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:

 

[Imthegrt1]

that the 20" frame you got there right not the 18?
are you going with levers or you going to be using hand grips for your controls?
what tank set up you going with belly tank?

 

[Timbone]

that the 20" frame you got there right not the 18?
are you going with levers or you going to be using hand grips for your controls?
what tank set up you going with belly tank?

I have not seen many of these in the flesh, but I am pretty sure it's the bigger model. Rear wheel is 20" (16" motorcycle size) and the front wheel is 24".

Since I have no money to waste, this will be a collage of levers: clutch and front brake on the left; rear brake on the right.

I have no idea how to address the fuel tank. I'd like to fab up something. I could maybe braze up an aluminum tank and hang it somewhere. Another idea is maybe fab up a PVC tank lined with a fuel sealer that won't eat up the PVC.

I don't like the idea of a peanut tank on the top tube.

 

[Timbone]

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!

Update on my OCC Chopper build:

I have run into a few roadblocks. Motor mount is good, but seeing advice on another forum, I bought a used Harley tire and got it on the frame. Unfortunately, I don't think I can keep the chains out of the tires. It looks cool as hell but I need to fab some chain tugs and I even have to lengthen the pedal chain. Just to get the tire on the back I had to remove the rear V brakes and squeeze it in past the welded brake tabs. This also forced the removal of the very cool rear fender.

Maybe I can cheat the motor chain just enough to be free of the rear tire. If not, I may have to make a kind of transmission that can move the chain farther left. I really want to use the bigger motorcycle tire. All these costs add up.

My triple tree is a mess. It has an exaggerated kick out that, combined with the extreme rake makes it very nearly unrideable. It has front V-brakes (good) but the threads on the fork are shot. Not sure how to fix this. Maybe buy a suspension MTB fork and roll with that. Sure would be nice to have front disk brakes. If I could make triple tree couplings that would facilitate the bearing I would be good to go.

Glad it's cold weather time.

 

[Timbone]

OCC Chopper Build Update:

This has turned into a Spring, 2017 project and I want it to be special. I've saved up some money now and I have options. The motorcycle tire looks so good on the back I really want I to go with the OCC frame. But...

The left side drive chain cannot clear the big rear tire. That forces 2 changes (I've already made my custom offset motor mount):

1) The drive sprocket has to be offset to the left so that the chain can clear the tire. I have an excellent idea for making a kind of jackshaft to move the drive gain 3"4" to a full inch left. I can make this work.

2) The rear triangle is too tight to allow chain clearance. I have access to a welder, planning to cut the left side chain stay and seat stay and making it a full inch wider. Here's where my problem lies:

Moving the axle mount one inch left puts it near the end of the axle. How can I safely extend the axle an inch or an inch and a half so that I can use this rim/tire combo?

Also, I'll need to rig up a sprotor braking system for the rear. The rear rim brakes will be out of play.

For the front fork, I am hoping to find some moped front end with suspension to work into the triple tree, which is a mess.

Any advice or ideas you have will be helpful. I can't afford to waste a penny on this.

Thanks,

Timbone

 

[Street Ryderz]

this is the last one I built with welded mount the chain clears and breaks still work no problem!

 

[Timbone]

this is the last one I built with welded mount the chain clears and breaks still work no problem!

Very well done! Looks great!

I have questions:

About your front end: is that suspension? Do you have a front brake? My bike with 24" front wheel and 16" rear was incredibly hard to handle. How does you bike handle?

Is you saddle comfortable?

I am putting a Harley tire on the back, 130/90-16. This is what makes things complicated. If I can do it, it wil have a super smooth ride for a hard tail.

Thanks for sharing; every bit of info I have helps!

Timbone

 

[Street Ryderz]

There is no suspension just stock occ Schwinn it was built for my youngest son when he was 11 and now he wants a drag bike so it reverted back to me its really just a cruiser so no i haven't put disk fronts or any thing on it yet!And to be honest I dont trust the triple trees or the fork tubes for that matter to handle a good disk set up with adult weight,I know alot of people do but seems sketchy to me!The wheels are 24'' front and 20'' rear but the 4'' wide rear has alot of sidewall that brings it to 23'' or so the handling is good again for a cruiser!Someday I will strip it paint it up nice I just keep it because it looks really cool to me! and yes that seat is good to ride on not so much if you have to peddel though to wide!

 

[Timbone]

OCC Chopper Build Update:

I am starting to get excited about this project. Making progress!

That engine is old, used only for fitting purposes. But my custom motor mounts are complete and ready for the new engine.

You can see I have successfully mounted a Harley tire (130/90-16) on the back. Very cool but brings several challenges.

My high speed bearings arrive tomorrow and I can bolt my very cool jackshaft onto the seat tube that will kick the drive chain around the big tire.I'm using a conversion down to 9 teeth for the drive shaft, so I should be able to use a 36 rear sprocket. I'll put pics on here to show you how to make a cheap jackshaft. Biggest cost was the very nice sprockets I got for about $25.

I need to fab two chain tugs.

I am going to fab a sproter rear brake, probably using a thick cam to actuate the brake arms. My plan, completely in my head, is coming together.

Still need to kick the right side pedal chain slightly to the right to clear the rear tire. A poster on here suggested bolting a larger cog onto the existing freewheel cog. Possible. Maybe I can use a spacer the chain wheel. I only need to move a a little.

I am going to work with the existing front fork set up. That wheel in the pic is a 26" - I'll try the original 24", but until the bike is really rolling (there's no lock ring on the headset - in the mail) I have no idea how it will handle. Too much rake and too much offset angle.

I am going to find a fat seat post and chuck the original saddle. Big fat cushy spring saddle is the way to go.

I still need to buy a kit and use a dellorto clone carb.

This thing looks so rough, but I have put many hours into the project so far. I plan to have it complete by March 15.

 

[Street Ryderz]

looking good! love the back tire but its mounted backwards,It will look cool but being so small not sure about handling.Just be careful when you first ride it!