DIY recumbents, choppers, trikes, quadcycles, velomobiles, tandems, trailers, electric bikes, scooters, and the great outdoors. We have thousands of photos in our Builders Gallery, videos, and a great community of bike hackers and builders in the Atomic Zombie forum. Join our helpful bike building community & add pics of your bikes.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
OverKill bike chopper
OverKill is appropriately named because everything about it is way over the top. With its ridiculously wide rear wheel, and ultra long forks, what else could it be called other than OverKill? Does a chopper really need a dragster tire on its rear end, or such a high frame? Not really, but does a roadster really need a Hemi? You know where I'm going with this. Actually, the main reason I built OverKill to such outlandish proportions was to retaliate against the mass marketing of big box store choppers.
Even though this sick chop has proportions that rival some of the petrol-burning street customs, it certainly won't bust your wallet or require you to spend the next year in a machine shop. The fact is, OverKill is built from nothing more than an old car rim, some scrap bicycle parts, and a few lengths of electrical conduit using only a welder and grinder. Yes, anyone can pull this one off using the tricks shown in the plan.. Every step of the build is detailed using high resolution photos, and you will be amazed at how simple it is to add bicycle spokes to the car wheel, and there is plenty of room for you to add your own evil modifications to the frame. How does it ride? Dude, look at this beast, it was made for cruising!
As you can see, OverKill not only rides well, but it dominates the road with its radical proportions and kicks dirt in the face of conformity. Choppers belong to us garage hackers, so let's take back what is rightfully ours and send a message to those who think mass production is the way to go. Get building!
All of Atomic Zombie Extreme Machines plans are downloadable PDF format. Multiple discounts, free tutorials, videos, gallery, newsletters, blog and more
All of Atomic Zombie Extreme Machines plans are downloadable PDF format. Multiple discounts, free tutorials, videos, gallery, newsletters, blog and more.All of our plans are delivered as PDF files containing high resolution images and diagrams for optimal viewing and printing.
Steering flop examples - Atomic Zombie builders forum
"I thought we could talk about steering flop. I get asked all of the time... What formula do you use on your bicycles to get rid of steering flop? Since I switched to building bicycles it's embarrassing to say I don't have the exact science. I've tried the science and it seems to get real close... but no"sweet spot". At least for me."
Read more and join the discussion: Steering flop examples
Read more and join the discussion: Steering flop examples
John's sleek Warrior tadpole trike - Atomic Zombie builders gallery
The Warrior Racing Trike takes performance and looks to all new heights. With triple disc brakes, under seat steering, and a general racing attitude, the Warrior would easily pass for an expensive production import. Built using inexpensive bicycle components and steel tubing, the Warrior weighs in at only 43 pounds, and has perfect handling and braking characteristics. There is not one single machined part on the entire trike, and everything can be built using only a basic welder, hand drill, and angle grinder!
The Warrior Racing Trike uses commonly available 20mm hubs, so there are no hard to find or overly expensive components needed. The frame is completely made of square steel tubing,and everything else on the Warrior Trike can be found at bicycle shops or hacked from scrap bicycles. The building process is designed to allow anyone with a Do-It-Yourself desire to finish his or her own version of the Warrior without requiring previous bike building experience or specialized tools and skills.
If you have been eyeing up those expensive imported recumbent trikes, but
think $4,500 is a bit too steep of a price tag, then get out your tools and build it yourself! For thousands of dollars less than the price of a basic tadpole trike, you can create your very own racing trike that will rival many of the factory built machines available.
Take a look at our Builders Gallery to see other Warrior examples, including many creative modifications to the plan. Our international builders community ranges from students to retired engineers, but they all have one thing in common - the desire to build their own stuff!
All of Atomic Zombie Extreme Machines plans are downloadable PDF format. Multiple discounts, free tutorials, videos, gallery, newsletters, blog and more:
All of Atomic Zombie Extreme Machines plans are downloadable PDF format. Multiple discounts, free tutorials, videos, gallery, newsletters, blog and more.All of our plans are delivered as PDF files containing high resolution images and diagrams for optimal viewing and printing.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Greetings from AR - Atomic Zombie builders forum
"Hey shell- i just came across this thread. I am slowly working on my own 4 wheel kyoto, and there was a really nice one built by a guy on here."
Read more and join the discussion: Greetings from AR
Read more and join the discussion: Greetings from AR
Monday, March 28, 2011
Electric trailer for my trike - Atomic Zombie builders forum
"Hi all. I am wanting to build a small single wheeled electric trailer to help me with the hills here in Launceston, Tasmania. I have a 300w razor scooter motor and wiring as well as a 16inch wheel and some chain and sprockets an old 16 inch BMX frame."
Read more and join the discussion: Electric trailer for my trike
Read more and join the discussion: Electric trailer for my trike
Kyoto build back online - Atomic Zombie builders forum
"Brad -- I hear ya, there is nothing more soothing to the soul then hearing muffled sound of the grinder through ear plugs.
I have been busy - last spring I fixed up a Pop up trailer for camping and also added a cargo rack - then got busy if I found any time to try and make a trailer yard tug."
I have been busy - last spring I fixed up a Pop up trailer for camping and also added a cargo rack - then got busy if I found any time to try and make a trailer yard tug."
Read more and join the discussion: Kyoto build back online
Thursday, March 24, 2011
It's a Roller! Atomic Zombie builders forum
"Well, after taking the winter off, (started school and it just got too cold)I picked up where I left off. Its spring break now and I've had a week to work on the Kyoto. All I have left is the handle bars, cabling and paint."
Read more and join the discussion: It's a Roller!
Read more and join the discussion: It's a Roller!
Building up the bolts for Warrior axles
"How strong does the built up material on the 5/8" bolts need to be? I have tried the welded buildup and this works but this takes a lot of work to get the correct size and symmetry. Will tape work? What other material works?"
Read more and join the discussion: Building up the bolts for Warrior axles
Read more and join the discussion: Building up the bolts for Warrior axles
The disabilities angle - Atomic Zombie builders forum
"Hi All, Proud to be here. I've been a "watcher" and learner for a while here and am continually amazed at the creativity. I'm in N.W. Florida and was inspired to look into building a bike by my son's needs."
Read more and join the discussion: The disabilities angle
Read more and join the discussion: The disabilities angle
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Hello from (Windy) Wellington, NZ
"Hi all. First off I have a problem - since getting my plans for the Warrior I have been looking longingly at BMX and Mountain bikes, not because they are great bikes or the riders are pleasant to look at, no - I imagine what they will look like chopped up in my box of parts I even dream about head tubes heeeeelp!"
Read more and join the discussion: Hello from (Windy) Wellington, NZ
Read more and join the discussion: Hello from (Windy) Wellington, NZ
Newbie #2 from Minnesota: Atomic Zombie builders forum
"I didn't want to take the other title from the other newbie from Minnesota.
Just posting here to raise my flag for Minnesota Zombies! I bought the 6 Plans for 29.95 deal the other day, and now I have to get working on acquiring the tools to start building my bike!"
Read more and join the discussion: Newbie #2 from Minnesota
Just posting here to raise my flag for Minnesota Zombies! I bought the 6 Plans for 29.95 deal the other day, and now I have to get working on acquiring the tools to start building my bike!"
Read more and join the discussion: Newbie #2 from Minnesota
My Cargo Bike! Atomic Zombie builders forum
"Hey guys. Finished up on a little project i was doing and here it is! Hope you like it
More: My Cargo Bike!
More: My Cargo Bike!
Atomic Zombie news - it's spring!
Greetings fellow bike builders! Looks like spring is finally here. Another bike building season will be upon us soon.
In the meantime, we are working on some bike design ideas to consider building this summer and fall. If you have some suggestions, head to the builders forum and join the discussion.
The Builders Gallery was updated this week. Check out the new additions to the Atomic Zombie family - choppers, recumbents, trikes, tandems, motorized bikes and more.
There are many free DIY tutorials on AtomicZombie.com, from hacking bike parts to welding. Also, a number of free bike projects like Granny's Nightmare chopper, tall bikes and the Spin Scooter.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Junkyard Bike chopper - Atomic Zombie builders forum
"Hmmm...I think I'm gonna have to redo the front wheel mounts.
First of all I shaped one of them and I don't like the look of it now, and second of all I don't know why I made the cuts to slide the wheel axle in the way I did."
Read more and join the discussion: Junkyard chopper
First of all I shaped one of them and I don't like the look of it now, and second of all I don't know why I made the cuts to slide the wheel axle in the way I did."
Read more and join the discussion: Junkyard chopper
Monday, March 21, 2011
Nothin' Special - long wheel base recumbent
"Decided TheKid's suggestion of doing a "rat rod" paint job was a good one, so I went with it.
This worked out great for SEVERAL reasons:
1. It yielded a unique paint job, different from any of my previous ones.
2. It enabled me to finish off a coupla cans of paint that were nearly empty.
3. I didn't have enough of any one color to do the job, so this enabled me to avoid buying more paint.
4. The color scheme is kinda reminiscent of 60s psychedelia, which I still love after all these years.
5. And last but not least, the unusual paint job draws attention away from my crappy-lookin' welds!
Luckily, I had enough clear coat on hand to finish the job.
Thanx for the suggestion, Kid! It turned out better than I expected!"
This worked out great for SEVERAL reasons:
1. It yielded a unique paint job, different from any of my previous ones.
2. It enabled me to finish off a coupla cans of paint that were nearly empty.
3. I didn't have enough of any one color to do the job, so this enabled me to avoid buying more paint.
4. The color scheme is kinda reminiscent of 60s psychedelia, which I still love after all these years.
5. And last but not least, the unusual paint job draws attention away from my crappy-lookin' welds!
Luckily, I had enough clear coat on hand to finish the job.
Thanx for the suggestion, Kid! It turned out better than I expected!"
Read more and join the discussion: Nothin' Special
Scored a Scooter - Do I slice and dice, or ride? Atomic Zombie builders forum
"I have looked to these scooters, and in the end, they are too heavy as they are just adapted mopeds. With the same drivetrain and batteries you can get at least 30% more range if the parts are used in an electric bent.
2 other reasons.
A recumbent is cooler
Are you an Atomiczombie or not?"
Read more and join the discussion: Scored a Scooter - Do I slice and dice, or ride?
2 other reasons.
A recumbent is cooler
Are you an Atomiczombie or not?"
Read more and join the discussion: Scored a Scooter - Do I slice and dice, or ride?
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Mulling over an idea: The Twin Fox - AtomicZombie builders forum
"I built an electric/pedal hybrid velomobile based on the Street Fox design for my 21 mile (each way) work commute. It's cool and I like it but there are a few inherent problems:
1. Not really quite fast enough. I can only manage 25 to 30 mph on the level, in a 35 mph zone where vehicles typically travel 40+ mph.
2. I have to pick up my son from school 4 days per week (wife does this on Fridays), so I can really only use my velo one day per week, and on school closure/summer days.
3. Motor and controller bog down going up the steeper hills of this area. Going to work I'm going down these steeper hills, but coming back home is difficult."
Read more and join the discussion: Mulling over an idea: The Twin Fox
1. Not really quite fast enough. I can only manage 25 to 30 mph on the level, in a 35 mph zone where vehicles typically travel 40+ mph.
2. I have to pick up my son from school 4 days per week (wife does this on Fridays), so I can really only use my velo one day per week, and on school closure/summer days.
3. Motor and controller bog down going up the steeper hills of this area. Going to work I'm going down these steeper hills, but coming back home is difficult."
Read more and join the discussion: Mulling over an idea: The Twin Fox
StreetFox Tadpole Trike |
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Greeting from Whitby, Ontario! Atomic Zombie builders forum
"Well I have finnaly came to post and introduce myself. 2 months ago after researching recumbent bikes ( can no longer ride uncomfortable uprights due to sustained injuries) I tummbled here, and been hooked. I have always had a dream of owning a bent and or chopper and with your help it will come a reality. I myself am a woodworking guy been all my life so this is all new and hard to grasp ie metal fab, welding kinda still scare me."
Read more and join the discussion: Greeting from Whitby On.!!
Read more and join the discussion: Greeting from Whitby On.!!
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