so I've been watching American Chopper...

[gorcorps]

It's on Netflix instant so I watch it a lot. The one thing I notice them having a problem with all the time is that they build a bike fully, then disassemble it to have it painted and such. Well more often than not, if a part is power-coated and not painted then it won't fit right because the powder makes the part thicker. How many fucking times does this have to happen before they start making the parts properly to compensate for the powder coat? For being professionals they sure make a lot of stupid mistakes.

 

[Wyndru]

If they didn't have these little issues each episode to freak out about, the show would be too boring.

 

[Numenorean]

It's on Netflix instant so I watch it a lot. The one thing I notice them having a problem with all the time is that they build a bike fully, then disassemble it to have it painted and such. Well more often than not, if a part is power-coated and not painted then it won't fit right because the powder makes the part thicker. How many fucking times does this have to happen before they start making the parts properly to compensate for the powder coat? For being professionals they sure make a lot of stupid mistakes.

I've seen a lot of the shows, but I can't recall more than a time or two where that has actually been an issue. Don't know what you're watching.

 

[Mike Gayner]

I've seen a lot of the shows, but I can't recall more than a time or two where that has actually been an issue. Don't know what you're watching.

This. Mind you I stopped watching this show because it became less about bikes and more about the family playing volleyball or going windsurfing.

 

[911paramedic]

The tolerances aren't the problem, keeping the finish off of them is.

 

[gorcorps]

I've seen a lot of the shows, but I can't recall more than a time or two where that has actually been an issue. Don't know what you're watching.

When you watch them all in a row, 3-4 episodes at a time... you notice things. Sometimes they don't impede progress all that much (just takes some extra force) but sometimes they make a big deal out of it. They don't always powder coat, so it's not always going to be a part of the show, but when they do they usually have some issue.

 

[swerus]

The tolerances aren't the problem, keeping the finish off of them is.

This. The powder coater isn't supposed to even finish those areas that give them the most problems. I have seen them retap at least 20 times because of powder coat in threads.

 

[LordMorpheus]

A finish (galvanizing, powdercoating, whatever) usually gums up holes and threads in parts - after the finish re-drilling and tapping is just part of the procedure. It's hard to know for sure how much material is going to be added so I think the usual procedure is don't compensate for it, just re-drill or grind once the finish is on.

 

[gorcorps]

A finish (galvanizing, powdercoating, whatever) usually gums up holes and threads in parts - after the finish re-drilling and tapping is just part of the procedure. It's hard to know for sure how much material is going to be added so I think the usual procedure is don't compensate for it, just re-drill or grind once the finish is on.

Fair enough, that makes sense

Then if they know that's how it's going to be, why do they whine and bitch so much every time they see it like it's a huge problem?

 

[zerocool84]

Fair enough, that makes sense

Then if they know that's how it's going to be, why do they whine and bitch so much every time they see it like it's a huge problem?

Because it's a reality show and all reality shows cater towards women and they need to have people whine

 

[gorcorps]

I guess it's a little silly to expect a motorcycle show to stay focused on the bikes and mechanics huh? These shows always go downhill after they popular...

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

I don't know if it's true or not, but someone told me that the bikes they produce are actually of fairly poor quality. It's more about pushing out a flashy-looking product quickly than something that will last a long time and many miles.

 

[Ronstang]

A finish (galvanizing, powdercoating, whatever) usually gums up holes and threads in parts - after the finish re-drilling and tapping is just part of the procedure. It's hard to know for sure how much material is going to be added so I think the usual procedure is don't compensate for it, just re-drill or grind once the finish is on.

You can drill out holes but you are going to break taps. I have had tons of stuff powder coated for restorations and such and you always put cheap screws/bolt in the threaded holes to keep the threads clear. After a few powder coating jobs I knew just how much material was added plus or minus and then was able to compensate rather easily when it involved custom parts..

 

[Bl0cks]

Yeah when we get our race car's chromoly tube chassis powder coated, we always put bolts in the suspension points and plug all the bearing clevises. Saves a lot of time with the dremel and sand paper.

 

[Greenman]

I don't know if it's true or not, but someone told me that the bikes they produce are actually of fairly poor quality. It's more about pushing out a flashy-looking product quickly than something that will last a long time and many miles.

The bikes they build on camera aren't really intended to be ridden. You trailer them to where you want to go, stop a few blocks away and ride in. I've heard that their regular builds for Joe on the street aren't very well made as well.
The simple reality is that most custom choppers are miserable things to ride. Rigid frames are common, exposed secondary drives (read that as leg removers) are very popular, a turning radius that would embarrass an aircraft carrier is the norm. They look cool though.