...and away we build!

 

 

Welcome future bike builders. Charlotte has asked me to do a tutorial on customization of your bikes, and I was just tickled pink to do so.  THe first thing you need is a bike. I tend to pick ugly colored ones, so I don't feel bad tearing it up. You'll also need a few tools, such as : 3/8" drill, a set of jeweler's screwdrivers, a pin vise, for tiny drill bits, and if you're as lazy as I am, an electric screwdriver! A small hammer, diagonal cutters, visegrips, basically modeling tools. You'll need more besides these, but we're going to go one step at a time. 

 

Now check your bike inventory. I like to keep one stock " out-of-the box" bike, but anything else is fair game.

 

 

Today I have chosen a Ness first release bike, in a nasty Orange/green scheme. I asked the XO which to keep, and she just hates orange!

 

 

It helps if you have a few other parts to choose from, like illustrated here, but if you don't, don't despair. You can always change existing parts to suit your needs.

 

 

First, you have to take apart your existing bike carefully.  Take your time.  I like to replace the existing screw back into their part to save it better, and you won't have to hunt down the right scrwe later. I learned this after having a ton of screws litter my basement floor!

Find the most accesible screws first. On a Ness, it's the pegs. Place the parts in a little bin for future use, and it'll save you time later finding exactly what you need. For those tough screws, I use visegrips on a jeweler's screwdriver for additional torque.

 

 

For the nuts, I use a little tool that came in with most of my bikes, the Ness' and the MotorMax's.

 

 

Use it for the axles and triple-trees. Taking the nut of the triple-tree releases the tank, the forks, and the handle bars. Get that nut back on the rod, as I still can't find a dealer for the little things!

Store your larger parts in a tote, or whatever you have on hand. 

 

 

There is nothing worse than having it drop on the floor, and you stepping on it.

 

 

 

All we're going for right now is the frame, as it's always the starting point. For the little "cables", a GENTLE tug will release them , as they're just glued on.

 

 

I also save the brake assemblies, WITH the screw in them. Toss that little item in your pin & screw box, and your little rider will be able to stop in the future!

 

 

Now we can separate the frame, keeping the screws right nearby so we can reinstall them as soon as the motor & swingarm is gone. GENTLY pop the pipes ooff of the frame, using a flat tipped screwdriver. A little effort, and they should pop right off. The same technique, if you can call it that, is used to separate the rear fender from the pinnings that hold it on the frame extensions.

 

 

Once everything is off, reassemble the frame. Replace the screws. tighten it, and you have a great starting point.

 

 

Now that we've got all our parts organized, we can  start getting creative!