Why hello there! (Acton, MA)

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hi4noon

New Member
Jul 21, 2009
23
0
0
Massachusetts
I figured I'd say hello from Acton, Massachusetts.

First build occ chopper (big mistake for a first build) :D After 2 weeks of working on it I managed to break it after 45 mins of riding. Well worth the work. Will have her back up and running by next week. Till then I'll be buying add-ons off of amazon and ebay for it :)

2nd person in my town to have a MB.

Look forward to chatting with ya'll

Nate
 

Russell

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2009
1,276
155
63
MA
Hi Nate,
Welcome aboard! My first build is also a schwinn occ. Did a lot of reading here before starting the project. I am sure that it saved me many headaches. Did you fab or purchase your mtr mount? As I I was in no rush, I enjoyed the build and fabbed everything I could to save $.
I am from weymouth haven't come across any other MB's here. I am starting to get ready to upgrade the occ to five speed. Once again it will take some time as I will try to fab everything.

Later Russ
 

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NEAT TIMES

New Member
May 28, 2008
1,964
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PENSACOLA, FL
Hi Russel. Nice Build. I Have 4 Or 5 Oc Choppers. I Am Way To Big, But They Are Soo Cool. I Have 3 Jj Choppers, 1 Is Chrome Like New, 2 Are Ruff. The Jj Choppers Are A Couple Inch`s Shorter Than The Schwinn Oc Choppers. I Was Hoping They Would Be Bigger. I Need To Get My Stretch Cruiser Finished . Nice Pics Of Your Ride. Ron .cvlt1 PS I think the safty flag may be a life saver.
 
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nubikeshop

New Member
Aug 23, 2009
5
0
0
In Virginia
Hey man! Boston MA here, but occasionally out in Acton/Subury/Lexington. Never seen anyone on a MB in MA, but welcome and good luck with your first major build!
 

hi4noon

New Member
Jul 21, 2009
23
0
0
Massachusetts
Hi Nate,
Welcome aboard! My first build is also a schwinn occ. Did a lot of reading here before starting the project. I am sure that it saved me many headaches. Did you fab or purchase your mtr mount? As I I was in no rush, I enjoyed the build and fabbed everything I could to save $.
I am from weymouth haven't come across any other MB's here. I am starting to get ready to upgrade the occ to five speed. Once again it will take some time as I will try to fab everything.

Later Russ
Unfortunately all the tools I have are for wood working. I went with ebay Barry's mount. The 5 speed upgrade sounds interesting, good luck with that! I'm waiting for a replacement engine to come in and have in the mean time purchased a lay back seat post and different style handlebars to install. These occ bikes are fun to customize :)

-Nate
 

Russell

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2009
1,276
155
63
MA
Nate,
I just installed a 32t sprocket. It performs so well that I doubt that I will need the five speed. However I will go forward with it when I get the rest of the parts. If you have a picture or link of the seat, please post it. It looks like adding suspension to this model is a major project(DIY) or very expensive purchase(springer fork). So looks like I'll convert the standard seat to a(DIY) spring seat.
Please post a pic of the h-bars.
 

hi4noon

New Member
Jul 21, 2009
23
0
0
Massachusetts
Hey Russ,

I notice you didn't use any tensioners on the lower chain to gain clearance of the rear wheel frame. I tried the same but felt the chain was too tight and would damage the engine. Do you ride your bike often and have you noticed any problems with the chain tension? I'm working on adding a tensioner to provide the necessary clearance while maintaining a somewhat relaxed chain tension.

About the handlebars, apparently the chopper bikes use 7/8" diameter handlebars similar to bmx bikes. I wish I knew that before I bought the handlebars. I'm left to file down the handlebar clamps. I can post a pic of the unmounted handlebars if you'd like, or when they are mounted in a week or so.

I bought layback seatpost of 1" diameter and a shim to allow it to be used with the 31.8mm chopper seat post. I plan on adding a springer seat to it as well. Those front fork springers are rather pricey :(.

I'll keep the 36T sprocket in mind. I run a 44T stock sprocket as of now. Hesitation to upgrade will be my needing to give the new sprocket to a mechanic at work to run through the CnC to expand the bolt holes.

Everything about this bike appears non-standard. A bit frustrating but i will persevere! :D
 

Russell

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2009
1,276
155
63
MA
Hi,
Yes I do use a DIY spring loaded tensioner. You can't see it with the saddle bags in the way. Even without the bags on it is very hard to see the tennsioner. Also I added a steering limiter, the front wheel only swings about 110 Deg.(this allows the f-tank to mount forward without getting hit).
The engine mount is also DIY and adjustiable. Yes I would like to see the bars mounted but I will look for some that don't need modification. I would also like to see a pic of the spring seat.
 

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Russell

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2009
1,276
155
63
MA
I also find this very handy for working on the occ. You can make monitor chain slap with the motor and wheel running. I tie the front wheel down with the romex(doesn't mark the f-rim) and this elevates the rear so you can watch brakes & chain movement. DO NOT MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING & REMOVE SPARK PLUG WIRE WHILE ADJUSTING ANYTHING).
 

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hi4noon

New Member
Jul 21, 2009
23
0
0
Massachusetts
Bike is done! usflg I rode it to work today to see how long it would take; 20 mins, not bad. Got pulled over by a cop on the way home :D

As promised, here are my pics. I still need to buy a springer seat 'cause my ass kills after a 20 min ride. The handlebars were a complete ***** to get on... stupid chopper bikes and their odd sized parts :(
 

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BostonBiker

New Member
Sep 4, 2009
13
0
0
Boston
Hey man! Boston MA here, but occasionally out in Acton/Subury/Lexington. Never seen anyone on a MB in MA, but welcome and good luck with your first major build!
i'm in belmont, never seen any around here on in/around cambridge either.... think i'll be the first for my town lol
 

hi4noon

New Member
Jul 21, 2009
23
0
0
Massachusetts
nice build. what did the officer have to say????? lol. ron
Here is the non-embellished conversation with the cop.

*flashes his lights and sounds his sirens*
Me: Hey there
Cop: What is that a motorized bicycle?
Me: Yup.
Cop: You been riding around on that for a while now?
Me: Nah, I just... well I finished it about 2 weeks ago then broke it then just finished it again today and was riding to work to see how long it would take.
Cop: Where do you work?
Me: O just down the road at XYZ by the post office.
Cop: Yea I know where that is. How many CC is that thing?
Me: Uh... either 37 or 49, which one sounds about right to you?
Cop: Ok, well it has to be under 49cc to be legal.
*awkward silence*
Cop: Do you have a permit?
Me: What?? I need a permit for this thing?
Cop: Yes you need to be over 16.
Me: Ohhhh... yea I'm 23, here's my license.
Cop: Well that's certainly better than a permit...
*examines my license*
Cop: Alright Nathaniel, well you have yourself a good day.
Me: Alright thanks.

Pleasant enough conversation. My town is full of rich jews and asians, thus a super low crime rate and extremely bored cops... This cop was at a construction site i passed. I guarantee you it won't be the last. I'm going to have a guy at my work make up a nice 49cc label for the china motor whose label mysteriously disappeared one day after i rode it till the engine was hot and the glue melted :D.
 

Russell

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2009
1,276
155
63
MA
Bike looks great! Supprised that cop did not ask if it was registered. Is it? Mine is registered as a moped. However I do not believe that makes it legal. On the registration form it states that this vehical meets moped mfg standards. Which of course no bicycle can, IE: tire safety standards ect. ect.
A lot of miles seen a lot of cops but no stops. Were you wearing a helmet/DOT?

What ever the bars look great and I'm with you on the spring seat.
 

hi4noon

New Member
Jul 21, 2009
23
0
0
Massachusetts
Thanks Russ. According to the cop the bike needs to be registered if it is over 49cc. How much did that cost you anyways? I am thinking of doing that.

I did have a bicycle helmet on, 'tho i need to get a better one, like maybe a skateboard helmet that actually covers the side of the head :)
 

Russell

Well-Known Member
Apr 19, 2009
1,276
155
63
MA
Actually I believe that over 49cc it must be reg as a motorcycle. The up to 49cc the only way you can ride it on the street is as a moped. Limited to 20/25 mph. automatic transmission and DOT certified helmet. There are more accurate requirements on this board under laws and legislation section.
It cost $40 for two years. I only got the moped sticker and helmet to avoid any hassle.

PS: Even with the 32t sprocket I seem to have a lot of top end left in the engine. It still climbs hills well so I can't wait for my five speed components to arrive. Hope it's not snowing by then LOL