Body Adorned "Tattoo Chopper" - Trade your Harley Chopper Parts & expertise for Tattoos!

OK, I’ve finally decided to do it- I’m going to build a chopper. Over the next year or so I’m going to be putting together a rigid chopper from the ground up.  The theme?  A tribute to traditional ‘Americana’ style tattooing and possibly a dedication to Sailor Jerry- for all that he did to make tattooing the art form it is today!

But with little experience with street bikes, I’m ‘in’ WAY over my head!  So, I thought that I’d make an appeal to you for help- and, at this point, I’ll take whatever help I can get! 

 I’m offering to trade my tattoo work for help with this project!  So, if you have something (ANYTHING!) to offer, call me (512-474-8282) or email me and let me know!  If you’re somehow involved in the sale or fabrication of choppers or Harley Davidsons, or even just a shade tree mechanic or enthusiast, with some extra parts laying around your garage and you like tattoos- I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

As it stands now, the plan is to build a frame jig and frame with the help of the welding & motorcycle departments at Austin Community College where I’ll be taking classes to get a working knowledge of welding and motorcycle engines.  However, if we were to locate a useable (rigid preferably) frame that we could stretch and rake and tweak to accept a large (240-280) rear tire we might do that.  At the moment I’m looking for 3 major components that I need before building the frame: Engine, Transmission (RSD) and Rear Wheel.

If you’re in a position to outright trade a part (that I need) for tattoo work I’ll be happy to work out some kind of arrangement that works for us both!  Even if you can help me arrange financing for the engine, transmission or other parts I’d like to talk with you; or if you have a friend that might be in a position to help me or trade tattoo(s) for motorcycle parts.  There are SO many things that I’m going to need help with, if you have ANYTHING to offer I’d love to talk with you about a trade- even if it’s just for a discount on something.  I’m not trying to build a bike for free- I just want to put together the best bike I can for as little as I can; and the barter system will allow me to build a lot better bike than I could with only cash!

Another way that I’m hoping to finance this build is by painting sheet metal.  Over the past 10 years I’ve had a lot of requests to paint tanks, fenders and even automobiles; but I’ve always turned it down in the past because I just wasn’t very interested in painting vehicles.  Now, with my rekindled interest in bikes, I’ve decided to go ahead and apply my airbrushing and painting skills to motorcycles. It’ll still be a few more months before I’ll be comfortable enough with automotive paints to take on any custom paint jobs other than my own practice tanks; but when I’m certain enough of my own abilities, I’ll post a notice on here that I’m offering my skills to people wanting custom motorcycle paint jobs.  I’ll make sure to post some pictures of the work I’ve done too, LOL!  So, if you’ve been thinking about getting your Harley, chopper or other bike painted, and you’re not in too much of a hurry, you might want to check with me to see where I’m at with my painting.  I can tell you this- I’ll probably be one of the most affordable custom painters around! 

In the meanwhile, if YOU have any experience with automotive painting and would like to share your skills with me, to help this project along, please contact me!

Over the next month or so, when I finish the drawings, I’ll post some of my design ideas for the chopper I’m trying to build.  And as the project progresses I’ll post updates and pictures so you can follow along.  I’ll even create a section of the Body Adorned Forums where you can post your comments and suggestions- if you care to.

Over the last couple of years shows like “American Chopper,” “The Great Biker Build-Off” and “Overhaulin’” have kindled, and re-kindled, an interest in motorcycles (especially Harleys and choppers) in many of us; and I’m NO exception- I’m a victim!  But since motorcycles and tattoos have such a kindred past, and because people who like one tend to like the other, I don’t think my interest is too surprising.  Yes, I know it’s a lot to bite off.  But that’s the same thing I heard before I started my construction company- the same one that ended up financing my career change to tattooing- and it’s the same thing I heard before I started tattooing.  I’ve always jumped into my interests with both feet, both arms, my torso and ¾ of my head!  And somehow I’ve managed to succeed each time!  The one thing my past successes have taught me is that success depends on involving knowledgeable people!

As a tattoo artist, if I can’t put together a team of people to help me pull of building a really great chopper, who can?  And what a great way to help people get tattoos that they might not otherwise be able to afford!  I mean, most people have to struggle to get the money to get tattooed; and now I’m offering people a chance to clear out some of their extra Harley Davidson and chopper parts that are lying around and turn them into great tattoos!  Heck, even if you have a friend that works at a dealership and you can help me, through them, to get financing for some of the parts (i.e. engine) I’ll trade you a BUNCH of tattoo work!  What could be a better deal than that!

While I’m not absolutely SET on what parts I will use, because costs and finances will make the ultimate decisions, here’s a list of some of the parts I’d LIKE to put on the bike.  Hopefully, this will give you an idea of where I’d like to go and what I’m looking for.  But if you have something to offer that’s even a reasonable alternative, please let me know!

Engine
S&S 124 Super Sidewinder Plus
 OR
Powerhouse 114ci 

Transmission
Baker 5 or 6 speed Right Side Drive

Rear Wheel
18” X 8.5”  Billet Wheel or POSSIBLY Hallcraft 200 Spoke Wheel

Front Wheel
21” X 2.15” Hallcraft 100 Spoke Wheel

Paint Job
Something truly original- the wildest thing my brain can think of, but with the class "Our Captain" (Sailor Jerry) deserves!  You'll see!

This bike, when it comes to life, will be as much a tribute to the clients of Body Adorned as it is to its chosen theme.  I think that the clients that we’ve been blessed with over the past 2 years are without compare!  After 9 years in this business I can safely say that we have the nicest, most artistic-minded, loyal and supportive clientele of any studio I’ve ever been associated with.  I wouldn’t even bother posting, much less even undertaking a project like this, if it weren’t for our supportive clientele- YOU are the ones that will make this project possible!  I can’t thank YOU enough for making Body Adorned such a success!  Hopefully, though, I can create a bike worthy of your support; I hope you’ll keep checking the website to see how the progress is coming!

--  Nick Anderson
Owner