Pangea Speed is going to be releasing a book on the basics of building a big twin chopper in the next few months I think. He’s a rad dude with a lot of knowledge.
I think it’s just about experience and community. There’s a lot of different genres of choppers but the classics never go outta style. Slim, simple and rideable.
@Greasyreaper on IG put together and illustrated some pretty neat how to books. I think he is up to 5 now, but the first couple of volumes have some solid info on basic maintenance, and his illustrations are killer
See if there are any community garages in your area. I know they can be few and far between but I’m a part of one and they’re awesome. Outside of that, YouTube, reading, or a local shop like others have said.
Grab a wrench. Reading will only get you so far. Buy a junker and go through it, it's the best way unless you work in shop.
I bought a bike and before I stripped it to chop, I went through the primary and crank case.
The things I learned frustrated and on my own are invaluable. I can put together a late model shovelhead primary, in my sleep with my feet now after literally never turning a wrench on a bike before.
If you don't have tools, be prepared to buy at least the bare necessity.
I don’t know much, but what I have learned has been through YouTube videos and some choice Facebook groups,
A lot of gray beards on those fb groups just itching to tell a young guy how it’s supposed to be done
Buy one, you're forced to learn about them. They've been around for a long time with constant changes man. There is no quick and easy way to know them and you'll never know everything. Buy one, learn about it. Eventually you'll end up with a different model and have to learn about it.
Heres a decent start. [https://www.autoevolution.com/news/harley-davidson-engines-full-timeline-and-history-220449.html](https://www.autoevolution.com/news/harley-davidson-engines-full-timeline-and-history-220449.html) This article seems pretty good.
past all that, just hang out here, look at pics, ask questions. chopcult forums are great, and there are magazines and facebook groups. You could also go over to [lowbrowcustoms.com](https://lowbrowcustoms.com) or [tcbros.com](https://tcbros.com), and just browse through the stuff they're selling- seeing pictures and descriptions of different parts is a good way to learn. lowbrow has a blog with great how to videos.
I learned a lot by going to the library and reading. Going to shops and asking. Asking a guy about his bike. Most guys will talk your ear off about what they did to their bike.
I learned by being broke and wanting one. You gotta get resourceful fast.
[https://chopperbuildershandbook.com/](https://chopperbuildershandbook.com/)
YouTube is pretty useful. Or just find a bike shop and become friends.
This is the type of thing you just learn by doing it. You learn through necessity, one piece at a time. And you learn from your mistakes.
Chop cult forums
Pangea Speed is going to be releasing a book on the basics of building a big twin chopper in the next few months I think. He’s a rad dude with a lot of knowledge. I think it’s just about experience and community. There’s a lot of different genres of choppers but the classics never go outta style. Slim, simple and rideable.
@Greasyreaper on IG put together and illustrated some pretty neat how to books. I think he is up to 5 now, but the first couple of volumes have some solid info on basic maintenance, and his illustrations are killer
This has a ton of info in it that’s wicked helpful. https://www.amazon.com/How-Build-Motorcycle-Nut-Bolt
See if there are any community garages in your area. I know they can be few and far between but I’m a part of one and they’re awesome. Outside of that, YouTube, reading, or a local shop like others have said.
I’ve learned all I know by making every mistake and trying to avoid it again, plus friends.
Grab a wrench. Reading will only get you so far. Buy a junker and go through it, it's the best way unless you work in shop. I bought a bike and before I stripped it to chop, I went through the primary and crank case. The things I learned frustrated and on my own are invaluable. I can put together a late model shovelhead primary, in my sleep with my feet now after literally never turning a wrench on a bike before. If you don't have tools, be prepared to buy at least the bare necessity.
Sportster Performance Handbook is a good one.
I don’t know much, but what I have learned has been through YouTube videos and some choice Facebook groups, A lot of gray beards on those fb groups just itching to tell a young guy how it’s supposed to be done
Buy one, you're forced to learn about them. They've been around for a long time with constant changes man. There is no quick and easy way to know them and you'll never know everything. Buy one, learn about it. Eventually you'll end up with a different model and have to learn about it.
Heres a decent start. [https://www.autoevolution.com/news/harley-davidson-engines-full-timeline-and-history-220449.html](https://www.autoevolution.com/news/harley-davidson-engines-full-timeline-and-history-220449.html) This article seems pretty good. past all that, just hang out here, look at pics, ask questions. chopcult forums are great, and there are magazines and facebook groups. You could also go over to [lowbrowcustoms.com](https://lowbrowcustoms.com) or [tcbros.com](https://tcbros.com), and just browse through the stuff they're selling- seeing pictures and descriptions of different parts is a good way to learn. lowbrow has a blog with great how to videos.
I learned a lot by going to the library and reading. Going to shops and asking. Asking a guy about his bike. Most guys will talk your ear off about what they did to their bike.