Fat Tire Chopper Bicycle

It's time. Building mini choppers and 2 1/2 years of dabbling with MB's It's time for me to
combine one sport bike with another.

I've spent 3 weeks working on a frame to fit a 6 ft. adult rider. I saw this frame design a
year ago and couldn't stop thinking about it so I gave it a whirl. Not as easy as I thought.

In tradition of keeping a radical bicycle look, the frame is designed with a single down tube.
Of course keeping a peddal drive train. (different than my mini choppers)

Im going with a 45 to 47 deg. rake, with a 24" 72 spoke front wheel. Chrome billet forks.
I'm not building the rear frame until I find the ultimate 11"wide x 23"tall rear tire/rim combo.
The head frame is bowed, to accept any engine style. I may start with a HT to save costs.
If I love the bike I may upgrade.

This will be a slow going project due to a busy life. This is where i'm at so far. I'll keep this
thread updated as things progress. graucho

 

[AussieJester]

Who knows? I really like the Aussie Jesters electric set up. I may just swap out the engine compartment for a battery section. Ive searched the web over, and I haven't seen an electric fat tire yet.

Yes i believe you would be the first with such a ride graucho. I would suggest using a 1200watt cyclone setup if you decide to go electric, would go like stink and be totally silent. If you want to be OOBER original, hook it up with an electric AND leave the petrol also, ULTIMATE Hybrid pedal/ICE/Electric I would also recommend a front disk, if you head down the electric road, you will need more stopping power for the increased speed...maybe even go the route i went and pick up the double disk hub from Alan at ChoppersUS ;-) I think they look schweeeet and you don't see alot of double disks up front on bicycles, i havent seen any aside from mine come to think of it LoL.. Anywayz, INSANE finish mate truly inspirational stuff give yourself a BIG pat on the back buddy very well deserved ...

KiM

 

[graucho]

Latest photos with a photobucket slideshow.

http://www.photobucket.com/albums/ll13/grauchosbikes/grauchos finished bike/?albumview=slideshow

 

[rkbonds]

Absolutely awesome build! If you ever need someone to take it for a ride let me know I'd be glad to keep it from gathering dust. Seriously great job!

 

[Irish John]

Absolutely awesome build! If you ever need someone to take it for a ride let me know I'd be glad to keep it from gathering dust. Seriously great job!

Ditto.....but it ain't finished til the fat lady (tyre) sings!

 

[graucho]

When I see other peoples builds I always ask myself...."self" where did he get that item? Well, i'm not going to leave anybody out there hang'in with that question. I hope this helps someone if they need a similar part that I have used on my bike. I used to have better tools but I got rid of them when I thought I was getting out of building. (wrong) since, I bought a lot of stuff "on the cheap" and they have worked out just fine. Take care and thanks for your kind words everyone. graucho


Tubing 1/8 steel. 2", 1.5", 1.25", 1"___http://www.sspss.com/products.html

Tube bender 3 years old___ http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=bender&Submit=Go

Welder 2 years old___ http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98871

Frame Design (copied)___ http://www.choppersus.com/store/product/807/Frame-24"-Chopper-Super-Fat/

Handle bars___ http://www.choppersus.com/store/product/470/Handlebar-Cruiser-Moon-CP/

Brake lever___ http://www.choppersus.com/store/product/427/Skull-Brake-Lever---Pair/

Fork___ http://www.choppersus.com/store/product/221/Fork-Kit---Chopper-Chrome/

Front wheel / rim___ http://www.choppersus.com/store/category/3/10/Wheels---Steel/

Peddles sprocket___ http://www.choppersus.com/store/product/1019/Pedals-Stingray-Silver-9-16/

Seat___ http://www.choppersus.com/store/product/734/Seat---Hot-Rod-Flames/

Braided lines___ http://www.choppersus.com/store/product/458/Cable-Casing-Stainless-Per-Ft./

Mirror___ http://www.choppersus.com/store/product/183/Mirror---Teardrop-Right-CP/

Throttle___ http://www.westcoastminichoppers.com/Page4.html

Aluminum Bullet Axle Nut 1"___ http://www.bmikarts.com/shop/?cart=1735526&match_criteria=all&rec=&keywords=axle+nut&

Front Light___ Old model of a Kids Razor 12v kids motorcycle.

License frame___ Walmart

Tail light___ Walmart

Licence Plate___ Self designed from photo of my youth

Pillow block bearings___ http://www.pacificnorthwestbearing.....html?osCsid=3bb95ea1297efbeb82c7ae9b4e63efdd

Rear wheel and rim___ https://www.3rsalesandservice.com/catalog/3RSalesandService/GATG12714Y.htm
https://www.3rsalesandservice.com/catalog/3RSalesandService/GAT12D114C.htm

Axle and hub___ http://www.westcoastminichoppers.com/Page5.html

Disk Brake___ http://www.westcoastminichoppers.com/Page5.html

14 tooth freewheel___ http://www.cyclone-usa.com/store.php?action=show_detail&crn=203&rn=301

Jackshaft___ http://www.bmikarts.com/shop/index.php

Jackshaft sprockets___ http://stores.ebay.com/Fremont-Industrial-Supply

Chains___ Tractor supply

Idle tensioner___ Tractor supply

Rear fender___ Tractor supply (aluminum car ramp end)

Plastic gas tank___ Ebay

Saddle bag for tank___ Walmart

SLA Sealed Lead Acid Battery___ Radio shack or Batteries Plus

Battery charger 1amp (for Lead Acid Battery___ Batteries Plus

Centrif- clutch___ http://www.mfgsupply.com/GoMiniClutchExt.html

Airbrush pen (6 years old)___ http://www.****blick.com/products/paasche-model-h-airbrush-set/ opps...Its called... d i c kblick.com with no spaces.

Primer (sandable, scratch filling)___ Napa Auto

Red oxide Spot filler/Putty___ Local Auto paint dealer

Rust-oleum Paint___ Home Depot

Acetone___ Home Depot

 

[graucho]

I swopped out the engine area with batteries and went electric. It sneaks around like a silent ninja. Only 18 mph but what a blast! Not pedaling very much, I got 16 very quiet miles before the low battery light popped on. I ran it 2 more miles home so I know I can get at least 18 miles per ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyfGf_Y5ocw

 

[AussieJester]

I swopped out the engine area with batteries and went electric.

BOOYAH!!11 thats what i likez to see Graucho electrified goodness hehee... what motor have you gone with? any plans to upgrade to larger motor for a quicker stealth-like ride mate? Are you used to moving along with no sound yet? still baffles me when i go for a ride, keep thinking i should be hearing the motor humming along to go this quick hehehe..TOP Effort anywayz...

KiM

 

[graucho]

BOOYAH!!11 thats what i likez to see Graucho electrified goodness hehee... what motor have you gone with? any plans to upgrade to larger motor for a quicker stealth-like ride mate? Are you used to moving along with no sound yet? still baffles me when i go for a ride, keep thinking i should be hearing the motor humming along to go this quick hehehe..TOP Effort anywayz...

KiM

Thanks Kim. Ive always been a gas motorhead. I have zero experience with electric motors/controllers/batteries. Yet I needed to get out there and ride this bike! So. I had to get my feet wet while having something to ride. http://www.myebike.net/ Now I have a ton to learn and yes I will be upgrading to a screaming machine on my next build.

What ive found so far is riding gas powered is I would talk to a few people here and there. With the electric set up I have trouble making it more than 2 miles without someone stopping me asking questions. And yes, i'm enjoying all of the sounds around me that ive been missing.

 

[AussieJester]

I have trouble making it more than 2 miles without someone stopping me asking questions. And yes, i'm enjoying all of the sounds around me that ive been missing.

Know exactly what you mean there matey, when i go to the local shopping center i ALWAYS get someone asking questions about the trike takes me 3 minutes to get there 2 minutes to buy a six pack of beer and 10 minutes to get away from people asking questions LOL...

What you should look into IMHO is not hub motors they are EXCELLENT starter kit for sure, they are easy to install and setup, but non-hub motors such as the Unite or cyclone motors can be setup to utilize the bikes existing gears giving you excellent acceleration/hill climbing ability and excellent top end speed. a ~750 watt(legal max in USA) non hub motor in your chopper running 3 gears would out perform the 49cc china motors...by alot. Being able to choose the correct gear allows you to pick the right gear for the situation thus keeping the motor running at its most efficient ie. granny gear for big hills and quick take off...2nd for cruising the flats and 3rd if your insane haha. I would go for the Cyclone personally (although i use a Unite) the brushless motors are the better option alot more efficient and obviously no parts to wear out in terms of brushes. If your funds are lacking (such is my situation) the Unite are a great option also. Cyclone are available direct from CycloneUS or from Cyclone Taiwan if you want anything higher than 600watt motor. Unite are best purchased from TNC SCotter cheapest on the net.

Best of luck and welcome to the e-bike world, with rides as flash as yours it might encourage more to give electric the go...


KiM

p.s I am also a motorhead and know very little about electrics, great thing is, you don't need to know much its all plug and play

 

[Zomby Builder]

Awesome bike

Great job Graucho! & thanks for the list of suppliers. I want to check out some electric voltage too. Maybe do the same as you & swap out the ICE on Bad Bob for a plug & play. Probably steal a couple of the Awesome Jesters designs too!! By the way Kim, your vid on combo lock picking struck a chord from my youth.