Chopper 300

I forgot to mention, of course you will have to sand it with sandpaper, under water, with special paper to work with water and with a very smooth movement like doing circles.

Roca.

Ok, perhaps this is where I do wrong. I never sand under water. Dry sanding might be too rough.

On the progress level there isn't much to report. A lot of sanding and filling mostly. I started reworking the seat. I have this bike in mind when it comes to seat/fender:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/rearfender2.jpg

And this is the original kit seat, with some basic lines painted out:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/seat.jpg

I just cut it with a modeling knife and I'm going to will the underside up with epoxy putty.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/seatcut.jpg

/Joel

Some input needed:

Starting this bike I decided that it should get a "jockey shift" a stick instead of a pedal for shifting through the gears. That could then mean a clutch lever on the shift or a clutch pedal where the pedal usually is. When thinking about it now I think the jockey shift is more of a bobber bike feature and perhaps would look weird on my bike. You haven't really seen where I'm heading yet but take a look at the bike in the last post and you'll get some idea. What do you think?

Same struck me about the forks. Found a spring shock fork setup in resin on ebay but perhaps that is also too bobberish?

I had to waste the idea about a housing for the secondary drive front pulley as it wrecked as soon as I came near with abrasive paper, I would never get it to look ok.

Today I'm working on the rear wheel axle. As it is too hard to drill all the way through the 25 mm resin rim it is going to be two pieces of metal tubing, one for each side that is also holding the brake disc and the rear pulley. Right now I just can't find any good metal sawing blades...
/J

Today I'm working on the rear wheel axle. As it is too hard to drill all the way through the 25 mm resin rim it is going to be two pieces of metal tubing, one for each side that is also holding the brake disc and the rear pulley. Right now I just can't find any good metal sawing blades...
/J

This turned out to be a really bad idea, really unstable. I went about drilling through the whole shabang and it came out good. Will be easier to assemble later on. First I got to fix the swing ends as the glue joint wrecked when I drilled for the axle...

/J

Hi Joel,

It seems that this project is turning a little bit difficult, well I'm not an expert on that type of bikes but If I were you I would make the forks with styrene tube, like the ones of evergreen... playing with the different diameters you can get a good result.

But, with projects like this I found the PC and drawing programs very helpful and I say that after the failures of the Rs Cube... Kr... I learned now that the PC is almost a must to make scratchbuildings.

You are right Roca, but difficult is fun isn't it?

I've never been to good at drawing programs and 3D rendering so I think I skip that part and do my best without it.
/J

Well, well, well, look what stumbled out of the closet and onto my work bench. A build not touched since november 2009.
Have a few gp-builds started as well but this seemed more fun to complete. Cya ;-)

Picked box out today together with my notes from when I put the kit on the shelf.dry fitted the parts to get back on track. Some ideas are coming back, others have to be redesigned. Right side belt drive looks like a hard one to accomplish but I'll have to fix it somehow.

Exhaust system has to be reworked. There are two choices in the kit, straight pipes and these

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/F295F9E5-3C71-4156-B9AF-EC5312E9C7B8.jpg

I find them a bit too much alongside the fact that they will not fit together with the secondary drive. I cut the parts in an attempt to shorten the pipes and still use the trumpets but they look oversized on a short pipe. Something has to be scratched. Then I can make the front cylinder pipe go above the clutch which in my opinion looks meaner.

Something like this
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/29094705-47B0-434D-B599-A64C6FB23AB3.jpg

My god, AF's gone slow. I'll keep posting til there is no one left ;-)

After 1000009099000 layers of putty the tank finally comes to an end.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/AA6E051F-AE9B-4E23-9319-C571CA5F53B9.jpg

Mock-up with tank and start of rear fender. Can't really decide if I'll go with the narrow one or a short wide one...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/70594910-768E-4096-930B-6C08731AD4C5.jpg

I need to fill up and shape the top area of the swing/fender. It's quite fragile and need to be sanded easily. The basic putty isn't good for filling/shaping and my milliput dries very hard. Any suggestions for a suitable putty to use?

I need to fill up and shape the top area of the swing/fender. It's quite fragile and need to be sanded easily. The basic putty isn't good for filling/shaping and my milliput dries very hard. Any suggestions for a suitable putty to use?

Hey Joël,

maybe you can try Tamiya 2 component putty. Before it is hardened, you can smooth this with the use of some water. Afterwards it will be very strong.
Great to see you back in the sadle for this one.

I'm still trying to find some more time for modelling, so at this moment it's a bit of a problem.

Thanks Ketje! I can't allow the many hours per week I invested in modelling 6-8 years ago but I'll try and do something one evening a week. Unfortunately I don't have the painting space anymore but I've invested in a paint booth, problem is to pick everything out each time...

I've ordered some epoxy putty and will try it out. Think it was the Tamiya kind I found hard, not Milliput, so I'll have a go with the latter.

Working on the swing/fender setup. Some putty work to do then I think I can start to paint this one.

Tedious work with the rims is coming to an end.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/9DC14A70-D26C-408B-AAFD-8F82C8CFF867.jpg

A GP-builder looks for references. A chopper builder looks for inspiration :-)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/3D737FC3-A554-48AA-B2D3-3534A5D8F5DA.jpg

Started shaping the seat using Tamiya epoxy putty and my Dreml. A bit left but you get the idea right?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/8D6B1B9B-F965-49A3-B6A0-B1BDA2BC8086.jpg

Looking around the other sub forums and seeing what skilled scratch builders there is around AF it's easy get low but we struggle along :-)
What happened to the bike sub forum by the way. Back in the days all builds got what they deserved when it came to criticism and support. Today you see fabulous builds getting lower than ten comments. Did you bike modellers find your way elsewhere? If so, tell me where!! :-)

Lousy, out of focus mobile camera image...

Drilled the poor recreation of a carburator out to fit a wider dimension air intake tube that I made of 2,5 mm plastic rod. The tube holds an aftermarket air filter that I think will suit the bike well. Any ideas what color to paint the filter part?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/6D97BF5C-B445-450F-BF35-5252E7972C0C.jpg

Work with the widened tank is coming to an end. I think the use of old putty made subtle cracks and flaking of the putty when sanded. Just a few irregularities left on top.

I drilled out a hole for the tank lid. Lid is custom made by old forum guru Robrex.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/IMG_0870800x536.jpg

I decided to put the tank lid a bit to the left. As seen in the next picture I'm going to put some meter gauges on the right side of the tank. As there will also be some other goodies on the right I thought it could look a bit "heavy".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/IMG_0867800x535.jpg

joelwideqvist,

Wonderful work on your model! I am enjoying seeing your progress and I hope to eventually make a model in a similar style.

As far as few motorcycle modelers... I think that model building has gets strong then weak, then strong again. I think it goes in cycles.

Keep up the good work!

Looking great Joel.

Waiting for the next post.

Great progress so far

Hey Joel,

About the carburator. Maybe you can paint it chrome and use a dark wash to extra enhance the details. Or you can choose to paint the whole engine satin black and detail the small parts using copper color.

best regards

David

As my wife started doing crochet, in a kind of way I did modeling five years ago, I decided to pick this one out. I have got some new ideas regarding this build and started to collect, bits, pieces and materials. If half of the ideas come through I think it can be pretty bad ass even though it forces me to walk roads I've never walkes before.

The bike section seems to be at sleep but for you that happen to pay a visit I'd like to wish you all a happy new year with lots of plastic time in 2015.

The bike section seems to be at sleep but for you that happen to pay a visit I'd like to wish you all a happy new year with lots of plastic time in 2015.[/QUOTE]

Happy New Year Joel! I am wide awake, you're doing beautiful work, and I continue to watch the builds. Maybe we can wake up some other builders this year, as I am planning to be very productive in 2015! I am redesigning my workspace also.... Marco

Happy New Year Joel! I am wide awake, you're doing beautiful work, and I continue to watch the builds. Maybe we can wake up some other builders this year, as I am planning to be very productive in 2015! I am redesigning my workspace also.... Marco

Same to you Marco and thanks! I love modeling but have had too little of time the last few years. Since moving in 2010 I don't have a proper workplace and no room to fix one neither. Working on some solution to be able to arrange stuff other than keeping it in cardboard boxes. The chopper build is pretty new to me in terms of scratch building stuff but my imagination is just running wild and I have to decide which ideas to make real, the chopper arena is quite forgiving that way :-)

Thanks for watching and I'll keep a look out for your builds, unfortunately - as mentioned - they can't be to hard to spot.

Same to you Marco and thanks! I love modeling but have had too little of time the last few years. Since moving in 2010 I don't have a proper workplace and no room to fix one neither. Working on some solution to be able to arrange stuff other than keeping it in cardboard boxes. The chopper build is pretty new to me in terms of scratch building stuff but my imagination is just running wild and I have to decide which ideas to make real, the chopper arena is quite forgiving that way :-)

Thanks for watching and I'll keep a look out for your builds, unfortunately - as mentioned - they can't be to hard to spot.

Hey Joel,

I know the feeling. I have a lot of material for modelling but a lack of space for doing it.
Maybe in the near future this will change but it also means that there probably will be a lack of time for modelling this year. We were thinking in rebuilding a part of the house.

As for giving critisism and positive feedback in the bike area you're right. It is slow however the latest models made are of a high quality.
So my plans for this year are to be more productive on the bike section of the forum :evillol:

Best regards and I will be following this built.

David

Thanks David, then it makes three of us atleast :-)

Looking at the chopper kit I find that I don't like the long narrow fork, I want the bike to have a more aggressive look to go with the wide rear wheel and the widened tank. I surfed around and found this gem at the german company Thunderbike. The fork tubes are a massive 64 mm wide and if I can make something like it it will give a lower look. I'm thinking of making something out of styrene pipe and to steal some triclamps out of some other kit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/fork.jpg

I will pimp the rims with some p/e bolt heads and try to use some tougher calipers, probably from a high end street bike or even motoGP :-)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/C3352244-DAB8-4AFF-8463-0E2CAC2A504C.jpg

Thanks for looking!

Thanks David, then it makes three of us atleast :-)

Looking at the chopper kit I find that I don't like the long narrow fork, I want the bike to have a more aggressive look to go with the wide rear wheel and the widened tank. I surfed around and found this gem at the german company Thunderbike. The fork tubes are a massive 64 mm wide and if I can make something like it it will give a lower look. I'm thinking of making something out of styrene pipe and to steal some triclamps out of some other kit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/fork.jpg

I will pimp the rims with some p/e bolt heads and try to use some tougher calipers, probably from a high end street bike or even motoGP :-)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/C3352244-DAB8-4AFF-8463-0E2CAC2A504C.jpg

Thanks for looking!

Hey Joel,

why not use some metal from ALBION. They fit together like a glove and are ideal for making such things.

David

Albion you say? Never heard of, but will definitely check it out. Do you know a good source?

Albion you say? Never heard of, but will definitely check it out. Do you know a good source?

http://www.albionalloys.co.uk/metal-for-model-makers

I use it for different reasons. Great stuff.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/albion-alloys

http://www.alhobby.se/category/245-1-Albion-Alloys.aspx

https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/c/Albion+Alloys/971/1/

If these are to small in diameter, you could always look at a local artshop who sells stuf for architectual use.


Best regards

David

Will try and order some although I've never worked with larger diameter alloy piping. Don't even know how to cut a pipe of that diameter. But it would look pretty classy with metal pipes rather than plastic, and it will probably be more stable as well.

Will try and order some although I've never worked with larger diameter alloy piping. Don't even know how to cut a pipe of that diameter. But it would look pretty classy with metal pipes rather than plastic, and it will probably be more stable as well.

I always cut these pipes using my scalpel. Just roll the piece a few times forward and backwards with the scalpel on the part where you want to cut it and use a bit of force. Then you can brake of the part and it should be straight. Just a bit of sanding afterwards to clean up and you're done. :iceslolan

David

I always cut these pipes using my scalpel. Just roll the piece a few times forward and backwards with the scalpel on the part where you want to cut it and use a bit of force. Then you can brake of the part and it should be straight. Just a bit of sanding afterwards to clean up and you're done. :iceslolan

David

Super, a bit easier than the brass rods I've used before...:mad: Thanks!

As stated above I've begun to slightly rethink this project. It comes down to two reasons.
1. I've found some new inspiration.
2. Some of the MiniTuning stuff isn't too great (especially the front wheel and rear wheel spokes.

Modeling friend and AF member Ketje supported the build with a set of Yamaha M1 rims. Below I've tested a front tyre from a scrap Ducati 916 bu is fractions of an inch too big. Have to test some other one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/12471092-0FCD-49AA-8EE3-80A0AFC08DFE_1.jpg

Plan is to grind the outer parts of the rear rim down so there will be a circle no wider than the spokes left. With a bit of luck this part is possible to swap with the center piece of the MiniTuning rear rim. Perhaps with a bit more than a little luck but it looks promising and is worth a try.

I like the new breed of custom bikes which combines the sporty looks of wheels and forks with the long, low stance. Is this what you aim to replicate?
Keep up the good work.

I saw this "Porsche Tribute" by Custom Wolf and got totally hooked. I'm not doing a repkica but a lot of their ideas are going into my build!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/9114AA28-5BC1-469F-BC8B-1EB65AA75F91.jpg

Hmm, routing och the exhaust pipes where more trouble than I thought. There is very empty between the engine and the transmission. Routing the pipes over the tranny will leave a ugly looking gap. Perhaps I will have to do shorter pipes that exits in that gap.
A bit like this but behind the engine block.

http://www.santiagochopper.com/shop/images/pg9.09engine.jpg

Started working on the rear wheel spoke swap tonight.
I eye meassured the spoke diameter and put the saw just flat onto the outer center piece that holds the Tamiya tyres in place. Cutting took a while but went ok.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/38661822-6F53-4C99-9283-59CDE1F68684.jpg

The part will need some cleaning up, I'll probably fill the spokes too. On the good side the spoke part is exactly the same thickness as the MiniTuning part. I will try and mount the part on a rotor tool to take the outer diameter down.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/B1145FE1-68D1-49BC-8B3F-E6042CF0445C.jpg

Hmm, think I have to rework the fork angle to get the bike to look good with this smaller front wheel and fatter fork. Never done this sort of work before so bare with me. Have to make some sort of Lego jig so that I can measure the new angle. Just had a glance in the motorsports section and seeing what others do with styrene this can't be impossible :-)

Anyone that can part with a set of later era gp forks? Or just the calipers if that helps. I need the two point mounted radials from say 2004 and onwards. Preferrably Brembo.





Ps 100th post ;-)

With the desk full of rod and tube in different dimensions I've started to work on the front fork. A 2003 Valencia RC211V kit was made donor kit for the fork bottoms, calipers and triclamps. The latter has to be modified to take care of the increased rake of the fork. Honestly I don't really know how to calculate that but that's another days concern :-) There will certainly be putty involved

As I never tend to finish one step before I start another I left the wheel spokes and started on the fork. First I thought it had to be totally scratch built but I changed my mind. I still have to decide how to do the triclamps but the lower end fork parts were stolen from a -03 Honda as mentioned in the last post.

I cut the sliders away and removed the reservoir
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/231102EC-5110-4D31-B415-EACE2CA2C5F9.jpg

Then I cut off the caliper mounts as they have to be adjusted in angle to still be radial as per the new fork rake
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/0E40CD75-7FA0-4AFF-891C-5C68A7770421.jpg

Sliders and outer tube will be made out of 4 and 5 mm aluminum tubing. The triclamps, whichever I decide to use will have to be heavily modified. But first I have to take a look on the tube where the triclamp mounts on the frame. Perhaps the angle has to be modified.

Well, the problem with the triclamps may not be that big after all.
The kit triclamps has a larger offset on the lower yoke making the rake increase. Using a set of modified gp triclamps the rake will automatically be straighter and more aggressive.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/9D83D5E1-0ED8-4B4F-8CF7-4DF5C95AAC87.jpg

Good work so far. Waiting for the front fork to fit !!:icon16:

Good work so far. Waiting for the front fork to fit !!:icon16:

Some sort of test fit will probably be possibel to show during the weekend. I have to do that to see if the rake is alright or if the bike looks like it has bumped into a wall :biggrin:

My fear is that the fork mount in the frame is positioned a bit high and that the tank angle will be a problem when it comes to the handle bar. We'll see.
/Joel

Did you think to cast the brake calipers in resin for future projects? I'm thinking since you already hacked them.

Did you think to cast the brake calipers in resin for future projects? I'm thinking since you already hacked them.

No, I've never casted anything. It was pretty stupid to waste a kit for those small parts but perhaps I'll order new sprues.

So, Ketje asked for some pics with the forks. This is just a mock up with tube mounted in the triclamp but you see where I'm heading. Some issues when I got it jigged up, front wheel looks to small, ugly gap above front cylinder that I would like to remove but don't know how. If I alter the frame I think I'll mess up the tank mount.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/45053E6F-CF7C-4FCD-BD0E-BE83F8DB3E51.jpg

Forks are mostly scratched using 4+5 mm aluminum tubing. To get the widened ends of the outer tube I mounted some 6.3 mm plastic tube. I'll have to take them in a few points of a mm and will make them sloap in against the tube using putty.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/2A7A4229-BE05-49EB-AAF6-4BF6E04E0FC7.jpg

Hey Joël, looking good so far. The front wheel looks a bit small but that's because of the distance between the axel and the tri-clamp. If you decrease this it will look much different, but you'll also have a different bike in the way it stands.

Hey Joël, looking good so far. The front wheel looks a bit small but that's because of the distance between the axel and the tri-clamp. If you decrease this it will look much different, but you'll also have a different bike in the way it stands.


Actually, that's what I would like but I guess I'd have to rework the frame/fork mount angle.

Also, ride height feels a bit on the high side, aprox 24 cm full scale. Lowering that by changing the rear wheel rocker it would also adjust the front fork settings. But it would also mean taking quite a few steps back in the process.

One way to make the front wheel look better is to add a "chin spoiler" on front of the frame. This will "fill in" some of the space between wheel and frame and it would add a sportier look at the same time ;)

One way to make the front wheel look better is to add a "chin spoiler" on front of the frame. This will "fill in" some of the space between wheel and frame and it would add a sportier look at the same time ;)

Yes, that is an idea, I will probably do a mix of smaller changes like lowering the frame some millimeters from the ground and adding the chin spoiler. I've also made the desicion to leave the needle chaped rear fender out of the build. It will be tough to fasten it in the right angle and dry fitting it doesn't look to good.

Googled some chopper forums and found that 25 cm (10 inches) of ground clearance is way too high. Some has gone as low as 5 cm (2 inches) but 10-12,5 cm (4-5 inches) seems most right if you want control in riding curves.

I'll have to lower the frame to half the existing height. It was obvious that my existing swing has to be altered. I spent the evening last night trying to bend a new structure but can't get it right. Tried plastic pipe/rod and aluminum tube which was what I had at hand.

Made a blueprint but it is really hard to make the bends at exactly the right spot. My thoughts are starting to lean towards soldering the swing with brass. Only problem - I've never soldered anything...

Well, well, well - hello crazy idea of making a single sided swing instead! Easier to bend and rougher look. What do y'all think??

So, what's this going to be?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/D51B0A97-85D6-4023-ADB0-8A17F8012515.jpg

Well, well, well - hello crazy idea of making a single sided swing instead! Easier to bend and rougher look. What do y'all think??

I like the idea !!

I like the idea !!

Ok, that was what I needed! And to tell the truth the project is already under way. I'm not that good at building 3D projects out of the plasticard stuff. A swing in two dimensions will be more than enough

Somehow I cannot see the photos from your last 2-3 posts.

CAD and 3D-printing just ain't my cup of tea. Back to the drawing board, or sketch book rather, making a new swing arm.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/joelwideqvist/chopper/E4AAB1DC-3BF3-4D8C-B0C4-4A2CF3383FC3.jpg