Steampunk Inspired Kopper Chopper

[Dr. Cranky]

I know, I know, it's not a car . . . but it's a break from the regular routine . . .

Sometimes I find inspiration in art magazines, as is the case with Art Scene International, an airbrushing magazine I've been a fan of for many years . . . the latest issue, this one, caught my eye:

A steampunk inspired real life chopper!

Suddenly, I opened it and found this beauty:

THE NAUTILUS! Perfect!

Lots of details everywhere and what caught my eye was all the different metalized paints and finishes . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Although I am not planning on replicating this bike to every exacting detail, I am using it as a spring board for my project . . . which started with the three Revell chopper kits I own. I immediately set out to de-chrome all the parts . . . there would not be any chrome on this baby, but lots of different metalizer paints and finishes . . .

And the metal you see here are all the parts I've already started to work on like the forks and the carburator intake, etc . . . lots of watch parts too will be used on this build . . .

So far the result is this:

[Dr. Cranky]

While the parts were getting de-chromed in my usual vat of Liquid Drano, I started to work on detailing the tins and the frame. I wanted to have lots of little holes everywhere for the impending watch part accents (nickel, brass, copper, rust, etc!)

I am also going to rake the neck and forks a little bit to extend the front tire . . . more on that later . . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

It's taken a week to work on the frame and tins, in particular getting the tank to look right. All of that drilling of holes in the plastic I hope will pay off . . .

One of the first important elements I wanted to get out of the way was the seat. The seat had to look right, so I had to scratch build it because I don't like the seats that come with the different chopper kits . . . so I built this one . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Here are many of the parts already de-chromed and sanded smooth. I had to modify the braces on the forks so that they will hold the aluminum tubing . . .

Here's a better pic . . .

I think once I primer and paint all the parts this one should come together fairly well and easy, I hope . . . but for the time being I am just enjoying having it in raw plastic . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Here's some progress. I got all the pieces skewered for primer and paint on bamboo sticks, easy enough to do since this bike is riddled with holes!

There are three types of pre-primered parts I am using. Parts I de-chromed and which have that shiny undercoat still on the raw plastic and which I will spray with HOK Chrome effects paint, then there are parts, like the wheels, which I primered and then shot with clear to provide a smooth surface for the HOK chrome effect paint (coming soon!), and then the parts that are going to be painted, like the tins, with a combination of airbrushed and rattle can paints.

Although this chopper is 1/12th scale and it looks big, it really doesn't provide much surface to paint and get different effects on, which I guess is the fun challenge. The tins and gas tank are going to be painted a combination bronze/copper with some graphic effect to the paint. We'll see how those turn out shortly.

Stay tuned in . . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Okay, here's the frame painted and ready to go . . . I started with a coat of maroon Duplicolor paint, then rattled can some Duplicolor gold, let everything dried, then sprayed the whole frame with Duplicolor Glitter EFFEX to make the whole thing sprakle, then waited for that to dry and applied two coats of Dupont Spot Clear . . . this is going to be one of the few shiney componets to the bike . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Here's the engine, which was painted with Testors rattlecan gold, which is a brighter gold than the frame . . . and the carburator stack and breather cap are elements I found in my spares box from Osark Miniatures and a little bit of scratch building. I turned the breather cap on the lathe and added mesh screen for more texture . . .

Some of the other elements on the engine will be a combination of copper and brass parts . . .

I have to keep reminding myself that everywhere where there is a hole, there will be some sort of real metal accent (a watch part!?) added for extra detail . . .

As I said before, this is not an exact replica of the magazine chopper, The Nautilus, but it will borrow elements from it . . .

Stay tuned in for more . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Here's another angle on the engine:

I am also trying to resist the temptation to weather the engine up a bit . . . I want it to be as realistic of a show chopper, which although might be ridden here and there, it will be preserved as a show bike . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

I've started to assemble and detail the engine, and I think what is most time consuming is finding repeats of all the watch parts I need . . . and also test fitting them for just the right look. Here are some progress shots . . .

Here's a close up:

[Dr. Cranky]

The frame is going to have lots of little details too, which I hope will not get in the way of the overall look . . . I am going for . . . which is gears, gizmos, and thingamajigs!!!

Here's a shot from the other side . . . the belt side . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Can you say "Honeycomb?"

I had a little mesh I decided to use on the tins and tank just to give the bike a diffent look and still keep that copper/tinnish look . . . so I sprayed a basecoat of HOK Solar Gold, used the mesh as a template and then sprayed the HOK Kopper, followed by a blend of HOK Tangerine and Cocoa Pearl kandy . . . then some glitter, and then a couple of coats of clear . . . and here's the result.

[Dr. Cranky]

As you can also see I've been adding some of the engine components, transmission, oil tank, etc . . .

I still have a ways to go, but I am having fun mocking up all the pieces I have ready just to keep the ideas flowing . . .

Here's a closer look at the tire details . . .

[Custom Hearse]

Cool....

[09WNS/14BRK]

nice work so far mate

looking good

[evilone]

That is tight bro good work so far.

[RodneyBad]

Sweet looking bike.

Nice honey comb paint and lightening holes..

Very cool effect.

[GOTH KUSTOMS]

Just stunning man, great work and attention to detail...

[Dragline]

I have a couple of old revell chopper kits I am gonna bring to life but I must say this.

Make it NASTY!!!

I am assuming you'll get to the nasty finish down the road so I'll save comment for then. Please make it like the photo.

Gritty and unkempt.

That's the only way it'll work for me personally.

The paint through the mask is quite sexy.

OH! And it is a rigid............. Yours is not.. Make that happen as well. Only a rigid commands respect.

Keep it up.

Edited April 5, 2009 by Dragline

[Dr. Cranky]

Thanks for the wonderful comments, folks, I really appreciate it.

Stay tuned in for more progress today.

[Bernard Kron]

Maybe it's the larger scale or all the little detail parts, but I think this build brings out all the best elements in your style. The paint job is beeooootifullll. And the color scheme is a knockout. I know it's not a car, but I think this might be your best so far that you've posted (we'll see... but that's saying a lot given what's come before).

[Foxer]

This was looking fantastic with just the holes alone but that lace paint job is spectacular!!!!

[Jairus]

[Dr. Cranky]

Thanks, everyone. Stay tuned for more progress . . . part of what is slowing me down is going through my little stash of watch parts looking for multiple of the same part, which is tedious and mind bending!

[Dr. Cranky]

As I said earlier, it's taking a while to get all the little accent parts out of the watch parts bin, but it's coming along. I finished the tins and the fenders . . . here are some progress pics . . .

I got the exhaust pipes done in Testors gunmetal and the accent pieces on there . . . I've been using a mixture of white glue, Future and water to make them stick . . . and dry solid.

Lots of details on the other side too, and the seat pan is on there . . .