Nosferatu Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 (edited) I started with a Thunder Chopper glue bomb I got a NNL East a while back when I lived in New Jersey. After removing all the parts and cleaning off the glue I cut the frame and added a scratchbuilt hardtail frame. I also cut off the neck and raked it to the proper angle. I took apart the forks and never liked the springer part. It just looks to be the wrong scale. So I cleaned up the forks and shortened them. I also removed the springs and made my own. To make the springs I have several sizes of wood screws. I choose the correct scale of screw thread and find the correct scale aluminum wire and wrap the wire around the screw threads. After getting the correct amount of coils I cut the wire and separate the coils with the back of my Exacto knife. For the fenders I used a nightlight I got from the dollar store years ago. I actually bought about 7 of them as I use them for other projects. The radius is a bit large so I cut the side of the curve off on both sides and its thin enough to bend to the correct radius. I add a slice of evergreen stock to the middle and round off the top with putty. Then I cut it to fit the tire. I’m not sure I want the front wheel with the drum brake, I may not want any front brake. I couldn’t find a premade gas tank and the one that comes with the kit wasn’t what I was looking for. I ended up taking two of the same tanks from the motorcycle parts box and glued them together. The parts box ones had flat bottoms and I wanted a curved bottom (nothing wrong with a curved bottom!). For the handlebars I used wire solder and form it using a trace of the bends. I used the correct size tubing for the hand grips. I cut off a hand control from a handgrip from the parts box and drilled a small hole in the end of the handle to insert the cable wire when the time comes. I glued it to the grip. I didn’t want use the oil tank that came with the kit as I didn’t like the shape for the chopper look. I took the big mufflers from the kit and altered them to create the oil tank. All constructive criticism is welcome. Thanks for looking and I hope you like it. Dave Edited September 7, 2021 by Nosferatu misspelling 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claude Thibodeau Posted September 8, 2021 Share Posted September 8, 2021 HI David! Interesting project, it recreate the essence of what a late 60's custom could be. I remember building the Thunder chopper when it came out ( I must have been 15 back then). The springer was the best part of the kit, but shortening it makes it even better IMHO. Plus, the crescent shaped rockers in the kit are a bit outdated. I'm certain yours will be much more refined. Clever idea for the fender. I'll borrow it on my next chopper project! Keep on! CT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeatMan Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 Nice fabrication work! Great project too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 Nice project, your work looks great ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nosferatu Posted September 15, 2021 Author Share Posted September 15, 2021 thanks to all of you for the kind comments. I started working on the seat. The springs are made and now I will form it pad it and cover it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nosferatu Posted October 9, 2021 Author Share Posted October 9, 2021 Did a bit more work on this project. I made exhaust pipes from inserting an aluminum piece of wire into a plastic tubing and bending it to fit. I left an end of the wire sticking out of the tube to be able to connect to the cylinder after drilling a hole in the cylinder. I finished the front forks and springs and chromed them. All the body parts are made but I have to figure out the color. Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 Excellent work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ybsluos Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 This is bad to the bone Dave!-Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chappy Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 Wow . . . Like, Wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 Great looking build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Going to be a cool scoot ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nosferatu Posted December 30, 2021 Author Share Posted December 30, 2021 Thanks guys for all the nice comments. This build is on hold right now as I need to come up with a paint scheme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.