American backyard chopper.

[Gumby]

American backyard chopper.
http://www.viragotech.com/junk/P1010035.jpg http://www.viragotech.com/junk/pedalpower.html

[Gumby]

Well I think I'm done.
[seat didn't turn out as neat as I wanted.]

http://www.viragotech.com/junk/P1010045.jpg

http://www.viragotech.com/junk/pedalpower.html

[Floydsbuick]

That is so cool!!!!!! I seen some kid yesterday riding a really nicely done chopper bicycle. Kind of a cool trend starting I hope. The lowbikes have been around here for a few years, but choppers would be a cool addition.

[Gumby]

Yea it turn out neat. Still not happy with the 2nd seat post being exposed. My banana seat was suppose to cover it. But all n all its not bad for two junk bikes found in the garbage.

I started slow and worked from the back forward. Getting it low and the seat position how I wanted. Then just kind of built it as I went.

It took some time getting the front end right so it had enough lift. Why the forks go in two directions. it was actually kind of neat as what seamed like it would be the best way was wrong.

I would like to have 3-4 bike to work with.But I only have about $20 in this one with $6 of that for a chain breaker.

Everyone I know is now scouting out for bikes. My buddy Rick wants one done with all big wheels but low. And twice as long. But that may be to big for a sidewalk cruiser.

[Gumby]

I can remember being 5-6 being just down the street watching two kids on yellow chopper bikes ride around.
[early 70's]

They were so neat.

[Gumby]

Well I made one mor addtion. I put on a quick sissy bar just to go along with the lines of the bike.

Though it almost impossiable to see.

http://www.viragotech.com/junk/pedalpower.html

http://www.viragotech.com/junk/P1010052.jpg

[Dave H]

Take it out and put a small block Chevy crate engine there. Put a motor plate on both ends and tie it in.

EJ Potter, eat your heart out! :Brow:

(Let's see who knows who he is) :laugh:

[SmallHurst]

Speaking of out-there choppers, did you see the last episode of Monster Garage!:eek2: Jesse wanted to make a motorcycle out of a 1972 Peterbilt! They instead made it a 3-wheeler out of it. Kind of ruins the idea of a small-block anything!

[Dave H]

I did see that. Neat show.

Just went back and looked at the first pic in this post. Doing a typical FMEA on that design, I can see why the second seat post is a concern. Yikes! Anything that affects the front wheel mounting (welds, collision) results in instant "Soprano". I can see why there's no front brakes. :grin:

[Brian Stefina]

Dave H said:

EJ Potter, eat your heart out! :Brow:

(Let's see who knows who he is) :laugh:

:Dou: Dave, Dave, Dave........EJ Potter.....the Michigan Madman.....small Chevy.....injected....motorcycle.

Kick it off the stand and Burn the tire through the lights.

He still has a V8 bike......no track will let him run though.

Here's a question Dave....what other motorsport did EJ compete in in the '80's, what was the machine called and what was it powered by? :pp

[Dave H]

He really was/is? the madman. Used to see him a lot at Onondaga and a coupla times at Milan and/or Detroit Dragway. Should have known you'd guess that one. He used to come into Johnson's speed shop in Lansing and buy 1 header. Other side was custom made. They had no problem busting up a set for him. No idea what they did with the other side headers. He'd go through the traps flying with only his hands on the handlebars.

Other motorsports? Snowmobile with a small block Chevy? Lawn mower with a SBC? Leaf blower with a SBC? Chain saw with an SBC?

That's a great trivia question.

:TU:

[Brian Stefina]

He ran a pulling tractor called "double ugly" powered by two Allison V12's. :Smarty:

[Gary Rubrich]

Damn, I was gonna say that!!!!!!! Any guy that has a SBC powered bike has to be runnin at the tractor pulls too.:laugh: :laugh:

[Dave H]

One of my favorite bosses years ago had a gold painted toy tractor on his desk. He awarded it to the person that needed it most to pull his head out of his ass. If the recipient was one of your people, you got to present the award personally to your engineer.

Yes I was given it, and yes, I gave it out more than once.

[fjr340gts]

Here's an early pic of him. Oddly enough, check out what is parked in the background! He's probably sitting there wonderiing what to do with those two surplus Allisons in his dad's barn........

[Gumby]

I don't see a radiator but there is a cross over tube? is it a pressurized system for short runs? Gotta be a short run bike. The tank could only be a gallon maybe.

[fjr340gts]

is it a pressurized system for short runs?

A quarter mile at a time.........:puzzled: :puzzled:

[Bigtorque1]

orange county choppers made a line of coppers fpr schwinn,due out in april check out schwinn herritage page,go to schwinn collectors forum,they are wrh checkin out,will be available in adult size,the tire on these bikes are 4 and a half inches wide

[fjr340gts]

http://www.schwinnstingray.com/

Not bad looking, and no second seat post to snag your ~nads~ on!

[Gumby]

fjr340gts said:http://www.schwinnstingray.com/

Not bad looking, and no second seat post to snag your ~nads~ on!

Its so tiny??? No rake or length, my knees would hit my chin and I bet its atlest $400. Looks neat but more of a kids bike.

[Gumby]

From the seat to the pedals looks to be about 2 foot 3in

[Gumby]

Well I had a few spare hours tonight and finished up the frame.
Got some nice night time snowy pics. It turned out well.

http://www.viragotech.com/junk/pedalpower.html


Maybe I can add a side car and paint it yellow???

seriously though, a bike with a side car?
Make it pedal like the two person pond boat.

http://www.viragotech.com/junk/P1010003.jpg

[Gumby]

Finally took it for a long ride and the right side crank bearing fell apart. Had to fish them out of the frame as they traveled around. Still one in the frame that won't come out.

Gear ratio was way high. I was pedaling like mad, not get very far.

http://ww.viragotech.com/gearratio.jpg

originaly was a 52/48 to 36/16
its now a 29/36 to 48/16

I figure about 1.24:3

much better

only snag is the middle sprocket in the 3 gear set can't be used so the chain can clear.

[Dave H]

Now all you need is one of those three handle "Lightnin' Rod" shifters from an 83-84 Hurst Olds to shift those sprockets.

I modified the thumb shifter on my 3 speed English racer many, many years ago by mounting it on the crossbar and attaching a gear shift lever and knob from an old Ford to it. Looked great and worked (for a while).

I always thought it would be neat to take two identical bikes and weld up a cage between them and make a paddle boat type contraption. But then, I'd probably end up putting a motor on it and killing myself. I totalled out 2 bikes as a kid. One slid into a stop sign and the other slid into a gas pump. Going down in limestone really hurts.

[Gumby]

Dave H said:Now all you need is one of those three handle "Lightnin' Rod" shifters from an 83-84 Hurst Olds to shift those sprockets.


There is no shifting going on with them sprockts. Its a set system.

I got a 0.80:3 ratio

But I may find a granny bike with a
3 speed plantary internal hub. That will add some gears real easy. Thought I'm sure it will have to be a custome build to lace it into a 20in rim.