The easiest way to that goal that I’ve seen is a custom Harley-Davidson Sportster for any good number of reasons. One, they’re a damn fine bike no matter what derogatory stuff you may have heard especially the later rubber-mount ones. I’m a huge fan of rubber mounting as riding a pre-2004 Sportster over 60-65mph for any length of time is pretty numbing at least to me anyway. With smooth-running rubber mounting, the throttle’s the limit. The Sporty’s Evo engine has proven to be a paramount of air-cooled V-twin reliability over the years and continues that high watermark today. Reliability is high on anyone’s list who’s trying to stretch a buck and the XL series gladly obliges day after day after day. Plus they’re pretty easy to get more useful power out of without breaking the bank. Being relatively lightweight to start with sure makes any additional ponies go a long way.
One other thing is that the there’s a lot of Sportsters out there in decent running shape that have been holding up garages for years while not rolling the odometer up very much. I see them advertised all the time online and in print for prices that make me wish I needed one. For short money you can be in one and on the road while you decide what to do to it. Think of it as a rolling idea bed of a work in progress. If you’re a sharp, extremely diligent shopper you’d be surprised what you can score on eBay and craigslist that might be exactly what you’re looking for. I probably spend too much time scouring for things I can’t live without but didn’t know it two seconds ago. I really use what I have lying around that I’ve already purchased on my bikes, but let’s just say I like to keep a lot of stock around. Be prepared was the motto of a Boy Scout and I still practice it.
This little gem of a low buck but high impact Sporty was shot by the photoist with the mostist, Mr. Jack Cofano, in Daytona surrounded by a bunch of extreme to the max custom baggers from One Time Customs. Actually, that’s the only way I think One Time Customs builds baggers ─ just slightly over the top and maybe more art than road warrior. Hey, maybe somebody just wanted something easy and cool to scoot around on instead of always putting on a show rolling a big ass wheel down the road. Makes sense to me and on top of that, it’s a peachy build that won’t break the bank.
Our mystery owner apparently decided to have a go at making one of the quadrillion Sportys still out and about into their own version of how they see a Sportster in their head. Making a rubber-mount Sportster frame into a rigid rear end is probably not the way to go according to Barnett Harley-Davidson’s GM, Mark Barnett, for a number of reasons besides the escalating cost of rigidity. The owner went truly Old School with a set of struts replacing the short stock shocks which might just be the only smart way to go if you want a rigid ride. Maybe not my way, but then it’s not my bike and that’s the whole idea. Do what you want and damn everybody else if they don’t like it. It’s not their bike.
Let’s assume this was originally a kick-ass Harley Forty-Eight as there are hints of that good looking bastard of a motorcycle everywhere. “Man!” You say, “That’s a new model and probably expensive – what gives?” Well what gives is that the Forty-Eight may seem like a “new” model but it’s been around for eight model years now so that’s getting along a bit now. Just brings the cost down a good bit and keeps you out of the over-budget dog house. There were other pluses to XL1200X like better forks that certainly help keep that lovably fat front tire and laced wheel setup where you want them to go. Plus the extra fork tube beefiness fits the front wheel package to a tee.
Running fenderless up front for strictly style points is a choice that can really change the look of a stocker almost immediately. Smartly, the owner kept the fork brace where it should be and that keeps the front end of the up and up. The rear fender got a bit of a crew cut or heavily bobbed if you wanna stay Old School. It may be a little less practical, but all it would do is heavily inconvenience you in rain. You’d still get there. The OEM oil tank and frame cover are still OEM other than paint. Not so for the stock peanut tank that does its best to mount frisco-style on the top tube, but to paraphrase the late Don Adam’s Maxwell Smart, “Missed it by that much.” It still looks just fine as is and this angle probably allows for maximum gas capacity versus still looking trick.
Calling all apes! On a budget and want as much custom bang for your buck as you can get? Install a set of apes. Instant change, instant attitude and a bit of instant street cred are yours once you get through the labor of hooking everything up correctly. Even if you don’t like apes for whatever reason, I bet you think they’re still cool. On this bike, the owner made it a point you’d notice the canted-forward high bars with a set of bright red (kinda pinkish too) grips clearly denoting the highest point on the bike. It’s a one stop pop of color that signals the owner’s having fun with the bike.
Like any custom, it’s all about the paint. Here somebody spent a lot of time and talent to give this the weathered patina of something that shouldn’t run without dripping gas everywhere. It’s a fun personal thing that I’m sure makes the owner happy as hell every time they see it. Custom paintjobs will do that to you and often that can be the way they’re viewed by others too. I know I get mildly jealous of paintjobs I’ve run into that I wish were mine and I’m sure you have too. The light blue base paint along with the big old whitewalls bring a bit of brightness to what otherwise could be a very dark bike. Even the fanciful Old West pioneer seat cover brings in a element of fun although it seems like the padding has hit the trash in the name of style.
All in all, it’s just a fun thing to think about whether you’re running tight or you’d just like to build something that could be a second bike you had a hand in yourself. There’s no good reason not to build a custom Sporty that I can think of. There are a million different ways to go at a Sportster and one of ‘em could be a guideline to where you want to go. Keep your eyes on the classifieds and get back to me when you score.