it's only just begun

[cheezyridr]

when i came back to the states, i needed to build my american credit back up so i could buy a house. one of the ways i did it was taking out a loan for a motorcycle.  i needed a payment history.  i found the bike i always wanted, but i didn't like the interest the credit union wanted because the bike was used.  i ended up buying a bike that was "good enough" because it was inexpensive, and the interest on it was acceptable. 

it is a kawasaki 900 vulcan custom.  i put bags and a windsheild on it, and rode around like that for a few years.  it looked like this:

 

fast forward to  last june... i went back to work after a long layoff.  i got to thinking one day. i always wanted a chopper, but custom bikes are really expensive. i thought well, if not now, when? i still don't have fat money, so i am going to build mine out into a full on custom, a little at a time.  i began the biggest part of my project last month,  the long front end. i could only work on it one saturday/week,  and  that meant that when i hit a snag like needing a part, it delayed things while i waited for what i ordered.  i finally finished the front end , and it looks pretty good.  i went with 18° of  rake and 12" over stock fork length.  i'm sooo happy with the way it turned out.  i bought the kit from these folks:

http://www.chopperkitusa.com/index.htm

i can't say enough good things about them.  their customer service is over-the-top amazing.  the quality is AAA.   fit and finish is top shelf.  i'm no ace mechanic, but i can turn a wrench.  this is how it turned out:

 

i have alot more planned, i will make some of the parts myself.  eventually, it will get painted. the bags will be gone eventually too.  because of the way it's raked, the handling is much better than you might expect.  there are some compromises of course, but  that's how it goes when you modify stuff this way.  i just wanted to share, because i feel like i accomplished something. 

are any of you doing/have done something like this? customized your bike somehow? or even your car or truck?  i would like to see pics, and hear about it if you feel like telling the details. 

[Skunkmaster-k]

That’s slick. 

[GreenPig]

Very nice. May need a rod holder or two.?

[cheezyridr]

  On 9/23/2023 at 5:37 PM, GreenPig said:

Very nice. May need a rod holder or two.?

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a couple years ago, i bought a miliken 5 piece travel rod, a curado dc, and a back pack tacklebox  so i can take the bike fishin instead of the car.  it was money well spent.  best part is, if someone wants to come with me i can say "oh, i'm on the bike today, sorry. " ?

the travel rod is actually a pretty good rod.  i didn't expect it to be as nice as it is.

[TnRiver46]

I made a birdhouse once but it was crooked 

[TnRiver46]

That bike is sweet tho, I wish I had the skills 

[Eric 26]

@cheezyridr Dang you sir for making me crave something I’ve lusted after for many years. I’ve loved motorcycles for a long time and got both my father and younger brother involved in them in my youth. My father owned a Vulcan 800 classic back in the day while my brother owned a Yamaha YZF 600 which I was fortunate enough that they let me enjoy riding them as often I wanted because I made some choices that wouldn’t allow me to purchase my own. Please keep the updates coming ?

[gim]

I am not a motorcycle guy but I can spot a nice one when I see it. Those are both nice rides @cheezyridr. I like the first one better.

[TnRiver46]

  On 9/24/2023 at 1:29 PM, gimruis said:

I am not a motorcycle guy but I can spot a nice one when I see it. Those are both nice rides @cheezyridr. I like the first one better.

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I think it’s the same one both picks just tricked out in the second shot 

[gim]

  On 9/24/2023 at 2:06 PM, TnRiver46 said:

I think it’s the same one both picks just tricked out in the second shot 

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Ya I think you're right.  I prefer the wind shield and the shorter front wheel of the first version.

[cheezyridr]

  On 9/23/2023 at 7:17 PM, TnRiver46 said:

I made a birdhouse once but it was crooked 

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hahaha yes!!! me too!!!  i made it at the boys club when i was 12.  i tried to give it to my dad, but he didn't want it.  i traded it for a strip of ride tix at the parish carnival. the lady was very kind, it was an ugly birdhouse. ?