Voodoo/Kensington Bike
Build
I've been invited to be part
of a custom bike build team with a handful of guys from
Kensington Church. Well known master bike builder Eric
Gorges, of Voodoo Choppers, has offered to build a one of a
kind Voodoo Chopper motorcycle to be auctioned or raffled
off when finished. The proceeds will go around the world,
as well as the inner city of Detroit, to help people in
need through Kensington's Transformation program. Since
most of the guys on the build team are novices like myself,
Eric will be teaching us as we go. I'm hoping to contribute
to the overall project, as well as machining some wicked
cool one of a kind parts!
click to enlarge the pictures
I
proposed building a one off springer for this bike. Eric
suggested we design something with an "I-Beam" look to the
legs. I was able to spend some time talking with Gary
Weishaupt in California. He has a wealth of knowledge on
this design and was able to shed some light on the
direction project. I then talked to CAD wizard Wendell
Pehlemann (Wendell designed the Fire Fighter wheels I made
last year). Wendell offered to do the CAD design on this
front end pro-bono! Not surprisingly, my good friend Rob
Van Gorder of Grease Rag Customs fame has offered to
assemble and weld the entire front end together, also free
of charge. Thanks Rob and Wendell!
Click to enlarge the pictures
We meet every other Wednesday to work on this bike. Check
back often!
Sept. 17 '09
I took a couple pics when I got to Voodoo Choppers yesterday. This is how the bike looked at the start of the day. Mike's son Jacob joined us again and did some power hammering on the oil tank side pieces. That was cool! Eric started welding the oil tank/battery box together. I tend to hang out in the machine shop. What a shocker that is! Whew. I finished up a couple small pieces. Jacob took some video, so hopefully I can add a Youtube link in the near future. I can't wait to fling that front end out and put on something worthy of the Voodoo Choppers name. Still a ways away on that.
September 4 '09
Last night a couple of the guys finished the rear fender and strut. They got it lined up and squared on the bike. Dennis and Eric started making the oil tank and battery box, while I made up a couple bungs to hold the fender in place. I also got some important front end measurements for Wendell.
Taillight
This bike is going to have a one of a kind Fabricator Kevin Brass Knuckle taillight. I've machined several versions of Kevin's lights for him over the past couple years. This one is a true on-off, with the cover piece being real brass. Kevin provided and installed the lights and lenses. I'll need to finish the wiring.
August 20 '09
We got some work done on the bike yesterday. A couple of the guys were working on the rear fender strut.
I helped Don with the forward controls, and helped Eric make up a small threaded bung to support the rear fender to the frame.
Rotors
Got the rotors done today. I think they look like a pretty decent match to the wheels (and sprocket).
The Sturgis rally is going on now, so Eric and a couple guys from the build team are out of town. We'll be meeting again in two weeks on the 19th.
Rear Sprocket
I've had some time this past week to get some work done here at Tixe. I designed the rear wheel sprocket to match the wheels. Then I machined the sprocket Saturday Aug1. Today I got started on the brake rotors. They'll also match the wheels and sprocket.
Beginning the Build - June 10th '09
We got together for the first time on this build in June. Eric's plan was to begin with a finished frame, complete drivetrain, wheels, brakes etc. He ordered the components not including the sheet metal. We'll be making the gas tank, fenders etc., and adjusting the frame as needed.
We got the parts together and started mocking up the bike. We also got to know each of the guys on the build project, and Eric shared some of his ideas for the direction of the project and the completed bike. We'll all have some input on the design of the bike, and we'll each be involved with the fabrication of parts and and assembly of the bike. Eric will obviously be guiding the process as well as teaching us some fabrication techniques, and motorcycle building skills.
