The Transformation Page #5

The Speedometer

No matter where I go, the one thing (other than the paint scheme) people always ask me about is the placement of the speedometer. As I've mentioned (in the post 'Putting it All Together') I can't take any credit for the idea. However I haven't seen another side mount where the owner uses the stock gauge with all it's functions like mine.

You can see how I redirected the wiring harness from under the tank, along the neck and down to the speedo. Again, a few well placed zip ties (they seem to be the only thing holding my bike together now) and the cables are secure.

In this snap of the 'OG' Sporty you can see the front engine bolt where I attached the speedo. The coil is also still in it's original position.


I took this pic after I was out riding so the bracket is a little dirty. I had to notch the top of the bracket to make room for the signal, oil and neutral light bar indicator.


I took the speedometer off the bike and traced it's outline onto a piece of cardboard and used it as a template. Worked like charm!

(Click on the picture for a close up)

This side shot shows you where the speedo connects to the main wiring harness. Guess what, more zip ties. This time to hold the male and female connectors to the bracket. The new bracket is bent into a flat 'S' shape. I drilled two holes where it mounts to the engine (lengthwise side-by-side) to give me options when mounting it. Obviously I needed to drill a couple of holes to secure the speedo to the new bracket. I had marked them on the template and it fit like a glove.


This will show you how much clearance I have for my leg. There's tons of room, I have never hit the gauge and while I'm riding all I have to do is quickly glance down to check my speed.


These next couple of pics will give you an idea of what you would see if you were sitting in the seat.

I have used this picture above in another post ('The Motorheadster') but it gives you an idea of how everything has it's place. It looks a little congested but everything has its place. The choke is not obstructed, the coil hangs nicely of the engine mount and the speedo fits right in.

Wow, the 'OG' looks some what barren in comparison! Just wait until I chop off the rear end and turn it into a rigid.

Stay tuned... I'm hoping to get that done next winter.

Ace ♠

Putting it all Together

Speedometer Placement

Hey... I'll be the first to admit it, when it comes to some of the changes I made on the Motorheadster, not all the ideas were mine. I saw a side mounted speedo while I was surfing the flikr photography site. I was simply searching the word Sportster and I came across a Japanese bike with a side gauge. His was a little different because he attached it to the frame.

Then I found this picture on flikr under the photo stream title 'Dirty Girtie'. The builder is Bonneville Motorcycles. I originally thought the engine mount would work better than a frame mount and this snap proved it.

Here is a side shot. What a great looking bobber!

Next up, two Nightsters. I didn't like where the gauge was positioned on either bike.

This just wouldn't work on my bike because the coil is mounted here. I do like the way he finished it off. Very clean.

But this next bike... (no offense) all I can say is I hope this is just the mock up!

I did try putting my bracket in front of the tank like this guy did but it just didn't look right. In my opinion, it's just too high. I also don't like the fact he took off the housing. I would be worried about moisture getting in there and it just doesn't look finished. On a Rat bike that's one thing, on this new Nightster, well... to each his own as the saying goes.

Sprocket cover

This is where I got the idea for my sprocket cover. I found these pictures on the photobucket website under the photo stream BOND--007.

He put way more holes in his but the outcome is awesome! I was going to shave down my cam covers like BOND--007 did but I decided to wait until the end of the riding season.

I found a step by step example of how to do it yourself on the Street Choppers website

Here is the web address if you want to take a look.

http://www.streetchopperweb.com/tech/0612_stcp_part_17_build_off/index.html

BOND--007 also had previous pictures of his bike with the original cast aluminum rims. I had always wanted to paint mine black and once I saw his newer posts (after he painted the rims) I knew I was on the right track. BOND--007's sporty is really well done, it's worth your while to check it out.

The Paint

The air cleaner on this model of the Nightster is black and gave me the idea to just paint mine for now. However, I am looking for a 'Spade' or 'Snaggletooth' to replace my Harley-Davidson emblem on the plastic cover. In the future I may look at changing it to a velocity stack.

The striping on this tank is nice and clean. It helped me in making my decision. But I liked the idea of going black on black.

Heat Shields

Harley-Davidson has just unveiled it's new Screamin' Eagle heat shields for the Nightster. They are just over $200. The only problem... I need shields with a cross piece.

I found this picture on the XLForum website (I don't know the owner or who posted it).

After a little photo shop magic, PRESTO! A drilled cross piece. It helped me visualize what my pipes would look like and I decided to go for it.

Front end

My front end is stock but in the future I would like to put a springer front end on my bike. These pics are from Boneshaker Choppers. They build bobsters and chopsters using Flyrite Choppers frames and parts.

They do a great job and I love that look... nothing says bobber like a springer front end!

Ace ♠

Out for Rip on the Motördeadster

Post Update:

This could be the lamest post yet! I've taken a few shot at work about some of the cheesy stuff on the blog - but this video might just take the cake.

Why don't you be the judge. We'll vote on it, poor ratings and it's toast - good it'll stay.

Rate it between 1 to 10.

1 - the lamest thing on the net (I'd rather watch my Grandma brush her dentures).

10 - It's OK, just leave it. (We all think we're cool at some time in our lives, no matter how dorky our friends say we are)

Please cast your votes in the comment section - I'll leave it up for a couple of days and then I'll decide - if no one votes, it's stays because no one obviously cares.

Original post:

I realized I had my daughter's digital camera in my jacket when I was out for a short rip on the bike so I took a few snaps. I also shot a quick video. Nothing special, just me fooling around. It was a cool night so I had on a bandanna.

Like I said... nothing all that special just me out on the town scaring old ladies, setting off car alarms and making babies cry. That never gets old!

Ace ♠