AfterBurner Chopper - Section 2

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With the new seat support welded to the frame (Photo 9), it would be easy to just bolt the rowing machine seat back onto the bike. Another solution that would work involves cutting the original seat stays from the chopper frame, move them backwards and then weld a small tube from the top of the seat tube back to them. We wanted this chop done that same afternoon, so this method worked just fine.

Because the seat was an after thought from our inability to scrounge a banana seat, the frame was already painted when I did the welding. Oh well, paint is cheap.

Photo 9 - The seat support made from chain stays

This baby's got back! The mega seat is bolted in place (Photo 10), and it almost dwarfs the rest of the bike. Because of the massive overhang on the seat, the rider only needs to sit near the back to pull some great wheelies.

Photo 10 - Room for the whole family on this chop.

The completed AfterBurner chopper (Photo 11). We added the 16-inch front wheel, some ape hangers, and a nice chrome rear fender - borrowed permanently from a granny bike. Because of the frame inversion, the pedals are at the perfect height from the ground, even with this tiny front wheel. If the inversion was not done, the bike would probably be resting on the front chain ring.

Photo 11 - Painted and ready for test crashing

Both derailleurs were tossed, and a simple direct drive from the large front chain ring to the middle rear cluster was chosen. This low gear ratio allows for quick acceleration, and good wheelies, not much top speed though. Notice the frosted look at the fork tips and rear end. I had some dark red paint left over (Photo 12).

Photo 12 - Rear shot.

Considering the short time it took to build AfterBurner, it turned out pretty good (Photo 13). Not too bad for a few welds and a $20 seat!

Photo 13 - Nathan with AfterBurner

Nathan bombs down the laneway, putting AfterBurner through a barrage of test rides (Photo 14). The bike rode much like a standard bicycle, mainly due to the fact that the head tube angle and over frame size were not much different than a normal bicycle. The ultra wide seat made the ride quite comfortable as well. Not too bad, considering that the entire building process took one day!

Photo 14 - First test ride - no fatalities.

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