1996 HD Sportster 883 I’ll need a hugger when it’s over Hellride

irk miller · Mar 30, 2018

Here we go into my first foray with Harley Davidson. A friend of a friend here in town brought me this Sportster he bought back from his insurance company. Apparently, an old lady back into it and they totaled it or some shit. Anyway, he’s got several grand in settlement and asked if I would do a mild custom. Many features will be his decisions. I also hope to give it some of my flavor.

This is Master’s week in Augusta, GA which means I’m on Spring Break from teaching. I’m going to try to get it done in under two weeks. The clock starts now...

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The Jimbonaut · Mar 30, 2018

Nice, I had me one of those last summer, a 1200. So much you can do with them and what did I do? Sold it.

irk miller · Mar 31, 2018

I’ll be honest. I’m feeling a little guilty that most of this build will come from ordering parts online. It’s pretty awesome that there’s such a big aftermarket for these, but it takes some of the fun out of it.

The customer wants a peanut tank. I normally would shy away, plus a stock Sportster tank isn’t far off. I really wanted to push the envelope here, but it’s not my money. I am pushing for the Softail fender. He asked for a bobbed stock fender, but I want to take a hard look at the Softail. I had to trim the frame back for either.

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canyoncarver · Mar 31, 2018

Sweet! I was hoping you'd post it up.

irk miller · Mar 31, 2018

canyoncarver said:
Sweet! I was hoping you'd post it up.

No use fucking it up and keeping it to myself.

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john83 · Apr 1, 2018

Looks like a fun time.

whynot · Apr 1, 2018

Wow...................you are one busy dude.

I've got a 750 with the carbs off, and a 350f with pizzing carbs, ain't got time for either.

adventurco · Apr 1, 2018

Looking better already.

JustinLonghorn · Apr 2, 2018

I'm on board sir.

Maritime · Apr 2, 2018

Sign me up! Spending other folks money to build is kind of fun, until they want something you know will look stupid and have to convince them it's a bad idea

irk miller · Apr 2, 2018

Maritime said:
Sign me up! Spending other folks money to build is kind of fun, until they want something you know will look stupid and have to convince them it's a bad idea

Ha, yep. Fortunately, the only items he picked are the Frisco tank, the handlebars (we picked them together) and he wants it in flat black. I had him convinced in something else, but he called a few weeks later to tell me he really wants flat black. So flat black it will be.

3DogNate · Apr 2, 2018

Ah boo.... everyone's brother's cousin's asshole buddy has a flat black sportster. I'm sure you'll make it work without being boring.... watching along.

irk miller · Apr 6, 2018

Got the tank properly mounted with bungs welded in the frame. I didn't take any process shots, not that anyone really needs to see them. It uses leather washers, which I kinda like. I coated them in mink oil and on they go...

Also got the bars loaded up. The stock controls were broken, so I went with some black powder coated versions similar to the stock bars. Yeah, really creative. These tiny mirrors are definitely pretty sweet. I can see them on a few different style bikes...

Tail light and turn signals. I have a black version of the bolt en route. I'm pretty pissed that the tail light advertised for a Sportster to go inside the bobbed fender was 2 inches too wide. Definitely not Sportster.

canyoncarver · Apr 6, 2018

The tail light didn't fit all chopperbobberharleycafetrackerbrats ?

Sonreir · Apr 6, 2018

Subscribed.

irk miller · Apr 6, 2018

canyoncarver said:
The tail light didn't fit all chopperbobberharleycafetrackerbrats ?

Haha. It must. I don't think I have one of those in the shop.

Hurco550 · Apr 6, 2018

irk miller said:
Haha. It must. I don't think I have one of those in the shop.

or maybe you have 5 of them in the shop? #perspective

irk miller · Apr 8, 2018

Wasn't really happy with the single bolt through the fender and I really couldn't take not making something for this bike from scratch. So, I made a tail light...

Trying to decide if I want to powdercoat the light black or just the stand. There is a black bolt LED coming in to replace the silver one. That is for certain.