Chopper motorcycle build progress

Elrod4u3

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2024
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Okay guys, as promised I'm going to start a series of threads showing my progress on my new chopper motorcycle model built from scratch. This photo is showing the first materials I will use to build the frame. I hope you guys have a lot of patience because it usually takes me at least 3 weeks or more, depending on how complex the model is to complete it. As you can see, I'm starting with small wooden dowel rods and a sturdy piece of wire.
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Great stuff! I've been looking for such a thread for a long time. Thank you very much for posting. Don't worry about the time. There are several builds here which take years till completion, so a few weeks are short compared to them. This hobby should mainly be fun, it's no race. :)
 
Get a round file, to get the cross members ti fit the frame rails tight, less adhesive is needed. . Just out of curiosity, are you using 2 part epoxy or glue" Looking good! :)
 
Get a round file, to get the cross members ti fit the frame rails tight, less adhesive is needed. . Just out of curiosity, are you using 2 part epoxy or glue" Looking good! :)
I use a combination of glues. I first use a generous amount of E6000 glue to start adhering the pieces together, and after a few minutes I use the old super glue/baking soda trick to permanently adhere the pieces together. In case you're not familiar with that, baking soda is a super glue activator. When you mix the two together it forms at very strong tight bond. If you've never used that try it, it works really good in situations where you need a super tight bond.
 
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Great stuff! I've been looking for such a thread for a long time. Thank you very much for posting. Don't worry about the time. There are several builds here which take years till completion, so a few weeks are short compared to them. This hobby should mainly be fun, it's no race. :)
Okay thanks. You've got the right idea on keeping track since you know this is going to take awhile. Thanks for wanting to check it out.
 
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Here are a few more photos of my progress. As you can see in the photos, I use my dremel to cut the wooden rods at the rear and make an opening for the rear tire to fit. I fit the pieces together first with E6000 glue, then us the super glue/baking soda trick to permanently bond them together.
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1000047995.jpg1000047996.jpg1000047997.jpg1000047998.jpg1000048005.jpg1000048006.jpgContinuing my chopper motorcycle build threads with photos of making the engine parts. Using cardstock to cut and glue together the pieces, then paint and chrome tape. Feel free to ask questions about my progress.
Mike L.
 
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I'd suggest trying some U.V Activated adhesives. You user very little, you can build it up, but on initial use, the "Glue" is applied to the piece, enough so you touch the mating piece. You hold them together and hit them with the U.V Light on the other end f the tube (it comes with the light) The Bond is absolutely instantaneous. If you decide you wish a little more, you add as needed. When it hardens, it does such that the ends when painted look welded together. You can make small head lights using this stuff as it dries clear as glass (put an LED behind there and you have a headlight).

I do not use any kind of Cyanoacrylate glues sand recommend to our members not to use them, or use as minimally as possible. They cyanide in those products builds up in your system and your body cannot get rid of it. It causes cancer and other very strange things to happen. Your finger tips can start to crack open and not heal for a very long time. The Gel Crazy Glue, used with a liquid activator is insanely strong. 35 years ago, working on my 1973, I was trying to pull the pulley off of the alternator, when the edge had a piece break off, my money being a brute. It was cast Iron. I put some Gel Crazy glue on the pulley and the piece, put them together and poured activator on it. I built it up just a little built. I figured it would hold long enough till a new one came in. Well, 35 years later, 8,800 miles on it, and it is still holding strong.

Just out of curiosity, do you actually ride motorcycles? I have 3 and have built many. It's just a curiosity. You can learn a lot be researching frame designs and standardize engine mounting points. Select your favorite motor, and build a copy of it.

The rear backbone of your bike would look good as a a model, but would not work in reality. You can fix this now by adding some gusseting to the frame to triangulate the mounting points. The same would have to be done with other area s of the backbone to make it look real, make the model really much stronger, and give you surface area to customize.

Just some suggestions from an old biker, who still rides. It's a matter of how far you want to take your personal best. I don't bother making suggestions like this for people who are just making run of the mill models. I only do so to talented, original idea designers who have a sh*t load of potential. I could show you how to make those wheels look like rubber with thread too.

You could do your whole model with this one glue. Just some suggestions, no criticizing meant or intended. :)

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