chopper

i worship American Chopper :worshippy and would like to know if there are any chopper models out there thanx :feedback:

There are not any chopper kits. You have to schratchbuild it!
I am myself schratchbuilding chopper, it will be something like "Mikey Bike".
BTW: American choppers rules!!

The AMT 1980 Monte Carlo kit has a custom chopper kit within the box. It's very hard to find though.

There are some 1:18 (I think) diecast chopper models out there. They're West Coast Choppers, but they may be a good starting point (engine, wheels) to make your own machine.

The AMT 1980 Monte Carlo kit has a custom chopper kit within the box. It's very hard to find though.

It's a cool little chopper.
It has a HONDA motorcycle motor in it though.

Most of them are scratchbuilt, and they are usually 1:8 scale. Its very hard to find the motors though.

I plan on scratch building a 1:6 chopper soon!

I know american chopper just came out with some die cast ones, but if you want to build one, ya have to scratchbuild it!

I am and have been working on a scratch built custom chopper since last september time, The problem I seem to have is I want a wide 18" rear tyre (bike thread not car), I can turn the wheels on the lathe, but till I find this the frame can't be designed correctly.
Mine is 1:12 using the hard to find Harley Davidson engine from the IMIA kits

I am and have been working on a scratch built custom chopper since last september time, The problem I seem to have is I want a wide 18" rear tyre (bike thread not car), I can turn the wheels on the lathe, but till I find this the frame can't be designed correctly.
Mine is 1:12 using the hard to find Harley Davidson engine from the IMIA kits

Hey Steve, maybe I can help? What seems to be your problem?

Here's (http://search.ebay.com/occ-diecast_W0QQsofocusZbsQQsbrftogZ1QQfromZR10QQsotrZ 2QQsosortpropertyZ1QQsosortorderZ1) an example of what the diecast OOC bikes look like. You can get them at any Target or WalMart. The ones in the orange box are the early generic version. Of course, the one's with the Teutel's on the box are the one's I'm referring too.

BTW, there are 2 sizes. 1:10 and 1:18 OCC diecast.

Here's (http://search.ebay.com/occ-diecast_W0QQsofocusZbsQQsbrftogZ1QQfromZR10QQsotrZ 2QQsosortpropertyZ1QQsosortorderZ1) an example of what the diecast OOC bikes look like. You can get them at any Target or WalMart. The ones in the orange box are the early generic version. Of course, the one's with the Teutel's on the box are the one's I'm referring too.

BTW, there are 2 sizes. 1:10 and 1:18 OCC diecast.

The 1:18 have such a lack of detail, and the 1:10 are inproperly proportioned. The only useful thing in them would be the engine.

It has a HONDA motorcycle motor in it though.

Motorcycles are what Honda does best.

The 1:18 have such a lack of detail, and the 1:10 are inproperly proportioned. The only useful thing in them would be the engine.

I agree with the 1:18 but what do you want for $5?

I disagree with 1:10. The detail is pretty good and is a very good starting point if you want to add detail to the OCC bike.

If he wants an OCC bike why not start out with an OCC bike?

European Revell used to have several in 1:12 I think in the 80:s and 90:s. I believe Aoshima has some mild choppers too.

-Mikko

I disagree with 1:10. The detail is pretty good and is a very good starting point if you want to add detail to the OCC bike.



Some of the Hot Wheels 1:10's are decent, but the Muscle Machines (I think) are so horribly proportioned. The scale size of the rear tire width would be about 15inches. Just look at some of the Ness and WCC bikes. I will admit the OCC bikes are better proportioned but they still arent perfect.

I plan on scratch building a 1:6 chopper soon!


try to end your hot rod before :lol:

Some of the Hot Wheels 1:10's are decent, but the Muscle Machines (I think) are so horribly proportioned. The scale size of the rear tire width would be about 15inches. Just look at some of the Ness and WCC bikes. I will admit the OCC bikes are better proportioned but they still arent perfect.

Muscle Machines are supposed to be unproportioned. The older Ness, WCC and OCC bikes (in orange flame box) are crap. I'm only referring to the Racing Champions produced Discovery/American Chopper 1:10.

This is one of the many 1:10
http://www.fireprints.com/OC-FIRE_lrg.jpg

Yes they do make Choopers and yes you can find them here in the states.Ebay has so every week so here is a link to one right now....as for getting a bigger back wheel use a crotch rocket back wheel and front and just make new centers alot easier than turning out a whole wheel on a lathe.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2591&item=5908267381&rd=1me

sum ppl r stupid y do u like occ they dont build there own stuuf unlike jesse james and a few otheres now that is custom unlike them (example) "hey john i need to get a frame gas tank blah blah balh" they just put them together u guys wathc occ to much

sum ppl r stupid y do u like occ they dont build there own stuuf unlike jesse james and a few otheres now that is custom unlike them (example) "hey john i need to get a frame gas tank blah blah balh" they just put them together u guys wathc occ to much

The frame, is an OCC frame, it is built by OCC except its built at a special place since they are mass produced. Sam (the frame designer) is an associate for OCC. But I do agree with you somewhat.

I haven't seen any of Jesse's bikes made lick OCC's. Don't get me wrong, but OCC does a lot of different things, instead of just el diablos and stuff. Don't get me wrong, I really like jesse james and all, but OCC does different things, neither are better than the other. Oh yeah, Willimo can we get a translation? ^^^

sum ppl r stupid y do u like occ they dont build there own stuuf unlike jesse james and a few otheres now that is custom unlike them (example) "hey john i need to get a frame gas tank blah blah balh" they just put them together u guys wathc occ to much

Can someone translated this for me? :dunno:

Actually if you watched the I,Robot build OCC handmade a lot of stuff. The tank out of a sheet using a shrinker, scretcher, hammer/lead bag and english wheel. They also have an in-house mandrel bender (so jealous of that). That sounds exactly like Jesse James to me.

i also want a chopper.

occ order a lot of stuf and they have their own factory where they make some stuf. but i think occ makes wierd bikes i think. and jesse makes nice customs with more classic look than occ. but i think the swedich look is mutch better than the american choppers... :P but that is just me:P

Since we are on the topic of inhouse made items I'd like to add a point.

Mat Hotch builds choppers, some of the best choppers in the world IMO. He has been building for years, hes 27 and is a multimillionaire. He makes a design for the tanks first, and then has them sent out to a friend to make the tank for him. The friend doesnt make the whole thing, just the shell. A lot of people are not good with working metal so they have it sent out. Hot Match (the company) choppers sell for a minimum of $80,000 and up to $250,000. So is he not a real chopper builder because someone builds the extensively fabricated tanks?

(For those of you that dont know who Mat Hotch is pick up some chopper mags at the store, I dont think hes ever been on TV)

sum ppl r stupid y do u like occ they dont build there own stuuf unlike jesse james and a few otheres now that is custom unlike them (example) "hey john i need to get a frame gas tank blah blah balh" they just put them together u guys wathc occ to much

Some people are stupid. Why do you like OCC? They don't build their own stuff like Jesse James and a few other builders do. Now that's a custom bike! Not like those people who say, for example, "Hey, John I need a frame and a gas tank etc." They just assemble bikes. You guys watch the much hyped Discovery Channel show "American Chopper" too much and it has clouded your judgement.

[/translation]

Dislike what you want, but you should try not to call other people's opinions stupid. For one, that's just inflamatory and doesn't really have any place on the board. Also, when you can't back up your conjecture with an intelligent, even close to correctly constructed post, then, well you're really hurting your case. I may have agreed with you, but I am so put off by your post, that I'm not going to. HA!

And while we're all putting in our bike preferences, I like them Russel Mitchell bikes. Still show bikes, you know, not race bikes, all performance, but they have that hot all mechanical bitch slap look that's just killer. RRR!

Do half of you guys even know what you're talking about when you say they don't make stuff? The only things they don't make are parts that EVERY bike builder sources out like engines, trannies, grips, lights, mirrors etc. All the other parts are OCC products just like Jesse James etc. No custom bike company will ever make enough money to have 100% in-house products. So they do the next best thing which is contract out a company that specifically does the work they need and have them make proprietary parts.


OCC makes a butt-load of custom parts. They have their own steel shop (Orange County Ironworks), CNC, mandrel bender etc. I don't see how West Coast Choppers is any better as far as material used for building a bike? Each shop has their own little advantages but they tend to even out when compared.

In the end it's all about finished product and I definitely don't see how any good bike shop is better than other beyond personal taste. OCC, West Coast, Billy Lane, they all make awesome bikes.

Ebay fellas
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2591&item=5908890651&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2591&item=5908890651&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2591&item=5909287951&rd=1
Any one of these would amke a great base for a modern chopper

arlene ness is also very good and i am just saying they should make there own stuff and if they are not good with metal they should practice instead of arguing :iceslolan

arlene ness is also very good and i am just saying they should make there own stuff...

Arlen Ness does make all of the stuff. If you didnt know Ness has turned his chopper building into a multimillion dollar business with his son. All the parts are mass produced in house. So if you see Ness go grab a tank off the shelf, its a Ness tank.


... if they are not good with metal they should practice instead of arguing :iceslolan

:lol:

Now that I have laughed hard enough maybe I can speak. Metal working is an art, and not as easy as it looks. Pieces take hours to make even if you are a master, and it takes years to become a master metal sculptor. Its a lot easier/cheaper for them to just by stuff rather than waste time trying to do something they cant.

lol but it beats the crap out of arguing :loser: lol doesnt it :eek7: yes i knwe that about arlene

lol but it beats the crap out of arguing :loser: lol doesnt it :eek7: yes i knwe that about arlene

You must not know too much about Ness if you are spelling his name Arlene (which is a female name) instead of Arlen. :loser:

i dont like occ that much either they dont like build normal bike they always gotta do those stupid "theme" bikes they got skill but they dont use it right . i like jesse james' bike so much more because he custom makes everything by hand except for rims and most of the rims he makes are like one off custom i also like that asian guy on the biker build off chica he builds some crazy as bikes


my 2 cents

I would like to point out the fact that if it weren't for the TV shows, 99%of you guys wouldn't know who the hell Jesse James, Paul Teutel, or any others were. Of course with the exception being maybe Mike and a few others. I know first-hand what it's like in a custom chopper shop considering I work in one as the welder/machinist, and I can say that most of you don't realize what goes into a custom bike. To the guys that have said "OCC sucks because they don't make every part they use", I have no respect for you. To the ones that have said, "I don't like the bikes because their just not my style", I respect you. A lot of people don't understand how great the investment is when you decide that you want to make your own gas tanks, fenders, and frames. It requires lots of money, time, planning, extra workers, and most importantly the space for the facilities.

To the guys that said "OCC sucks because they don't make every part they use", go build an entire motorcycle from raw materials that have to be machined and formed, then come back when you've either finished or given up.

I would like to point out the fact that if it weren't for the TV shows, 99%of you guys wouldn't know who the hell Jesse James, Paul Teutel, or any others were. Of course with the exception being maybe Mike and a few others. I know first-hand what it's like in a custom chopper shop considering I work in one as the welder/machinist, and I can say that most of you don't realize what goes into a custom bike. To the guys that have said "OCC sucks because they don't make every part they use", I have no respect for you. To the ones that have said, "I don't like the bikes because their just not my style", I respect you. A lot of people don't understand how great the investment is when you decide that you want to make your own gas tanks, fenders, and frames. It requires lots of money, time, planning, extra workers, and most importantly the space for the facilities..

I agree with you 100% on that. I knew about OCC since 2002, two years after they started. OCC was in American Iron a few times for their bikes, but not as much of advertising. I also knew about Choppers Inc, Ness bikes, Hank Young Hot Rods and Choppers (come on, hes from Atlanta, I've driven past his shop), OZE hot rods, Coddington Hot Rods, Foose Design, and more. It seems like the people watch American Chopper and then think they know how to build a bike, and its easy. The pro's make it easy, the machinists make it look easy. I for one have first hand experience with machinists as well, a couple of y'all know I am a CAD Draftsmen for machinists. I dont really know the point of that, except for the fact, they dont show everything that goes into a build on TV.


To the guys that said "OCC sucks because they don't make every part they use", go build an entire motorcycle from raw materials that have to be machined and formed, then come back when you've either finished or given up.

Better yet, build one from nothing in just 6weeks, which are often the time frames for OCC.

Dont forget that West Coast Choppers has been around building bikes a lot longer.

Hey you guys, you forgot about the daddy of choopers bikes, Arlen Ness :)
http://www.arlenness.com/

Hey you guys, you forgot about the daddy of choopers bikes, Arlen Ness :)
http://www.arlenness.com/

:disappoin read up eight posts...SMG first mentions Ness there, then I continue.

My Bad, scan reading at work :(

Blah blah blah.

Blah blah blah.

for real, let's just look at the pretty choppers:
http://www.roadgems.com/images/01photos/1999%20Harley-Davidson%20custom%20chopper%20Stephens%20=KD=.jpg
http://www.buymychopper.com/Assetts/Images/ChopperH%202-17.jpg
http://www.clayscustomcycles.com/bike%20shoot%20022304%20021.jpg
http://www.clayscustomcycles.com/bike%20shoot%20022304%20042.jpg
http://www.clayscustomcycles.com/chopper280%20011%20copy.jpg
http://www.clayscustomcycles.com/myrtle051.jpg
http://www.clayscustomcycles.com/green1.jpg

It's funny reading all these posts...makes me laugh.

My experience with custom motorcycles?

13 years....

5 years custom shop.
8 years dealership (not just your - sell overpriced stock bikes either) fullblown customs. www.bobdron.com -

Most of you have no idea the planning it takes to build a bike from the ground-up. I find it amazing that the same couple of builders names always come up. Jesse - OCC - Ness.

My opinion
Ness - he is the master. He could paint a Sportster sh!t brown and someone would buy it. I personally know Arlen he is the most subtle guy you will ever meet. His bikes flow. They are more art then motorcycle.

Jesse's bikes are nice - they were different when the market was flooded with Softails. He brought back the chopper.

OCC - They create train wrecks - they have tons of detail but I think they add way too much stuff to there bikes. There bikes do not flow. (lines are in many different directions)

Please people look around! There are soooo many bike builders that have amazing talent (Yaffe - Perewitz - Mike Berg - Lane)

Here are a few bikes I helped out on...

http://www.bobdron.com/images/bobdron/gm_greenmachine5.jpg

http://www.bobdron.com/images/bobdron/rr_royalle_01.jpg

http://www.bobdron.com/images/bobdron/tc_02.jpg

http://www.bobdron.com/images/bobdron/fc_custom.jpg

http://www.bobdron.com/images/bobdron/bl_04.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~yadayadaya/cars.gif (http://home.comcast.net/~yadayadaya/)