Old Skool Chopper

[gonzo64nova]

I started with an RM Torch kit and modified just about everything on the bike in some way or another.A lot of people build the "bling-bling"bikes (not that theres anything wrong with that!) so I figured I would build this bike as a sort of back yard build.Flat black,a little rusty,with the frame painted to look like bare metal with the welds showing.

Frame: I de-raked it and bent the back bone to lower it slightly.I then cut out the 2 forward down tubes and made a single one with lightening holes in it.I found some very small chrome twisted rods used in making necklaces at Michaels,so I removed the kit shiter arm and brake arm and replaced them with these.A neck gusset was created out of some styrene diamond plate material.

Tank and Fender: I stretched the kit tank with another one I had to better match the proportions of an old Sportster tank.I then added some rivets and a small strip around the bottom and painted it silver.I repeated this on the rear fender and added small small diameter styrene rod to the edges of the fender to give it an older look and resemble a front fender turned around backward (a common trick in the old days).I then added a hood ornament from a 55 chevy kit to top off the tank Billy Lane style.

Forks: Shortened them a little,with fork boots made out of bendable drawing straws painted flat black.The upper tubes were covered in BMF.

Engine:Dechromed some and black washed added to dull down the remaining chrome.An overly large velocity stack from a 1/25th car kit donated the stack and its carburetor,and a fuel line was added.The oil tank got stripped and painted gold metal flake with a spinner cap from a 1/25th car wheel as a fill cap.I scratch built the primary cover to look like an old aluminum cast cover.I cut the maltese cross out of the original cover and added it to the sissy bar.I also converted it to a jockey shift and added a shifter handle.The exhaust was made from the kit pieces by shortening them and adding the machine gun ends on them.I then wrapped them in masking tape cut down to a more realistic looking width and painted it flat grey. I also hand painted some flames on the primary belt.

Wheels and Tires: I dechromed them and painted them black with silver spokes.I painted on the white walls and dirtied them up a little.

Handle bars and Headlight: The "ape hangers" are made out of plastic rod with the kit hand grips added and painted semi gloss black.A throttle cable was added. The head light got a small strip added down the center and a visor was added to the light,then both were covered with BMF.

Enjoy the pictures and if you have any questions fire away.

Edited January 26, 2009 by gonzo64nova

[Rich Cummings]

That is really cool looking! Hope you don't mind but, I'll probably steal some of your ideas. I have two to build and not enough gray matter left to make it all the way through them.

[CB]

Hey, thanks Gonzo. Love the old skool choppers.

Really enjoyed the pics, and really, really enjoyed your detailed account of the build! Them drinking straws sure do come in handy in the modeling world!

Just wonderin what scale this is.......1/12?

Man, I might have to do one myself--be awesome to have sumpin' like this on the shelf.

[catpack68]

awesome work.the dirt,rust and exhaust pipes really look good.nice job.

[Bernard Kron]

Stunningly real colors and textures. A masterpiece. I love it!

[Smart-Resins]

Very beautiful bike. But I must ask, where is this model you talk about, is it behind the real bike? LOL. Jody

[randx0]

I like your take on this kit it's nice to see one that actually would get ridden .nice build would like to see more

[fordh8r]

Incredible! This thing is just awesome. It looks like it all worked perfectly for the build. I like the sorta 'Rat Rod' feel it has too. Totally cool!

[gonzo64nova]

Thanks for all the compliments it keeps me building!

Rich Cummings- by all means Rich use any or all of them,thats why I post my builds,and enjoy looking at other builds here.If you have any questions along the way just ask.

CB-Yes it is 1/12th scale... all the RM chopper kits are the same,I've also found alot of the 1/25th scale car kits like the Revell 70 Dodge Challenger has an enormous Hilborn style scoop and carbs that work well in the 1/12th scale.

[cruz]

Very cool man!!!!

[carrucha]

Cool chopper. Good job on the details.

carrucha

[RadRidesByDan]

Im not too much into bikes but I have watched over the years lots of bike show on TV and the different styles that the builder do .......and in my opinion this is something that I think Indian Larry would ride in a heartbeat.

Excekent work bro

[carmad1957]

Wows! What an inspiration! I'm in the middle da Tamiya Kawasaki H2R....hope it turns out half as nice as this masterpiece ??