When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello, all. I've had this XL1200C (Black Betty) for about 11 months and have been tinkering with, modding, fixing, and riding her as much as I can. She's my first bike and she's what I learned to ride on.
I've posted here and there concerning mods, but decided to finally just make a dedicated build thread to document the changes I make to the bike as I go.
It's a work in progress and things will continue to change. Aesthetically, I'm working to black out most of the bike and I'm removing, adding, powder coating, and changing parts here and there along the way. Mechanically, the motor will mostly stay stock (for now) with some simple changes to things like A/C, exhaust, fuel management, and suspension.
I haven't documented everything along the way as some things just didn't strike me as picture worthy or anything to write home about, but here's what I have done so far.
Please feel free to comment and ask questions along the way. I enjoy finding/giving inspiration as I progress!
The day I picked her up from a Craigslist deal. She had just a hair over 6k miles when she became mine:
Current progress (for now):
Last edited by BlackBettyXLC; Jun 21, 2017 at 10:06 PM.
First (documented) mod was relocating the front turn signals to the forks. Used the Drag Specialties relocation kit in black (P/N 2020-0589). I used a couple spacers from the hardware store to space them out a bit further. In my opinion, it looks much better than the stock position on the handle bars.
Next up was swapping the stock bars/riser combo for Road 6 Customs 12" ape hangers and a Nightster/Iron speedo mount. I also decided to go with a 2" tank lift and ignition/coil relocation from DK Customs for a clean, classic look.
I've always like the way apes looked aesthetically, and after a few months of riding with the stock bars/riser, I found that I wanted to swap them for the comfort aspect as well. For never having owned a bike and not really doing much to the bike before this mod, this was quite an undertaking for me; however, the outcome was pretty much exactly what I was wanting - perfect height at shoulders and a more relaxed position for my back when riding. The bars and stance look killer and it all really helped me execute my vision for progressively blacking out the bike. The ignition/coil relocation w/ the wire tuck also really helped clean up the look of the bike.
Next up was the intake. Got sick of the crappy stock air cleaner that had the engine breathing hot oily air back into the intake, so I decided I needed to switch to a more effective setup. I had heard tons of good things about the guys over at Hammer Performance and they have impressive dyno proven results to show for their work. Most people go with whatever looks the coolest on their bike - to each his own. But that's not me. I was looking for the best performance results, and I was very impressed with Hammer's line of air cleaners and I chose the Impact.
Here you can see the top notch machining done to the backing plate. The radius "hump" at the mouth of the intake smooths airflow as it enters the intake, resulting in smoother delivery of air to the engine. I now run this with the stock air cleaner cover, which I actually don't mind. Heck, I even like the look, to be honest.
As far as fuel management, I installed Nightrider XiEDs way back when I had only had the bike for a few months. I got sick of the sputtering at low RPMs and the occasional decel pop I was experiencing with the CS slip ons I had. Installed the XiEDs and now I no longer experience any sputtering or decel pop, even with slip-on pipes and a high flowing intake. Definitely recommend them for an affordable, effective fix for lean fuel issues. I hope to make the move to a PCV or other comparable tuner, but for now the XiEDs are doin the trick.
Last edited by BlackBettyXLC; Apr 24, 2017 at 10:04 AM.
I always disliked the way the stock plate mount stuck up like a sore thumb, so I decided to do somethin about it to clean up the bike's appearance. I browsed a lot of styles for a while and considered side mount license plate brackets, but I just didn't like the (mostly) ugly options available for filling the holes that would be left behind from the old mount on the fender. Since I decided to keep the old mounting location, I chose to do this Milwaukee Twins curved plate mount (JP Cycles). I'm really pleased with it. It's gloss black so it blends well with the bike, and it's curved and laid down to hug the lines of the fender. It also has a rubber mounting pad to go between the fender and the mount, which was a must for me. No more paint abrasion. Now to do something about that massive eyesore of a tail light...
Next up was swapping the stock bars/riser combo for Road 6 Customs 12" ape hangers and a Nightster/Iron speedo mount. I also decided to go with a 2" tank lift and ignition/coil relocation from DK Customs for a clean, classic look.
I've always like the way apes looked aesthetically, and after a few months of riding with the stock bars/riser, I found that I wanted to swap them for the comfort aspect as well. For never having owned a bike and not really doing much to the bike before this mod, this was quite an undertaking for me; however, the outcome was pretty much exactly what I was wanting - perfect height at shoulders and a more relaxed position for my back when riding. The bars and stance look killer and it all really helped me execute my vision for progressively blacking out the bike. The ignition/coil relocation w/ the wire tuck also really helped clean up the look of the bike.
Tank off with crap factory plastic and ignition and coil in stock location
New bars, tank lift, coil/ignition relocation
After: rear view
Where did you source parts for the speedo/riser replacement? Approx cost? I'd like to do this, but by my estimation it's about 300$ to do and it's not worth that to me right now...
Subscribed! I've got the same make/model. Be fun to follow along.
Originally Posted by deadrubberboy
Where did you source parts for the speedo/riser replacement? Approx cost? I'd like to do this, but by my estimation it's about 300$ to do and it's not worth that to me right now...
Thanks for the sub! I've been keepin up with your thread as well as Cvaria's. Inspired me to start my own.
As far as the speedo/riser replacement, are you goin to do be doing bars as well, or are you keepin your bars you have now? If you're keepin the bars as is and just doin the speedo/riser swap like I did, then here's a pic of exact parts numbers I used for the riser swap. Only parts not listed are the two lower 1" risers. I got them used in black for around $30 for the pair. Altogether, it cost me about $215 with all the parts listed being brand new from HD.
Thanks for the sub! I've been keepin up with your thread as well as Cvaria's. Inspired me to start my own.
As far as the speedo/riser replacement, are you goin to do be doing bars as well, or are you keepin your bars you have now? If you're keepin the bars as is and just doin the speedo/riser swap like I did, then here's a pic of exact parts numbers I used for the riser swap. Only parts not listed are the two lower 1" risers. I got them used in black for around $30 for the pair. Altogether, it cost me about $215 with all the parts listed being brand new from HD.
Thanks! Undecided on bars. I like them now, but that may change depending on rise/pull back of new riser etc.
Is 68513-95a the new "idiot lights" to fit the non-C housing?
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.
Black Betty: 2007 XL1200C Build/Mod Thread
