Working with custom bikes?

[MatthewLiam]

Hi guys, firstly, apologies if this is the wrong place to post this, only just joined and still trying to figure the place out!

So, this might be a regularly asked question, but I can't find anything in the search. I want to get a job building and working on custom bikes, cruisers, choppers, sports, whatever... But I have no idea where to start.

Do I need to go on a particular course? Is there a kind of, "place to be" in the UK?

Cheers!

[G]

Watching that 'OC' soap opera, by any chance?

They're about as 'custom' as a Fiesta with an aftermarket paintjob and some boy racer skirts!

Anyway; best and likely only bet is to make some custom bikes that people actually want to buy and sell them.

If you have to ask, it's very unlikely to be worth the bother.
Because the sort of people that do such things would already know what skills are needed because they have them.

Start working on your own bike, get used to doing everything.
Get a welder, learn to weld well.

Oh and I'm still .

[ViniH]

Perhaps a better question might be "how do you learn to rebuild a bike?" - which would presumably be the first step along the road to creating custom bikes.

It is a question I have been pondering for a few weeks.

I am assuming that the best way to do this would be to buy an old bike, and a Haynes manual, and some tools, and get on with it.

Someone with some actual knowledge will probably be along momentarily to clarify.
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Currently Riding: MT-07 Previous: XJ 600 N

[G]

I'd start with the little stuff - general servicing and work up from there.

[Rogerborg]

Do you read the mags, attend the meets and shows, know who the big swinging dicks are and how best to rub against them until you pick up their scent? I'd start with that. The bike building bit you can pick up later if it seems necessary.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[andyscooter]

the local collage round here has a motorcycle mechanics course

but you need to do the three years car courses before you can join it

then they have a harly to work on that never gets ridden so never has any nuts/bolts that sieze due to weather

after two years of this you can say your a bike mechanic

then you can take the bike body repair course

which this collage doesnt offer
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[Vincent]

A good start, on top of basic mechanics, would be to learn how to weld, spray, machining etc but I think the best builders start messing with bikes when they're still in nappies and have a wealth of knowledge and experience before they start to build, they usually are a bit more creative than your average Joe. There are some pretty poor customisers out there...a lot of them think that building custom bikes is about buying various pre-made parts and bolting them all together
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Space Is Deep

[DrDonnyBrago]

There isn't a huge market for custom choppers in the UK. Mainly because the concept of riding tractor engine with 2 m front forks on the UKs salty, wet, pot holed rocky trails we call roads is laughable.

Also, "if you have to ask"...

[Vincent]

[henry hoover]

Best place to start is probably the west coast of America.

I hear they are pretty popular over there!
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Cbr600rr 2010 Sold
Zx6r 636 2006 sold
Gsxr 750 L1 current

[davebike]

Bike trade is a hard place
There are mechanic courses to get you started and
I guess most of the few building customs came though being a Mechanic at a dealer

Dave
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
[email protected]

[WD Forte]

Your questions been answered but I'll add my bit anyway

At its core good customising is solid engineering with some
creativity added on.
Bung in some common sense as well

I doubt a reputable chop shop, or even bike shop, would
want to employ anyone who couldnt demonstrate they'd
put in the time to learn the underlying principles.
At least enough to make them suitable for training.

If you're just starting out and cant get on a course or get formal training, start with your own bike.
The more and better you understand every aspect of your own bike, the better you'll understand the next and and so on.
Add on reading and study of course, the interweb is great for that
nowadays.

Good engineers make good customisers
bad engineers are just bodgers
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bikers smell of wee