In the old days all a person needed to build a killer custom motorcycle was a bike, a set of tools, a little know-how, and a creative vision. But with the rise of the high-dollar, haute moteur Gucci choppers, the true custom bike has gotten out of most riders’ reach, right? Dead wrong. In this book Jose de Miguel, a custom builder from way back, sets out to prove that those good old days never ended. In the clearest and simplest terms, he shows readers how they can turn odds and ends found around the shop into one-off motorcycle parts--and make a cheap, run-of-the mill custom build into a drop-dead show stopper. Following de Miguel’s lead, along with his straightforward illustrations, any resourceful owner with rudimentary mechanical skills, a basic tool kit, and--most importantly--a modicum of imagination can build the bobber of his dreams for less than the price of a new bike.

In the old days all a person needed to build a killer custom motorcycle was a bike, a set of tools, a little know-how, and a creative vision. But with the rise of the high-dollar, haute moteur Gucci choppers, the true custom bike has gotten out of most riders’ reach, right? Dead wrong. In this book Jose de Miguel, a custom builder from way back, sets out to prove that those good old days never ended. In the clearest and simplest terms, he shows readers how they can turn odds and ends found around the shop into one-off motorcycle parts--and make a cheap, run-of-the mill custom build into a drop-dead show stopper. Following de Miguel’s lead, along with his straightforward illustrations, any resourceful owner with rudimentary mechanical skills, a basic tool kit, and--most importantly--a modicum of imagination can build the bobber of his dreams for less than the price of a new bike.

Old Skool is kool. No theme bikes here, learn how to build a real American motorcycle based on a Panhead, Shovelhead or Evo engine. Don't buy expensive new parts, build your own bobber or chopper from mix-and-match swap-meet parts. Written by Kevin Baas, the Kennedy High School shop teacher with the Build-a-Chopper class, this book takes a back-to-basics approach to motorcycle assembly. As Kevin says, if you can't buy it cheap, adapt it, and if you can't adapt it, build it from scratch. The author explains which engines fit which frames, and which transmission and primary drive is the best fit behind a particular V-Twin. The back half of the book includes three start-to-finish assembly sequences utilizing early and early-style engines, drivetrains and components. This 144 page book uses over 350 color images to illustrate kool parts and even kooler motorcycles.

Billy Lane is the fastest-rising star among the high-profile custom chopper builders, and in this book he offers many of his secrets for building a chopper that will stand out in a crowd. This is the ultimate resource for any chopper builder-a book designed as a step-by-step guide to building any type of custom motorcycle. This book also covers custom-building beyond the chopper genre, including the building of "bobbers," an old-school style of custom that has been revived as a hot trend. Predating choppers, they are on the cutting edge of current biker "cool", for real riding, and are much safer and more functional than choppers. Billy Lane has been featured several times on the Discovery Channel's top rated series Biker Build-Off and the Monster Garage premiere episode. Plus, He was Easyriders Builder of the Year, and winner of numerous national Best in Show awards. This book shows Billy's inside secrets of constructing a complete motorcycle, from hand fabricating metalwork to adding the detail parts that will make your bike your own creation and stand out from the crowd. Hundreds of color photographs will lead the builder through the construction process.

How to Build a Cheap Chopperwas originally written to give chopper builders of the day a way to build cool, functional choppers for cheap money. Instead of building bikes out of a catalog, readers were encouraged to combine a donor bike with an aftermarket frame. With a Sportster or Metric bike as a foundation, and a hardtail frame, a complete bike could be assembled for less than $5,000, sometimes much less. Today, there's a whole new generation of riders looking to build simple, functional, unique choppers and bobbers based on everything from a 200cc Honda to the old classic Shovelhead or Panhead engines. No matter which drivetrain they choose, there remains the need to build bikes that work, bikes that are safe to ride, bikes that are fun! How to Build a Cheap Chopper- Revisedstarts with a look at the basics. The first chapters cover brakes, drivetrains, and frame geometry. The second half of the book shows readers how to actually assemble a bike. Four start-to-finish assemblies done at professional shops take the reader from a pile of parts to a finished, running motorcycle.

For gearheads who want to build or modify popular LS engines, How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines provides the most detailed and extensive instructions ever offered for those modding LS engines through the Gen IV models. The LS1 engine shook the performance world when introduced in the 1997 Corvette. Today the LS9 version far eclipses even the mightiest big-blocks from the muscle car era, and it does so while meeting modern emissions requirements and delivering respectable fuel economy. Premier LS engine technician Joseph Potak addresses every question that might come up: Block selection and modifications Crankshaft and piston assemblies Cylinder heads, camshafts, and valvetrain Intake manifolds and fuel system Header selection Setting up ring and bearing clearances for specific uses Potak also guides readers through forced induction and nitrous oxide applications. In addition, the book is fully illustrated with color photography and detailed captions to further guide readers through the mods described, from initial steps to final assembly. Whatever the reader’s performance goals,How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines will guide readers through the necessary modifications and how to make them. It’s the ultimate resource for building the ultimate LS-series engine! The Motorbooks Workshop series covers topics that engage and interest car and motorcycle enthusiasts. Written by subject-matter experts and illustrated with step-by-step and how-it’s-done reference images, Motorbooks Workshop is the ultimate resource for how-to know-how.

It’s back. The book from Timothy Remus and Wolfgang Publications that helped to kick start the build-a bike-at-home phenomena, is in publication once again. Though the aftermarket offers new engines and frames not available when this book was written, the basics of building a bike remain the same. A quality frame remains a quality product. Safe rake and trail dimensions have not changed, and neither has the need for safe brakes that will stop you when that car runs a stop light or stops unexpectedly in the middle of the block. So for anyone who yearns to build a V-Twin at home, How to Build The Ultimate V-Twin Motorcycle remains an essential tool. Build Your Own with this timeless how-to book from Wolfgang Publications.

Choppers are hot again. All you need to decide is what style you want and this book will guide you through the building sequences. It shows how to build a genuine old chopper or a chopper that looks old and has the conveniences of today, such as electric start and functioning brakes.

The suspension expert’s illustrated, comprehensive troubleshooting guide for dirt, street, and supermoto—with a solution to virtually any problem. Suspension is probably the most misunderstood aspect of motorcycle performance. This book, by America’s premier suspension specialist, makes the art and science of suspension tuning accessible to professional and backyard motorcycle mechanics alike. Based on Paul Thede’s wildly popular Race Tech Suspension Seminars, this step-by-step guide shows anyone how to make their bike, or their kid’s, handle like a pro’s. Thede gives a clear account of the three forces of suspension that you must understand to make accurate assessments of your suspension’s condition. He outlines testing procedures that will help you gauge how well you’re improving your suspension, along with your riding. And, if you’re inclined to perfect your bike’s handling, he even explains the black art of chassis geometry. Finally, step-by-step photos of suspension disassembly and assembly help you rebuild your forks and shocks for optimum performance.