Alright so here it is. I've been taking up too much space in the Thug/Club/SOA/T-Bar/Fairing/Dual Disk Brake Thread so I figured I'd start my own.

This won't be too exciting, and very slow moving as far as the actual build goes. I'm going to do this thread "blog" style....this is more for me to look back on in a few years rather than impress all my buddies with my gigantic motor and dyno numbers. It'll will probably end up very pic-heavy just to document well.

Like I said- build progress will be slow and steady. I had twin boys 9 months ago so aside from the financial hit, I have zero free time. I'm basically working long days, coming home to be with the family and then wrenching at night when boys and wife are asleep.

So lets start. This is the photo from the ad I found. I dug up this 2002 FXDP Dyna Defender from Bossier Harley Davidson in Louisiana and had it shipped to San Diego California. It arrived 03/17/2015.

Here's the dealer photos from the ad:






Next shipping was arranged and I got some photos from the dealer as the bike was being loaded on a wet Lousiana Day. This was to hold me over while I had to wait a week.

 

Here's some pics from the arrival at the shipping warehouse

 

And then some of the first day home, just to create a base line before mods.

 

I've been going through it with a fine-toothed comb as far as maintenance....all fluids changed. Had a little drip so I did new gaskets all around just for *****. New spark plugs and all the other basic maintenance.

Here's the first official mods- Hogrida laydown plate bracket and blacked out rear turn signals and tail light, also epoxy painted the tail light trim piece.

 

Sweet! Gunna be a good one...

 

HD did a good job on that bike, I like the black crash bar and bag guards, I'm surprised they didn't make them chrome.

I really like the speedo/tach set up, functional with being in line of sight.

Dig it!

 

Looks good. I love those FXDP bags. Probably the only bags I'd put on and leave on my Dyna. Maybe one of these days I'll run across a set.

I don't wanna clutter up your thread with a bunch of "here's what I think you should do" advice, but my one suggestion would be to black out the fork lowers and the triple trees. That always gives Dyna front ends a nice contrast that really stands out. If you don't want to pay for powder coat, appliance epoxy or VHT roll bar and chassis paint give a real nice finish.

 

I'm so in. Congrats on a nice purchase and the two for one on the children!

 

Nice bike! Which tail light did you end up going with?

Subscribed.

 

Pretty cool, man. Don't see too many Defenders any more. I'll be interested to see what you do with her. Be sure & check those cam chain tensioners ASAP!

Mines an '04 cast off by the El Paso PD in 2011. It looked pretty good on purchase, but was a basket case internally. I got lots o quality time in the garage with her. See pics.

I like Defenders, particularly service models. Lots of history/character there. I'm kinda partial to black, myself.

Good luck!!