anyone here use a wrecked hd for a starting point for a custom build? I know the titleing is much easier. any other points to ponder?

so long as the frame ain't all twisted,...i'd say yea,..good place to start. Already has VIN#,.....thats a plus for sure,....no hassle with dmv.

I was thinking more of just using the engine and trans for a new build and possibly the downtube to title a pretty much ground up custom. I think it should work. I am having a fram built if I go this way. I want to build a bobber/chopper that will fit my 6'4" 260 lb frame. any suggestions?

You need to research the title requirements in your state. Bill of sale for donor, MCO for frame, etc. I built my own from scratch but at the time I was inc. so was able to issue my own VIN. For that purpose all parts had to be new.
I wish you luck, building/riding your own is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
At least double your expected assy time, lots of little stuff takes longer than you think.
Have fun!

local://upfiles/36103/0998220B9ECB400FA2B70CEFA5AF0900.jpg

local://upfiles/36103/88F922E6E20B419CBE01D8E16D57785A.jpg

Check this thread out for my build based on a wrecked fatboy...

http://www.hdforums.com/m_2454223/tm.htm

Leesiple,
I bought my bike from a salvage yard.The bike came from Oregon and I live in California but that turned out to not be any kind of a problem. Registering it required putting on all the stuff that year motorcycle would have originally had on it, reflectors and such, for the brake and light inspection. All in all, no big problem getting it registered. I had to deal with the DMV, the CHP, and a shop that did the brake and light inspection.
Your plan sounds like a good one.All I cansuggest is that you do the leg work up front to find out what your state requires to register the bike so you avoid having to rework anything to comply with what they want.
Of course, get a title from the seller...otherwise it might be wiser to just walk away and find another.
Good luck!!

You're off to a good start, so long as the title isn't a salvaged title.

There are a fewframe builders out there that will take the neck from the donor and build a frame around it, you should have no trouble registering the 'custom' that way.

Insurance and state inspection could be a little tricky.

I used a '98' Sportster Sport as a donor, the only parts I used were the neck, motor, and front end. I've never had a problem with registration, and it is insured as a '98' Sportster.

rebeltruce,
My bike has a salvage title. It hasn't caused me any problems. Perhaps someday I'll run into a problem if Itry to sell itbecause buyerswill beconcerned about the title.Of course, I intend to ride this thing until it's so worn out nobody will want it even if it didn't say "salvage" on the title so it may be a moot point in my case.

Here in Virginia, it's a bit of a hassle to get a Salvaged Titled bike re-registered.....has to be inspected by DMV, that means like you said it has to be brought back to factory specs.

That means same frame...on and on. Basically not a custom at that point, it's a real pain in the butt.....Now if a person wanted to get a 'special' construction there are even more hoops to jump through...LOL That means a whole new VIN number is issued....better to buy a donor, here in Va anyway, that has clean paperwork.

The only real problem is insurance, imagine an insurance adjuster coming out to look at a wrecked 99 Lowrider and seeing a rigid frame with a 250 tire, that may be worth 2 or 3 times as much as the stock 99 Lowrider....you'd be lucky to even get the Lowrider money for the repairs.

After 2 frame up builds and dealing with the DMV,it is not a big deal at all.As long as all the paperwork is up to date,and you follow what their packet has to say,you will be golden.

Like everyone has said. title is probably the biggest concern. you can do awesome things with a stocker if you put some work into it

I am doing a Boyce pro street now doner bike for motor and trans was a 98 flhtcui ultra
that has a junk title, but boyce has title on frame numbers

Started work on my bobber. Bought a Sprtster frame off of eBay with a clean title, then you find a slavage bike to use as a donor for little bits and pices, and buy the big parts you want. With my rigid tail from Led Sled customs, a springer and a motor out of a salvage or donor bike, I should be able to sell off some of the rest and get away with a 2nd Harley for under $10,000.

~Joe

My last 2 bikes were built with frames bought off Ebay and both with steering heads cut off.Have another 05 frame waiting for a build.Just contact your local DMV and ask for the info.

UPDATE:

Bought a donor bike off of eBay......anyone want a evo sportster frame with a CLEAN TITLE? I have one for sale.

~Joe