Harley Davidson Forums - My 2012 Forty-Eight Progress Thread

So I don't want to call this a "build" thread because most of what I have planned will be bolt on or simple modifications, but I've gotten a lot of ideas for my bike from things I've seen others post. I wanted to put a thread together to document the progress as I work on it in the rare event someone else likes what I've done and has some questions.

I've been riding/racing sportbikes on and off for the past 12 or 13 years but sold my most recent Yamaha R6 a couple years ago after we started to have children. It just wasn't the same owning a sportbike and pushing it to the limits with my kids in the back of my mind. I always told myself if I ever bought another bike it would be a HD so I wouldn't feel like I had to be dragging knees around corners to use it as intended.

I've always loved the styling and minimalistic appeal of the sportster line and last summer started doing research on the different models. I spent the fall and into the winter originally shopping around for a good deal on a new Iron 883 but quickly learned that HD dealers don't like to move on MSRP too much so also expanded my search to include some lightly used bikes. My searching brought me to the Forty-Eight model because I found a couple very lightly used ones and the 1200cc engine didn't hurt matters either. Right as I was about to pull the trigger on a used 2012 with just over 1k on the odometer I stumbled across a brand new 2012 that was still on the dealer floor and was able to talk them down in price so it would only be a couple hundred dollars more than the used one I almost bought. The price was easily justified with the fresh 2 year factory warranty, installed factory security system, and custom graphics the dealer had painted on the tank to try and get the bike sold (it was originally blue). Originally I wasn't too excited about the tank because I planned on painting the bike flat black, but after seeing it in person I really like how it turned out.

I picked it up from Colonial HD in Prince George, VA on January 9, 2014 after driving about 2.5 hours to the dealership. They had it positioned in the front of the showroom right as you walk through the doors.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...psfeb24164.jpg

Here is a better picture of the tank the dealer had sent me earlier.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps43867de6.jpg

Without the "sold" sign.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps802f9314.jpg

You can see the color of the tank a little better out in the sunlight, one of the things I like about the paint is how it changes the look depending on the lighting.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps8f399fa5.jpg

Loaded up in the truck.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps07067758.jpg

A couple pics in the shade, notice how different the tank looks from when it's in the direct sunlight.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...psdbdc2e54.jpg
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps2de3fb88.jpg

It was too cold to ride so I instead I did what everyone else does to a brand new bike on day 2 of owning it, start ripping it apart.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...psfda580d3.jpg
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps1c0338c5.jpg

I removed the front fender, did a wire tuck, DK Customs coil relocation, DK Customs F6 ignition relocation, and DK Customs 1.5" tank lift. This picture was taken the night I finished it all up.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps1f71c7ea.jpg

The next morning I installed a DK Customs 425 Outlaw air cleaner system.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps14fd0e2e.jpg

Closer shot of the coil/ignition relocation.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...pse815e1e5.jpg

Love this picture.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps53ba22ee.jpg

Yesterday the sun decided to come out and it warmed up to about 50 degrees. Perfect opportunity to take it out for a first ride.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...psd0b24ecf.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps3730664f.jpg

After the ride I relocated the front signals to the lower triple tree and then put it away for the week as the sun was starting to set.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...psc5687cde.jpg

Better shot of the tank.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps842392d0.jpg

And my favorite picture of the day.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps50abe71c.jpg

I've only put about 50 miles on it so far but I absolutely love this bike. Coming from a sportbike background I was very pleased with the balls of the 1200cc engine in the low to mid-range. I didn't find the transition to the sporty all too difficult, although I have to admit on a few occasions I found myself trying to find rearsets instead of the forward controls, lol.

My only other near terms plans for right now are to black out the primary and the front signal lenses. I also have a set of double barrel pipes on order from Tyler at Sik Pipes. I'm still undecided on what I want to do as far as seat is concerned, I'm thinking something along the lines of a Redtail Leather solo saddle or similar. I also need some suggestions on handlebars, I'm tossed up between doing a set of Friscos/Zeds from Biltwell or a set of drag bars from Milwaukee Twins with a 28" width and 5" pullback. For a tuner I'm thinking XiEDs will suit my needs since I don't plan to do any heavy duty engine work.

Let me know your thoughts and any suggestions/comments/input you have. Sorry for the long post but thanks for checking it out (if you read this far lol).