracket tube) and rig up a triple tree. Full suspension with a few improvements on my swingarm axle design. Maybe a real cafe racer seat. Anyway, that's for next Spring...
 
Interesting: today was garbage day so I took the carcass of the OCC frame out to the curb last nite. No saddle. No wheels. No front fork. No handlebars. Somebody took it before dawn!

Wonder if they noticed the rear dropout have been cut off?
It's most likely been sold for scrap.
 
Since you seem to enjoy making your own parts, seriously look into making a cheap homemade steel forge and how to cast parts on the cheap with Styrofoam reduction.

You can just cut up your steel junk and plunk it in the vat to cast new things. I'm pretty sure anyone here that has fun working on these things and figuring out how to make it better by making their own parts would fall in love with metal casting once they see how easy it is to do.

Check out the many YouTube videos and diy sites for the info needed to git-er-dun. I'm waiting for a house with a backyard to give it a go, still in a tent on the streets so big fire=bad news, or else I'd join in yesterday.
 
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