Has Anyone Built Their Own Bagger?
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta, GA
Has Anyone Built Their Own Bagger?
Has anyone designed and built their own bagger? Not necessarily all the fabrication, but choosing the all the compenents from various sources and then building from the ground up. It seems like with some well thought out plans, that this might be an interesting project.
Has anyone done a build like this at home? What were your experiences?
Has anyone done a build like this at home? What were your experiences?
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
Doing that now. Bought a complete Roadking than sold all of the crap off of it. I just kept the inner & outer primary, frame, and title only. Going to have from already collected parts:
My plans are to design a front fixed fairing like a large Hayabusa utilizing Hi-Lo HID Projection beams and the bottom of the fairing to be used for protection much like the Ultra lowers. I am also going to look into using mid controls. The rear saddlebags will be thinner than OEM and no seams with top openings.
- Brand new S&S Polished 124ci.
- Polished 6 speed
- My C/F wheels
- 1" axles.
- MMC front 320mm rotors & 11.5" rear rotor
- My #6 Ohlins shocks and my new 30mm Ohlins cartridges in my 49mm forks with my new top clamp triple trees.
My plans are to design a front fixed fairing like a large Hayabusa utilizing Hi-Lo HID Projection beams and the bottom of the fairing to be used for protection much like the Ultra lowers. I am also going to look into using mid controls. The rear saddlebags will be thinner than OEM and no seams with top openings.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
What I will accomplish is mounting a full length fairing so lowers can be incorporated into the bike for weather protection. The inside of the fairing will channel the air flow onto the front of the motor. The idea is to make the bike more aerodynamic but still offer a motorized windshield for wind protection when warranted. All attention is for weight savings as well as slipping through the air. I will pay close attention to frame structure rigidity and address those issues first once the drive train is mounted. I wish a 600#(ish) complete dresser that can handle and still be comfortable for long trips. The ultra lowers are the only way to go when long distance cruising.
If you take a close look at my Red FXR than you would have some sort of structure design but we will give more of an effort in improving it. I am not interested in any sort of impractical chopper/bagger with huge wheels. Fast and a bike that handles but is still long enough to be comfortable on for miles to log. If it does not belong on the bike such as chrome rocking chair handles or beverage gimbals are not in the plan. A simple instrument panel that does it all such something like this but up to 7K RPM's. A spot for built in removal GPS and built in storage. Ventilation is also a must.
I only have a rolling frame and a bunch of parts. I became a Colony dealer so I could top this off correctly. Composite fenders and fender struts will be a must while tossing the OEM frame/fender mounting. Again, like a very large FXR.
I am going the EFI route and already have the harness and computer module. I do not wish any bike found on choppedbaggers.com as that is not my style, and I do not have any exasperation at winning the superbike tittle at Daytona. In a few weeks I will have the drive train in the frame and possible some frame stiffing done depending on my health.
If you take a close look at my Red FXR than you would have some sort of structure design but we will give more of an effort in improving it. I am not interested in any sort of impractical chopper/bagger with huge wheels. Fast and a bike that handles but is still long enough to be comfortable on for miles to log. If it does not belong on the bike such as chrome rocking chair handles or beverage gimbals are not in the plan. A simple instrument panel that does it all such something like this but up to 7K RPM's. A spot for built in removal GPS and built in storage. Ventilation is also a must.
I only have a rolling frame and a bunch of parts. I became a Colony dealer so I could top this off correctly. Composite fenders and fender struts will be a must while tossing the OEM frame/fender mounting. Again, like a very large FXR.
I am going the EFI route and already have the harness and computer module. I do not wish any bike found on choppedbaggers.com as that is not my style, and I do not have any exasperation at winning the superbike tittle at Daytona. In a few weeks I will have the drive train in the frame and possible some frame stiffing done depending on my health.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,332
Likes: 34
From: Michigan
Trending Topics
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
Thanks for your support in the past and now. I have never liked to follow what others have done if it does not suit my perceived needs. I use to have a offshore boat manufacturing company in N. Miami and have done moulds in my prior life. In place of making a plywood exact model AKA a plug, just draw a sketch of your idea than make a Mastercam drawing (2D) than draw it in a 3D program (where it gets really expensive) and than bring it to one of several companies here who can make a foam plug overnight. Below is how you can make a 100'X20'X8' object on a CNC.
The part is mirrored so only 1/2 needs to be drawn. The other half is than drawn by the copy and paste method. Both sides are now symmetrical unlike the old plywood method days. The part is than made from a block of foam on this 5 axis CNC machine.
Once finished the part is sprayed using tooling gelcoat and than hand finished smooth ready to make a traditional mould. A small model can be made and I plan on utilizing a wind tunnel to assure the reduction of friction and weather protection goals are met prior to the actual full size plug being made. I do not wish to waste HP by plowing a barn door through the air, I need my horsepower for speed. The profile of the needed height and width will no where equal the resistance of a Sport Bike. Here is one option that went slightly off center. While I am sure it will cut through the wind very well, form must enter into the equation someplace. Look at the weather protection offered as well as the frontal signature, all good but not too practical esthetically.
The part is mirrored so only 1/2 needs to be drawn. The other half is than drawn by the copy and paste method. Both sides are now symmetrical unlike the old plywood method days. The part is than made from a block of foam on this 5 axis CNC machine.
Once finished the part is sprayed using tooling gelcoat and than hand finished smooth ready to make a traditional mould. A small model can be made and I plan on utilizing a wind tunnel to assure the reduction of friction and weather protection goals are met prior to the actual full size plug being made. I do not wish to waste HP by plowing a barn door through the air, I need my horsepower for speed. The profile of the needed height and width will no where equal the resistance of a Sport Bike. Here is one option that went slightly off center. While I am sure it will cut through the wind very well, form must enter into the equation someplace. Look at the weather protection offered as well as the frontal signature, all good but not too practical esthetically.
Last edited by FastHarley; Jan 14, 2012 at 06:52 AM.
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 Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
Thanks for your support in the past and now. I have never liked to follow what others have done if it does not suit my perceived needs. I use to have a offshore boat manufacturing company in N. Miami and have done moulds in my prior life. In place of making a plywood exact model AKA a plug, just draw a sketch of your idea than make a Mastercam drawing (2D) than draw it in a 3D program (where it gets really expensive) and than bring it to one of several companies here who can make a foam plug overnight. Below is how you can make a 100'X20'X8' object on a CNC.
The part is mirrored so only 1/2 needs to be drawn. The other half is than drawn by the copy and paste method. Both sides are now symmetrical unlike the old plywood method days. The part is than made from a block of foam on this 5 axis CNC machine.
Once finished the part is sprayed using tooling gelcoat and than hand finished smooth ready to make a traditional mould. A small model can be made and I plan on utilizing a wind tunnel to assure the reduction of friction and weather protection goals are met prior to the actual full size plug being made. I do not wish to waste HP by plowing a barn door through the air, I need my horsepower for speed. The profile of the needed height and width will no where equal the resistance of a Sport Bike. Here is one option that went slightly off center. While I am sure it will cut through the wind very well, form must enter into the equation someplace. Look at the weather protection offered as well as the frontal signature, all good but not too practical esthetically.
The part is mirrored so only 1/2 needs to be drawn. The other half is than drawn by the copy and paste method. Both sides are now symmetrical unlike the old plywood method days. The part is than made from a block of foam on this 5 axis CNC machine.
Once finished the part is sprayed using tooling gelcoat and than hand finished smooth ready to make a traditional mould. A small model can be made and I plan on utilizing a wind tunnel to assure the reduction of friction and weather protection goals are met prior to the actual full size plug being made. I do not wish to waste HP by plowing a barn door through the air, I need my horsepower for speed. The profile of the needed height and width will no where equal the resistance of a Sport Bike. Here is one option that went slightly off center. While I am sure it will cut through the wind very well, form must enter into the equation someplace. Look at the weather protection offered as well as the frontal signature, all good but not too practical esthetically.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
to the original poster, Your going to find that little things like nuts & bolts will slow you down. not having the right size or length! Wiring isn't too bad if you have an un butchered harness but it is still time consuming. There are a fair amount of parts that you will look at & think,...."What da hell is this for" but it is the most awesome project I have ever done!
I'm lookin' for another basket just for the enjoyment of being in the shop!
Hatch.
I'm lookin' for another basket just for the enjoyment of being in the shop!
Hatch.