My works in progress...

[Ricker]

With everyone showing the stuff they do here, its allways giving me ideas, motivation and most of all the great help everyone offers. I doubt I can offer the same thing in return, but I figured I would try to give a lil back. This is my new hobby with the possibility of maybe making some spare coin off of.

I can post more pics as progress is made on this bike.

[cricman]

Nice frame Ricker,

What kind powerplant and tranny will spin that nice wide tire? Definately, keep us posted. I like the projects that move the most.

cricman

[Ricker]

Thanks!

This is actually a "mini" chopper. With a 55-65 Degree rake it should measure in at around 7 feet in length. This one will probably end up with a 6.5hp engine and torque converter, looking at 50+mph I'm thinking. I have future plans though of making something with a lil more umph like an Evo or something.

[Joker11]

Trick!

[wello]

looking good Ricker

[welder.man]

Very cool Ricker. Don't doubt yourself you have just given me an idea.


Simon
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~abba/index.html

[NJ Plowman]

You just gotta love a RIGID...try looking at northern tool and put a nice Kawasaki 24HP mower engine in it, pull up to a crotch rocket at a light and blow him away!!!

[metalworks]

thats awsome. I'm thinking thats gonna be a winter project for me this year I have a electric start Kohler engine sitting on my shop floor just begging to be used for something, It came out of a three wheel Cushman buggy here at work. I may be contacting you for some details on the build.

keith

Originally Posted by NJ Plowman

try looking at northern tool and put a nice Kawasaki 24HP mower engine in it, pull up to a crotch rocket at a light and blow him away!!!

You must know something about that 24 Kawasaki that I don't. Most "crotch rockets" put out well over 100 hp with a 6 speed gear box to boot. The lawn mower engine is going to be sucking wind by the time the rice burner hits second gear at 60+ mph!

[NJ Plowman]

Go radical, twin turbo the Kawasaki (it's a proven fact that when turbo'd the stock Kawi 24hp lawnmower motor will crank out about 96hp at the crank!), start off with a 1" black pipe exhaust, do a few custom bends and have it exit as a 4" with an upswept tip! Do a custom metal flake paint job with contrasting pin stripes and a hand stitched Billy Lane seat and you will look like you are doing 120mph while you are stopped waiting for the light to change!!!

Oh, I almost forgot, when you are done with the twin turbo setup you might want to think about some wheelie bars!


Enjoy...............

[Ricker]

Damn guys!

Thanks for all the kind words.

I have changed my mind though about the engine on this one, I think I'm going to go with a 200cc lifan engine, it has a 5 speed trany with a manual clutch, electic start and what nots. Exaust will just be standard DOM tube, maybe come off the collet the shoot to dual tubs and dump them into a collector made of 21/4" or something for that extra HEY I'M HERE! effect

In any case the parts are on order for this one, so soon it should be tormenting the **** out of my neighbors. I'll get some more pic's soon.


Rich

[elvergon]

Nice looking bike, what are you planning on doing for front suspension? are you buying one already made?

That fat tire looks cool, Post more pics please

[FearcityINC]

We built a bike like that with a fat rear tire like that......big mistake. That thing was the hardest to turn, might want to try something actually for a mini bike. Just my opinion, but my guy that helped me drove it thru a fence, why, because he couldn't turn the thing. Looks really good though.

[zapster]

put a 800 rotax in it

...zap!

[Joker11]

Fearcity.....are you sure your guy wasn't just a waterhead?
All you gotta do is lean.

[imagineer]

Originally Posted by FearcityINC

That thing was the hardest to turn,

What was the front end geometry? Too much trail built into the front end will make any bike, wide rear tire or not, more difficult to turn. That's why choppers are a blast going fast out on the highway but a nightmare in a parking lot.

[NJ Plowman]

Who cares how it drives, as long as it looks good! I now drive an ElectraGlide (I'm gettin' old!) but still hop on a rigid with a 10" over front end every once in a while for kicks! It knocks the fillings out of my teeth, but is a blast to ride...

[Ricker]

Been working a bit more, figured I would update with a couple of pics. Hope you guys enjoy

Forgot to add, she measures out at 7'8" from tire to tire, and sits about 6" off the ground.







Got hand controls, so I plan on cutting handle bars tomorrow.

[Sandy]

Hey there Ricker. I enjoy seeing these "just because" projects. Keep posting the progress.

Where did you pick up the hub, bearings and axle parts? Online??

[Ricker]

Thanks Sandy!

I purchased them online at a place I won't disclose because my dad allways told me "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything"

First order from them will be my last I'm sad to say

I'm really considering picking up a line or two of kart and mini chopper parts and selling myself.

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by Ricker

Thanks Sandy!

I purchased them online at a place I won't disclose because my dad allways told me "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything"

First order from them will be my last I'm sad to say

I'm really considering picking up a line or two of kart and mini chopper parts and selling myself.

Thanks guy,

I'm plenty good with that . I've got a little kart project I had to set aside and am thinking about reviving here soon. Spring is always kinda bad because there is so much stuff you want to do, then comes this darn high heat. Work in it all day and have a hard time playing in it at night .

[imagineer]

Please don't read this as being critical. I am very impressed with the design and the way your going about it...but. Are you going to reinforce the joint where the top tube and the down tubes are connected to the head tube? From the photos it looks like you have the top tube welded to the head tube and then the down tubes are coped and welded to the underside of the top tube. If I'm seeing that correctly, you're asking a lot from the weld between the top tube and the head tube. If you separate the down tubes from the top tube and bend them forward so to weld them to the bottom part of the head tube, you will strengthen that joint significantly. You could instead, weld braces between the down tubes to the botton part of the head tube and accomplish almost the same thing.

Again, I'm not being critical, just trying to help.

[colemg01]

VERY COOL! Great tube work.

Was at the powdercoater last week and they were doing some funky colors on ATV frames. One was "sour apple" like a metal flake light green it looked hot!!!

Can't wait to see that thing rip and tear!!!

Just don't hurt yourself.

[imagineer]

These are a couple of mini-chopper pictures I pulled off the web. They both show what I suggested earlier. Good Luck and I'll cast a vote for the "Sour Apple" metal flake.

[Ricker]

Originally Posted by imagineer

Again, I'm not being critical, just trying to help.

How can you saysomething like that!?!?! (just kidding)

I don't see that as critical at all, instead I see that as a good eye and intrest in safety! You are right the neck tube is welded to the backbone only at this time. The downtubes have been built up at the joint where the backbone meets and there is going to be a gusset put in that will connect the downtubes with the neck. I have the gusset cut out now, and will get welded on today, just stopped work last night to watch "Raising the Roofs" on Spike

Anyhow short answer is, thanks for thinking of my safety!

Rich