Rebuild evo Fatboy or buy kit bike?

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Apr 25, 2011 | 07:51 PM

#21

2006FLST

Road Master

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 1,232

Likes: 8

From: Powder Springs, GA

I have had both. A custom I built and then chopped it up and did even more to it. I am liking this 97 I just picked up more and more than the chopper. I also like it much more than the 06 softail I had. There are customs out there you can buy but like mentioned some of them can be massive headaches. But I am sure there are some good ones. My vote is the fatboy. I think for the money you will get a better bike.

Apr 26, 2011 | 08:36 AM

#22

cwhite6

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 449

Likes: 192

From: Pineville, LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev_England

Nice work CW!
Just wondeing, whats the advantage of using the Kraft Tek frame over stock? I imagine it has a wider rear swingarm for wider tire, but any other advantages that make it worth going thru the dmv hassles?
Thanks again for the info. Do you have a thread for you build (Id like to keep an eye on it

)
Cheers.

My frame is an OEM style which means it has the same dimensions and mounting points as a stock frame. I would like to have bought a stock frame, but the ones I can find with clean titles are way, way too expensive. The DMV is not bad as long as you keep all of your paperwork and bring it with you. You only have to mess with them once to get the title after the state police inspect the bike for you. I guess different states vary, but it is not near as bad as some people believe it is. Myself, I have owned two Harleys. I loved them both. This bike is not going to be a Harley. I have very few Harley parts. Nor am I going to try to pass it off as a Harley. It will be a custom Softail and look nothing (except for the frame geometry) like any bike Harley makes. I am building it because I want to have one exactly how I want it and did not want to buy and finance another HD. I am building this one as I save money to buy the pieces. I have no doubt in 5 years or so when I can afford to pay cash for it I will buy another HD, probably a touring bike for me and the wife.

Last edited by cwhite6; Apr 26, 2011 at 08:37 AM. Reason: Spelling

Apr 26, 2011 | 09:15 AM

#23

Kev_England

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 282

Likes: 1

From: Raleigh, N. Carolina (Via Brighton, England)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwhite6

I am building this one as I save money to buy the pieces. I have no doubt in 5 years or so when I can afford to pay cash for it I will buy another HD, probably a touring bike for me and the wife.

Yes, similar idea to mine. I have nearly finished off customizing my street bob which is why im looking for the next project. Im leaning further and further to the fatboy. My plan would be to strip it right down and then get the frame powder coated. Then re-assemble it slowly as I get money with custom parts. It took me 2 years to restore a 68 Triumph Bonnie, and 1.5 years to get my street bob where I want it.

I imagine the fatboy project would take 3 years--possibly longer (money and spare time being the limiting factors).

Good luck on the project. Looks nice so far--especially that tear drop tank.

Apr 26, 2011 | 10:19 AM

#24

cwhite6

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 449

Likes: 192

From: Pineville, LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev_England

Thanks! One thing to consider if you do buy a stock bike, anything you do not want throw it on ebay. There are alot of folks like myself that do use HD parts for some stuff if they need it. For example, I just bought the half moon hub for my build from ebay. Guy had a stock one from 1998 Heritage that was in pretty much unused condition. It was cheaper for me to buy it than buy an aftermarket one. Heck, you can sell the motor if you want and buy a bigger one. Or, if you want to stay at 80", take your motor out and send it to HD to have it rebuilt at the factory. They will completely rebuild it back to factory specs with any changes they made to the design after your was built. It is not a bad price either.

Apr 26, 2011 | 11:49 AM

#25

98fat

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 276

Likes: 1

Well I have a 98 Fatboy and so you can guess my vote. You can't go wrong with this bike. Evo is a great engine. For 3k you can send back to mother Harley and have a new moter or buy one of many other motors that will fit. You can rebuild from the ground up from many different catalogs etc... Good Luck