I Built It (Custom Bagger)
Harley Motorcycle ProjectsDiscuss I Built It (Custom Bagger) in the Motorcycles forums; Buzz, tell Tom Johnson I may have something for him now (he did story for S&S about my Road King a couple of years ago "Duane Thornton's 116...") I retired ...
Buzz, tell Tom Johnson I may have something for him now (he did story for S&S about my Road King a couple of years ago "Duane Thornton's 116...") I retired from the Navy after 30 years, two months, and 8 days in 2002. I'm an avid rider that decided to build my own custom Bagger when I came across a project on Ebay back in July 2007.
It was a Rolling Thunder, 200mm wide tire frame, 140/18 frt, 200/17 rear, Klockwerks rear fender with RWD taillight, RWD front fender, HD 2004 partial wiring harness, stock HD FLHT front end/brakes, cables, etc.
I began with the motor, 124" S&S Single Bore Injection, Closed Loop VFI. Only thing I did to the motor was have the cam cover chromed. Exhaust is Bub Seven, True Dual. Transmission Baker DD6. Starter is the new All Balls 1.6kw. Clutch is Rivera Pro Clutch with Rivera Variable Pressure Plate and 88t clutch basket.
Paint is all black. Tank is RWD 6 gallon stretched. I had the dash chromed. The emblem is the collar device I wore in the Navy. The tank was painted by Jim Munroe in Rhode Island. He did an awesome job. Saddleman worked with me to make a seat. What a great company! I have an Ultra tour pak being painted to match.
Front end had HD chrome lower forks that were reworked by Traxxion. I had their cartridges installed. Brakes are all Brembo on the front (HD rear). Fairing is HD, painted in/out. Handlebars are Chubby touring, mirrors are Kuryakyn fairing trim mounted, speakers are Hog Tune, controls chromed HD, radio from Biketronics (AM/FM/CD/MP3 and XM). Guages are all Dakota Digital.
The build took 7 months in the garage. I even kept a spreadsheet with all the costs. Next time someone baulks at spending $50K for a Custom Bagger, tell them to give me a call. I owe a big thanks to Bob from Cycle Maintenance in Groveland, MA, I got the project from him and he was my Drag Specialties distributor. The HD parts (which add up to thousands...) were bought from Jason at Moroney's HD in Newburgh, NY. And lastly, EBAY! You'd be surprised how much I got out of Ebay.
This is my Granddaughter Sky, age 7. Can't walk, talk, or feed herself but look at that smile. Anyone care to complain about their lot in life? Not me!
Nice job but the pic doesnt do it justice. Got any better ones? Also, If you dont mind me asking, ball park figure on total build. I was considering a ground up build in the future and after putting some numbers together it seems it will cost just as much if not more than a new factory ride. Any problem registering it? Heard stories of guys having problems getting them registered and insured. Thanks. Botz
The resolution requirements for this site don't allow posting high res photos. You are right, the pictures don't do the bike justice.
There are two figures. One is what I actually spent. I saved a LOT of money using a Drag Specialties guy who cut me a great deal, using Ebay where I could for NEW/like NEW parts, and Moroney's HD for the deal they helped me make on the HD parts. My spreadsheet is within a few hundred dollars of $35K. All said and done, I'd be shocked if the price topped $36K. Once it is tagged/insured, I'm going to take it to a pro to get the alignment checked. That should be about it on the costs. The other figure without the discountes would be well over $40K.
I'd do it again in a minute. My problem now is my wife "thought" I was going to sell the Road King when I got this one built. I've had the RD for 10 years and have done EVERYTHING possilbe to customize it, e.g. 116" S&S, Jim's 6 speed, custom paint, Hoppe fairing, 21" Renegade Chrome wheel, on and on. I passed the word around that I'd take 20K for it and didn't get a nibble. And I'll be damned if I'd give it away. So, I'll just keep it too....
You'll never build a custom bagger for than a new bike. Not if you are going for high end performance. At the same time, you'll never take a new bike ($20+K) and modify it and save money. Performance COSTS! No short cuts. That was my goal with this bike. I decided to do everything right the FIRST time, brakes, motor, transmission, suspension (oh yea, rear is 13.5 Progressive 440s, I like MORE clearance, not less). The motor retails for over $9K, the transmission over $3k, traxxion cartridges over $1K, 200mm rear tire kit (complete), over $5K, Gas tank painted, over $2K... Just those parts alone are over $20k. It adds up. I compared my parts list to an FBI bagger. There's is a factory bike, have a warranty, and are GREAT motorcycles. Starting at $41K, I NOW KNOW the they are a great deal. But performance wise, I have a lot more in my build.
Some have asked why I didn't do more with the paint. Easy to answer, custom paint on a bike that is ridden hard doesn't hold up. My Road King has custom paint and I swore I'd never do that again. In the build I went for the suttle look, using all black, knowing it would be easy to touch up. I ride my bikes, a lot, e.g 1999 Road King 112K miles, 2005 BWM R1200RT 36K miles.
I'm just starting the paper work for a title. A pain in the butt here in the state of VA. Have to have pictures, MSOs for major components, receipts, notarized affadavit, etc. All this has to mailed in to Richmond. Once DMV Richmond is satisfied they make me an appointment to take the bike to a state inspection station to verify serial numbers, etc. After that, I'll get a title. Insurance is going to be expensive. The ONLY insurance company I have found that offers full coverage (I tried them all, e.g. Progressive, Geico, USAA, State Farm, etc) is Foremost. To insure for $35K I'm looking at about $1500 per year. Before I can get insurance, I have to get an appraisal and photos. Shows like OCC showing all the shortcuts custom builders take have hurt the insurance market! If I just wanted liability insurance, it wouldn't be a problem.
Last word of caution with regard to building your own bike. By the way, I don't think I really "built" the bike, I assembled the parts that I wanted on a bike. Even at that, don't expect ANYTHING to fit! Like the Bub Seven pipes, yes they fit, after modifying for clearances and being taken off/on about 50 times. About 12 hours alone in mounting the pipes! Or the Dakota Digital gauges that require modifying the stock wiring harness (a lot!). Go for it!
Gunnert
I know what you on the paint choice. Subtle is best when you want to showcase your build. And no better colour than BLACK for that.
Nice job sir!
Cheers!
__________________
now that I'm a senior member do I get a discount on chrome or something?
the sun comes up;the sun goes down
Nice looking bike! Here on Utah you just have to have a stamped serial # on the frame or the engine. But the insurance is what will kill ya. Last I herd a custom bike is about 10 fold of a production bike on insurance costs. Im already planing out two builds in the future to build with my boys when they get older for them to ride. cant hardly wait.
once again, WELL DONE MY FRIEND!
I have found only one insurance company that will insure full coverage (Foremost). But I may not be able to afford it... One quote was 1700 a year and another was $2800. I may be going with liability and Lojack.... I'm not that worried about wrecking the bike, I can fix what I break. It's the theft part that concerns me.
I Built It (Custom Bagger) 
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