I haven't chopped a bike yet, so I thought I would plan out my first one well, and virtually chop it, before I actually chop it. Thanks to the power of modern technology, I could see what it might actually look like. For starters, here is my old bike:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1077/1441337932_590e9e8793_o.jpg
This is my first bike, what made me fall in love with rolling. I had some good times on this thing but quickly outgrew it. But it doesn't mean I have to stop riding it! I am going to attempt to chop this with my sister's old bike:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1257/1440477283_49656dc8d3_o.jpg
This is my sister's old bike, from around the same time. Together with my old bike they will form a new creation so evil it will be feared by the masses.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1357/1441338736_7f3391eb00_o.jpg
Thanks to the power of photoshop, I can pre-chop before I chop. All of the parts are from those two bikes, except I cheated and turned the seat into a banana seat (I will track one down). The fork will be the top and bottom tube from my sister's bike. I left it in this hideous color combo for this shot to show where the parts are coming from. The Final Stage:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1119/1441338560_aac625db7d_o.jpg
Here it is, in all it's (virtual) glory. I want to paint it a stealthy black, for night raids. The ship head and tail will have to be engineered, but I am sure I could make those easily enough. The only question is, will it hold? Hopefully with my dad's welding expertise, we can make it happen. Anyone have any thoughts on whether this ship will float?

A Viking's skill as a warrior isn't the problem here. His skill as a designer is. Play with Photoshop some more before you cut up any frames. Good luck


Tim

I like the compound curve of the fork. Would look wicked with some Nordic runes painted down the fork. Do you own a Viking helmet?

A Viking's skill as a warrior isn't the problem here. His skill as a designer is. Play with Photoshop some more before you cut up any frames. Good luck


Tim

so you think it won't work? Or just that it is ugly? I can take the criticism if it's ugly, but let me know if you know how to make it work. This is my first chop, and I need all the input I can get. Thanks!
*Joey

I like the compound curve of the fork. Would look wicked with some Nordic runes painted down the fork. Do you own a Viking helmet?

of course I own a viking helmet, look at my avatar :)

I love it. You might consider allowing the seat tube of your sister's bike to pass down between the seat stay of your bike and weld it to a brace between the chain stays of your bike. I like lots of redundancy when possible. That will also let you adjust the seat height a little more.

would it bottom out though?

It looks like the pedals will hit the road.

It looks like the pedals will hit the road.

Good point, you'll want to be sure they don't when you do the mock up.

Good point, you'll want to be sure they don't when you do the mock up.

You're right. I think I have a few more inches of tube in the fork that is currently hidden, I could raise it all up a little bit. You think that would help?