Can You truly build a custom Harley with just “bolt-on parts”?

12 Comments

1. Ride on says:

   July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

   That is one of the coolest things about Harley.
   There are more suppliers of after market parts and accessories than any other bikes out there.
   The hardest part is not getting overwhelmed by all the choices.
   I have done several " from the ground up " reconstructions ,a few for myself one for my dog, one for my girl friend and a couple for profit.
   Once in a while you may run across some items that are just not compatible,You can either modify ,or exchange them.
   But I think the answer you are looking for is " Yes one can buy a pile of after market parts and build a pretty sweet bike.
2. Tim G says:

   July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

   Probably. but you might want to see a finnised version of the one your gonna build first. You may not like some of the basic things like ride hight suspention and steering. most "kits" seem to work on paper but unless you have alot of matching or compatable components, you will be chasing the correct part alot of the time. I have seen custom bikes made this way, and they are allways prone to problems of durability and reliability. So unless you really are a hands on all the time guy, ide say go for it good luck.
3. cheyenne95129 says:

   July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

   get online and check out jp cycles. Get a catalog and read it
   Shovel? better get the look alike engine or you will have lots of reliability issues. Why not a used post 1985 big twin? they are far more reliable..
4. mycoldfeet says:

   July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

   Yes, it’s possible, but take it slow ask questions, and think about a custom softail, looks just like a hard tail, but you have about 4" of travel, and join club chopper.com they have shop forums, builders forums, and a lounge just to BS, and if you got any questions about anything, you’ll get all the help you need, if you see mycoldfeet on the that’s me, Look at the builders pic’s and members pic’s and get some ideas, mine doesn’t have a stock part on it.
5. chopperchopster says:

   July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

   you need to know what fits what first,that way it will simply bolt together. However there will ALLWAYS be a small amount of fabrication which is what makes a custom build a challenge and therefore kinda fun. I just finished a panhead chopper and it took a year but turned out perfect.
6. bluff mike says:

   July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

   If you use bolt-ons exclusively, then you have an "accessorized" Harley.
7. strech says:

   July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

   Another route is many companies sell a bike kit. These come in various stages of completeness, many with bracketry already welded on.
8. taffscott1 says:

   July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

   You can build a cutom bike but it won’t be a Harley.
9. leecavcu says:

   July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

   Check out the kits that Custom Chrome, Ultima, Big Bear, etc. put out. They are complete kits made from aftermarket parts. I built a Custom Chrome Hardcore 1 (they don’t make it anymore). It’s a rigid old school bike with ape hangers and straight pipes. If you aren’t a mechanic then they are a pain to put together. I’m not a mechanic but I have mechanical knowledge (I was in college for mechanical engineering while building it) and it was a challenge sometimes. But now I can say that I built my bike with my own two hands. They run between $12k-20k.

   If you don’t like that idea, then yes, you can make a bike out of aftermarket parts. It will be a pain to make sure everything fits right out of the box, though.
10. iwingameover says:

    July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

    Simple answer NO. If you buy it from a book it’s not custom.
11. nbr660 says:

    July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

    OH YEAH you can do it, "what fits what" really helps.
12. Walter F says:

    July 15, 2009 at 9:16 am

    the simple answer is NO.

    Here’s why, if it doesn’t have a HD VIN then it ain’t Harley.

    People will hate this answer but it is the truth.

    everything else is a Harley clone, yes I know there are choppers, bob jobs, pro street, or whatever else you call them, but they are still clones.