The Personal Blog Of
Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

Why Buy When You Can Build?
November 25, 2009

I have a beautiful 1600cc metric muscle cruiser. It’s loaded with chrome and accent lights, slammed, and performance tuned. It is exactly the way I want it and I’m very happy with the end result. Every time I ride my motorcycle, I have a huge sense of pride in my bike. I’m sure most bikers feel the same.

But it is not my dream bike.

I have always wanted to have a true original custom cruiser. To do that, it will have to be built from the ground up. Even though it may sound like a daunting task, it actually is achievable.

DIY: Best case scenario is that you have the room, the tools, and knowledge to do the work yourself. The investment of time may be high but the end satisfaction has to be the best. If not, find a mechanic buddy and pay him with beer and pizza to help you. Otherwise, your mechanic will need to lead the build.

Rolling Chassis: Starting with a rolling chassis is best since they come with tires, rims, fenders, and even handlebars. Depending on the style of bike you want, rolling chassis can generally range between $1500-5000. There are a variety of vendors offering chopper, bobber, race style, and other styles.

Engines/Transmission: Harley Davidson engines and transmissions are great for custom motorcycle builds. Crate engines and transmissions can be purchased from motorcycle dealers. Another great source is motorcycle grave yards. You can also search for parts bikes for sale.

Controls: Controls should always be brand new or as close to new as possible. You don’t want to risk your safety on used brakes or throttle parts that could fail at the wrong time. You can buy controls at your online motorcycle retailer of choice.

Paint/Fabrication: Paint should be done by professionals. Even flat black paint needs to be applied by the hands of an experienced painter. What’s the point of building your dream bike unless the paint matches the beauty of the bike?

Building your dream bike from the ground up is a task that could take several weeks to several months based on your time availability and budget. It’s a labor of love so every minute and every dollar spent is a great investment. Make sure that once your bike is ready for the road, have a mechanic give it a quick review to make sure it is road ready. If so, twist the throttle and go!