Your Onramp to the Harley-Davidson Aftermarket Highway

The Process of Customization can Begin on Any Budget
by Jason Giacchino

The situation:  You pick up your new (perhaps just new to you) V-Twin and are enamored with your purchase.  Trouble is, you want this machine to be yours, unique to you, something to set it apart from the masses.  Let’s face it, when starting from scratch, there are almost too many areas to target with your limited customization cash.  Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed!

We’ll take a look at some of the easily achievable visual and performance enhancing tips and tricks to get you on your way to a custom ride without breaking the bank.

Trick Chrome Bits

Perhaps the most cost effective method of all is to purchase and install chrome (or painted) throttle and idle cable covers.  These bits go for under $50, can be installed by just about anyone and go a long way to differentiate one’s bike from a stocker.  Additional bits that make excellent candidates for the chrome (or custom painted treatment) include switch housings, controls, mirrors and grips.

Plate Frames

“The man” insists we sport license plates, but that doesn’t mean we’ve got to deal with the OEM look of the brackets coming from the factory.  Some low-cost, custom-looking options can take styling to the next level.  Among these, chromed plate holders, horizontal holders that tuck neatly into the bike’s bodywork, even LED-light equipped holders to stand out at night.  There are even foldaway units that tuck out of the way when parked.

Exhaust Systems

Perhaps the most popular modification of all, an aftermarket exhaust can actually customize your ride four-ways simultaneously:  Looks, sound, power output and weight.  There are a few potential downsides to this modification, however.  Among these, price (this can easily be a several thousand dollar modification), there is some mechanical difficulty associated with installing the system one’s self, and we all know that inconsiderate riders have abused this concept in the past with excessively loud pipes responsible for taking freedoms away from the rest of us.

Lighting

All road legal motorcycles come with a whole plethora of simple custom opportunities in the form of lighting. Frames, hardware, bulbs, lenses – these are all areas perfect for adding a little customization.  Turn signals, headlights and taillights ensure that tweaking the look of your bike can result in a unique appearance, even compared to others with modified lighting.  This is another affordable modification that can be accomplished even by neophyte mechanics.

Luggage

The beauty of luggage mods is that not only do they change the appearance/ styling of the bike, they are fully functioning additions as well.  Soft luggage (leather), hard packs and luggage racks are all feasible methods of customizing the look of your bike, while adding some useful storage solutions in the process.

Air Intake

It doesn’t seem like much, but aftermarket air cleaners look trick and actually make a significant improvement on an engine’s ability to breathe.  The problem is these things aren’t cheap! Expect to drop $500 for a bullet-model like the one shown.

Suspension

Suspension is one of those timeless modifications that can yield a customized ride for minimal cash investment.  Long distance touring often favors air-shocks and a variety of colors/ shapes and styles for OEM-spec coil-over units can add some unique visual flair to the equation.  Additionally suspension kits can be used to alter the bike’s geometry (stretching out the front end, lowering the rear end, etc.).

Windshield

It’s hard to believe something so transparent can do so much for the look of a motorcycle, but clear or smoked; high-cruising style; low profile; and everything in between can make all the difference.  Surprisingly enough, studies show that rider attitude can fluctuate in direct relation to the windshield style selected.

Seat

Well, like the suspension mod, swapping out the saddle can be as much a buttocks-comfort modification as it can simply be a style statement.  This is one of those “skies-the-limit” modifications that can range from a couple hundred dollars for a mass produced aftermarket unit to several thousand greenbacks for a one-off custom built.  Sadly this is one of few mods that can’t be seen while you’re riding, but your backside just may determine this is one of those alterations that you shouldn’t cheapen out on!

Decals

Last, but certainly not least, is the customization value most of us discovered as kids when we decorated our skateboards, school folders or lunchboxes: stickers! Decal kits make for an affordable way to create a look all your own.  Tanks and fenders are prime candidates for the decal treatment and not only are they far more affordable than seeking a comparable custom paint job, decals can be removed should you wake up one day and realize you are so over flames and skulls.  Now if only that tattoo were so easily undone!