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Metric Chopper Custom Chopper ArchivesCustom Chopper modifications, additions, new model introductions and more!Costs of increasing the performance of your Metric Custom Chopper™:
1. As a general rule, you could start by making air-cleaner and exhaust changes. Depending on which components you choose, you can expect to spend between $400 and $800. 2. The next step would be adding cams which would run between $400 and $500. 3. You can add high performance heads or have your heads worked for better flow. Head porting can run between $800 to $1000 while new heads cost between $1,200 and $1,500 or more. Labor to tune the engine will add $400 to $500. 4. Bore your own cylinders or pick up new ones for $150 to $350, add new pistons for around $250, then spend another $300 to $400 more for installing everything. 5. Nitrous Oxide injection systems can cost you between $1,800 to $2,500 with custom adapter kits.
Metric Chopper™ is a trade mark of Xpertek
Enterprises Inc. They registered this mark to control how it is used and what
type of motorcycle it represents. The Metric Chopper™ is being defined as a
metric engine based motorcycle that is custom. Metric engines are similar to
those used in Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Victory and Kawasaki cruisers. From there,
the field is wide open. The easy way to start is buy a metric cruiser from your
local dealer and start customizing it at your own pace - and budget. Example Metric Chopper™ conversion: VN1500
AGV offers Dragon helmets for Metric Chopper™ riders
Coming soon: Too loud for street use exhausts
ICON offers Kitty gear for lady Chopper riders (click on image for more info)
Example Metric Chopper™ conversion: VL 800 Volusia
ICON offers Strongarm line for Chopper riders (click on image for info)
Example metric chopper™ conversion: VTX 1800
Example metric chopper™ conversion: Suzuki VS1400 Intruder
Example metric chopper™ conversion: Honda VT1100 ACE C2 Shadow
The online store is expanding with new products coming online this week!
Click here to
check out our online store Garage Mod: Adding highway pegs to your Metric Cruiser Difficulty:
EASY
The installation of highway pegs is another easy mod that allows the rider to stretch out their legs for long highway cruising. This is a great riding style if you want the laid back, chopper look. Most high end custom choppers have highway pegs installed. If you watch American Chopper, the Orange County Chopper motorcycles almost always have this laid back cruising style which is a result of adding highway pegs. The key to adding highway pegs is that you need some type of bars to mount them. If your motorcycle doesn't have highway bars installed, you can easily add them aftermarket. Get ready for the Fat Tire Kits for metric choppers™! Many manufacturers are now developing fat tire kits (250mm to 300mm) with wide back tire widths. They are finally recognizing that the 'Fat Boy' look is not only applicable to the Harley Davidson but also to custom choppers that run on Metric frames and drive trains. The goal is to provide a complete kit that can modify a stock Metric Cruiser with little modifications. MetricChopper.com is going to add several of these kits for sale this week so check back soon. RC Components builds a Yamaha RoadStar 1600 Metric Chopper™
Online store adds Custom Metric Chopper™ parts section Our online store, www.metricbikes-superstore.com, has added a Custom Chopper section to its product offering. The Custom Chopper online store offers custom frames, exhausts, fat tire kits and handlebars. The Custom Chopper selection will be growing everyday - this is just the beginning! VTX Metric Chopper™ Mean Machine
(Hard Krome) Who’s says only a Harley can be turned into a chopper? Early this year specialists set out to build a true original. They began with a box stock Honda VTX 1800C model. The VTX platform has become one of the most popular bikes since their introduction in 2001. When they were coming up with the concept there were a few must haves. The bike had to have at least a 240 rear tire. The owner also wanted to rake out the front end and the bike to have a long and low look. Many of the concepts envisioned were not available to the public so a majority of the parts were going to be hand built. The first order of business was to strip the bike down and pull the engine out. The frame was then cut at the headstay and the entire subframe was also removed. All the frame gussets and mounting points were also shaved from the frame rails. The swingarm was also removed. The ultra wide 240 rear tire would not fit with the swing arm in its current state. They were able to squeeze the huge RC Components rim and huge 240 rear tire by C-notching the stock swingarm. They decided to use a Doss front end, similar to a Harley chopper. Sinn City Cycles hand built a custom set of airbags for the rear. RC Components supplied their ‘Bandit’ wheels. In order for the 240 rear tire to fit, they had to modify the swing-arm. Both arms were C-notched for clearance of the rear tire. They chose Accutronix forward controls for completely original stylings. The stock Honda frame had to be modified to accept these. First the stock mounts were grinded off and new mounts had to be welded to the frame. A Wernimont strutless rear fender provides a smooth seamless look. The Matt Hotch Metric Chopper™ Roadstar
(Hard Krome) If you have been to any of the major motorcycle shows in the past year, no doubt you have seen our black Roadstar with the oversized 280 rear tire. For 2005 we had to elevate our game. Since we recently began working with Matt Hotch, back to back winner of Discovery Channels Biker Build-Off, we commissioned his help. We met with Matt at his shop and saw his Biker Build-Off bike ‘V-Lux’ before it was aired on the Discovery Channel. V-Lux featured the 360 rear tire and a huge 23” front rim. With these show stoppers, we knew it was time to build a new bike. We purchased a 2005 Roadstar and sent it to Matt’s shop, HotMatch Custom Cycles. Matt began by trashing the stock swing-arm and front end in favor of a single sided swing-arm and Perse front end held by Perse Triple Trees. Once all the stock hardware was removed, Matt began to build a single sided swing-arm. This unit had to be clean as well as super sturdy. The intentions were to add a gigantic 18” diameter by 360 wide rear tire. The tire, in turn, would be mounted on the largest wheel available in the world. Weld Racing supplied an oversized 18” diameter by 14” wide “Recluse” Wheel. The Vee Rubber tires had to be imported from Thailand. The rear fender and seat mount had to be fabricated by hand in order for everything to fit around the huge rear tire. Up front the ‘360’ Roadstar would have the largest wheel and tire as well. The ‘360’ uses a 23 inch Weld Racing “Recluse” wheel and Vee Rubber front tire. Matt had a custom front fender built for the oversized 23” front rim and tire. The stock rear fender was split in half and a new center section was added to cover the rear tire. We flipped the stock taillight to give the bike a teardrop look. Up front, Matt built a special set of handlebars and added Performance Machine hand controls and front caliper. Accutronix foot controls take care of the rear brake and foot shifter. Bitchin Richs Seat Co. built a seat from scratch as well. The ‘360’ will make its rounds at all 2005-2006 Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows as well. So keep an eye open for a show coming to your area and see the bike for yourself. Garage Mod: Adding aftermarket air cleaner/hypercharger to your Metric Cruiser Difficulty:
EASY
Air cleaners or Hyperchargers are a relatively easy modification to make your
stock metric cruiser look custom. The installation procedures require some
disassembly of your motorcycle but more importantly you will likely need to
re-jet your motorcycle. This is because you are making an aftermarket
modification that will increase your motorcycle's horsepower through increased
air flow into the fuel system. Jet kits are usually included with your air
cleaner/hypercharger but be sure to check with the manufacturer for necessary
settings if you do this
modification.
MetricChopper.com
online store going live soon MetricChopper.com is
launching its own online store that is ALL about customizing Metric Cruisers. The
store will feature custom chrome components to add some 'bling' to your ride,
light kits for adding lights and neon to your ride, performance kits to add
horsepower, metric frames for custom builds, metric engines for custom builds,
paint supplies for custom paint projects, wire tire kits for a 'fat back' look,
custom forward control sets, custom handle bars and more. Please check back for the
official launch of the online store. Garage Mod: Adding
aftermarket grips to your Metric Cruiser Difficulty:
EASY
This is another easy
mod that adds a custom look to your metric cruiser. You do need some patience on
this mod - take you time and don't rush it! Carefully slice off your stock grips
by slicing lengthwise completely thru the stock grip down to the handlebar
material. Peel the old grip off. Next, clean all residue from the old grip with
solvent and let the surface dry. Trial fit the grips - the smaller ID grip goes
on the left bar and the larger ID grip goes over the throttle sleeve. Apply glue
to the bar or throttle sleeve depending on what side you are working. Glue sets
up instantly so slide the grip into position with one swift movement. We
recommend removing a small screw from each end cap so air can escape as you
slide it on. This is the important part - be sure you don't push glue into the
space between the throttle sleeve and the housing or you'll glue the throttle in
place! We have done this mod many times and each time without problems - just
take it slow and don't hurry the mod.
Here are some
examples of custom grips from Kuryakyn:
There are many more
options for grips but the Kuryakyn are probably the highest quality ISO Grips on
the market. Garage Mod: Adding
aftermarket mirrors to your Metric Cruiser Difficulty:
EASY This is one of the
easiest modifications you can make to your stock metric cruiser to make it stand
out from the pack. It involves purchasing a set of aftermarket mirrors and
adapters. Aftermarket mirrors come in a variety of shapes, sizes and
configurations with built in lights. Some examples of Kuryakyn mirrors are:
The key to using
mirrors, like Kuryakyn, is that they are usually made for Harley Davidson so you
also need an adapter kit to fit your Metric threads. The adapter kits sell for
around $10.00 and include two adapters for your particular model. Be sure to
choose your manufacturer specific adapters since some have left turning threads
and others have right turning threads. Kuryakyn offers a set of adapters for
Yamaha and another set for Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Victory. Be sure to wrap
your wrench in a shop cloth when working around chrome parts - this will prevent
nicks and scratches if the wrench slips. |
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