I want to build my own chopper/ rat bike- what do I need to know?

Hi- I've always loved these types of bikes but do not have a licence (currently saving up for my test) or any mechanical knowledge. I live in Dorset, England.

I'd like to learn a few practical skills by slowly, and on a budget, building my own bike. What equipment should I aim to get as the bare essentials, and what are some good books or magazines to get? I'm aiming to use early cruisers from the 40's and 50's as my inspiration, but with a ratty look overall and hopefully using a British 'thumper' engine, maybe something out of a Panther, BSA or Triumph.

Any ideas welcome!

You`ll need a full tool box and plenty of space,,one of the biggest and first problems you`ll encounter is a suitable frame,hard or soft tail,the rake and therefore the yoke,tyres and electrics,,all have to be thought out before starting this project,,paint and all the fancy bits evolve over time,,you`ll find plenty off chrome platers and engravers working on only bikes to add the extras ,just keep buying the bike mags,,It`s a big project for a starter one so do your planning and try to stick with it,,altering half way through will open up a lot of problems,,engines and bits you`ll find quite easily ,,spares for older engines come in expensively,better to go for a newer engine from a rice burner,,but as I have said the frame is the problem,,engine mounts,tail and yoke all have to be built in and a custom frame will set you back over 拢500 at the cheapest,,,

misskitti7 on here sent me a cd rom of how to build a rat bike from a 1980's honda benly

not knocking her but you never know who is who on here i gave her my works address to send the disc too.

i offered to pay and she did not want anything

the disc is fullof info

ask her and look at her web site

taking on a complete build without any prior mechanical knowledge is insaine, here's what I would recommend.

Buy an older bike that has problems for cheap, make it your project, fix it up, paint it, and sell it for profit, do this three or four times, getting a bike with more severe problems every time, and you'll not only have the mechanical knowledge to pull this off, but the money as well!

Essencials =
Full socket set (Probably with allen bits, extenders, converters, and angle peices)
Repair manuals for every bike you get (these can change and ordinary man into a mechanic in no time)
Screw drivers, hammers, clamps, vices, and grease should get ya started.
Diagnosis will be the hard part, I don't have any advice for you hear, I always get that done if it's something too hard to tell.

To be honest with little knowledge of bike building I would be inclined to find an older chop that needs tidying up or an unfinished project that doesn't need much doing to complete it. I would also check out your mates/mates dads etc to see if they may have skills to help out, with the benefit of learning from them as you go. May be worth joining a local bike club.

I think you are a bit confused here:
RAT BIKE = basically any jap bike stripped of anything not essential to get it through the MOT de cluttered de chromed and painted in black board paint usually used as a winter hack or a festival goer..
The reason for this type of bike is that it is cheap and so gross that no one would want to nick it or even attempt to ride it. Check out the dispatch rider bikes for some ideas.
CHOPPER= Basically any bike where the excess is chopped off minimalist to maintain power to weight performance. usually lacks any rider refinements and nothing for the pillion ( what pillion) customary to fir forward pegs ape hangers (or flat bars on risers) for the forward cruiser style.
BOBBER= bike where fender seat mudguards have all been BOBBED shortened to mear memories of their former self lacks any adornment pure functionallity
See RUSS MITCHELL's bikes; form is beauty.
AS a start as mentioned the venerable CD 185-200 250 is an ideal starter for any of these, they can be bought for about 拢200= 250 with a years mot and tax, Take off the bits you don't want sell them on Ebay and get out the roller and the dulux.
If you want to go bigger think of either the parrellel twins from Suzuki Kawazaki Yamaha or Honda. The ultimate Rat Bike is the good old MAGGOT CX 500 B or the XJ 600 twin.
Don't go for old british tin... You can't afford it...
AND it isn't going to go or be reliable