Definite old school/retro look???
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,477
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Yep, I left that one out! If you could find an original rocker clutch and adapt it for a cable, then find the late style frame-mounted hand shift, it'd definitely be "old-school." Easier to go to a LaBriola suicide clutch & jockey shift, but harder to ride than the rocker clutch.
FWIW, stay away from the Taiwan Tedd (V-Twin) repop rocker clutch assemblies. It's Chinese junk in the worst way. Might be OK if you make your own clutch cable attachment and reman the entire rocker assembly. I had several welds give way when I ran one, and the mounting adapter had to be reworked to even allow the cable to operate; even then it'd eat the cable at least twice during a season.
FWIW, stay away from the Taiwan Tedd (V-Twin) repop rocker clutch assemblies. It's Chinese junk in the worst way. Might be OK if you make your own clutch cable attachment and reman the entire rocker assembly. I had several welds give way when I ran one, and the mounting adapter had to be reworked to even allow the cable to operate; even then it'd eat the cable at least twice during a season.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 433
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Thanks. The RG was a two year project that turned out just the way I planned and she is definitely my first love.
I want to do the Deluxe in similar fashion and the only way either one of them will ever leave my stable is if they are wrecked (totalled) or stolen.
Big Red
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 3
From: North Carolina
Here's a pic of my father-in-law from Oct 1956. Man, if he still had this sitting in his barn! The Deluxe I think has the wheels and fenders pretty close. Just ran across it earlier and thought I'd post it. Duals, front and rear guards, big old seat! lol
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: New Hampshire
Thanks for the photo.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
I would say a bigger tire with spokes and beach bars. Gangster apes would look pretty BA as well depending on your taste.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
From: NJ
The Deluxe is the best looking bike HD currently makes, IMNSHO.
Old school - retro? Since the bike was built to resemble a '50s era rigid Pan, I'd look at bikes from that era.
- The stock wheels are correct, so I wouldn't change them.
- The bars could be changed - beach bars are out as old school, but a set of the original style dresser bars are comfortable and look good.
- You've already screwed the pooch on the exhaust
as a bike from that era would likely have had 2-into-1 head pipes and a cigar, fishtail, or similar muffler.
- New tank emblem would be a nice touch; the '55-56 V emblem is pretty sharp to my ol' eyes.
- Speedometer could be changed to one with an older style face.
- A pogo-style cop seat, without the pogo 'cause the frame isn't made for it, and without the usual coil springs, can look good and ride good. Saw one Sloptail with a set of the coil springs, but mounted further inward; looked better than the usual kit set-up.
- Rear fender; this needs some work 'cause it oughtta be a hinged one. Used to be one available for the Sloptail, but I couldn't find it any more. I used a repop for a '60s-'70s FLH and had to cut the front down and drill new mounting holes for the Sloptail struts. Makes it easy to drop the rear wheel, as well as looking good.
And that's my thoughts, like 'em or not...
Old school - retro? Since the bike was built to resemble a '50s era rigid Pan, I'd look at bikes from that era.
- The stock wheels are correct, so I wouldn't change them.
- The bars could be changed - beach bars are out as old school, but a set of the original style dresser bars are comfortable and look good.
- You've already screwed the pooch on the exhaust
as a bike from that era would likely have had 2-into-1 head pipes and a cigar, fishtail, or similar muffler.- New tank emblem would be a nice touch; the '55-56 V emblem is pretty sharp to my ol' eyes.
- Speedometer could be changed to one with an older style face.
- A pogo-style cop seat, without the pogo 'cause the frame isn't made for it, and without the usual coil springs, can look good and ride good. Saw one Sloptail with a set of the coil springs, but mounted further inward; looked better than the usual kit set-up.
- Rear fender; this needs some work 'cause it oughtta be a hinged one. Used to be one available for the Sloptail, but I couldn't find it any more. I used a repop for a '60s-'70s FLH and had to cut the front down and drill new mounting holes for the Sloptail struts. Makes it easy to drop the rear wheel, as well as looking good.
And that's my thoughts, like 'em or not...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
It sounds like you have not ordered the exhaust yet. There are plenty of options out there if its not to late. As mentioned though, "old School" exhausts aren't hot performers, but can add a nice look and sound. I made this exhaust out of a bagger head pipe and some stainless flex tube I slid over the pipes. I threw a vintage muffler on to finish the look. I also tried a straight fishtail for a while, but I think the flathead style muffler probably looks better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQit...b5AUAAAAAAADAA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUHxc...d2AUAAAAAAACAA
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewQit...b5AUAAAAAAADAA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUHxc...d2AUAAAAAAACAA
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