Shovelhead Years / Models
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 193
From: South
Something similar to these.
I know second one is hard tail and I dont like hard tail but you get the idea.
First and last bike were made in Japan. The one in the middle was made in Germany. IMO some of the best designs come from Japan and Germany. Some of them have won awards.
Any idea where to order those custom pipes on the first photo?
Also looking for the handlebars on the last bike.
The Japanese custom made the tank, handlebars and the pipes themselves.
Looking for something similar to the first bike's gas tank too.
Last edited by OddJack; Oct 17, 2022 at 05:26 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,158
Likes: 2,565
From: CT/FL
Most award winning customs have hand-made exhausts, handlebars and other custom parts. Not going to find them in a catalog.
This might get you started on the pipes:
http://www.chopcult.com/news/article...h-allison.html
This might get you started on the pipes:
http://www.chopcult.com/news/article...h-allison.html
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
Ive seen those bikes as well and the pipes on the first one are custom as per the article on it. I talked to Gas Box about making megaphone pipes like that with a gradual taper and they immediately said no, ain't happening because they're a pain aapparently. I think the Japanese have the best bobber builds out there and their style is definitely influencing mine and what I've found with the Japanese builds is they often use an existing part and modify it rather than make all fresh parts from nothing. There are exceptions but most are built with scrounged parts from anything mechanical which takes a lot of creativity and the eye for it. I figured the megaphone pipes came from something else so I started looking at old H2 Kawi's and other 1970's bikes and found a few that were similar but for all I know they could've come from an old factory or a parted out submarine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,607
Likes: 3,375
From: Cental, MI
Hear, hear...
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 193
From: South
Ive seen those bikes as well and the pipes on the first one are custom as per the article on it. I talked to Gas Box about making megaphone pipes like that with a gradual taper and they immediately said no, ain't happening because they're a pain aapparently. I think the Japanese have the best bobber builds out there and their style is definitely influencing mine and what I've found with the Japanese builds is they often use an existing part and modify it rather than make all fresh parts from nothing. There are exceptions but most are built with scrounged parts from anything mechanical which takes a lot of creativity and the eye for it. I figured the megaphone pipes came from something else so I started looking at old H2 Kawi's and other 1970's bikes and found a few that were similar but for all I know they could've come from an old factory or a parted out submarine.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 193
From: South
Those cobbled up bikes have been messed with too much, are likely to need engine or other works. From what I hear rebuilding a shovel costs about $3-$4K. That's risky.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
You're in a tough spot, pay now or pay later. You buy a good bike to ruin and the cost is up front to buy it and never recover that extra cost by selling off what you don't need. On top of that, that good bike could turn out to have a mechanical issue right away or soon after you're riding it. You buy a cobbled bike for cheap and you'll have to pay to go through the components you're using but at least you'll know the bike inside out and know its good. Sounds like you want a cheap build hahaha good luck with that.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 605
Likes: 441
From: BRIGHTON, ENGLAND
custom building is just that, you make & build the parts you want for the style you want,we used to make everything at home or through buddies who worked at engineering shops or at college,
you cant build everything from fat catalogues with a credit card or you end up with a cookie cutter,... personally I'd buy an old project, rip it apart, keep what ya want, re build as you want the reaining & sculpt the rest as required, more fun & cudos with what ya want in the end, maybe a big learning curve if you have no experiance with bike building, but a great way to learn...buying a 'Project' with a clear valid title will also help down the line when wanting to get it on the road....
you cant build everything from fat catalogues with a credit card or you end up with a cookie cutter,... personally I'd buy an old project, rip it apart, keep what ya want, re build as you want the reaining & sculpt the rest as required, more fun & cudos with what ya want in the end, maybe a big learning curve if you have no experiance with bike building, but a great way to learn...buying a 'Project' with a clear valid title will also help down the line when wanting to get it on the road....
Last edited by magnum45pete; Oct 18, 2022 at 10:22 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 3,855
From: Florida
After seeing this pictures I would not look for a nice original shovel… I’d look for a clean title and great running but I’d stay away from more expensive, more original models. Massage the bikes already far from original.
you’ll not need original tanks, fenders, handlebars or controls to build any of the concepts you shared in pictures.
you’ll not need original tanks, fenders, handlebars or controls to build any of the concepts you shared in pictures.