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!
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.
