Billy Lane's How to Build Old School Choppers, Bobbers and Customs (Motorbooks Workshop) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: solar flux, planishing hammer, transmission plate, Builder's Kit, Indian Larry, Arlen Ness (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

American Iron, May 2006 (circ.: 134,000)

“Don’t expect to get a step-by-step process of how to build a bike from scratch. That’s not what this book is about, which is exactly why it’s such a great read. [It’s] more of a ‘How I build’ versus a ‘How-to build’ book, and one that offers valuable tips and insight to the aspiring shop rat. In other words, it’s a must-have.”

Product Description

Billy Lane is the fastest-rising star among the high-profile custom chopper builders, and in this book he offers many of his secrets for building a chopper that will stand out in a crowd. This is the ultimate resource for any chopper builder—a book designed as a step-by-step guide to building any type of custom motorcycle.

This book also covers custom-building beyond the chopper genre, including the building of "bobbers," an old-school style of custom that has been revived as a hot trend. Predating choppers, they are on the cutting edge of current biker "cool," for real riding, and are much safer and more functional than choppers.

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Product Details Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (February 4, 2006) Language: English ISBN-10: 076032168X ISBN-13: 978-0760321683 Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,146 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #17 in  Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Motorcycles > Repair & Performance #98 in  Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Repair

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More About the Author

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
solar flux, planishing hammer, transmission plate, plasma cutter, sissy bar, steering head, cutting disc, drive sprocket, angle grinder, filler neck, seat pan

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Builder's Kit, Indian Larry, Arlen Ness

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	63% buy the item featured on this page: Billy Lane's How to Build Old School Choppers, Bobbers and Customs (Motorbooks Workshop) 4.1 out of 5 stars (17) $17.13
	18% buy How to Build a Bobber on a Budget (Motorbooks Workshop) 3.7 out of 5 stars (3) $17.13
	8% buy How to Build a Cheap Chopper 4.0 out of 5 stars (8) $18.45
	7% buy Advanced Custom Motorcycle Assembly & Fabrication Manual 4.0 out of 5 stars (1) $16.47

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Customer Reviews

17 Reviews 5 star:  (10) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:  (3) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 4.1 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 6 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Way above average, January 9, 2007 By  Doh (Pickering, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews This is not a complete book on how to build a bike. That's a vast field including quite a few full careers, such as mechanic, fabricator, welder, machinists etc... Maybe some day, someone will actually write it down. In this format all I really want is some fresh information direct from Lane, not ghost written or republished materials as in the Monster Garage welding book (at least they chose a good book). On that score I think this is a very solid addition. Lane does go into technical information; what years of what motor he prefers to use, how to align these old motor and drive train systems. What modern components are best, for instance brakes. How to wire. None of these are exhaustive, but they are what he does. For instance, he does not cover trail and rake calculations. He just comes out and tells you what his favorite front end on a chopper or bobber is. That's the inside info that defines a maker's look, and if a person followed that info they would not need to understand the universe of trail and rake, info that is on the internet anyway. One of the things that impressed me is that, apparent beer ads for corona in the text aside, Lane seems pretty serious about the quality of the bikes he builds. A lot of his build-off stuff seems to break or catch on fire, and I have never been all that impressed with his signature tanks. However he shows a few hard core details here that as competent pieces of engineering, and very stout construction, are excellent. The book is full of details that never really get covered in the other stuff out there. I was just left feeling I could use a couple of other books in a series. Books of this format, on everything from painting flames to cheap choppers, are one step up from a magazine. At their best, they cover a lot of ground. This one isn't perfect, but it covers a lot more stuff than several seasons of BBO, OCC, BOB, the horse etc... Those all seem to edit out anything more complicated than bolting an engine or tranny to a frame. I wish more builders would get into the nitty gritty like this. This is not a "How to build a Ford hot rod", by Mike Bishop, but it's about as good as it gets normally. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars WAY too complicated, April 10, 2007 By  P. Lattavo (Canton Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    There is way too much in the way of welding skills and sheet metal fabrication. Certainly not a "How To" book but more of a "How I do it" book. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Billy Lane's Book Rocks, March 21, 2006 By  Christopher Gardner "NDNBOY" (Tallahassee, Fl) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This book was very informative on how Billy does his art of chopping. And was helpful in knowing how he does it and why. Also great listing of tools that are needed to pull this stuff off. I can't wait to buy his other book "Chop Ficition".Billy's book has definitely given me the drive to start chopping my own bikes. This book is a must for any bike builder pro or novice... Thanks Billy!!!		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 3.0 out of 5 stars It's a decent book, depending on what you are looking for... Don't worry that I've only given it 3 stars, that's okay in my book. None of the other books would earn anything better. Read more Published 9 months ago by Abdul Nabi 4.0 out of 5 stars building a bobber This book has been very helpful. Illustrations were good and fabrication tips were useful. Well written and easy to follow procedures; good blueprint for the project. Published 10 months ago by Joseph E. Morgan 5.0 out of 5 stars Good book I thought this was a pretty thorough book all things considered. Billy does a nice job covering some of the important tools you should have in your shop as well as the different... Read more Published 19 months ago by B. Sams 4.0 out of 5 stars Not technical, but makes a nice bathroom companion You can judge this book by its cover. It's basically a glorified magazine with lots of color pictures of Billy building the Bobzilla bike. Read more Published 23 months ago by R. W. Sale 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent feqture book. Lots of pictures and easy to understand. Complete detail from end to end. It is however a little for the more skilled reader and builder. I enjoyed and learned form it. Published on May 17, 2007 by John C. Bright 3.0 out of 5 stars Billy Bob This is not a "how to build a chopper" book. It is a "how Billy L builds this or that, and sometimes 'why'". Read more Published on March 21, 2007 by David S. Reed 1.0 out of 5 stars Give me a break Unbelievable. If you're some girly boy or have a crush on "Billy" I'm guessing you'll be impressed. If you make your living with tools you'll have wasted your money. Published on March 1, 2007 by RideThereNow 5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It I thought there was good info and tips in this book. There are lots of good, clear pictures. I recommend it! Published on January 10, 2007 by Georgia Peach 3.0 out of 5 stars Bellow expectations That's the beauty of online shopping, must of the time you don't see it before you buy it. The book is nice, but that's all. Read more Published on December 26, 2006 by Jason F. Vieira 5.0 out of 5 stars wicked Look this is not going to show you how to build a bike but it will give you some tips, some advice and imo some more inspiration. Read more Published on June 21, 2006 by Ranald Maclurkin Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (February 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076032168X
• ISBN-13: 978-0760321683
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,146 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #17 in	Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Motorcycles > Repair & Performance
  #98 in	Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Repair

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Way above average, January 9, 2007

By	Doh (Pickering, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This is not a complete book on how to build a bike. That's a vast field including quite a few full careers, such as mechanic, fabricator, welder, machinists etc... Maybe some day, someone will actually write it down.

In this format all I really want is some fresh information direct from Lane, not ghost written or republished materials as in the Monster Garage welding book (at least they chose a good book). On that score I think this is a very solid addition. Lane does go into technical information; what years of what motor he prefers to use, how to align these old motor and drive train systems. What modern components are best, for instance brakes. How to wire. None of these are exhaustive, but they are what he does. For instance, he does not cover trail and rake calculations. He just comes out and tells you what his favorite front end on a chopper or bobber is. That's the inside info that defines a maker's look, and if a person followed that info they would not need to understand the universe of trail and rake, info that is on the internet anyway.

One of the things that impressed me is that, apparent beer ads for corona in the text aside, Lane seems pretty serious about the quality of the bikes he builds. A lot of his build-off stuff seems to break or catch on fire, and I have never been all that impressed with his signature tanks. However he shows a few hard core details here that as competent pieces of engineering, and very stout construction, are excellent. The book is full of details that never really get covered in the other stuff out there. I was just left feeling I could use a couple of other books in a series.

Books of this format, on everything from painting flames to cheap choppers, are one step up from a magazine. At their best, they cover a lot of ground. This one isn't perfect, but it covers a lot more stuff than several seasons of BBO, OCC, BOB, the horse etc... Those all seem to edit out anything more complicated than bolting an engine or tranny to a frame. I wish more builders would get into the nitty gritty like this. This is not a "How to build a Ford hot rod", by Mike Bishop, but it's about as good as it gets normally.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars WAY too complicated, April 10, 2007

By	P. Lattavo (Canton Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There is way too much in the way of welding skills and sheet metal fabrication. Certainly not a "How To" book but more of a "How I do it" book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Billy Lane's Book Rocks, March 21, 2006

By	Christopher Gardner "NDNBOY" (Tallahassee, Fl) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was very informative on how Billy does his art of chopping. And was helpful in knowing how he does it and why. Also great listing of tools that are needed to pull this stuff off. I can't wait to buy his other book "Chop Ficition".Billy's book has definitely given me the drive to start chopping my own bikes. This book is a must for any bike builder pro or novice...
Thanks Billy!!!