Afternoon all,

 

Recently taken the plunge and hard tailed the bike - put the rear tyre down by 3psi which helps compensate for bumps in the road.

 

When hard tailing, I realised my cheap eBay solo seat wasn't up to the job, so replaced with a Biltwell Slimline Diamond pattern seat and 2" springs.

 

The height of the bike is low, but it's looking how I've wanted it since getting the bike standard 3 and a half years ago.

 

Not to everyone's taste I'm sure but that's life!

Had to post over three posts as the picture size was too large!

Well, I'd like to black out the seat springs, levers and hoods to complete the "murdered out" look, but that's pretty much it.

Looks cool that. Certainly different. 

 

I bet riding a hardtail is a whole different ball game aswel? 

Now this is my kind of bike. Straight out of the pages of AWOL!I fancied doing this with an XV535.

Bikes having a bit of a makeover - hardtail, "fake" oil tank for electronics and battery, rear fender and sissy bar (small one).

Additions to the bike:

- 18g fender / mudguard with rolled and wired edges, small duckbill and centre ridge.

- Sissy bar (in line with handlebar risers, so not too tall / out of proportion).

- Hard tail.

- Electronics and integrated battery box.

 

All has been hand made, no mass production or machines, all by hand using a hammer, welder, English wheel etc.

 

New exhaust is being fabricated too, as the old was a pig to remove again.

 

What's it like to ride, I.e. practical, in terms of how far or how long you can go before you need a break? 

Not going to lie, pretty uncomfortable but it's not a cruiser or touring bike for sure!

 

I usually can do a hour or two on the saddle before getting off for a few minutes leg stretch - all depends on where I'm riding! 

Exhaust fabricated, just needs a securing mount at the rear with a rubber bush to help dampen vibrations and prevent it from cracking etc (especially as a V Twin, and Hard Tail).

 

Few small bits of welding, little bit of wiring, tidying and paint and she'll be back to it!

 

Bike is almost finished - had some paint matching issues for the new fender (Colour is perfect, although the metal flake was more coarse). As it has custom writing on the side or the tank, going to spray the "top surface" and blend into the sides and clear coat all again - will tie in the newly painted fender with the 5 year old painted tank.

 

Just a bit of spraying/touching up on the engine, small fuel leak (coming from fuel filter so easily rectified) and some polishing to be done and it'll be ready to ride again!

Finished and at home a couple of weeks back.