Sturgis 2008. Rode this bike from Houston to Sturgis and spent a week drinking, fighting, and riding!
Looking back through photos on the computer, I have come to
realize how much a man is influenced by the environment he allows himself to be
submerged into. I say this from my own experience as I am currently looking
back at the multi-faceted photo sharing sites and currently going through all
the pictures I have saved over the years.
As cell phones have improved, so has
the picture quality and storage capabilities. It seems the old photo albums
have been replaced with JPEG files and you hardly see a real camera anymore
unless it’s a professional photographer like Michael Lichter or Josh Kurpius.
I
have never been a great anything other than a great lover of riding
motorcycles, imagining what I can do next to them, and as I’ve always said my
favorite bike will always be my next one. Well, that sentiment is changing as I
look back on what very well be my favorite motorcycle from the past…my 2005
Harley-Davidson Softail Springer Classic.
I bought this bike in August 2005
right after my inaugural trip to Sturgis on the 100th Anniversary rattle
caned Fatboy with “Bars to the Stars”. That was also the year I met the O.G.
Bandit for the first time.
Bone stock 2005 Springer Classic
I bought the bike from Mancuso Harley-Davidson in Houston,
Texas after seeing it on the showroom floor. I had gotten a gift card for my
recent birthday and decided to get a t-shirt. Well, the t-shirt cost me more
than $25,000. Most Harley guys, at least the other yuppie dweebs like me, have
made the same journey.
But back to the story, the bike was a pristine version
of Harley’s “Revival” series before it ever existed. She came with the blacked
out springer FL forks, tank trim, fishtail exhaust on both sides, a cheese
grater in the rear…basically a great starting point. Looking back, I should’ve
went in a different direction with her and started making her look retro like
the 1949 Panhead I believe she was designed after. Instead, my new love of
choppers, bobbers, and all things “cool” at the time drove me differently.
Mustache Engine Guard and saddlebags, December 2005.
I rode the bike bone stock for an entire year. I had made
the famous lying quote more than once to my better half, “I love it just the
way she is, I won’t change a thing.” For a whole year that rung true. Most of
my trips were back and forth to work or the gym. I worked as an operations
foreman at a small chemical plant in Galena Park, Texas; right on the Houston
Ship Channel. Because my hours fluctuated as I followed a 4 day on, four day
off schedule, I was afforded the opportunity to spend a good amount of time in
the garage tinkering. This “tinkering” would usually result in my changing the
bike again as I had an idea in my head of where it was and where I wanted it to
go.
What many considered the Crown Jewel front end-FL Springer.
Most of my changes
were like most people, limited by 1) my financial situation and 2) my ability.
I also had one other caveat, in that whatever change I made had to be completed
in time for me to go to work as my bike was my main transport. So, as I started, the bike remained stock
until the ride to Sturgis in 2006.
My buddy Mike and I had ridden home from The Mecca in 2005
and decided we would make 2006 an epic trip. Well, during the trip I had a
little trouble with my pipes choking the bike, even glowing an almost
translucent red on the rear head pipe from the jug all the way to the
crossover.
No modifications were made to this bike except what the dealer had
done, so in my mind it was stock and running too lean. Screw it, it’s warrantied, so
I’ll ride her till she blows up…idiot. My
top speed was 88 miles an hour (Throttle wide open all the way through
Nebraska) and once I got home I noticed my brand new chromed Harley exhaust had
a yellow/ brown nasty looking burn spot on the rear header, right muffler, and
the heat shields looked cooked.
Now, I know that sounds trivial, but when I
bought this bike, (my 3rd Harley, but 2nd brand new
within 4 years) the salesman told me I had a “lifetime warranty on paint and
chrome as long as I left it stock. Well, guess what happened when I went to the
dealer and asked him the process to have my parts replaced? Yeah, he explained
that warranty did not include the pipes.
He also stated because I added a set
of throw-over saddlebags that I had added non-Harley parts to the mix, which
also voids the warranty. Now, if you have ever met me you may have noticed my
eyes slope down a little on the outside and may be set a little too close
together, but I promise you I’m not downsy…I’ve been tested.
I couldn’t believe
what he was telling me and rather than fight it and waste my time, I decided to
go a different route and start chopping up what I didn’t like. To be clear, this
putz didn’t last at that dealership long and I have no hard feelings to them, as
they treated me well over my life. This guy was a one off, and his ignorance
should not reflect on an otherwise stellar dealership.
But this is in fact that
point where I started down the “I’m no Jesse James or Billy Lane, but I can
chop this thing up” modification journey.
August 2006, started chopping stuff off
August 2006, time to chop and start the process figuring I
will learn along the way. The first modification had to be exhaust, since that’s
where the start of the concern was. I took the burnt to hell mufflers off and set
them aside to sell. Looking back, it’s amazing the amount of parts I sold on
E-bay at that time.
Today, I am more likely to sell it locally, but E-bay was
the thing then and people paid well for H-D parts. After a quick call to
Bandit, a new set of Hooker Headers were headed my way. I tried to ride sans
mufflers for a while, but besides looking dumb as shit, it also lost all back
pressure and the bike ran like hammered dog poo. I even tried a small bolt
through the ends with a nut on top to give it a little back pressure, but it
sucked.
So while I played with the exhaust, I decided the tank needed some
changes and I removed the metal strip and tank badge.
The front fender had to go, although it is a wonderfully
functional piece and a beautiful FL fender with matching light, I stripped it
and sold it. Now I was free to see that big fat front tire, which in my mind
made the bike look lower…more muscular.
See the table and pics below for the following journey.
I always loved the angle of the front end and chunky front tire look
Bobber article:
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=246
List of major modifications and timeline:
Bought Bike new in August 2005, reminded me of 1948 Pan.
December 2005-Added Mustache Engine Guard and throw over
saddlebags.
August 2006-rode bike to Sturgis and back.
August 31, 2006-Start of Choppin-removal of exhaust-started
at the mufflers.
Removed toolbox.
Removed Front Fender.
August 2006, my confused attempt at choppin.
I changed bars several times to get the right look and feel.
Bandit sent me to Kent Weeks, of Lucky Devil Metalworks for
some inspiration and to learn “The Code”. It was obvious I was clueless as
there’s more to choppin than just cutting off crap.
Lucky Devil custom...made my bike look fat, slow, chunky, and irrelevant.
I sent Bandit a few pics proud of my “bobber”. Bandit immediately
called and explained why it looked terrible. He recommended pipes and a tuner
to start.
SEPT 2006. Headed in the right direction. Changed bars and removed more unnecessary crap. October 2006, I installed Hooker Header pipes and a Terry
Components tuner. I also removed the tank trim until I could decide on
something better.
October 2006-The Hooker Headers are on!
My feeble attempt at a "scenic" country style shot. October 2006
December 2006 I cut down the stock seat and shaved all the
foam off. I re-covered the seat with a pair of chaps I had. Again, I sent pics
to Bandit and he had to rescue me again. We talked through the details and
Heartland Biker sent a 180 rear fender and seat my way.
January 2007. I had made several more mods, but the new modifications are just now coming.
January 2007, I removed the stock fender and cut the frame
to modify it so the Heartland kit would fit the bike. At this point, my wife
was sure I was either out of my mind or lost it entirely. No matter my schedule
at work, I was constantly messing with this silly bike.
My crude attempt at designing what I wanted her to look like
Using a sawzall on the frame. Look how confused I am wearing a beanie and a tank top. Is it cold? Is it hot? what are you doing young man?!
Grinding on the frame-January 2007
January 22, 2007. I finished with the mock up and am ready to ride.
Again I played with different bars trying to obtain the look
and feel I was after.
After my initial ride, I was in love...for now.
February, after a month I had painted the rear fender and changed bars. I hated the dirtbike rear end but needed to work a few months to save the dough to do what I wanted.
April 2007 I saved enough scratch to have the rear end
lowered and have the stock 88 inch upgraded to 95” with cams. MAN WHAT A
DIFFERENCE that made. This bike came alive. The lowered stance really improved
the look and made the bike look even longer. I was falling in love.
April 2007, Lowered, Bored 95" engine with 211 cams, and dripping with fresh new potential.
April 2007, have to have the Bandit's Bedroll perched on the bars.My first custom bagger LOL.
August 2008-The bike stayed that way besides minor bar
changes over the next 18 months and I made a second trip to Sturgis on the
bike.The slammed rear end and Heartland seat made it an absolute bear to ride
more than 50 miles. I mean, on the way home we were stopping every 65-70 miles
so Mike could re-fuel his peanut tank on his rigid chopper. He rode my bike one
stretch and said he’d stay with the chopper and it’s spring seat. Hmmm…that got
me thinking.
Inspiration from Danny Frassen stolen from jockey journal
Danny Fransen Bobbers and jockey journal to the rescue.
Another inspiration...also Danny
October 2008-I found an old “tractor style Spring seat” on
Ebay and installed. LOVED LOVED LOVED it.
Bobber Tractor seat-an actual H-D serial numbered job I found on E-bay. This was Fall 2008.
October 2008, the seat laying on the frame
Riding in a very different position from stock!
December 2008-Installed wide rear wheel from Ebay and 180
tire. Also installed 1932 Ford taillight/ stop lens and side bracket.
December 2008, finally added the 180 rear wheel/ tire combo.
This was how the bike stayed and how I rode it until I
traded the bike in. With just under 40,000 miles, this Springer Classic provided
an education of sorts for both my family and I as I really became enamored with
the modification of a stock H-D. I learned that I am in no way meant to be a
custom bike builder, so I just write about what I do so others can enjoy, poke
fun, and maybe learn from my ignorance. Either way, I still ride and enjoy the
piss outta it, so it really doesn’t matter if people like it or not, just that
I enjoy it and am willing to share my love with others.
This bike ended up being a nasty ride that I unfortunately don't have any more. The fuel control module is fitted into the toolbox to give me space under the seat for the new bobber seat.
Keep riding my friends, and share what you know with those
who will listen Enjoy the New Year!