Newbie looking for a summer project

Welcome to the fun!

Oh, I think either of those two bikes would work. Run "OCC" on the search thing and read about them a bit before you go that way. There is more than enough info on this site to get you were you need to go.

Yes, because the occ has a wider rear wheel it needs a special sprocket adapter, if I remember reading correctly. Also, you need an offset engine mount for the aforementioned reason. You can get the mounts for them on ebay, but that's gonna put you over the 180. I am speaking from what I have read on the subject, I think it would be a cool project though, and the finished product would look phenomenal if done correctly. That said, the beach cruisers require little modification (The only part that I had to fabricate was the front motor mount. I made it out of a D-296 strong-tie, from home depot, and a muffler clamp) and the end result looks very good.