What custom work have you done to your bike?

Question

How has it worked for you? What suggestion do you have for performance? I have a Sportster 883, but now I am outgrowing it and looking for more.

Answer 1

The mods are too numerous to detail, but I'll give a short version for each bike.
My 1991 FXR ( ground up re-construction)
121 cui T.P. motor
Baker 6 speed
Chain drive
Hooker exhaust
Works suspension
R.C.comp mags
Custom sheet metal
Custom paint
Chrome LOTS of it ,Frame +swing arm every nut and bolt
stainless braided hoses .
**The bike puts out 116 H.P 128 ft.lbs of torque and for a 700lb bike handle beautifully.

The old ladys bike 1990 FXR( ground up reconstruction)
100" Rev Tech
C.C. 6 speed
Vance and Hines exhaust
Works suspension
Renegade Mags
Custom sheet metal
Custom paint
Custom seat and bags ( Ivory Sting ray)
All the same Chrome Frame swingarm bolts Blah, blah ,blah.
Never bothered to Dyno hers ,but plenty fast and more important to her, she has trophied in 6 of 9 shows she has entered.

The dogs bike (1991XL1200 custom doggy sidecar)
Stock 1200 EVO
Mikuni HSR 42 carb
Bassani exhaust
Polished H.D. Mags
Works suspension
Matched Factory custom paint on a Russian made Ural sidecar.

By far the most fun , The dog and I have a blast on this crate.

If you are looking at "Beefing up" your Sporty ,S&S makes a 89" kit that will make it fly. ( I'll be puting one in the sidecar this winter) S&S also has a 91" and a 100" crate motor for Sportsters.and Baker makes a 6speed.
If you are going to get a Big Twin ,I swear by the FXR, but what one chooses to ride is pretty personal,hell they're all sweet.

Answer 2

I just finished a custom Sporty. Exactly what do you mean by 'outgrowing' it ? Are you looking for something bigger like a Fatboy or Roadking ? Are you just tired of the bike you have ? The only thing I did to the 883 I just finished was different pipes and velocity stack - but making it breathe better made a WORLD of difference in the performance. If I was keeping it for myself - I'd throw in a set of Andrews cams and S/E valve springs and change to single-fire ignition system.

Answer 3

I have a 97 Sportster 1200. The guy before me put a sissybar and luggage rack on it. I put mirrors on with longer stems and a sundowner seat.

Thought about bling but I just can't justify the prices. When I look at used bikes, the bling does not add much to the value of the bike for me. In fact, the owner usually increases his price and so I look elsewhere. I want to put my money in the bike, not the bling. That's just me though. Some guys like to showoff when they go to a Harley event. I ride to ride, not show-and-tell.

Answer 4

It's actually cheaper to buy a new bike sometimes. I'm more into mods then custom parts. My bike got Mikuni carbs, cams, pistons, exhaust, head porting, coils, oil cooler, bars, seat, rims, tires and front fender. Some other small stuff like grips and levers, but they are more a personal comfort item then for show. I can't say any of that added to the value for resale, but it goes scary fast.

Answer 5

Larger air filter, free-flow exhaust, DFO. Depending on how you look at it, I may have decreased the performance a bit, yet enhanced around town rideability. Still purrs down the highway. Most of my stuff is just for "usefulness". Hard bags, extra pegs, very different seats, cup holder.... I made it work for me, but I use it as an all around vehicle, not a racer.

This is all on a Dyna. The TC88 has enough punch for me.

Answer 6

thats a real problem,if you dont have the money for a dyna low rider than you must consider a big jap bike,which are getting better all the time ,what about a 1800 cc vulcan,im talking about massive power.or a big royal star yamaha?i had a sportster which had power but i weigh 215,it looked like a minibike under me,buy what ever big bike you can afford.......

Answer 7

Upgraded pipes to Screaming Eagles, swapped out the handlebar mirrors, changed out the grips on the handlebars....

Added leather pouches to the saddlebag rails so I have a place to put drinks...lol

All this on a full dress '07 FLRH

Answer 8

I do not have any stock parts on mine, the engine and tranny are worked over R/T Harley, frame is Day-tec, custom tank. fenders, paint, all accessories are polished billet aluminum, brakes 4 piston calipers, Primo Rivera Belt drive and clutch, bullett turn signals, 8" over front end and the list goes on and on, but know every part on it.