Can I build a bike? Opinions on skills required

amedsker

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I'm interested in building a bike and I'd like some input on the skills that are required to build one. I'll start by saying I don't have any experience building motorcycles. I have owned several bikes over the last 10 years and have a good general understanding of motorcycles. I'd like to find a xs650, add a hardtail kit, and turn it into a bobber. I'm not looking to make anything fancy, just something simple. I don't think I would try to fabricate anything on my own. I would likely just use parts already available online to build the bike. As I said, I don't have any experience building bikes. I do have a good friend who is a welder by profession and I do have access to a metal/fabricating shop.

So my question is would I be able to build a custom bike with resources found online, some help from friends who are familiar with metalworking, and a desire to learn how to build? I'm not naive enough to believe building a bike won't be challenging, but I also don't believe it's something that's completely out of reach. If I started a build would I be taking on too much of a project?
 
I'm interested in building a bike and I'd like some input on the skills that are required to build one. I'll start by saying I don't have any experience building motorcycles. I have owned several bikes over the last 10 years and have a good general understanding of motorcycles. I'd like to find a xs650, add a hardtail kit, and turn it into a bobber. I'm not looking to make anything fancy, just something simple. I don't think I would try to fabricate anything on my own. I would likely just use parts already available online to build the bike. As I said, I don't have any experience building bikes. I do have a good friend who is a welder by profession and I do have access to a metal/fabricating shop.

So my question is would I be able to build a custom bike with resources found online, some help from friends who are familiar with metalworking, and a desire to learn how to build? I'm not naive enough to believe building a bike won't be challenging, but I also don't believe it's something that's completely out of reach. If I started a build would I be taking on too much of a project?
Certainly! Sounds like you could do it your way...
Your scope is not where I would go with it, but if you want that for yourself, then perfect. Just watch out you don’t sink all kinds of money into something that is not going to retrieve it back in a market of custom builds.
 
Kansas City is a bit of a stretch from Ft. Wayne, IN so this may not be a decent option for you.
 
Well you have the right attitude. Sounds like your open to having help from friends. The worst thing you could do is go buy a welder and think your going to weld that hardtail on by yourself. I was into the chopper scene in the early 70's and did not know to much either, but I learned a lot. I started out with a 750 honda that I put in a hardtail frame. I took my parents car and talked a dealer into taking an engine out of a perfectly good 71 CB750 honda and putting it into the back seat oil dripping and all. The thing I remember is doing a lot of reading about that engine. I have been working on bikes ever since. Here I am at a very young age with my first chopper in the early stages and my new 73 TX650. Right now I am working on a 2002 GSXR1000 Susuki that is totally torn apart on my bench. The other picture is
73tx 650.jpg
750 chopper.jpg
another 750 chopper i built.
 
Well you have the right attitude. Sounds like your open to having help from friends. The worst thing you could do is go buy a welder and think your going to weld that hardtail on by yourself. I was into the chopper scene in the early 70's and did not know to much either, but I learned a lot. I started out with a 750 honda that I put in a hardtail frame. I took my parents car and talked a dealer into taking an engine out of a perfectly good 71 CB750 honda and putting it into the back seat oil dripping and all. The thing I remember is doing a lot of reading about that engine. I have been working on bikes ever since. Here I am at a very young age with my first chopper in the early stages and my new 73 TX650. Right now I am working on a 2002 GSXR1000 Susuki that is totally torn apart on my bench. The other picture isView attachment 149974 View attachment 149976 another 750 chopper i built.

You’ve got mad skills Cra-Z1. Next to you , I feel like such a hack! :laugh2:
 
Wow! cra-z1! Amen Savior, girder forks, Invader wheels (with a mini disc up front)?!!! :yikes:
That bike looks like a bitchin' rebel monster! :rock: You totally rocked it! What ever became of it?

amedsker,

I think you've got this. Mechanical aptitude, tools, imagination, a place to work, a donor bike, a budget :laughing:, and a friend who can do the welding, sounds like all the right ingredients. Look for Xs650 chopper sites for ideas. People have been chopping these (some good, some bad, some really awful) for a long time. Anything you can think of to do has probably been done. Good luck, keep us posted, and take lots and lots of pictures!!! (we're nosy!)
 
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If you go back through the For Sale adds... there was a guy in Liberty (I think) that had the start of a hardtail... and it was pretty reasonable if I remember. I'd guess he still has it cause it didn't draw much interest here.
Never let anyone tell ya what ya can and can't do..... if you want it, go for it. BTW, I'm up in Gladstone.
 
Yepper ,definitely go for it , no mechanic was a mechanic til he started! Some are naturals ,some are self taught! And the xs650 is a great bike to start with! You can do just about anything with them! All the info and answers to your questions can be found here! Have fun and like everyone says “post pics”!
 
I'm interested in building a bike and I'd like some input on the skills that are required to build one. I'll start by saying I don't have any experience building motorcycles. I have owned several bikes over the last 10 years and have a good general understanding of motorcycles. I'd like to find a xs650, add a hardtail kit, and turn it into a bobber. I'm not looking to make anything fancy, just something simple. I don't think I would try to fabricate anything on my own. I would likely just use parts already available online to build the bike. As I said, I don't have any experience building bikes. I do have a good friend who is a welder by profession and I do have access to a metal/fabricating shop.

So my question is would I be able to build a custom bike with resources found online, some help from friends who are familiar with metalworking, and a desire to learn how to build? I'm not naive enough to believe building a bike won't be challenging, but I also don't believe it's something that's completely out of reach. If I started a build would I be taking on too much of a project?
I would pick up a non-runner aand restore it to working order first. That will give you a good idea how much work is involved in just getting something going. People grossly underestimate the time and money required to get to the finished product they see on the net. If you succeed you will then have a solid running bike that is a known quantity that you can use as a base for your project, or resell if your interest has waned. It's always easier to sell a propely sorted running motorcycle than a box of parts that used to be a working motorcycle.
 
:laughing:



Yea......................."Toys" that you straddle and go speeds that can KILL you if not assembled and built correctly. :rolleyes:
Yeah.... perhaps this hobby's best left to "real" mechanics with 35+ yrs experience building race bikes.... :rolleyes:
 
I am sure that with sufficient time, money and effort plus help from your friend the welder and this forum you could build the bike you described. I would only respectfully request that you not take a nice bike in original condition and chop it.

As Gary and others have said...there are lots of failed chopper projects you can start with available.

Generally, these projects fail for reasons such as:
  • lack of skill;
  • ran out of money;
  • ran out of enthusiasm;
  • built it and found that it didn't handle well or,
  • it was too uncomfortable to ride more than 2 miles.
...(I suspect that the last two is more common than most people would admit).

In any event, you - and our XS650 community, would be much further ahead both money- and time-wise with one of those failed choppers. It will be cheaper in the long-run and it will most likely come with most of the parts you will need.

Pete
 
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You can literally wake up in morning, watch a YouTube video/ Google the part of the motorcycle you are working on that day and get out of bed and go out to the garage and do it. Rinse and repeat. That's what I did. I built a shed all by myself from scratch this way. Took 2 months.
 

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Thanks for all of the great info! I found this one on Facebook. Is it the type of bike I should be looking for?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/707303603120853/

If you honestly like Chopped up bikes then go ahead. I like more stock bikes. That said please don't buy a nice original bike and hardtail it. That seems like a great deal honestly. I would offer 350 and snatch it up asap if your ready. The fact that it's a hardtail already means a lot less work for you. You can then focus on the engine and cosmetics.
 
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