Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

DIY Cheap Mods

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 2, 2008 | 10:06 AM
  #31  
paulca's Avatar
paulca
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: England
Default RE: DIY Cheap Mods

Frank, thank you for thisexcellent thread. Your bike is looking great by the way - haven't seen your "new" signature until now.
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2008 | 06:51 PM
  #32  
Nighthawg's Avatar
Nighthawg
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: DIY Cheap Mods

OK, here's my easy way to make performance exhaust with your stock muffles.&nbsp\\; I have an 07 Night Train and was shopping for aftermarket exhaust upgrade because I just didn't have the sound and performance I wanted...from a Harley.
&nbsp\\;
I started by taking my mufflers off and punching the center baffle disk out...sounded good but didn't make the rumble I was looking for.
&nbsp\\;
After studing the construction of the muffler, I took a dremel and cutter wheel, from the aft end of the pipe, I cut around about 1/4 to 3/8 inch forward from the aft tip.&nbsp\\; Then I took a punch bar, stuck it in the forward end and gave it a couple of taps and the whole baffle assembly slid right out the back.&nbsp\\; Installed them back on the bike and cranked her up and blew the fiber glass out.
&nbsp\\;
I got the deep throaty sound I was looking for and I've ran her for about 750 miles and have noticable throttle reaction when I get on it and the fuel economy and engine running seem to be fine.&nbsp\\; It doesn't miss, spit or backfire.
&nbsp\\;
Ride on
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 05:29 AM
  #33  
Scott.Harris's Avatar
Scott.Harris
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: DIY Cheap Mods

You wanna see some cheap mods? Check out all these I did on my Fatboy. See if you can name them all!
http://cid-9a5eacb7dce06822.spaces.live.com/photos/cns!9A5EACB7DCE06822!115/
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 06:12 PM
  #34  
HD32's Avatar
HD32
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Williamsville, IL
Default RE: DIY Cheap Mods

Anyone have any good ideas on how to decrease friction between my grip and handlebars?&nbsp\\; I have chrome spike grips that look great but the metal of the grips and the handlebars don't allow for a smooth throttle action.&nbsp\\; Kinda noisy too, when the grips starts squeaking.&nbsp\\; I've looked at the roller bearing kits that stick in the end of the handlebar, but they require cutting .5" of the bar off.&nbsp\\; Just wondering if there are any better ways to tackle the issue.&nbsp\\; Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2008 | 06:33 PM
  #35  
In Memoriam Citoriplus's Avatar
In Memoriam Citoriplus
Thread Starter
|
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Default RE: DIY Cheap Mods

You might try to find some Teflon sheet, Teflon coated plastic sheet material or even nylon sheets.
You could slip a piece of that rolled to fit inside the grip and get it to stop sticking and making rattling noises.
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2008 | 11:12 AM
  #36  
tjolley2000's Avatar
tjolley2000
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default RE: DIY Cheap Mods

Any one got a suggestions for making the ugly stock bolts all over the bike look better particularly the ones on the engine.
&nbsp\\;
I was thinking about getting some Black hottoppers, but a. they are expensive, and b. the look to be a gloss black from what I can tell and want them to match the wrinkle black paint on the engine case that is on the (07 FXSTC and I assume many others), that way they kind of disappear. Then do some kind of chrome look to the ones that bolt on chrome parts.
&nbsp\\;
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2008 | 11:34 AM
  #37  
In Memoriam Citoriplus's Avatar
In Memoriam Citoriplus
Thread Starter
|
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Default RE: DIY Cheap Mods

Have you considered trying some Rust-O-Leum wrinkle black paint?
Be simple and cheap, might not match perfectly, but be a lot better than the cad plated junk that's on there now.
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2008 | 08:17 PM
  #38  
CNC WHEEL GUY's Avatar
CNC WHEEL GUY
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
From: NH
Default RE: DIY Cheap Mods

ORIGINAL: HD32

Anyone have any good ideas on how to decrease friction between my grip and handlebars?&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; I have chrome spike grips that look great but the metal of the grips and the handlebars don't allow for a smooth throttle action.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Kinda noisy too, when the grips starts squeaking.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; I've looked at the roller bearing kits that stick in the end of the handlebar, but they require cutting .5" of the bar off.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Just wondering if there are any better ways to tackle the issue.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Thanks.
Put a thin layer of grease on the bar end under the throttle side, it will quiet it right down and it costs nothing.&nbsp\\; It did it and it works great.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 10, 2008 | 09:54 PM
  #39  
blk n wht hog's Avatar
blk n wht hog
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Default RE: DIY Cheap Mods

Damn, Im too late CNC............I was gonna try and have you barred from tha competition!!!&nbsp\\; But he did say "cheap" mods, so that counts you out any way!!!&nbsp\\; Have a good one....
 
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2008 | 04:15 PM
  #40  
beepo's Avatar
beepo
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 3
Default RE: DIY Cheap Mods

I've got one if you have a tombstone light out back.&nbsp\\; I hated the way the liscense plate just stood straight up, especially when I put on the solo seat and had a bare rear fender.&nbsp\\; A piece of aluminum flat stock from Home Depot and some bolts were all the supplies I needed to make a new bracket for mounting the plate.&nbsp\\; I just bent it to the angle I liked, drilled some holes, and installed it.&nbsp\\; I'll probably get around at some point to ordering the nice chrome piece that they sell to do the same job, but for now it's doing the job...
Name:  back2.jpg
Views: 10770
Size:  132.1 KB
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:14 AM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE