Custom Shops or DIY?

[freelancer2011]

Hi guys!

I may be interested in a used Sportster in the next year or two. Something that can be a work-in-progress but wonder:-

*If I'm not comfortable doing the work myself, is there a custom shop (affordable prices) in the UK that can help fit the straight handlebars (possibly Mucho Fatso-styles) and non-Harley aftermarket parts that you may find in the Zodiac catalogue?

*Is it even worth looking at Sportsters made between 86-2004? Pre-late models basically? Are there enough aftermarket parts options available?

I'm looking for that raw, outlaw, blacked-out type-look. Like Dark Custom.

Thanks,
Lab.

 

[jackassdave]

are you looking for a hard tail frame ,or going with the standard frame ?

 

[freelancer2011]

Erm...I actually don't know, JackassDave.

Is the hard one heavier? Does it vibrate less?

 

[jackassdave]

a hardtail is a frame with NO SUSPENSION,basically a hard tail ,its nearlly allways custom made .
personally ,if your going down the custom route ,only a hard tail looks right ,the only softness you have in the ride is in the tyre .
this was my hard tail ,as you can see no rear suspension .
ill resize the pic and put it up

 

[jackassdave]

like this ,no rear suspension

 

[Mutley]

If you aren't likely to even buy a bike for a year or two then I suggest you spend some time visiting custom shows and reading a few magazines. You may soon find your taste changes, especially once the reality of what the bikes are like to ride hits you

The custom scene is alive and well, and it's not very hard to find if you start with Google and a copy of BSH :cool

 

[jackassdave]

as mutley says , get BSH or similar mags IRON HORSE ,styles change ,and if you go down the custom route ,it will cost you ,i know from experiance .
think of what it will cost you ,then double it ,and add a third ,and youll be near it .

 

[David Nimrod]

OP, not wishing to be patronising, but it sounds like you need (as Mutley & Dave say) to immerse yourself in the 'Custom scene' (to basically learn as much as possible) before spending lots of money... There are various 'Custom shops' (and 'Dealers') that will 'see you coming'...

 

[Shep]

DIY with (mild) parts bought from a shop/online is a nice gentle intro into the custom world. You learn more about your bike and save some money, just get a more experienced friend to oversee your project.

In the end only you know if your capable of some basic mild spannering or not. If not i'd leave well alone unless you're minted. Most standard bikes are much nicer to ride

 

[David Nimrod]

Most standard bikes are much nicer to ride

Very true...

'Customising' is a great way to waste money

You think it makes you an individual..?

It won't, it'll just make someone else rich, and you poor

A better way to spend the money:- travel.

 

[jackassdave]

true ,you dont add value to a custom bike ,unless its an exile or indian larry ,otherwise ,there ,you will get less than what you paid for it ,and it will be harder to sell .

 

[twizzle]

Buy this......http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-HARL...7135464?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item43b4438fe8

Visit here.....http://quadcambastards.blogspot.co.uk/

Then Buy this...http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_210031_langId_-1_categoryId_165495

Then go here....http://www.wwag.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WebSite.woa/wa/DirectAction?navi=1.1&page=GoodStuff

Enjoy.....

 

[jackassdave]

you got it in one

 

[Mutley]

Most standard bikes are much nicer to ride

and HD do a very nice line in cut down mat black sportsters straight out of the box. The 883 Iron is only about £6k brand new whilst the '48 is the coolest bike in the range. Both can now be picked up second hand and Irons can be had for well below £5k in great condition with low miles.

You'll be hard pressed to get a Sportster chop on the road for that

 

[jackassdave]

sound advice ,there was a guy on here ,brought a lovely mattt black sporster £5000 brand new ,from the channel islands or somewhere .
id look into that .

 

[Gipsy]

Not sure how to put this, and please don't get upset, but have you ridden a Harley. It's not clear from your post whether you have or not. If not I'd really suggest that you ought to give one a go before deciding on creating a custom. I love mine, as do all the other guys in this section, but they aren't everyone's cup of tea.

 

[freelancer2011]

Heya guys!

Thank you ALL for your help and suggestions! I'm overwhelmed! Nice bike, JackassDave!!

Honestly-speaking, I'm more likely to go down the route that Shep, Mutley (thx again, man) & Twizzle describe.

Gipsy, yes, the first Harley I rode and test rode before getting the F650GS was the Iron 883N, earlier, this year! I really do like it. The only that stopped me getting one was no grab/pillion hand rails. -I'm short and I was thinking about what would happen if I was in town and had to wheel back into a parking slot. -I couldn't do the 'walk backwards' method when there was a slight incline (when I parked-up somewhere) I just couldn't get the momentum going and had to embarrassingly get off it and wheel it backwards by the bars.

Thinking about it now a 17L tank, those rails and possibly straight handlebars are probably the only ones I need. But I don't know if the Harley/dealer would be prepared to put on anything that isn't Harley. So, I'm not looking for a custom build from the ground-up, per se. Just somebody to help put those bits and pieces together?

I've got to admit: BSHs' eye candy covers always catch my eyes in WH Smiths

 

[jackassdave]

sound advice from everyone ..................which im going to ignore ,and go down ther custom build route again ,next year,jockey shift ,hard tail ,metal flake ,,oh yes .
which inreality means ,ill have no money for ages ,and it will be woth less than what i paid for it ......do we ever learn