Chop Chop!

**greasertom** · 05-15-2010, 10:25 AM

I just got my first bike, a honda rebel. I really love riding and I wanna take the next step and chop it.
I guess i just want advice? what can i afford to lose?
Budget is the name of the game so as much as I can do for cheap or free is good. I have access to sheet metal and plenty of tools.
I already chopped the muffler and got rid of the bafflers. It sounds way good.
Thanks alot!

**flitecontrol** · 05-15-2010, 11:06 AM

Welcome, greaser. I'm not into chopping, but many here are knowledgeable about it. First thing is to chop safely. There was a link posted here on a choppers handbook, and I would suggest you find it and read it before you remove or modify anything. Uneducated chopping can result in life changing or life ending consequences.

**Henryinva** · 05-15-2010, 12:05 PM

Welcome to the forum greaser! Yer probably going to need a little more than some sheetmetal though!

Start a thread and tell us what all you've got in mind and maybe we can help ya out, or tell ya what not to do..

Enjoy your time here and ask questions before you do stuff if your not sure..saves ya a lot of grief.

**cagie** · 05-15-2010, 12:10 PM

^ ditto on the bove posts. There are right ways and wrong ways.

What year is it, how many miles, etc.? post a couple of pictures in your VBImage host so we can see the progress.

welcome aboard!

**Shadow Shack** · 05-15-2010, 12:51 PM

My advice before altering any frame geometry and suspension is to learn to ride the thing first, as such mods only serve to hamper the learning curve.

That said, what do you have in mind? Long forks, bobber, etc?

JunkyardDog · 05-15-2010, 02:12 PM

Welcome. First, you are on the wrong part of the forum. There are sections here for introductions and for modifications. Plenty of advice is available. If you do not already know how to ride and ride well, start there. That is challenging enough in itself. Take an MSF class, get your motorcycle endorsement, and get some experience. As you become more familiar with riding, and your bike, you will have a better idea of what to do.

I have seen some really cool customs made out of Rebels, I have also seen a few suicide machines that were likely to get the rider killed.

If you cut off the mufflers, and are running open pipes, you are making a lot of noise. You may like it, but consider all the other people who have to listen to it. They may not like it at all. Also, if you are running open pipes, you have seriously leaned out the air/fuel mixture, and will need to rejet the carb to compensate.

Take a look around the site, look at some of the pictures, and get some ideas. Consider your own skills. But first, please take a riding course, and learn how to ride. Jerry.

**greasertom** · 05-15-2010, 11:13 PM

hey thanks everyone. I am thinking of a basic bobber. I cant decide between apes or drag bars. I want to take the shocks off and bolt some pipe on to lower it/ make it a rigid.
I actually blew the crankcase seal yesterday. So while I have you, is the bolt that holds the cranking wheel on a reverse thread? Cuz that is one difficult bolt to remove. I need to take it off to re apply the seal.
Thanks again!

**Shadow Shack** · 05-16-2010, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greasertom

hey thanks everyone. I am thinking of a basic bobber. I cant decide between apes or drag bars.

A drag bar is much better suited for an unseasoned rider than ape hangers. The latter takes some getting used to, the former is much more natural. A drag bar is also less expensive since you won't need longer cables and lines as well as lengthening your electricals that a taller bar mandates.

Quote:

I want to take the shocks off and bolt some pipe on to lower it/ make it a rigid.

See, this is exactly what I was getting at earlier.

A rigid of any size is not a good beginner bike. You seriously impede your cornering by doing this, as there is nothing to absorb the bumps in the road while you're leaned over. For an unseasoned rider, this is a great recipe for low-siding (losing traction while leaned over and the resulting nipple surfing that follows).

Learn to ride a stock bike first, and get good at it before contemplating suspension and/or steering geometry mods.

P.S. check out www.bluecollarbobbers.com for some decent bolt-on bobber mods for the 250 Rebel. Looks great and retains all the stock geometry and suspension.