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The 50s was indeed a time of unique artwork from the guys just off the farms and back from the war(s)
A lot of originality, as there was no catalog or internet for that matter, there was NO ONE
to buy anything from as far as custom.
If you wanted different bars you were going to make them!
From rods to bikes it was a beautiful
time.
Its kind of sad to see it slip past and people never build anythng anymore.(most)
...Its kind of sad to see it slip past and people never build anythng anymore.(most)
Or what is built requires a $10,000 machine to make.
What was done back then was not only hand made, it was typically made with improvised methods and tools.
49 Pan/Shovel garage built with parts from police auctions,parts left behind at local indies,swap-meets,friends and brothers. Welding and paint farmed out. IBIMS crapie pitcure
Back in the day (2007/8) Harley did sell production choppers - Thunder Mountains Keystones.
They looked the part, sold off limited showroom floors, had Harley motor and electrics BUT did not carry the 1HD vin so not all Harley dealers supported them and they carried a a $45K price tag!
My buddy had one, we rode from Florida to Texas when he had a few problems so took it to the local HD dealer, they wouldn't touch it, said wasn't a true Harley, he was sure pissed !
I do have a friend (woman) who brought one from new and still rides it today, me personally, rode my buddies once and that was enough, beautiful to look at, got loads of attention but a real bitch to ride!
Been done, somebody was selling a hardtail frame in the late 80's for FLT & FXR drivetrains. Off the shelf custom frame frame prints I doubt you find, factory manual used to have a spec sheet for the older 4 speed frames but the moco quit that in later years for liability issues.
I remember seeing an FXR in a rigid long ago. Haven't seen an FLT in a rigid. I have no doubt it exists but my Google image search comes up with nothing. Seems like a good idea, maybe there is something wrong with it I cannot see.
My hand skills with a tubing bender are dogpile. I do have access to a CNC bender and laser so I should be able to handle that. I have an FXR frame I can pull numbers from. A project I should get off my *** and do.
Mid '80's (?) Paughco made rigid frames for FLT drive trains. I built a 5sp shovel on one. Loved that bike... so did my ex's lawyer.
Should have went with my first plan.
I'd be out of jail by now and still have that bike...
Back in the day (2007/8) Harley did sell production choppers - Thunder Mountains Keystones.
They looked the part, sold off limited showroom floors, had Harley motor and electrics BUT did not carry the 1HD vin so not all Harley dealers supported them and they carried a a $45K price tag!
My buddy had one, we rode from Florida to Texas when he had a few problems so took it to the local HD dealer, they wouldn't touch it, said wasn't a true Harley, he was sure pissed !
I do have a friend (woman) who brought one from new and still rides it today, me personally, rode my buddies once and that was enough, beautiful to look at, got loads of attention but a real bitch to ride!
Never knew that. Beautiful bike, exactly what I was envisioning.
I remember seeing an FXR in a rigid long ago. Haven't seen an FLT in a rigid. I have no doubt it exists but my Google image search comes up with nothing. Seems like a good idea, maybe there is something wrong with it I cannot see.
My hand skills with a tubing bender are dogpile. I do have access to a CNC bender and laser so I should be able to handle that. I have an FXR frame I can pull numbers from. A project I should get off my *** and do.
Drivetrains the same in the FXR & FLT's they are interchangeable, you can find FLT's dirt cheap compared to a running FXR.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
