Chopper motorcycle build progress
- Thread starter Elrod4u3
- Start date
Continuing my progress, I wrapped the cardboard gas tank with a layer of air drying clay which I will sand smooth when it's dry. I cut a couple of pieces of cardstock paper into circles and put some chrome tape on them and poked holes into them to make some brake pads. I also wrapped a couple of wooden dowel rods in chrome tape to make the rods that the front wheel will be attached to. Thanks for checking out my work so far.
Mike L.
Mike L.
- Apr 5, 2013
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It used to be you could get a lot of the materials to do this kind of fabrication at Hobby Shops, it seems that all of them (in this state, CT) just do R/C and a couple of models. They have no raw materials for ma \king anything.
The forks look excellent! The tanks foundation is right on.
The forks look excellent! The tanks foundation is right on.
You still can get the materials for this kind of building at the hobby shop. I bought a lot of the tools I use at the hobby shop, some at Walmart and Amazon and various places. As far as building materials, I use cardboard, boxes from kleenex, masking tape glue and all kinds of other types of materials that are low in cost, plus my imagination. I'll tell you what, building models this way is a lot more fun and costs way less than going and spending $20, $30 or $40 and more to buy a plastic model at the hobby store. Happy building!It used to be you could get a lot of the materials to do this kind of fabrication at Hobby Shops, it seems that all of them (in this state, CT) just do R/C and a couple of models. They have no raw materials for ma \king anything.
The forks look excellent! The tanks foundation is right on.
- Apr 5, 2013
- 14,308
- 10,944
There are virtually no Hobby shops in Connecticut. The couple that are left only sell R/C stuff, and the other is new, I don't think he will last. He has no raw stock, none of them do. The first shop used to have a huge display with it. I don't know why when the young guy purchased it, he just didn't keep it up. Anything I want I have to order. It sucks. Even Micheal's Craft Stores no longer carries this kind of stuff.
I have an extensive collection of rare plastic models, to rare to build actually. I've been fabricating models since I was in my single digits, so that's over 60 years. there isn't much you could tell me about them, but I always read, as you never know.
You should check out some of the threads on how to make spoke wheeled rims. These wheels look like the real thing..
This is just one of the many ways to do it. i do it a little differently, as I play Violin and have some thicker gauge wire to use. This tutorial ends up with some incredible looking wheels.
I have an extensive collection of rare plastic models, to rare to build actually. I've been fabricating models since I was in my single digits, so that's over 60 years. there isn't much you could tell me about them, but I always read, as you never know.
You should check out some of the threads on how to make spoke wheeled rims. These wheels look like the real thing..
This is just one of the many ways to do it. i do it a little differently, as I play Violin and have some thicker gauge wire to use. This tutorial ends up with some incredible looking wheels.
Progress is going good so far. I sanded down the gas tank and started work on the back fender and put a layer of air dry clay as well. Doing work on making a lot of small parts such as the disc for attaching the chain drive to the back wheel. I told you guys that this was going to be a very long build thread so hope some of you are still with me.
Mike L.
Mike L.
That's too bad that the hobby stores in your area don't sell what you need. Another outlet though that everybody has is to order from Amazon, as I have through the years. As far as making spoked wheeled rims I'll check it out, but I don't think I'd be good at it. Anyway thanks for continuing to check out my building thread.There are virtually no Hobby shops in Connecticut. The couple that are left only sell R/C stuff, and the other is new, I don't think he will last. He has no raw stock, none of them do. The first shop used to have a huge display with it. I don't know why when the young guy purchased it, he just didn't keep it up. Anything I want I have to order. It sucks. Even Micheal's Craft Stores no longer carries this kind of stuff.
I have an extensive collection of rare plastic models, to rare to build actually. I've been fabricating models since I was in my single digits, so that's over 60 years. there isn't much you could tell me about them, but I always read, as you never know.
You should check out some of the threads on how to make spoke wheeled rims. These wheels look like the real thing..
This is just one of the many ways to do it. i do it a little differently, as I play Violin and have some thicker gauge wire to use. This tutorial ends up with some incredible looking wheels.
Great looking gas tank and Im not lost at all regarding your build thread. Take your time we will be here to watch and learn.
Thanks. The gas tank will look better once I pretty it up some, and thanks for continuing to check out my build thread.
You are making great progress on this project.
I like all of the different techniques that you are displaying.
I like all of the different techniques that you are displaying.
Thank you sir, if you just have a bit of imagination, you can bring a project to life.
Continuing my work on my chopper model, I have sanded down the fender and the gas tank so I can paint them. I've attached the brake pads and other pieces to the front and back wheels. I also completed a piece where the seat will go, and I've attached the engine to the bike frame. Let me know what you guys think.
Mike L.
Mike L.
- Apr 5, 2013
- 14,308
- 10,944
Oh, your threads are on my permanent radar. I like the way you fabricate things. I hope maybe I can share another aspect. I have made many pats for people. I just need parameter dimensions to work within. If that ever interests you let me know. For instance, I could make you a V-Twin Engine that you could use as your standard drop in. As far as the wheels go. some people use thin paper clips and straighten them in, make a hub, and just drill holes, 90 degree turns at one end into the hub, figure out how many spokes you want, and stick the straight end into t the rim(tire). This method would work well with your bikes. Frame geometry is also something worth learning, as to what would really work and what wouldn't. Making am impression of a bike is fine, making an impression of your design of a model that is correct in all other areas takes you into a different world. Another Method of spokes below. There's probably 100 of these on YouTube. I like the ones that use Jigs, as once that jig is made, you can literally mass produce wheels with different lace patterns and wire (spoke) diameters).
I wholeheartedly understand. I started out scratch building paper/cardstock models when I was 13yo. My first model was the Colonial Viper (from TOS BSG).
Matter of fact, the last scratch model that I built was my own version of the Colonial Scarlet Viper. Here is the link to the thread:
Some more progress on my chopper. Attached the rear wheel, added my own "decals" to the gas tank and back fender. I've been adding some components to the engine area of the bike. I've attached the front wheel to the fork and started on the chain guard housing, plus various other parts.
Mike L.
Mike L.
I watched the video on building the spokes for a spoked tire rim and that looks like something I might try sometime. It's interesting that you have that much confidence in my building skills that you feel I could do something like that. Anyway thanks and keep watching my progress to the end (whenever that is!)Oh, your threads are on my permanent radar. I like the way you fabricate things. I hope maybe I can share another aspect. I have made many pats for people. I just need parameter dimensions to work within. If that ever interests you let me know. For instance, I could make you a V-Twin Engine that you could use as your standard drop in. As far as the wheels go. some people use thin paper clips and straighten them in, make a hub, and just drill holes, 90 degree turns at one end into the hub, figure out how many spokes you want, and stick the straight end into t the rim(tire). This method would work well with your bikes. Frame geometry is also something worth learning, as to what would really work and what wouldn't. Making am impression of a bike is fine, making an impression of your design of a model that is correct in all other areas takes you into a different world. Another Method of spokes below. There's probably 100 of these on YouTube. I like the ones that use Jigs, as once that jig is made, you can literally mass produce wheels with different lace patterns and wire (spoke) diameters).
Sounds great, and I hope my building tips help you out as well.If you take just a bit of my advice, with my background in motorcycles (I've built quite a few real ones and presently own three), I could have you making motorcycles any which way you want.