Carnage Chopper - Section 4

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Once the first light dusting coat of primer is dry, you can fully coat the frame with primer (Photo 33). Again, shake the can often, and only make short back and forth stokes with the can held at least 10 inches from the frame. This will take a while and may use more than one can of primer, but will result in a run-free well coated finish. To get to this stage, I used the entire can of primer. Be sure to get the entire frame from all angles - lay on the ground if you have to.

This coat of primer should set for about an hour. How does your lawn look now?

Photo 33 - Primer - stage two.

Once your primer has dried, and if the neighbors have not called the cops on you for stinking up the neighborhood, you can now start painting the frame. The first coat of paint should be done like the first coat of primer, just a light brushing of paint, not worrying about all the blotches or missing spots (Photo 34). The idea is to just dust the frame so the next coat will take.

Let this first paint coat sit for about half an hour or so. If the sun is out, it will dry even faster. If it rains, you're screwed!

Photo 34 -Painting - stage one.

Now you can fully paint the frame, using the same side to side strokes with the can held away from the frame. Shake the can often, and do not spray the same area over and over. Keep moving around the bike, dusting the frame until the actual color starts to become uniform and solid (Photo 35). You will probably need 1 full can of spray for a frame this size. If you take your time, moving around the frame at all times, the final paint will be a smooth, run free coat.

Although the paint will not be nearly as scratch resistant as a professionally done powder coat, it should look just as good.

Photo 35 - Painting - stage two.

The painted and assembled bike is sleek looking unique chopper / muscle car fusion. (Photo 36). A huge light was added to the top of the forks, and the frame was painted black at the tips of the forks, dropouts and head tube. The suicide brake lever was connected to a side pull brake, hidden under the rear of the frame, and it does indeed work.

Photo 36 - Carnage - completed and ready to ride.

The steering wheel and upright brake lever give the chopper a surreal look (Photo 37). I think it all came together nicely. It's hard to tell this frame is nothing more than a slightly modified suspension mountain bike!

Photo 37 - The cockpit.

The bike is long, and low (Photo 38). The overall seating position ended up being very comfortable, and could accommodate riders of varying heights easily. For more adjustability, the bottom bracket could be made to slide forward for riders with much longer legs.

Photo 38 - Long and low.

Photo 39 shows the rear details of the bike - seat, fender, and brake.

Photo 39 - Rear details.

The frame is purple and black with white stickers on each side (Photo 40). I'm not sure what the huge dual colored light is from (possibly a railway crossing?), but it looks cool on the bike anyhow.

Photo 40 - Frame detailing stickers.

Nothing odd about riding Carnage - in fact, the steering wheel feels just like a handlebar (Photo 41). The crazy brake lever on the other hand, is definitely an acquired taste - install at own risk!

Photo 41 - The steering wheel feels just like a handlebar.

Well, there you have it, another unwanted bicycle rescued from the scrap heap and churned into a unique and rebellious ride! With only a few welds, and a handful of steel, Carnage (Photo 42) was born. What will your imagination bring to life?

Photo 42 - Lookin' down the barrel of cool.

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