{"id":17470,"date":"2021-06-22T22:06:40","date_gmt":"2021-06-22T22:06:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/blog\/?p=17470"},"modified":"2025-09-03T14:53:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T14:53:27","slug":"how-to-build-a-custom-motorcycle-from-start-to-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/tips\/how-to-build-a-custom-motorcycle-from-start-to-finish\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Build a Custom Motorcycle From Start to Finish"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Since the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/blog\/tips\/motorcycles-styles-through-the-decades\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">early days of motorcycles<\/a>, riders have been modifying, beautifying, and customizing their treasured rides. From bobbers and choppers to cafe racers and streetfighters, bikers around the world have continued to find innovative ways to take their two-wheelers to new creative heights. But no matter how wild (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorcycle.com\/how-to\/top-10-weirdest-custom-motorcycles-89959.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">or weird<\/a>) the design, every bike build has to cover the basics.<\/p>\n<p>Here we take a look at the four major steps of building a custom motorcycle from start to finish, along with some inspiration from some of the coolest bike builders on Instagram.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Looking for a custom motorcycle that\u2019s ready to ride? Find your ride on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/b\/Custom-Built-Motorcycles\/147899\/bn_50574829\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">eBay Motors<\/a> and have it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/motorcycles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">shipped directly to your door with uShip<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3>MAKE A PLAN<\/h3>\n<p>No matter how out of this world your custom motorcycle idea is, it helps to have a plan in place before you start acquiring parts. This will ensure you don\u2019t make expensive mistakes later down the line when you\u2019re mid-bike build (or on the road).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/uship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pinterest<\/a> is a great place to gather inspiration before putting pen to paper and sketching your design. Not the most artistically inclined? Use a computer or tablet program to sketch over a template or image of your dream bike. Pro Tip: Be sure to consider not only what the bike will look like but what it will be used for.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/blog\/tips\/how-to-build-a-custom-motorcycle-from-start-to-finish\/attachment\/screen-shot-2021-06-17-at-10-12-05-am\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17471 noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-17471\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.12.05-AM-1022x1024.png\" alt=\"Custom Honda CBX750 from @bikeexif on Instagram\" width=\"640\" height=\"641\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.12.05-AM-1022x1024.png 1022w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.12.05-AM-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.12.05-AM-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.12.05-AM-768x769.png 768w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.12.05-AM-192x192.png 192w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.12.05-AM-640x640.png 640w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.12.05-AM-96x96.png 96w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.12.05-AM.png 1310w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Photo Credit: Custom Honda CBX750 from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bikeexif\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@bikeexif<\/a> on Instagram<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>FIND THE RIGHT PARTS<\/h3>\n<p>Once you have a plan for your bike, you\u2019re ready to start hunting for the right parts. Some prefer to hunt through salvage yards and Craigslist ads for motorcycle parts, while others prefer the convenience and safety of sites like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/b\/Motorcycle-Parts\/10063\/bn_557636\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">eBay Motors<\/a>. Which route you choose will depend on your budget and timeline.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Looking for motorcycle parts for your next custom project? Find all the frames, engines, and gear you need on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/b\/Motorcycles\/6024\/bn_1865434\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">eBay Motors<\/a>, then have it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/ship\/freight\/ltl-used-commercial-goods\/create\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">shipped LTL with uShip<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/blog\/tips\/how-to-build-a-custom-motorcycle-from-start-to-finish\/attachment\/screen-shot-2021-06-17-at-10-28-48-am\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17472 noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-17472\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.28.48-AM-1024x1019.png\" alt=\"BMW Airhead from @revivalcycles on Instagram\" width=\"640\" height=\"637\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.28.48-AM-1024x1019.png 1024w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.28.48-AM-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.28.48-AM-150x149.png 150w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.28.48-AM-768x764.png 768w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.28.48-AM-192x192.png 192w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.28.48-AM-96x96.png 96w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.28.48-AM.png 1312w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Photo Credit: BMW Airhead from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/revivalcycles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@revivalcycles<\/a> on Instagram<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>ASSEMBLE THE MOTORCYCLE<\/h3>\n<p>Once you have all the right parts (including personal tools and gear), you\u2019re ready to assemble your custom motorcycle. While the exact way you assemble a bike depends on the style you\u2019re working with, the general rule of thumb is to start with the frame. Check out this <a href=\"https:\/\/axleaddict.com\/motorcycles\/Build-A-Motorcycle-From-Salvaged-And-Used-Parts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">custom bike build guide<\/a> from Axle Addict for a step-by-step breakdown.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/blog\/tips\/how-to-build-a-custom-motorcycle-from-start-to-finish\/attachment\/screen-shot-2021-06-17-at-10-33-22-am\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17475 noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-17475\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.33.22-AM-1024x997.png\" alt=\"Custom motorcycle from @tamaritmotorcycles on Instagram\" width=\"640\" height=\"623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.33.22-AM-1024x997.png 1024w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.33.22-AM-300x292.png 300w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.33.22-AM-768x748.png 768w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.33.22-AM-150x146.png 150w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.33.22-AM.png 1306w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Photo Credit: Custom motorcycle from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tamaritmotorcycles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@tamaritmotorcycles<\/a> on Instagram<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>ADD YOUR PERSONAL TOUCH<\/h3>\n<p>The best part of building a custom motorcycle is that you can make it uniquely yours. Wish your bike looked like it rode out of a 1990s Nickelodeon commercial? You can do that! Find a local restorer or paint shop that specializes in two-wheeled vehicles and share your vision with them. The sky&#8217;s the limit!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/blog\/tips\/how-to-build-a-custom-motorcycle-from-start-to-finish\/attachment\/screen-shot-2021-06-17-at-10-31-13-am\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17473 noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-17473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.31.13-AM-969x1024.png\" alt=\"Custom 1999 Ducati ST4 Sidecar-cross bike from @revivalcycles on Instagram\" width=\"640\" height=\"676\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.31.13-AM-969x1024.png 969w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.31.13-AM-284x300.png 284w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.31.13-AM-768x812.png 768w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.31.13-AM-150x159.png 150w, https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-17-at-10.31.13-AM.png 1048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Photo Credit: Custom 1999 Ducati ST4 Sidecar-cross bike from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/revivalcycles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@revivalcycles<\/a> on Instagram<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Have you found your dream motorcycle online or need to ship a custom build to a customer? Learn how to find the best motorcycle hauling services at the most affordable rates from uShip or start your free listing today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since the early days of motorcycles, riders have been modifying, beautifying, and customizing their treasured rides. From bobbers and choppers to cafe racers and streetfighters, bikers around the world have continued to find innovative ways to take their two-wheelers to new creative heights. But no matter how wild (or weird) the design, every bike build&#8230;<a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/tips\/how-to-build-a-custom-motorcycle-from-start-to-finish\/\"> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":17477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips"],"acf":{"blog_post_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"blog_post_entry_footer","blog_post_entry_footer_cta":[{"blog_post_entry_footer_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.uship.com\/motorcycles\/","blog_post_entry_footer_cta_text":"Get Your Free Quote","blog_post_entry_footer_onclick":""}]}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/50"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17470"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17470\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ushipblogsubd.wpengine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}