Tag: how to build a chopper

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Choppers

Part 9: Getting It Running, Registered, and Road-Ready

Final assembly, troubleshooting, testing, and finally… that first ride.

The Final Stretch

You’ve painted it. You’ve torqued every bolt three times. You’ve stared at it more than you’d care to admit. But now comes the part where you find out if your Frankenstein’s monster of a machine actually comes to life. Final assembly is a bittersweet mix of excitement and paranoia—especially if you’re like me and constantly second-guess yourself.

Here’s what you’ll tackle in this phase:

  • Final Wiring – Go slow and double-check every ground and connection. Gremlins hide in the simplest oversights.
  • Fluids – Oil, gas, brake fluid. Don’t forget thread sealer or crush washers where needed.
  • Troubleshooting – If it doesn’t fire up, start with spark, air, fuel, and your kill switch (ask me how I know).
  • Testing – Keep the first few rides close to home and short. Be ready to wrench again. It’s not “done,” it’s just runnable.

Getting It Legal

The most confusing part of building a custom bike isn’t the fabrication—it’s the paperwork. Each state has its own rules for titling and registering a custom build. My experience Ohio should’ve looked like this:

  • Title – Apply for a custom/special construction title. This meant showing receipts, frame info, and photos.
  • Insurance – Check with your insurer to see if they will cover you, or if you’ll need to find a specialty provider.
  • Inspection – Some states require a safety inspection or even a DMV inspection of the VIN/frame before issuing plates. Word is, I need to go to the State Patrol one county over and get it checked out.

But my edperience actually looked like this:

  • Title – Gasbox provided a brand spanking new title with the purchase of my full Lorain Frame. I stopped my local town cop one day to check and see if he could inspect my chop and giv4e me the star of approval, but he stated, and I quote: “I don’t care, I’m not telling if you don’t.” So, I just keep both my stock sporty title and the gasbox title handy when in doubt. Probably not the best plan, but in to quote our lord and savior, Shrek, “that’ll do Donkey, that’ll do.”
  • Insurance – Again, I dont think they’re aware this sportster has been modified. Don’t be like me, do better.
  • Inspection – Have you caught on by now?

I’m reluctant to post this information, but like, I need to be honest. I’m sure most of us are in this boat, so if you find any answers just comment below!

The First Ride

I’ll be honest—my first ride was more terrifying than exhilarating. My hands were shaking. I was listening for every sound, feeling for every vibration, half-convinced the front end would fall off.

But then I rolled into second gear. Then third. The wind hit just right and I could feel every choice I made along the way. It wasn’t smooth. It wasn’t perfect. But it was mine. And that feeling? You don’t forget it.

Susie Q’s first shake-down run was cut short when I lost all power and the bike shut off. Hmm, that’s weird, I thought,  because I remembered to fill her up with premium and turn on the gas and everything! After getting stranded in the countryside on the crest of the Appalachain plateaus in my county, I got trailored home and began my investigatory work.

After tracing the electric with a voltage tester, I found that my rectifyer was shot. No problem, I thought. I was still running the 32 year old stock part anyways. I purchased a brand spanking new chrome rectifier (which looks so so good!), mounted it up and went out for the second, and final, shake down.

Sun shining from above, hot pavement below my tires, and the smell of success hitting me in the face at 60 MPH, and I had done it. I felt like the personification of the guitar solo from Free Bird .

With only up to go, I set off on my journey with my little sporty chop. I have taken her to Cleveland, Sturgis, Pittsburg, Daytona, and all over rural Ohio since. Becuase of her, I have made so many new friends and have overcome so many fears and obsticles. Building a chopper with no prior mechanical knowledge wasnt easy (or cheap), but Susie Q came from my soul and she’ll always be my pride and joy.

@angel__claw Just a friendly reminder that you can’t outrun a bad rectifier #angelclaw #suckymutha #brokedownbiker #harleydavidson #chopperchick #sportster #sportychop #sportsterchop #bikerchick #chopper #sideoftheroad #lowbrowcustoms #tcbros #jpcycles ♬ Sinister Purpose - Creedence Clearwater Revival
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Choppers

PT. 7 Tools, Skills, and the Stuff I Had to Learn the Hard Way

Building a chopper with zero formal training means figuring things out by doing them wrong—then doing them again. This week I’m laying out the tools I actually used, the skills that took me down a peg or two, and how I decided what to DIY and what to hand off to someone with more experience (and better tools).

The Tools I Actually Used

You don’t need a $30k shop to build a bike. Most of what I used was basic, borrowed, or bought out of necessity when the build demanded it. Here’s the honest list of what ended up in my corner:

  • Socket set & wrenches – The real MVPs. Used every step of the way.
  • Torque wrench – Super important if you care about your bike staying together.
  • Angle grinder – Used more than I expected. For cutting, shaping, cleaning up welds—you name it.
  • Cordless drill + drill bits + taps – A lot of stuff needed to be drilled out, cleaned up, or re-threaded.
  • Sawzall and bandsaw – When it comes time to chop up the frame or cut metal stock, these come in clutch.
  • Basic hand tools – Tape measure, pliers, wire strippers, diagonal cutters—nothing fancy, but essential when you need them.

I didn’t waste money on fancy gear up front. Most tools were added when I hit a wall and needed a solution. That kept me focused, broke, and creative.

What I Learned the Hard Way

Wiring? Choppers aren’t complicated to wire up if you’re keeping it simple (I can go more in detail on this if wanted). While I had never done any electrical work in my life, I was ready to go with my Clymer in hand and the advice of a friend who runs a bike shop. Luckily, I remembered that my husband is an electrician. He helped me out by wiring everything up for me, while I supervised and taped the wires together for a cleaner look.

Fabrication? Turns out there’s no “undo” button when you cut something too short or drill in the wrong place. I wish I had made a few mock-ups before committing to things.

What I DIY’d vs What I Outsourced

 

I’m proud of what I did myself—but I also knew when to wave the white flag and call in backup.

DIY’d:

  • All wiring (with help)
  • Minor fabrication: brackets, mounts, tabs
  • Cosmetic stuff like painting, sanding, grinding

Outsourced:

  • Nothing! Because I bought a stock frame, fenders, and tank, no welding was involved.

There’s no shame in farming out the hard stuff if it keeps you safe and the project moving. You don’t get extra points for blowing yourself up or wasting weeks on something that co

uld’ve been done right in an hour by a pro.

A Note to the

 Zero-Experience Builders

If you’ve never turned a wrench before, you’re not disqualified. You’re just at the beginning. I didn’t grow up in a garage or shadow a master builder. I Googled everything. I watched videos. I asked stupid questions. And I learned what not to do about 400 times.

You don’t need to be a fabricator or a mechanic to build a bike—you just need to care enough to figure it out.

It’s okay to be overwhelmed. It’s okay to mess up. Just don’t quit.

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Choppers

Pt. 5: Planning Your Build – Frame, Vibe & Vision

This is the part that kills most builds before they begin. Planning your chopper means choosing your direction—frame, stance, and style—before you get lost in endless inspiration tabs. In this post, I break down how I decided on a full frame from Gasbox, what kind of era I wanted to channel, and how I stayed focused on a single vision while the internet threw a thousand aesthetics my way.

Picking your frame style is step one: hardtail, weld-on, bolt-on, or stretch? Each one changes the feel—and the function—of your bike. I went with the Full Lorain Frame from Gasbox, which gave me a clean, strong foundation to build from without needing to modify a stock frame.

Then comes vibe. Do you want a ‘70s digger dripping in chrome? A skinny Frisco runner? Something raw, ratty, and barely road-legal? I chose a 1960’s Panhead springer vibes x 1970s-inspired Frisco for its simplicity and soul—high tank, slim silhouette, and minimal fluff.

The biggest challenge wasn’t finding ideas—it was committing to one. Here’s how to stop scrolling and start planning.

Sources: Lowbrow Customs Blog, Chop Cult Articles, Easyriders Archives, Gasbox (https://www.thegasbox.com)

@angel__claw PART 5 What direction did you go in for your frame situation? Stay tuned for Part 6 tomorrow!! ##choppers##chopperlife##chopper##bikers##bikerchick##chopperbuild##bikerlife##bikercommunity##bikersoftiktok ♬ original sound - ANGEL✷CLAW
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Choppers

Week 4: Setting Up Your Space (Even If It’s Just a Carport)

So, you’ve got a bike frame—or at least a dream—and now you’re looking around wondering where the hell you’re supposed to build a whole chopper. Newsflash: it doesn’t have to be a full-blown shop with a lift and Snap-On tool chests. Most of us start out in driveways, carports, or borrowed corners of someone’s garage. The key is setting it up with intention—and getting real about what you actually need to make it work.

The Tools You Actually Need (To Start)

This list could get overwhelming real quick, so let’s keep it honest. Here’s what you’ll want to have access to during your early phases—mockup, teardown, measuring, maybe even some light cutting and welding if you’re ambitious:

  • Basic socket set (standard + metric—you never know what your bike or parts will throw at you)
  • Wrenches & screwdrivers (again, both sizes)
  • Allen/hex keys
  • Torque wrench (eventually, yes—don’t skip it when things get serious)
  • Rubber mallet (you’ll use this more than you think)
  • Jack or lift (a basic motorcycle lift stand is gold, but a car jack + some wood blocks can be your budget best friend)
  • Grinder with cutoff wheel & flap disc (if you’re modifying anything at all)
  • Drill + bits
  • Measuring tape, calipers, and sharpies
  • Shop rags, WD-40, and patience. So much patience.

You’ll collect more tools over time, and that’s okay. You don’t need a perfect setup to get started—you need enough to keep moving forward.

How to Set Up Your Build Zone

Whether it’s a carport, a single bay in your dad’s garage, or the alley behind your apartment, it just needs to be workable. Here are some real-world tips from someone who’s built greasy projects in less-than-pretty spaces:

  • Level surface is king. If your floor’s not level, shim your lift or work area so the bike doesn’t rock. You’ll want stability when lining things up.
  • Cover the ground. Even just a $5 tarp from Harbor Freight or an old carpet square will save your knees and help you find that rogue bolt you dropped.
  • Create sections. A table for tools, a spot for mockup parts, a bin for bolts. Trust me, labeling ziplocks will save your soul.
  • Vertical storage. Milk crates, pegboards, even hanging stuff from rafters. You’re making a workshop, not an Instagram set.

This isn’t about making it pretty—it’s about making it functional. If it feels too chaotic to focus, organize it until it doesn’t.

Time, Weather, Lighting, Extension Cords — The Real Stuff

Let’s talk about the actual obstacles that hit when your shop is exposed to the elements.

  • Time: Build a schedule that fits your life. Even 2 hours a week consistently will move the needle.
  • Weather: Tarps, pop-up tents, or even parking the bike under a roofed porch can get you through rainy days. (Also: buy cheap moving blankets to toss over the frame—keeps the dust and water off.)
  • Lighting: You will absolutely need better lighting than you think. Clamp lights, headlamps, shop lights. Whatever it takes.
  • Extension cords: Invest in a heavy-duty outdoor one with a surge protector. You don’t want to blow a fuse in the middle of cutting a bracket.
  • Noise: Be a good neighbor, or at least plan around quiet hours if you’re grinding and wrenching in a shared space.

This is the part where a lot of people get discouraged. They think they need to wait until they have a “real” shop to start. But you don’t. You just need to commit to showing up for the space you’ve got. And make it work like hell.

Next Week: Wiring Without Crying — A Beginner’s Guide to the Basics (and When to Ask for Help)

If you’re digging the series, don’t forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter for sneak peeks, bonus photos, and behind-the-scenes chaos. And if you’ve been wrenching in a carport or building bikes out of your kitchen, drop a comment—I want to hear your setups.

Stay greasy, stay scrappy.
—Montana / Cult Bohème

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Choppers

Pt. 3: Budgeting; What It Actually Cost to Build My Chopper

Welcome back to So You Want to Build a Chopper (When You’re Broke and Half Clueless), the blog series where I walk you through exactly how I built my first chopper without losing my mind (or my savings… mostly).

This week we’re diving into the big question:
How much does it actually cost to build a chopper from scratch?

Let’s rip the Band-Aid off,  mine ran me close to $10,000.

Now before you throw your phone across the garage, hear me out.

Why It Cost That Much

No, I didn’t splurge on high-end boutique parts. And no, I’m not made of money.

It cost what it did because:

  • I didn’t already have a garage full of parts
  • I had to buy a few tools along the way (which adds up fast)
  • I didn’t have time to spend months hunting at swap meets or playing the eBay waiting game
  • And I made the strategic choice to order most of my parts from Lowbrow Customs and TC Bros

Could I have done it cheaper? Probably.
But for a first build, I wanted to get my feet wet without getting completely buried. I didn’t want to be stalled for six months trying to save $40 on a part or deal with mystery eBay sellers when I wasn’t confident yet in what I was doing.

This was about learning the ropes, not building the cheapest chop possible.

What I Spent

Here’s how it broke down:

Category Cost
Donor Bike $2,500
Parts (main build) $6,100
Misc. + Paint $500–$1,000
Total $9,100–$9,600

I started with a 1992 stock Sportster 883 for $2,500 — clean title, running motor, solid foundation.
Then I dropped just over $6K in parts, not including all the little stuff that creeps up: paint, hardware, wiring, random last-minute things I forgot I needed until I didn’t have them.

What That Doesn’t Include

I’m not even counting the hours I spent:

  • Staring at parts diagrams and YouTube tutorials
  • Screwing things up and fixing them
  • Calling my friends and asking dumb questions

Because this wasn’t just a money investment — it was a life investment. I was buying experience.

What About the Parts List?

If you’re wondering exactly what I bought — don’t worry, I’ll be sharing that soon. I’m planning a full breakdown of my parts list (what I loved, what I’d skip next time, and where I sourced everything) in a future blog.

For now, just know: this wasn’t some ultra-budget junkyard build. It was a beginner-friendly, no-frills, let’s-just-get-this-done kind of chopper.

🛠️ No shame in paying a little more for convenience and peace of mind, especially when you’re still figuring things out.

TL;DR: The Money Adds Up Fast — But It’s Worth It

Building this bike taught me more than any manual could. It gave me confidence, clarity, and a machine that actually reflects me.

If you’re thinking about your first build, don’t obsess over doing it for $1,000. Be realistic. Be patient. And know that even if you don’t have all the tools, parts, or knowledge yet — you can still make it happen.

Next week, we’re talking about how to set up a home garage space for chopper-building, even if all you’ve got is a carport and a Bluetooth speaker. (Ask me how I know.)

‘Til then,
Stay greasy, stay scrappy, and stay stoked!

Angel Claw

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Choppers

Pt. 2: From Scrap Pile to Sketchpad: Sourcing Your Base & Mocking It Up

Part of the “How to Build a Chopper series

So you’ve got the itch. You’re watching old Easy Rider clips, sketching on diner napkins, dreaming about bar-hopping on a ratty death trap with no turn signals and more style than safety. But now comes the part where fantasy meets the greasy concrete floor: actually finding something to build.

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re not sitting on a pile of disposable income. Good—because this week is about finding your starting point without breaking the bank. Whether it’s a junkyard special, a donor bike, or a crusty frame off Craigslist, this is where your chopper dream starts to take form.

Step 1: What Counts as a “Good Base”?

A chopper build typically starts with:

  • A donor bike (running or not)
  • A bare frame (stock or already chopped)
  • Or… just whatever the hell you can get your hands on

You don’t need a pristine machine. In fact, you don’t want one. You’re going to strip it down, chop it, rework it, and give it new life anyway.

Key things to look for:

✅ A straight frame (check the neck for weld cracks or warping)
✅ Clean title if you want to register it
✅ A known motor platform (Sportsters, XS650s, older CBs, shovelheads, etc.)
✅ Potential to fit your style (long and low? tall and tight?)

Pro tip: Don’t waste time trying to save every part. You’re building a chopper, not restoring a museum piece.

Step 2: Where to Look Without Getting Scammed

This is the ultimate scavenger hunt. Here’s where to start:

  • Facebook Marketplace – Yes, it’s hell, but it’s local and fast.
  • Craigslist – Still alive, still sketchy, still worth it.
  • Junkyards & salvage yards – Some of the best builds start in the weeds.
  • Swap meets – Great for parts and people who want to talk shop.
  • Ask around – Chickenman always said, “Someone’s got something if you’ve got beer.”

You don’t need to find the bike—just a bike. Your first mock-up can be made with scrap bars and a front end zip-tied to a frame. You just need the bones.

Step 3: Sketch It, Tape It, Mock It Up

This is where it gets exciting.

Here’s what mocking up means:

  • Start mock fitting parts (even if they don’t work yet)
  • Use cardboard cutouts or junk parts to visualize lines and flow
  • Take photos and sketch over them with pen, chalk, marker, whatever
  • Get obsessed with your stance and silhouette

This is your bike’s first ghost. You’ll see what works, what doesn’t, what you’re missing, and what you suddenly need at 2am.

Real Talk: It’s Not Gonna Look Like a Show Bike Yet

You might be mocking it up in the dirt, next to a milk crate and a bag of zip ties. That’s exactly how it should be.

This week isn’t about perfection—it’s about starting the ritual of seeing your vision in real life. Like Chickenman always said, “If you can sit on it and make motorcycle noises, you’re halfway there.”

Next Up: Budgeting for Your Build

Next weeks drop!

We’ll talk numbers, deals, and why eBay might just be your new best friend (and worst addiction).

Weekly Recipe: Kickstand Crackle–Check it out here! 

@angel__claw Where’d you source your frame and did you do a mockup or just dive in? #chopper #choppers #chopperlife #chopperbuild #bikersoftiktok #bikers #bikerlife #sportychop #choppershit ♬ original sound - ANGEL✷CLAW
@angel__claw This stuff is TOO ADDICTIVE! I hope you love it! Check out more about Billy Lane on my website for chop lore, PLUS the recipe! #chopper #choppers #chopperlife #bikersoftiktok #bikerchick #bikercommunity #chopperbuild #bikers #bikerlife ♬ original sound - ANGEL✷CLAW
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Choppers

So, You Want to Build a Chopper? Intro To Our 10 Part Chop Build Series

Chopper Dreams & Cookie Crumbs: Finding Inspiration to Build Your Perfect Bike

There’s something sacred about starting from scratch. Whether you’re elbow-deep in flour or grease, creation is always messy, always personal. This week’s Two Wheels and a Whisk is all about the earliest stages of building a chopper—the part where you’re staring at a pile of parts, or maybe just a dream, wondering what the hell it could become. Much like baking up a batch of White Wing Wunderbars (our featured treat this week), building a chopper starts with inspiration. It could come from a magazine, a song, a faded memory of your old man’s garage, or even the smell of burnt sugar and motor oil.

Let’s break it down together—because the only thing cooler than a chopper is the story behind why you built it the way you did.

    

The Chopper Spirit: What It Means to Build One At its core, a chopper is a statement. It’s a rejection of the factory mold and a salute to self-expression. It doesn’t matter if it rides like a dream or rattles your bones to dust—what matters is that it’s yours.

Choppers have always been about individuality. There’s no wrong way to build one, but every builder brings something personal to the table. The rust, the chrome, the welds, the weird little quirks—they all tell a story. Just like a handmade cookie, a chopper is better when it’s not too polished.

Chopper Eras & Cultural Shifts To know where you’re going, it helps to know where you came from. Here’s a quick-and-dirty breakdown of chopper history:

  • 1950s: Post-war riders started stripping down Harleys to make them lighter and faster. These early bobbers were the grandfathers of the chopper, built out of necessity and grit. Names like Tom Fugle and Dick Allen were key figures in shaping the early scene.
  • 1960s: The true chopper era kicks off. Extended forks, raked frames, tall sissy bars. The rise of biker flicks like Easy Rider ignited a cultural wildfire. Builders like Arlen Ness, Ben Hardy, and Cliff Vaughs became icons of innovation and style.
  • 1970s: Things got psychedelic. Custom paint, engraved parts, molded frames. This was the era of self-expression turned up to eleven. Sugar Bear, Denver Mullins, Aki Sakamoto, and Dave Mann (as an artist) defined the look and attitude of this era.
  • 1980s–90s: Chopper culture went underground. Mainstream bike companies tried their hand at “factory customs,” but the real stuff stayed raw and backyard-built. Builders like Indian Larry, Ron Simms, and El Forastero MC began gaining notoriety for their blend of traditional skill and wild style.
  • 2000s–Present: A full-blown DIY revival. Builders from all walks of life are chopping bikes in basements and barns. Social media brought the scene back to life—and made space for voices that had long been pushed out. Big personalities like Paul Teutul Sr., Paul Jr., Jesse James, and newer wave builders like Taber Nash and Keino Sasaki brought custom builds into the spotlight. The legacy of Indian Larry continues to influence new generations.

Chopper Styles: Which Direction Will You Go? When it comes to style, the options are endless. Here are a few classics to spark some ideas:

  • Frisco Style: Clean and minimal. High-mounted tanks, tall risers, and no front fender. Born in San Francisco garages, meant to split lanes and look good doing it.
  • Long Fork / Swedish Style: Raked out and dramatic. These are the choppers that look like they rode straight out of a 1973 acid trip.
  • Old School Bobber: Think solo seat, black primer, chopped fenders. Low, loud, and honest.
  • Japanese/British Chops: Built from Triumphs, Yamahas, and Hondas. Light, nimble, and often overlooked—but damn cool.
  • Rat Chopper / Punk Builds: Ugly on purpose. Rust, duct tape, and zero apologies. These bikes are about attitude over aesthetics.
  • Show Bike / Art Chopper: Intricate paint, engraving, custom parts. Meant to be stared at. Sculptural and obsessive in the best way.

Sources of Inspiration Ideas can strike anywhere, but here are some solid places to dig:

  • Vintage Mags: Easyriders, Iron Horse, Show Class, and old swap meet flyers.
  • Instagram & YouTube: Search hashtags like #chopperlife, #builtnotbought, or dive into reels of your favorite builders.
  • Music & Art: Let your favorite punk album or retro movie guide the vibe.
  • Cookies, duh: White Wing Wunderbars taste like something you’d eat while leaning against a chopped shovelhead on a dusty summer evening. Sweet, a little gritty, and deeply nostalgic.
  • Pinterest Boards: Start organizing your dream build with Pinterest. Create separate boards for paint inspiration, parts wishlists, vintage builds, and styling cues. It’s an underrated but powerful tool for visual thinkers. Here’s mine from my Sporty Chop Build, Susie Q!

Your Build, Your Story Don’t overthink it. Inspiration doesn’t have to make sense to anyone but you. Start a moodboard. Make a parts wishlist. Sketch your dream bike on a napkin. Let yourself dream a little.

Building a chopper isn’t about doing it right—it’s about doing it your way. Just like the perfect cookie recipe, the secret ingredient is always a piece of you.

That’s it for this week, misfits and makers. Whether you’re halfway through a build or just collecting crumbs of inspiration, I hope this helped spark something. Tag me in your sketches, moodboards, or garage shots. Let’s build something weird together.

Next week, we’ll be diving into [insert next topic here], but for now, go bake something. Go build something. Start with what you’ve got.

Sources:

  • Chopper: The Real Story by Paul d’Orléans
  • The One Percenter Encyclopedia by Bill Hayes
  • Easyriders Magazine Archives
  • The Vintagent and BikerNet online features
  • Discovery Channel’s American Chopper, 6 Over documentary

Builder profiles & interviews from Motorcycle Classics, Ride with Norman Reedus, and The Horse: Backstreet Choppers

Check out my viral Tiktok series Two Wheels and A Whisk below!

@angel__claw SO PUMPED to start this series! And even more pumped y’all asked for it! How did your build start?!? ✨ ✨ I’ll share mine in another video, so follow along! ✨Be sure to check out the blog on my website and lmk your thoughts! 🏍️💨Ingredients below!! Follow @Jimmy Chickenman & special shoutout to @Happy Egg 🥚 White Winged Wunderbar: For the Brownie Base: ½ cup unsalted butter, melted 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large Happy Eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup all-purpose flour ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ¼ tsp salt ½ tsp baking powder ¼ cup milk ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional) For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting: ½ cup evaporated milk ¼ cup unsalted butter ¾ cup granulated sugar 2 large Happy Egg yolks 1 tsp vanilla extract 1½ cups shredded sweetened coconut ¾ cup chopped pecans Pinch of salt ✨ Instructions listed on newsletter & website ✨ #motorcyclebuild, #bikebuild, #projectbike, #custommotorcycle, #motovlog #choppers #chopper #chopperlife #creatorsearchinsights ♬ original sound - ANGEL✷CLAW