My Decade With Choppers: Five Lessons You MUST Learn
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- I've spent the last 10 years of my life in the motorcycle world. Building choppers and learning the lessons the road teaches us. Today I'm going to share with you the FIVE LESSONS every builder must learn, the lessons it took me 10 years to fully understand...so that you can skip that struggle and learn from my mistakes.
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Chapters
Intro 0:00-0:31
Lesson 1 0:32-4:06
Lesson 2 4:07-7:19
Lesson 3 7:20-10:56
Lesson 4 10:57-13:57
Lesson 5 13:58-18:42 - Авто та транспорт
The moral of the story is “there ain’t nothing to it, but just to do it”.
Amen!
You learn more from fixing the bike that you build then from building it. Thing is you build it now if it quits on the road can you fix and get home?
Grease, thanks so much for what you're doing. I've been riding motorcycles since 1970 and you sir are a breath of fresh air. Growing up in the 60s, my dad and his friends all rode hand-shift Panheads but they were full-dressers or baggers as they call them today. He hated choppers. He said chopper guys were nothing but trouble and some personal experiences in my early 20s reinforced that idea. So through the years I enjoyed every aspect of the sport from woods riding to flat track racing to licensed road racing.
But all through those years the whole chopper thing hung before me like forbidden fruit, just out of reach. As the years passed and so has my father, along comes Greases Garage to fan that old ember into a flame. After 53 years of riding what others approved of, I will be hard tailing a proper bike this winter. Thank you sir. And thanks also for recognizing God in a public arena. These days that too is a bold and brave thing.
What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing this. It’s so great to hear that you didn’t let the dream fade away! And yes I feel badly it took me this long to do that but I wouldn’t be here without God and He deserves the credit for giving me the gifts necessary to do this
Me and you have lived a life with loving the Motorcycle my Dad was in a MC and got me riding at 8 years old in 1972
Amen
So glad to have watched this video. "We live in a fallen world." "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the call." So glad to know you're my brother.
Amen brother 🙏🏼 you are showing the way with your channel for a lot longer than I’ve been here so thank you for doing what you do!
Spot on.
Relying on mechanics that don't give a shit about you isn't the way.
Exactly. Your bike is just one of a hundred others to most shops. A few good shops still out there but they’re hard to come by nowadays
@@greasesgarage
Definitely the case in Australia.
They're generally quite arrogant about any servicing.
Your alright in my book greasy! Stock, upgraded, modified, chopped, bobbed, or cut down. Hard ass old school 1% patched clubber or self certified 49cc "mopagn", we ALL love and are a small part of this worldwide 2 wheeled brotherhood (and sister lol) i call us all...BIKERS. hope at least some of yall agree.... its not ALL about what you ride but that you are in fact RIDING!
I appreciate that brotha, thank you for watching and for the kind words. Stay safe out there 🤘🏼
Currently fabricating a hardtail for my 1982 Yamaha Virago on my apartment patio. Been working on it Sundays since April.
You’re on the journey brotha! Good on you for making it happen in the space you have available 👏🏼 how’s it coming along?
@@greasesgarage Pretty good. Only a few more steps before I'll be ready to sand and paint. Got a few odds and ends to weld up real quick.
All salient points my friend…..”show others the way “…that’s the stuff! Your story is so much like ours, it’s uncanny. What we can do today, is because of people being willing to show us the way….and now we’re doing our very best to do that for others. Excellent video brother. Can’t be overstated. Looking forward to sharing miles with you soon. Going to be a great time!
Can’t wait for the trip brotha! Thank you for everything you guys do to pay it forward 🙏🏼🙏🏼🤘🏼
Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Another 20 years and you will reach chopper legend status.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I'm not a chopper guy, I'm just getting into Japanese classics, but there is a lot of overlap and i appreciate your awesome content!
Thank you for the message i appreciate it 🙏🏼
This was a really good one I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I used to listen to every episode of those early years of LowLife my kids grew up with Loctite
Thank you for listening this whole time! Many years of the show and still now 🙏🏼 this was a different type of video than I usually make so I’m happy to hear it was enjoyable 👍🏼
Add me to the list of people you helped to cross the finish line! It took me over 2 years to build up my 1972 Ironhead and when it came to the last part, the wiring, I had not a clue. Your video on wiring made it so simple and now I have been out riding for the past 3 weeks and everything has been going well so far. God bless!
God bless you brotha thank you for sharing this! Congratulations 👏🏼🙏🏼
YT kept promoting this channel into My feed. I think I passed over it a dozen times before I actually watched this video. Then, towards the end I hear WHY, when You mention "We live in a fallen world"... May God richly bless You in Your endeavours brother. I'm along for the ride, and will be here for more.
Lol, I love How God can even used a corrupt service as YT is to spread His will and Word.😊
Amen brother. Thank you for giving the channel a chance and watching long enough to hear His message, God bless you 🙏🏼
Im glad i found your channel. Exactly what I needed to build some confidence on the topic. I'll be starting on a build this year.
Fantastic 👍🏼 let me know how it goes!
I listened to LCP from the beginning. It helped me with a lot of information over the years!
That’s awesome! Thanks for sticking with me this whole time 🙏🏼🤘🏼
Well put, great video. I remember my first break thru after years of struggling to find information that I could understand not coming from a mechanic background. I have been riding most of my life but never took the time to learn what I needed to learn. I would pay for everything I needed to get done on my bikes. This was a struggle both financially and personally trying to keep my old pans and shovels on the road. It left a void of having a true personal relationship with my bikes. When you are the one that has to fix everything on your bikes you learn to appreciate the individual personality each bike possesses that is unique. My biggest breakthrough was coming across Fox Motorcycle Institute years ago. Chuck had been running workshops for years out of his home shop in Ohio and has since retired but keeps his classes alive through text books and online class videos on about everything chopper and motorcycle maintenance related. I still subscribe to his institute and use his videos to learn everything from bike building to engine tear down and overhaul. The content shared here on Greasy’s Garage and sites like FMI are a great place to help with the struggle. Love the content shared here, thanks for helping us Skip the Struggle.
Thank you for sharing this Dwayne 🙏🏼 it’s nice to hear that I’m not the only one that didn’t come here already established with a mechanical skillset. What a gift to make that investment in yourself and really come to know your bikes in a whole new way.
I’ll have to check out some of that content as well it sounds great, especially the motor component as that’s still one of my least comfortable areas of building
Hey Grease your channel is definitely one of top watches. I have a1982 Shovel Head that I’m thinking about chopping but I have had a lot of back surgeries and not sure how well I would make out on a rigid. I have short shocks on it now and I can deal with it. Would love to have a foot clutch after watching your video but my right leg goes to sleep now and then. I don’t want to end up like the guy on the tv show Laugh In. You’re probably to young to remember that show but a guy riding a tricycle would fall on his side and couldn’t get up. Ok bud I ramble on way too long. You take care and ride safe keep the videos coming.
Thanks for the message! No need to make it a rigid can still have a very cool modified bike and keep the suspension if it’s what works for ya. Thanks for watching and for sharing your story 🤘🏼🙏🏼
I grew up with Motorcycles my Dad was a member of a Motorcycle club I learned from Dad how work on Harley Davidson Motorcycles at 10 helping my Dad. Choppers are to build but keeping them running is the hard part a
Bern enjoying the channel as well as the Facebook group and community cheers everyone
Currently my situation, working in my work parking lot. I’m luck to have an automotive background and plenty of tools. Love your videos dude and if you ever get to Maine enjoy the rides dude!
Thank you brotha! Jump in the fb group this New England chopper scene has so many people in Maine! Maybe we’ll ride together this summer I’m usually up that way a few times
UA-cam is helpful ,I had good luck with Rosas cycle shop NY . engine and transmission rebuilding and machine shop .
Grease laid down life lessons like Tony Robbins. Choppers or not. Good video. Keep it going
Thanks brotha 🙏🏼🤘🏼 it’s definitely meant to be beyond choppers as well as within them 👍🏼
Dude, thank you. I don’t weld but, I have been slowly growing in my quest in learning how to build the perfect bike that is in my mind. I have done one already and I am working on my second. They are both late Evo’’s. The first is a 97 FXSTC with. +2 front forks and lowered rear by 1.5”. 16” apes because why not. Now I want to build a Viicla style bike because of all the detail. I may not be in the traditional chopper style but, I get the “build.” I hope that makes sense. Btw, I have past this on because my son is building his bike. More like like a old school chopper! And, he’s watching your videos!
What an incredible thing to share with your son. That’s what it’s all about 🙏🏼
A couple of months ago a friend gave me a 74 XLH1000 that had been sitting for around 10 years with the primary and transmission literally just dumped into 3 or 4 5 gallon buckets....it also came with both a service manual (first "tool" you should get IMHO) and a parts manual. Over the past couple of days I've put about 100 miles on it since getting it going again.
I'm 65 and have never put a wrench on a Harley before this project....and although I've riden off and on since I was a teenager, I've never done anything beyond oil changes, plugs, points, chain etc. on bikes before.
If I can do it, so can you.....either learn to accept that your going to make mistakes, or learn to deal with the knowledge that you never tried.
Good luck!
That last sentence is so true! Beautifully said. 👏🏼
Congrats on the channel. Been putting together and taking apart a Honda Shadow for the last 3 years off and on.
Great video. I am 58 years old, started riding when I was 14, and built my first Harley when I was 19, a chopper. I have built a number of choppers over the years, and have had many bikes over the years. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have something like UA-cam.
Right? Truly a special time to be alive. So much is learnable via this platform. I’ve fixed my boiler quite a few times thanks to UA-cam haha. So cool to hear you’ve kept the chopper spirit all those years 🙏🏼
Damn dude youre my hero. Well said. Way to step up. Wish i had these videos when started my first build 6 years ago!!!!
Thank you brotha 🙏🏼 I wish I had them too haha but better late than never 👍🏼 what are you riding?
@@greasesgarage 78 shovel. Stock frame. Stripped down to the essentials. Super fun to ride but you know what they say. Harleys are like strippers. if you stop throwing money at them they stop working LOL
@@yinyanglovebombhahah I hear ya! Always something with these things
Nice 👍
Cool video. Nice to see you back from heavy hours at work. You are doing a cool thing. Keep it up my man.
Thank you brotha, it’s great to be back
Love the channel, have a blessed week my friend
Thank you brother, God bless you 🙏🏼
Man. Everytime I hear you talk about your story I get more and more inspired to push my limits and go for it!
As you know, your story pushed me to do a complete career change and follow my chopper dreams. It has lead me to places that I never thought possible and I can never thank you enough for that.
Please please please keep doing what you are doing! 🙏
I feel the same way about your story man. So many people heard those words but they don’t act. You acted and changed your life for the better. I’m proud to be part of the next chapter of your story. Amazing transformation brother 🙏🏼👏🏼
@@greasesgarage Thanks man! Means a ton! I will get out to the East Coast some day and we'll have to ride or build something sick! Haha
Such a good channel. I'm a fellow New Englandah as well
Looking to plan a kanc ride this summer stay tuned!
Crazy!! I started riding just over 10yrs ago also. First bike was a Yamaha Vitago 750. Had to carry spare plugs with me everywhere I went… missed the first half of my very first group ride cuz I had to change plugs in the parking lot. .. You definitely made me remember a lot of where I’ve been on my own journey.
And your “Find the Right Community” is an absolute must. I’ve been fortunate enough to be blessed with a best friend, mentor who has been with me since my first bike and is now watching from the sidelines as I take on my first chopper build- always there to answer questions and lend a hand (or tool) when asked. It’s an amazing journey..
Thank you for your video series.. they are very inspiring and motivating.
Thanks for sharing this man. Nice to know others can relate and have a similar story! A real blessing to find a mentor like that, it can be the entire difference for some of us
This just shows that you had the aptitude the entire time , you just didn't find it til a little later on. My dad has re done old cars since I was born and I never realized how much he taught me till I met other people that were under the curve in our 20s because their dad's didn't mess around with old cars or bikes . Love the videos grease !
That’s well put, I bet many who had that background don’t realize just how much they already know
You helped me too bro with the wiring that vid that great
104! 🤘🏼
Hey man I’m sure it’s more than 100 people you’ve helped! I should’ve told you when I had watched your “how to wire pt.2” video that if you hadn’t done that I’d be ripping my hair out still… thanks dude. And you totally still look like a Honda civic guy 😋😛
Thanks brotha! That’s up to 106 now 🤘🏼 and lol, every time I fill up my Tacoma I wish I was still a Honda civic guy ⛽️ 💰
@@greasesgarage thank you for making these videos man! Hearing you talk about bikes n stuff has been an excellent replacement for skateboarding videos! Broke myself off and now I just watch your videos till I get angry and actually fix something on my Harley! Please keep it up!
@@darbyobrien8232love it! Not many of us can still skate in our 30’s but sketchy choppers are a great replacement for that feeling hahah
Ive enjoyed every video you've put out. Listening to this tonight took me back decades to my first bike. The mistakes, the people, different states, and different mistakes again. People have helped me over the years and have become fond memories, ive quietly given people tools over the years, when they needed a helping hand. Wildness was replaced with responsibilities, i always had a bike. Old age evils have found me. With that, things never meant to be sold do. I do have two projects. I don't need tools anymore, i need the health i dont have anymore. I honestly dont know if i will be able to finish. My good days are few, takes more energy than i have most days. I have a lifetime of harley memories, that helps. I remember the year the evo came out. I really enjoy your channel and Facebook page. Keep posting, even the old gray beards like hearing your words. Thank you.
I will pray for you brother. I recognize your handle I’ve seen you comment on many other videos. Thank you for watching and sharing your story. God bless you 🙏🏼
Show How to take a swingarm harley frame to hard tail then the neck 3 up and 3out keeping rake and trail True . That the main key to a chopper unless its a Bobber . 😊
Your videos have helped me out a bunch, thanks for that! My bike has gone from scary-sketchy, to fun-sketchy.. and my wife is a lot happier knowing there’s less of a chance of my life insurance hitting her bank account too soon!
Amen to that brotha! We all take chances, no doubt about it, that’s just part of choppers. But the more we can stack them in favor of making it home safe, the better
Juts subscribed! I’m from central Massachusetts not far at all! Going to start building my first chopper soon thanks for the advice!
That’s awesome! Let me know if you need help
I had Thunder Bay remove a starter gear from a BDL clutch basket.ITs just a press fit,shouldnt have been a problem.I think they fugged it up on purpose because I sometimes showed up at their shop on a Honda and they didnt like that.They ended up buying me a brand new basket.
Sounds very familiar to me lol
I worked out of my car by using a power inverter to run off my then Hyundai sonata with all my grinders and hand tools etc in the trunk. Worked outside under a carport in my apartment complex. That was 12 years ago and now I have so much machinery and tools etc that I am blessed to have. I have made so many mistakes on bikes through the way that were both embarrassing and frustrating, but every single person has went through that along the way.
Thank you for sharing this brotha! I agree I think it’s something we all struggle through at one point and couldn’t agree more that we’re deeply blessed to be in more fortunate circumstances now 🙏🏼
The young dude down the street from me had never owned/ridden a street machine. Last year, he bought a 2018 Yamaha Bolt. He purchased a service manual and the metric tools he would need. Since then, he's adjusted the valves, changed the oil filter/oil, checked and lubed all of the control cables, adjusted the drive belt, checked the brakes, and changed the tires. I was mostly there in his garage in a limited advisory capacity. The guy did all of the wrench-turning. His Pop helped when he wasn't at work. The guy in question is wanting to build a chopper out of that Bolt. That will be during Winter 2024. He's saving up money for the project. I've located some shops which can handle the mods on the Bolt's stock gas tank. Likewise, for a paint shop. As always, Time and money will be the primary factors. Grease, you dispense a lot of truth and common sense. Thanks for your video series. Stay safe and well. Likewise, for your loved ones. -- W - Life is for learning. ✡✝
Thank you for this message brotha. It’s so great to hear these stories of more experienced folks taking the time to help the new people getting into the game. The world needs more mentors like you 🙏🏼
@@greasesgarage Thanks a million! I've been around choppers since before "Easy Rider" hit the big screen. Back then, I corresponded (letters and phone calls) a few times to none other than Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, Chris Bunch and Don Pfiel (of Choppers magazine) as well as a few other West coast chopper builders. Early-on, I made a lot of mistakes, which I learned quickly from. Those were the days when H-D shops wouldn't touch a chopper. We also had to fabricate our own parts - no online shopping then. The nearest chopper shop from me was fifty miles (one way). I'm glad that I can impart any bits of information in regard to choppers or even mild customs. Stay safe. Stay righteous! - In Christ, Walt
I have a 1974 CB360 in a Amen Savior. its my first running bike, and I bought it from my brother since its been in the family for a while. (not quite rideable yet, got a lot of shit to pay for so I have to hold off on it for now. Even though they were for Harleys, your wiring guides helped tremendously on the worst part of my project. I fucking despise wiring of all kinds lol. I appreciate the the information and help you put out, its a great service to the community and I definitely look up to you
Thank you for this message 🙏🏼 I’m just like you when it comes to wiring. That’s why I made the simplest possible solution and called it a day haha. I’m realizing a lot of us chopper guys feel this way about wiring
@@greasesgarage I first was interested in cars before bikes so I work on my own and my families vehicles, and I despise working on my households newer cars with all the sensors and relays etc. when I went to wire my bike I found a few simplified wiring harness diagrams so I knew how to run the ignition being a Honda, and your videos helped with all the rest
has anyone done a video on getting the drain plug out of S&S cases great video no fluff always take away something from them thanks
Which plug?
There's one on the bottom of cases I'm assuming to drain all oil out of crank case
Well same here nobody I knew had a bike but I started with a mini bike
104, thanks bud
🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
I didnt put the dots together that you were on that podcast with loctite. funny thinking back about that. was there some guy shop rag? grease, loctite and shop towel or something like that.
Yup, 5 years on the show but it feels like just one, crazy how time flies. No shop towel guy tho haha
I have a channel too I like watching your channel you're very first professional I can't even edit.. how do you start talking and talking..lol
It takes a little getting used to and I always sketch out bullet points of what I want to cover. Very few people can sit down in front of a camera without a plan and knock out a good concise video, I definitely need the outline
@@greasesgarage you do very well .👍👍
Yeah it's been a long time since I read some shop touch my back .. they called me and said it was fixed.. ask them what they did they said well we fixed it.. I said yeah how much is a 90 bucks.. then I asked him what they did they just said they fixed it they didn't fix anything they screwed up the ignition... Women on I did it myself that was 40 years ago
Guys or gals come over and they want to change their oil.. they asked me if I can change your oil they asked me if I can change shocks etcetera etcetera I said yeah let's do it together.. that way you can do it at home next time.. poor bring it over here is fine but you'll learn and then you can move on
Show me a choppers just a stripped down motorcycle made the way someone wants to make it in their own mind.. I've been there and I've done that.. no I like vintage motorcycles shovelhead. If I could afford it I have a panhead.. but I've got to shovel head into evos.. you're made the way I want to they're not choppers but they're made what I want to.. I think what works for me color-wise and everything
Yeah there was always been divisions between motorcycle clubs basic simple writers copper writers and everything but it's still two wheels to me.. I mean there was a time when oh my gosh no a girl can't ride she should ride behind you today girls certainly can ride they can ride back then but they were put down for it... And then there's the Harley against rice riders..
Then there's the whole attitude and that's a toy no to me that is my transportation that's not a toy.. I got an old car but that's only for winter time..
Sorry if everyone already knows, but what's the screeching noise when you push your clutch in?
Dry clutch, it’s the sound of the plates chattering together. Normally you don’t hear this because they’re sitting in oil
@@greasesgarage thanks!
Too many younger people today just have no clue there's no auto mechanics anymore in HS .. at least around here.. too many young guys and girls just are interested in there phone
No doubt, hard to get them interested in anything that’s not online nowadays. But this is part of why we need to show this culture in this way, to give people an entry ramp
Your number will increase shortly. Hard tail getting stitched on this fall🤗
Yes! That’s awesome 👏🏼
😎👍😎
✌️👍👍👍👍🏍️
If you put this on 1.25x speed it gets better
I will say at least get on two wheels and then wherever you want to go from there..
Bad luck to put your helmet on the ground d
@@HangtownTactical I haven’t heard that one yet
Name the shit shop