Building a Chopper Chassis

[@bookrokodil]

Ron... you are the Bob Ross of chopper building

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@dylanpeterson3490]

of anything building*

[@Disco58]

I was thinking the same thing. He definitely has that 'Bob Ross' demeanor.

[@UncleRobsGarage]

Ron I love the fact that you are not full of drama like these so called custom chopper builders on so called reality TV.

[@davidminter3135]

Very few know but bob Ross also built bikes.

[@benhinkle5873]

I grew up around steel fab all my life but really never understood it until I found out about Mr. Covell. I'll be getting a few more videos of his in the near future.

[@RonCovell]

Great - I think you'll like them!

[@RonCovell]

Plans for the chassis jig I'm using are available on the Crime Scene Choppers website, at the end of the 'Tech Articles and Freebies' listings.

[@toddwinchester4539]

Outstanding!!!!

[@Bspstroke_]

Now THAT is a nice clean looking bike... I'm gonna attempt to make a CFL style frame which is very similar other than a couple extra bends.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you like it!

[@ryanmichalski7420]

I really enjoy your metal working videos. if one is not already made I think a mini bike frame would be a neat small little project series.

[@RonCovell]

I like that idea! I'm not sure when I can work it in, but I'll start thinking about it!

[@mikejimenez823]

Excellent

[@RonCovell]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@thomasmelnick9140]

Wow someone who is actually calm in the custom bike industry? Inconceivable! Obviously If I find a local guy who says yeah I can build that frame I need to ask can I see you frame jig. Great video

[@RonCovell]

Thomas - I'm so glad you liked the video! Yes, having a good frame jig is nearly essential for getting a frame properly aligned.

[@thomasmelnick9140]

Ron what state is your shop in? I know what I want in a frame, But obviously I need some one who knows how to build one. With out a good base any project falls apart.

[@waynemetevia7983]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for watching, and for commenting!

[@atahulpa3584]

Thank You my Brother Excellent work from a master Enjoy it so much that I became a subscriber ... /

[@RonCovell]

Atahulpa - thank you so much for subscribing, and I should have more videos posted in a few weeks!

[@DiamondR0GUEnz]

Awesome...I’ve jst started making my own bikes n this is a big help

[@RonCovell]

Terrific - and thanks for commenting!

[@DiamondR0GUEnz]

Subbed 👍

[@RonCovell]

That's wonderful! I have a personal goal of reaching 100,000 subscribers, and I have about 3500 to go!

[@industrialpalletworx3548]

I have seen recently a large number of chassis fabricators prefer to slot the axle plate for the tubes instead of slotting the tube for the axle plate. Which way do you prefer? I know in the old days the axle plate was slotted.

[@RonCovell]

I like slotting the tube for the plate, so I know the plate is centered in the tube. Everyone has their own way of doing this.

[@industrialpalletworx3548]

@@RonCovell thanks for the reply. I can check off getting to speak to professor hammer from my bucket list...

[@Asphalt1987]

What size tubing are you using for the back bone

[@RonCovell]

1 1/4" OD .120 wall DOM tubing.

[@gustavoleonetti938]

Los felicito .... muy buena calidad de chasis. . Un abrazo cordial. ...

[@RonCovell]

¡Gracias!

[@devilsden3326]

@Ron Covell is it possible to make a frame without any of the stands my welding class would not be able to accommodate a stand but they encourage out of the way projects

[@RonCovell]

The alignment of a frame is pretty essential to good handling, and it's pretty hard to get good alignment without a sturdy and accurate fixture.

[@c21delta94]

What is the rake & trail of this chassis? What is the down tube stretch in inches? Is the backbone stretched in comparison with a Harley Dyna?

[@RonCovell]

This chassis was built from plans available here: chopperbuildershandbook.com/oldschool1.html

[@mmart1nez]

Hi Ron! I saw that you touched on Springer front ends at the beginning. What kind of tubing and tuve thickness would you recommend in the construction of a Springer front end. I’m going with a fat look. My single down tube frame is 1-1/2” thick and I’m trying to stay consistent with the “fat” look. Also how thick should the triple trees be?

[@RonCovell]

Those forks were built from plans available from Crime Scene Choppers: shop.crimescenechoppers.com/Standard-Springer-Plans-CSC-001-CSC-001.htm The plans include all the construction details, and a complete materials list.

[@mmart1nez]

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction!

[@ryanmichalski7420]

Tig or Mig welding for motorcycle frames, and what spaecs would you recommend.

[@RonCovell]

Both MIG and TIG welding are used for motorcycle frames, and the most common filler wire is ER 70-S-6.

[@JA-vm9bu]

Hola Ron. Muchas gracias por compartir tu conocimiento. Se puede soldar los tubos con soldadora electrica en lugar de usar TIG? Muchas gracias

[@RonCovell]

La soldadura TIG es un proceso eléctrico.

[@jerrybigrig9475]

Is that why sugar bear springer have a different size rocker on the tips of their forks...to adjust rake ,trail,and stability ..??

[@RonCovell]

Yes, the rocker geometry and design will certainly affect rake, trail, and stability.

[@jerrybigrig9475]

How do you set up the neck for a10-12-14 over springer fork ..and have it sit level..

[@RonCovell]

It's all done with geometry. You can set up your frame level on a jig like the one shown in the video, and see what head angle will accommodate a fork that is over 10", 12", 14", or whatever you want .

[@jerrybigrig9475]

@@RonCovell sooooo... A lot of set up ..

[@hugoperesgirardi]

nice job my friend.. very nice

[@RonCovell]

Thank you!

[@maynard5955]

Sure liked the video I'm going to build a frame out of 2 and 7/8 oilfield tubing you think it will be strong enough

[@RonCovell]

Well, the size is huge, but I don't really know much about the mechanical properties of oilfield tubing.

[@Hollywood4Fun]

I have very long legs and can never find a motorcycle that accommodates me even with forward controls. My knees are always up by the tank (unless I get on a bike with huge engine size). One day maybe I will try to customize a frame that allows my legs to extend forward and straight. Which brings another point - can the downtube angle forward rather than back or does that place too much stress on the frame? There's always a large open space between the front wheel and the downtube on a chopper . Has anyone ever built a chopper that took advantage of all that open space? Maybe by redesigning the frame and moving the engine forward slightly? Or maybe by having a long steering shaft section at the head of the frame?

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for watching, and commenting! While is it more efficient to have the downtube go straight from the steering head to the base of the motor, you certainly could 'beef up' the design so the lower part of the frame was farther forward. I can't think of a designer who took this approach, but that doesn't mean it's not possible!

[@Hollywood4Fun]

@@RonCovell Thanks for the reply - and there ya go - the forward frame could be a Covell Original. And how about a neck piviot point that is longer than the standard 10 inches or so? Might look cool and be extra strong.

[@RonCovell]

You've got some great ideas!

[@MYPIG13]

Hi what machine do you use for bending tube? an whats the best thickness of tubing for a chopper frame?

[@RonCovell]

The tube bender I'm using is made by Mittler Bros. Not all frame tubing is the same thickness, but I'm using 1 1/4-inch diameter DOM tubing with a .125-inch wall thickness.

[@mickrudeboy6043]

Good man

[@RonCovell]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@redneckwithajeep5001]

I don’t have a motorcycle other than a dirt bike. I don’t have a nice big v twin to play with. I’m very rusty with welding. I’m going to try my hand at this

[@RonCovell]

Good for you!

[@ivanromscustoms4683]

que tal buenas tardes !! tendrá algun libro acerca del tema de la construccion de un chasis de motocicleta?!

[@RonCovell]

Lo siento, pero no tengo ningún libro sobre construcción de chasis de motocicletas.

[@grizzlymike85]

Can I mig weld a frame instead of tig

[@RonCovell]

Yes - most production motorcycles have MIG welded frames!

[@jesusorozco338]

which are all characteristics of the tube used in the chassis, diameter, sch.

[@RonCovell]

For this chassis, I'm using 1 1/4-inch OD .090" wall DOM 1020 steel tubing.

[@mayankmathur8823]

Sir could you please suggest the properties of the rods used for chassis and also the material they are made of.

[@RonCovell]

The frame is made from 1 1/4" diameter 1018 DOM steel tubing

[@mayankmathur8823]

Thank you sir

[@jhonsuarez614]

friend how much is the thickness of the tubes of the frame is that I want to make a motorcycle from scratch

[@RonCovell]

I used 1 1/4" OD .090 wall DOM tubing. I think you would find the CD from this company (which has detailed blueprints) very helpful: www.chopperbuildershandbook.com/cd2.html

[@jhonsuarez614]

@@RonCovell thank you my friend

[@lowchops301]

Ron, I've owned this DVD for years now. Are you coming out with additional info for this type of fabrication? I was waiting to see if your going to cover the fabrication and measurements for the engine and transmission mounts for the typical Big Twin engine most commonly used in chopper builds. I can't really do this project without those critical pieces of info. It's not out their on the web…believe me, I've looked for the past several years. Hope your going add that info to this build. Good stuff your doing, Ron. Thanks, buddy. Jeff

[@RonCovell]

lowchops301 Thanks for your comments! I don't plan to do another DVD on this subject anytime soon. There are lots of plans available that will have the dimensions you are looking for, and the fabrication techniques will be identical to what my DVD shows. One source for dimensioned drawings is www.chopperhandbook.com

[@RonCovell]

The plans that used to be available on the Chopper Builder's Handbook site are now available here: mantaraygraphics.com/downloads.html

[@dimassmaster9]

Please show you tube bender very interesting ! Thank's!

[@RonCovell]

The bender is shown in action at the two-minute mark in this video. It is made by Mittler Brothers, in Missouri.

[@pratikbhati9809]

Could you say something about rat rod chassis

[@RonCovell]

I don't know what to say about 'Rat Rod' chassis. In the automotive world, 'Rat Rods' provided a new outlet for creative expression, although there have been some engineering and safety issues.

[@shreyashkashyap9804]

can i use upto 2.5 inch downtube for chassis

[@RonCovell]

That is a very large size, but there is no structural reason why that would not work.

[@chopkonopereira5043]

as I can get the table to build my own chassis

[@RonCovell]

+chopkono pereira Plans for the chassis jig I'm using are available on the Crime Scene Choppers website, at the end of the 'Tech Articles and Freebies' listings.

[@nikhilshirke3293]

Sir plz tell me which tools u have use in this video

[@RonCovell]

Rotary-draw tube bending machine, die grinder with sanding drum, TIG welder, die grinder with cut-off wheel, and various pieces of measuring and marking equipment.

[@nikhilshirke3293]

+Ron Covell sir I still don't understand which metal rode should I use to make frame or chassis ,which should be strong , light in weight and good welding property

[@nikhilshirke3293]

and which should cheap in price

[@RonCovell]

The material I used is large and heavy-wall DOM tubing, which is appropriate for that style of motorcycle. If you weight is very important, you might consider 4130 (Chrome Moly) tubing.

[@RonCovell]

I'm not the guy to ask about cheap tools or material. You can do a lot of research online, but often cheap materials and tools will make sub-standard work.

[@jesusorozco338]

QUE MARCA Y MODELO ES LA DOBLADORA DE TUBOS QUE UTILIZAS EN ESTE VIDEO,TUS VIDEOS SON MUY INTERESANTES PERO SOY DE UN PAIS DE HABLA HISPANA SERIA BUENO QUE TUS VIDEOS SEAN SUBTITULADOS

[@RonCovell]

O dobrador do tubo é feito por irmãos de Mittler. Eu gostaria de ter a habilidade de fazer legendas em espanhol, mas não sou bilíngüe.

[@solimargarcia707]

Muito bom

[@RonCovell]

Muito obrigado!

[@abuathal6745]

👍