Custom Motorcycle Build
Article by Mark Trotta
Depending on who you ask, customizing a motorcycle can be anything from bolting on a few chrome goodies to building a bike from the ground up. So, where do you start and where do you stop?
There are several reasons to want (or need) to customize a bike. Personally, my first custom build came about by the need to fit my lanky six-foot-tall body onto my 1972 Sportster.
Before I replaced the frame, I tried changing the handlebars several times, then I tried a couple different seats. Then forward foot controls were added.
After a couple riding seasons, I decided to build a ground-up custom bike, starting with a stretched hardtail frame. The plan was to build it myself, although a few friends helped me along the way.
Back in the 1980's (just like today), guys were building bikes that looked cool but didn't run worth a turd. Of course, this frustrated those of us who actually took the time to get ours to start easy and run right.
So, the 2nd part of my goal was to build a bike that not only looked good, but actually ran good.
You've probably been looking at custom machines already built, either on the road, at shows, or on the internet. Custom motorcycles look good sitting parked, but they look even better out in the wind being ridden.
There's all kinds of styles; choppers, bobbers, cafe racers, flat trackers, drag bikes, even trikes.
The style I chose was a no frills, bare bones, minimalist chopper. I strived to finish the bike to the highest level I was capable of, within my limited skills and budget. What I was most proud of was, my bike consistently started on 1 or 2 kicks!
Stance
One of the hardest and most overlooked parts of a any custom build is how the bike will sit when done. The way to check overall stance is to trial-fit everything including the motor. The motor needs to be put on the frame to put weight on the front end, so you can get an accurate view of how the bike will sit.
What Bike To Start With?
There's never a shortage of project bikes that you can buy cheaply and start from there. My best advice here is to start with a bike that you have a background with--maybe your present ride might do.
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Custom Hardtail Build
Originally, all motorcycles were hardtails, and since there are no rear suspension components, a hardtail frame is much lighter than a conventional swing-arm frame. They are also easier and cheaper to construct, due to their simplicity.
When you buy a hardtail frame today, all the brackets you need are already welded on. But that wasn't the norm 30 years ago, we had to make our own. Oil tank mounting, rear fender brackets, fork-stop tabs - most of these needed to be fabricated. Also, if you're running a rear drum brake, you'll need a rear brake stay tab. But today, these things are already on the frame when purchased.
Many purists believe that with the absence of rear suspension, road vibrations become part of the experience, and the rider truly becomes part of the road.
High Mount Gas Tank
As an alternative to welding mounting tabs onto the frame, consider a gas tank that already has tabs.
This low tunnel, high mount tank retains the classic chopper look, but the original-style mounts were replaced with tabs front and rear.
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Read: Wiring Through Handlebars
Shop: TC Bros Handlebars
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Notes and Misc
If you're on a tight budget or in a hurry, a ground-up motorcycle build is not for you.
You'll probably want to have a second bike to ride while you're building a custom one. It's nice to have another bike to ride while working on the other.
A custom motorcycle build lets you pick the exact parts you want and have everything sized just for you.
If you build a bike that's easy to start and pleasant to ride, you'll end up riding it a whole lot more!
The motorcycling community is not a particularly big one. If you want to stand out, build a custom bike.
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Wiring A Motorcycle From Scratch
Hardtail Sportster Build
Install Gas Tank on Hardtail Frame
Girder Front Forks Overview
AGM Motorcycle Battery Review
Convert Harley To Points Ignition
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