Custom Forty-Eight Gives Owner Good Kind of Sickness

Down with the Sickness

People who don't understand our love of motorcycles like to refer to it as a "sickness." Heck, even we sometimes question our obsession with these things. But when it comes to HD Forums member Yo Nadz, he prefers to embrace his sickness and even used it to build this killer Forty-Eight.

Photos: Harley-Davidson Forums

Good Disease

The build started out with a stock 2012 model, which Yo Nadz enjoyed the way it was. At first. "I've been having a blast customizing my new Harley in the two months I've had it. Let's just say I have the 'disease' real bad. I can't leave **** alone. 100% happy with how things turned out, and since these forums are a plethora of knowledge, I figured I'd share the progress of my bike as step by step as possible. I learned pretty much everything by searching and asking questions on the forums."

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Open Up

After immediately removing the front fender, Yo Nadz then opened things up by installing Vance & Hines Big Radius pipes, an Arien Ness Big Sucker intake, and a Vance & Hines Fuel Pak fuel management system.

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Getting Serious

The next step was to Plasti Dip a few various trim pieces to completely black out this Harley. Then, it was on to installing parts including a Mother Road Customs Rich Phillips custom distressed leather springer seat and H-D Drag Bars with Biltwell Kung Fu grips.

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Chop It Up

Before you know it, Yo Nadz had his Harley completely stripped down so he could chop the fender and frame. Then, while putting it back together, he added Biltwell 10" struts, whitewall tires (170/70/16 in the back), and relocated tail lights.

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Cleaning Day

The bike still needed a few more touches, so Yo Nadz added a 3" DK Customs tank lift, coil relocation, and ignition relocation. He then wrapped the wires and tucked neatly on the backbone.

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Finished?

Those steps were good enough for Yo Nadz to call this one finished. Well, at least for now. "Next in line - strip the tank and clear the bare metal with some pinstripe 'Harley Davidson' work," he said.

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Hard Tail

It's a little hardcore, but so far, he's pleased with the results. "The ride isn't too bad. Definitely a hardtail, but I knew that going into it. I'm young, so my body can still take the abuse. If you do struts I would definitely do a springer though. That little bit of travel really helps. I still try to hover a little bit when I see big bumps coming, which the seat will bottom out on."

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Future Plans

As sweet as this Harley turned out, Yo Nadz soon reveals some upcoming changes. "I've got some plans for the winter. Gonna strip the tank and have it finished in bare metal with a patina look with custom Harley Davidson logo pin striping. Also going to have the tops of the heads, primary cover, and inspection cover powder coated. I absolutely love this bike!"

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Catching the Bug

Personally, we love this bike the way it is. But you know what they say. Once you've caught the Harley bug, good luck getting rid of it!

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For help with service of your bike, check out the how-to section of HDForums.com