Jul 4, 2008
Balloon Motorcycle Instructions
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This is one of my popular balloon sculptures. When listing what I know how to make, the eyes of the boys always go wide when I mention a motorcycle. It can be used as a Motorcycle or as a bike. It is a bit complicated for beginners, but it gets simple enough with practice. It takes two balloons, preferably the same color. I used grey because it looks more like a motorcycle and I have a ton of it left over from a project.
- Inflate two balloons, leaving a five inch tail on each.
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Using one of the balloons, twist a 3 inch sausage twist followed by a small pinch twist.
This is the beginning of one of the handle bars.
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Twist a small 1 inch sausage twist followed by a small pinch twist.
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With the other balloon, repeat steps 2 and 3.
You should have two identical balloons (as pictured in the image below.)
These are you handle bars.
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Twist the last pinch twist of each balloon together and adjust them so that they support and separate the handle bars.
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Select the longer of the two balloons that are extending out.
Twist a 3 to 4 inch sausage twist followed by a small pinch twist.
Note: This is where the front wheel is going to be. Some find it difficult to keep it positioned straight. If this is your case, try using an additional small pinch twisting here, and keep one on each side of the wheel.
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Now to create the front wheel, twist a small flower pedal.
This is going to be the inside of the front wheel, like the rim.
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Then, twist a large flower pedal.
This is going to be the outside of the front wheel, like tire.
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Position the small flower pedal inside the large flower pedal.
Adjust it so that the pinch twist(s) are behind it.
This is the front of our motorcycle.
It should look like the image below.
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With the balloon extruding from the handle bars, twist a 3 to 4 inch sausage twist.
With the balloon extruding from the front wheel, twist a 4 to 5 inch sausage twist.
Twist the end of these sausage twists together.
This is where we will place the seat.
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For support and to keep the motorcycle looking straight, twist 2 pinch twists here where the balloons intersect.
We are going to use the balloon that was extruding form the front wheel to create a seat.
If it looks to short to make a seat and two pinch twists, use the other balloon for the pinch twists.
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Using the rest of the smaller balloon, which came from the front wheel, make a flower pedal and adjust it into position.
This is the motorcycle's seat.
Place the two pinch twists on both sides of the seat.
It should look like the images below.
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Now, let's make the back of the motorcycle.
Using the remaining balloon, twist a 3 inch sausage twist, followed by a small pinch twist.
Sometimes the back wheel will pitch to one side.
You can over come this by adding an additional pinch twist here.
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All we need now is the back wheel.
Twist a small flower pedal.
This will be the inside of the back wheel.
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Twist a large flower pedal.
This will be the outside of the back wheel.
Don't worry if you have a extra section of balloon left.
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Position the small flower pedal inside the large flower pedal.
Adjusts it so the pinch twist(s) is at the base of the wheel, and keeps it from pitching sideways.
If you have a section left over, like I do, you can leave it on as a kick stand.
It will prop the motorcycle up so you can display it on a flat surface.
Or if you wish you can remove it by deflating it and twisting its remnant into the back wheel to prevent it from coming undone.
Our motorcycle is now done. It should resemble the one in the images below.
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