Custom Chrome bike kits?
 

Has anyone ever worked/been around one of the Custom Chrome bikes? I have a friend interested in one of their bike kits and just trying to get some feedback for him.

Of course I'm trying to discourage him so we can build our own custom bike, but he wants something a little easier than that. Thanks.

I'm also interested in one of the CC kits, particularly the Goliath softtail. Has anyone built one or seen one?


Mongo, did your friend ever buy a CC kit?

No, he bought a stock HD instead. When Phat Boy and I were out in Milwaukee, CC had the entire line of kits set up and there for show. The Goliath was pretty sweet, and pretty reasonable. I'd be interested to see how the build went if anybody has any experience with them.

I actually live in Milwaukee and I started getting interested in custom bikes after seeing all of those 2 wheeled works of art all over town during the Harley anniversary. When I saw kit bikes for sale I became more interested because it seems like it would be a fun project and I otherwise wouldn't know where to start.

I like the fat rear tire look and something not too chopped out. That's why I am considering the Goliath. I don't know anything about aftermarket parts like which ones are quality and which ones to stay away from. Therefore any help here I would gladly take.

Is the Santee 1 1/8 inch frame and Revtech drivetrain that is in the Goliath kit a good combination?

Mongo, let us know if you know anyone that ever builds a CC bike. I am interested in doing that myself. I have a friend who is going to be in Michigan in January to take a metal forming class so he and his brother can start building custom bikes, is it me or are bikes the thing to do right now?

revtech engines
 

I am hearing bad things about parts interchangability on the revtechs anyone got more experience ?

Weve worked on alot of revtechs and I think they suck. I wouldn't own one if you gave it to me. If your going to go after market S&S is a good choice. They been around and they run. Might have leaky head gasket or rocker box here or there but its better than some of the shit that weve had to do to Revtech junk. If you look youll see that they are the cheapest motor out there thats why there with these kits, Cheaper is not better you will make it up in repairs. My bud runs a TP and its a great motor but it run hot that is what I dont like about TP. I would not buy a kit bike personally. I would look around on e-bay and other sources and build what fits me not cheap parts that someone else came up with. Soon youll be rid'n on your kit bike and another one just like it will pull up next to you and not only will you look alike but youll both be stuck at the light cause the junk rectech dies on ya. Thats what i think but if people listened to me I'd be out of a job.

I agree, seen lot's of folks cuss the Revtech's. A co-worker of mine & his teenage son are in the process of looking at kit bikes to build, I have tried & tried to convince him to go with an S&S motor. But, it's his money, and his problems if he tries to go the "cheap" route.....ya get what ya pay for !!!!. Personally I would look around for a newly rebuilt Evo, get a good rolling chassis and build my own bike & do it right. It might take longer, but I would know it was done right.

FBR :cool:

Fatser and Fatboyrider,

Thanks for your opinions. I don't know anything about which aftermarket parts are high quality and which ones to avoid. That's why I am interested in hearing opinions from anyone with experience.

I was hoping to buy a kit bike so I don't have to do all the research into what parts are compatible. I just wanted to jump right into the project. But I don't want to pay 12 to 20 thousand dollars for junk. Maybe I should just buy a stock HD.

If anyone has had a good experience with a kit bike, let me know.

DMG

DMG, if you really want my honest opinion, I wouldn't buy a kit bike. I would buy a Harley, for these reasons....dependability, parts availability, and resale value. Just my opinion, but I do believe there are some quality built customs, and kit bikes out there. But in the long run will they be dependable ???, can you get parts for them ???...and what if you decide to sell it ??? Will anyone be willing to give you anywhere near what you have invested in it ??? I would think about those things before you decide.
If I did build my own I would at least go with an S&S motor, and a Baker 6 speed tranny....both high quality, durable, with proven performance.

FBR :cool:

I would buy a mid 90's evo model that you like the best and make it yours. They are cheaper and you can find one with low miles from some yuppie that puts 500 miles a year or less on it. I bought a 94 sporty for 3 grand 2 years ago had 2000 miles on it. I beefed up the motor change the sheet metal put a 240 on it and its mine and I can say theres not a bike like it I've seen yet. My buddie built a chopper with rollin thunder frame and TP motor 230 rear and chrome illu paint, spent 30 grand 2,500 a year on insurance and people still flock to the sporty. Everyone seen a chopper.

I am currently building a goliath st. In my opinion the custom chrome boxed parts are not the best of quality. Cheap fasteners and hardware. Definately not OEM quality. I have had and am still having problems with rear wheel spacing and the brake assembly will not fit and custom chrome is out of sugestions. It took about five phone calls to get to speak to a tech and that was less help than my girlfriend. They say to let the selling dealer (shop) deal with it but they are building the same kit and have all the same problems that I am having. Legend air susp. will not fit without frame surgery. Tripple trees, oil tank have defects requiring return. Anyone feel free to call me at my shop with questions or answers 503-885-8852 Jeff at Marsh Transmission in Portland Oregon.

Jeff, thanks for the info - good to have a personal account of one of these bike kits. They make them look so appealing with the shows and price.

Again, thanks.

Jeff,

Thanks for the update. I was contemplating building a Goliath beginning in Jan 04 but now I am rethinking my plans. The words "frame surgury" scares me. Thats not what I had in mind for a project.

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out. I hope you get some helpful responses.

DMG

No shit....the whole concept of the the kit bikes is that they come with decent parts and it's fairly simple to put together. In my opinion, Custom Chrome is one of the major players in the market for bike kits and to hear this stuff makes me wonder.

I guess the more I think about this, the more pissed I get.

Hey...anybody wanna buy a computer kit for $799....I'll supply all the parts, give you half ass instructions and set you wild. How many other things could people get away with doing this for? Not many.