Topic: If you could chop or customize one bike

[the technological J]

one bike thats not a sohc what would u pick? im thinking prob years down the road but im torn between a
 xs650(fairly cheap)



and a bonniville(not so cheap)

 



and an old bimmer( def not cheap)..


 


but each one has its own appeal.... what bike or bikes make your list?

[seanbarney41]

What bike to chop?...Hardley Davidson.   Why?...only one that deserves it.

[Grnrngr]

When I was a kid, HD and Triumph/BSA chops were everywhere. Not long after the CB750s hit the road, I saw one chopped and thought it was the coolest thing ever!! 2-1 pipes, sportster tank, rigid frame and a springer..it was too cool! I've seen a couple nice chopped cb450s and an old BSA 500 single...heh...i saw an extended front end on a Kaw 500 triple once..it's whatever you can get your hands on at the time. xs650 is a good prospect..the Triumphs and BSAs are hard to find these days and probably worth more restored, but...they're all sohc...got a reason for wanting dohc?

[the technological J]

No I was kinda meaning outside the realm of honda sohc's....

[HedNut]

How about a ninja chopper!?    or a Chopper Chopper!?

All kidding aside... A late 70's GL could be cool! (maybe even cheap!)

[Grnrngr]

I really like the paint job on that Bonnie...but there's just something about that xs.....

[bill440cars]

  Okay, I am wondering if you'd consider a DOHC Honda? If not a CB570 or 900 DOHC, then what about a 450 DOHC? When it comes to cost, about ANY Brit Bike I can think of, is gonna be expensive.

       

       Check this GL

     

     

     

[singedebile]

How about a ninja chopper!?    or a Chopper Chopper!?

All kidding aside... A late 70's GL could be cool! (maybe even cheap!)

that chopper chopper is actually a fun idea...  wouldnt be impossible to make it work either. Trick would be getting it light enough.  Imagine flying around... landing then folding the rotors behind you and pulling into a gas station!!  haha

[the technological J]

anybody got any of the above mentioned bikes with more than just a change of accessories? like frame mods or serious suspension changes? after thinking about it the xs seems the way to go

[hotpocket]

anybody got any of the above mentioned bikes with more than just a change of accessories? like frame mods or serious suspension changes? after thinking about it the xs seems the way to go

xs would be easiest to find chopper parts for too.

I would like to chop a ducati. i'll probably never shell out the clams though.

[the technological J]

ooooooooooohh i never thought of that... from just the engine up......man.. brilliant!

[Don R]

CB500T

[Kong]

Harley Davidson, any straight-leg hardtail will do.  There is not other bike to chop, none at all.  Everything else is just a poser.

[Retro Rocket]

Harley Davidson, any straight-leg hardtail will do.  There is not other bike to chop, none at all.  Everything else is just a poser.

And here i was thinking that posers rode Harley's....silly me....

Mick

[the technological J]

Harley Davidson, any straight-leg hardtail will do.  There is not other bike to chop, none at all.  Everything else is just a poser.

i would go so far to say it would have to be a knucklehead to be true... anything outta the late 40's..... old triumphs were legit

[Stev-o]

The XS looks great, that gets my vote.

[seanbarney41]

I think chopping some things is criminal.  A Ducati?  What are you gonna improve by chopping it?  It's already light, fast, looks good, handles good(in general).  People need to remember "if it works good, it looks good."

[6pkrunner]

Has to be a vintage Harley. Knucklehead or Panhead. Even the Shovelhead is getting a bit too new. An original rigid framed Knuck or Pan is the definition of chopper to me.
I don't find inline 4 engines go well as choppers. They're usually too wide.

[Raef]

I find myself leaning bobber these days, I am currently building a ridged framed one out of a 550.

I can't get pasted the thought of building one using a 80's-early 90's "cr 650r" motor, those years because they were still air cooled.

[hotpocket]

I think chopping some things is criminal.  A Ducati?  What are you gonna improve by chopping it?  It's already light, fast, looks good, handles good(in general).  People need to remember "if it works good, it looks good."

You've never chopped, have you...

[hotpocket]

Harley Davidson, any straight-leg hardtail will do.  There is not other bike to chop, none at all.  Everything else is just a poser.

Denver Mullins begs to differ

[fastbroshi]

Something with a distinctive motor that can be detailed in some fashion.  CB450, any Guzzi, any BMW boxer (ok, no GS's), Honda CX like the one above, pre-'80 Goldwing, Harleys with a kickstart.  The motor is such a big visual component of any custom job, why hide it in black paint?

[754]

 What are you going to improve on the Ducati 

 How about;
 improved riding position..so you can ride 20 hrs a day.

 make it look like your bike, not Taglionis

 make a bike that fits your needs..



 In case some did not get the bulletin, North America, is well connected by Interstate highways.. Plus there is plenty of windy backroads you can enjoy, with bikes with moderate ground clearance..

[aplaceinspace]

There are a lot of old japanese twins out there ranging from the late 70's and early/mid 80's. The typical displacement for a Triumph was what, 500cc's? I'll bet you can find a Japanese twin around that displacement to chop. 

[seanbarney41]

What are you going to improve on the Ducati 

 How about;
 improved riding position..so you can ride 20 hrs a day.

 make it look like your bike, not Taglionis

 make a bike that fits your needs..
I think you pretty much just nailed it on the head.  Most Ducati's intended use is pretty narrow and specific...high performance street and track use.  Why chop up a bike that excels so highly at it's intended use so you can putt putt around to the pub, scraping pipes that flow less than the stockers on every barely enthusiastic corner.  "Hmm...that front brake doesn't look right, I think I'll take it off."
Do you really intend to ride 20 hours a day with a hardtail and ape hangers?  I'll gladly do half that with stiff suspension, rearsets, and clipons.  Maybe we need to define the word "chop" a little better here. 
I think you can improve any bike for long distance comfort and personalization without slicing off lifetimes worth of suspension development.
 In case some did not get the bulletin, North America, is well connected by Interstate highways.. Plus there is plenty of windy backroads you can enjoy, with bikes with moderate ground clearance..