First Bike / Chopper

Hi all,

Been a while since I've been here, kind'a got out of model building for a while. Started selling off some of my kits and got the bug to build something. Saw one of these RM Kustoms and had to have one. I see a few of these here so figured I'd share my build.

Got this Yesterday in the mail and dove right in. This is the Crusader kit. This kit has it's shortcomings as mentioned by another builder so I won't go there, It just makes more fun for me :p.

Started by cleaning all the parts up. Using the wheels in the pics just for mock-up, Ill use the spoke wheels in the final build. I cut the molded in axles down to a nub and used some 1/8 brass tube cut to axle leagnth, drilled the wheels out to fit. This makes installing and removing the wheels without spreading the frame exstensivly. Wheels stay in place better as well.

Shaved all the fender and brake mounting junk from the forks, no front brake. I'll use aluminum tube for the upper forks later. Scratch built handle bars with internal cable for throttle. Left foot clutch , hand shifted. Removed the tailight and right side rear brake mounting brackets, I'll use a different tailight and run a sprotor for the rear brake.

Lowered the tank on the frame and moved it rearward. Relocated the seat for better lines as seen from the side. Cut the rear fender, not what I wanted but one slip of the dremell and oh well .. :rolleyes:

There's alot more to be done.

Thanks for looking.

http://www.cwmax.com/dimages/chopc01-001.jpg

http://www.cwmax.com/dimages/chopc01-002.jpg

http://www.cwmax.com/dimages/chopc01-003.jpg

Lookin' good! I'm eagerly waiting more progress. It looks like it's going to be a real show stopper, and your changes are well taken by this kit. Great work so far.

What color will it be? Looks good so far!
/Joel

Lil more done. Finished building the header and wraped it, wraped the handle bars as well, both need some kind of wash over them. Added some detail to the engine.

Thanks for looking.

http://www.cwmax.com/dimages/chopc01-004.jpg

http://www.cwmax.com/dimages/chopc01-005.jpg

http://www.cwmax.com/dimages/chopc01-006.jpg

Thanks guys, not sure on color yet.

Finished :grinyes:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=639780