What I did last winter while snowed in: Stage I, rattle can paint job, new seat, license plate side-mount and a few punk band stickers thrown in for good measure.
Before:
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/Ourbike2_copy.JPG

After:

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/bikeafter.JPG

lookin good

I'm likin' it......you took a bike that looked like any other off the shelf and all used up bike and now it looks like YOUR bike.......good job

Ww

I'm likin' it......you took a bike that looked like any other off the shelf and all used up bike and now it looks like YOUR bike.......good job

Ww

My question is if you wanted a beat-up used looking rattle can painted beater of a bike, why did you pay top dollar and get a new one? And just to make one other point... Stock paint seems to be RARE these days, not common at all. Glad you like your bike, and it is YOUR bike, but I just don't get it, I guess.

Is this a joke? If it is your bike you sure are free to do what you like to personalize it. I for one sure would not go with out a front fender, but thats just me.

i havent had a front fender in 3 years,it got dented so i took it off and liked it that way............just my .02$ bud095

My question is if you wanted a beat-up used looking rattle can painted beater of a bike, why did you pay top dollar and get a new one? And just to make one other point... Stock paint seems to be RARE these days, not common at all. Glad you like your bike, and it is YOUR bike, but I just don't get it, I guess.


??? I dont know where YOU live...but stock bikes (and paint) are EVERYWHERE (maybe you have tuned them out over time?)

(maybe you have tuned them out over time?)

Heck no. I NOTICE them.

Good way to ruin a good bike!

I don't understand it, but I might be missing something!

maybe its the pic of the bike, paint looks a little uneven. if it makes you happy do it. i like home customs, personally i would have bought a used set of tins to spray and store the stock ones incase i wanted to sell bike later.

gun-
Ruin a bike how?..by putting on paint that YOU dont like?


hybri-
what is it you dont understand?

I'm going with Thumper's mom and her advice... If ya can't say nothin' nice, don't say nothin' at all.... :rolleyes:

J.W.

Now it looks Old Schooly ( is that a word? ) and has new mechanicals.
It's not that bad of an idea. I hear and read header wraps are bad. Something about to much retained heat for the header pipes.

I like the mods to the pipes and new seat, but i always liked orange colored bikes. That's where you lost me with the rattle can over that nice orange paint. But that's me and what's important is what you like. When it comes to rattle can flat black works but after that i would leave it up to the pro painters.

I like the mods to the pipes and new seat, but i always liked orange colored bikes.

I believe that was the '04 Real Red, a very, very nice color for '04 (and rather rare), in my opinion, second only to the Impact Blue for that year.

Looks good man. Living where i do i see just about everything. Off the floor bikes to home made customs and I just dig about anything. The bike looked good before, it looks good now just in a totaly different way. What matters is it's the way you like it. Screw all the jerks giving you hell about it. They outta shove off. Nice job, you did it. You like it, good work. *thumbs up*

Screw all the jerks giving you hell about it. They outta shove off. Nice job, you did it. You like it, good work. *thumbs up*

I see, so only opinions like "Looks good, man" are welcome on an open forum. Hmmmm. Shoving off don't sound all that bad.

My wife accidently tipped the bike over in the garage last winter, so the stock paint job was ruined on the tank. And I did'nt pay top $ on a new bike. I picked it up for $5500 used. I guess the fact that it rubs so many people the wrong way makes me happy. I think that stock bikes look a bit...bland.

Do what you want, Dirt Hill.
I think it has a sort of "raw" look to it, and lots of people like that look. The big thing is, you have branded it ... it is your bike now, the one and only.

Kinda like antique furniture, in a way. On the "antique Roadshow" they always tell people they ruined the value of a piece of furniture because they re-upholstered it. Well, If you own a museum, I guess that is important. but if you want a beautiful piece of furniture you can sit in and enjoy, Why leave some smelly damaged cloth on it?

Those that purposely keep their bikes stock on account of "value" well, that's fine for them. I figure I really like yellow, and harley never sold a yellow Hugger. Even though they have a beautiful yellow, I think on the custom, I couldn't have gotten a Hugger stock painted yellow no way no how. I asked a salesman even if I paid an extra $1000 would they do it special order? nope.

Keep up the good work, Dirt.

My wife accidently tipped the bike over in the garage last winter, so the stock paint job was ruined on the tank. And I did'nt pay top $ on a new bike. I picked it up for $5500 used. I guess the fact that it rubs so many people the wrong way makes me happy. I think that stock bikes look a bit...bland.

That explains it well enough for me. I wouldn't consider defacing a new bike off the showroom floor, but picking up a bike as a blank canvas and making it your own is what most of us here like to do. You got a deal on it and customized it to your liking. Congratulations, good for you, and welcome to the group!
:clap :clap :clap

My wife accidently tipped the bike over in the garage last winter, so the stock paint job was ruined on the tank. And I did'nt pay top $ on a new bike. I picked it up for $5500 used.......


You really shouldn't have had to explain because the bottom line
is this. You like it and that's all that matters because you dished
out the dough for it.

Please be nice people. I'm not saying you all have to like it,
but for those who type before they think...
you surely can convey the fact that it's not your thing without making
rude comments such as good way to ruin a good bike.

My wife accidently tipped the bike over in the garage last winter, so the stock paint job was ruined on the tank.

Now THAT was info we all could have used...

I think the paint looks pretty cool in the pic....A bit far to see for sure....

Personally, I don't get the wraps on the pipes...never did...

But if you like it, that's cool.....

Individualism is just that...

Looks good to me. I'm always happy to see someone who can customize without spending a fortune. I tend to be one of the ones who spend a fortune! I think the best bikes are the ones that are ridden, not the ones that are shown. Yours has that ridden look. Good job.

I see, so only opinions like "Looks good, man" are welcome on an open forum. Hmmmm. Shoving off don't sound all that bad.

no, i think all opinions are welcome. after all, he did ask. but then if you don't like it, you don't have to stomp him into the dirt over it.

personally, i like it better with a front fender, but the individualism (and fun) involved is whats important.

I wonder if I could get my wife to tip mine over so I could have an excuse to get mine custom painted?

Dirt Hill -

That looks awesome. Even if you did it over pristine paint it would still look good. Sets it apart from the crowd and if you get tired of it a change is only a rattle can away!

You always have to remember that if you ask for opinions you will get them. You can always ignore the negative ones. There will always someone who doesn't like what you have done. The thought of any particular color of Sportster being rare and increasing in value after it's ridden - LOL

It may be worth more than you paid in 20 years but only because of inflation and the comparative cost of a new one. This forum isn't generally in favor of rat bikes, real choppers, or radical modifications. That's more of a www.quadcambastards.com sort of thing.

You can't beat this place though if you like Sportster touring, add on chrome, sport Sporty riding or a wide variety of general topics. There is a lot of good tech advice here as well. Nothing wrong with that, you just have to know your target audience.

Kong

My question is if you wanted a beat-up used looking rattle can painted beater of a bike, why did you pay top dollar and get a new one? And just to make one other point... Stock paint seems to be RARE these days, not common at all. Glad you like your bike, and it is YOUR bike, but I just don't get it, I guess.
I know we bludgened this to death already, but if you don't get it, go to http://www.exilecycles.com/ and look at the bikes. To me, the Sportster was made for this sort of styling. But like the old cliche goes, If I had to explain it, you just wouldn't understand.

......and if you get tired of it a change is only a rattle can away!


That's a good way to put it. Never really thought of it like that. lol

I'm not going to dis your choices concerning your bike,I dont care if its green with pink poka dots if you like it ride proud.

However,why in the world would you allow your wife in the garage:roflblack

My wife accidently tipped the bike over in the garage last winter, so the stock paint job was ruined on the tank. And I did'nt pay top $ on a new bike. I picked it up for $5500 used. I guess the fact that it rubs so many people the wrong way makes me happy. I think that stock bikes look a bit...bland.

kinda wish i didnt know that. seems cooler when you say eff factory paint, im gonna do this and y'all can bugger off.

i prefer a front fender mainly because i occasionally ride in the rain! i dont go searching for it, but if the weather channel says like 30-40% and the skies are clear over my house, i'll go for it. As far as looks are concerned, i think they look much better without!

where & why shold have NO bearing on anything.. either you like it or you dont.. IMHO...period. no need to say RUINED A PERFECTLY good bike..

(cause if factory is YOUR idea of a PERFECT bike....well that statement speaks for itself) Some might say buying a new bike off the showroom floor is a WASTE of good money

and I LOVER the look o no front fender (I dont ride with one either)..but the comment on the rain couldnt be MORE true.

STOCK SUCKS ASS!!!!!! personality is where it is at and stock has ZERO.:clap

Thanks everyone...I like the comments whether they're good or bad. I don't really give a rat's ass what people think, I was hoping to maybe give inspiration to people who'd like to "rat-out" their own bike. I got inspiration by some of the photos on this site. I say "slam-it, chop-it and ride every day". Cheers.

STOCK SUCKS ASS!!!!!! personality is where it is at and stock has ZERO.:clap


That may be your opinion, and you are certainly
entitled to it, but it isn't fact. Take a 100% stock
and in mint condition 1957 Sportster........bet ya
the majority will say it doesn't suck ass.
See my point? Didn't mean to go OT on ya DH.

I don't like it but I am not the one who rides it. glad you like it and I appreciate anyone who works to make their sporty unique.

Nevermind the Bollocks Dirt I know where yer comin' from. I'm digging the new look. You walk out to a sea of bikes and it's obvious which one is yours. That's the whole point of customizing a bike. You make it yours. Frankly, the only thing that would have made it better is if it was straight off the showroom floor with 12 miles on, then you did it.


The Dead Kennedy's sticker is cool. It's hard to tell from the angle, but I'm guessing Black Flag. If that's the case then it's cool too.

i prefer a front fender mainly because i occasionally ride in the rain! i dont go searching for it, but if the weather channel says like 30-40% and the skies are clear over my house, i'll go for it. As far as looks are concerned, i think they look much better without!


Fender free. Rain or Shine. :smoke

The Dead Kennedy's sticker is cool. It's hard to tell from the angle, but I'm guessing Black Flag. If that's the case then it's cool too.


You got it right, thems be the Black Flag bars on the rear fender...a Ramones sticker graces the battery cover...when it's on. You've got a nice looking ride! There may be more rat-bike fans on this site then some people realize.

I'd ride with ANYONE who had Black Flag, Ramones and Dead Kennedys stickers on their bike....

:clap :clap :clap :clap

I wonder if I could get my wife to tip mine over so I could have an excuse to get mine custom painted?

I tried that but all I got was a big dent in HER car, no damage to the bike at all.

Jim

You got it right, thems be the Black Flag bars on the rear fender...a Ramones sticker graces the battery cover...when it's on. You've got a nice looking ride! There may be more rat-bike fans on this site then some people realize.
hell, a rat bike is the best bike!............imho!bud095

I'd ride with ANYONE who had Black Flag, Ramones and Dead Kennedys stickers on their bike....

:clap :clap :clap :clap

Damn...too bad you live exactly on the other side of the country. I was gonna suggest a ride this week.

Damn...too bad you live exactly on the other side of the country. I was gonna suggest a ride this week.

Some day, my friend...some day.... :smoke

There's a BUNCH of good people in your area I'd like to ride with, as well....

Dirt,

I can only imagine the terror filled eyes in your town as you ride your project down mainstreet. They will make you park it during Octoberfest to keep from scaring the tourists.

Keep up the modifications, you are definately moving in the right direction.

Kong

Cool looking bike Dirt.

I am in the process of ratting out my bike. However, my wife is sold on the showroom look with catalog chrome parts.:doh

So...I am buying new tins, exhaust, bars, etc....to "rat with". :smoke


Back to your bike. It eff'n rocks. No front fender, header wrap, rattle can paint, stickers, it says "eff you!"

P.S. Whoever posted the link to the quad cam bastards,,,thank you

Are you sure you didn't get your before and after pics mixed up? It looked better before.

Dirt Hill -

That looks awesome. Even if you did it over pristine paint it would still look good. Sets it apart from the crowd and if you get tired of it a change is only a rattle can away!

You always have to remember that if you ask for opinions you will get them. You can always ignore the negative ones. There will always someone who doesn't like what you have done. The thought of any particular color of Sportster being rare and increasing in value after it's ridden - LOL

It may be worth more than you paid in 20 years but only because of inflation and the comparative cost of a new one. This forum isn't generally in favor of rat bikes, real choppers, or radical modifications. That's more of a www.quadcambastards.com sort of thing.

You can't beat this place though if you like Sportster touring, add on chrome, sport Sporty riding or a wide variety of general topics. There is a lot of good tech advice here as well. Nothing wrong with that, you just have to know your target audience.

Kong

Hey I think ChuckP has a bike on that site/

Are you sure you didn't get your before and after pics mixed up? It looked better before.

Now, now, now... we're not allowed to have that opinion here. :shhhh

I think it looks bad ass. I would see about a different tail light but that's me. The rest of it give you that "I don't really care what you think of my bike" look to it. Really set's it apart from what a RUB would ride, well I guess if you charged one enough they would ride them.

Now, now, now... we're not allowed to have that opinion here. :shhhh

Gimme a fu**in break...this site is comprised mostly of those who love all things stock, and HD approved chrome plated B.S. nick-nack bolt on junk, so you don't need to act like you're in the minority here. It's pretty obvious that most people prefer what's pre-packaged for them by the dealer, and do not like rat-bikes or bastardized sportsters. Like I stated before, I'm not trying to impress; I just hoped that some who want to wipe the stock off of their bikes might gain a little inspiration from my lowly attempts. There seemed to be a time in the not that distant past (1980's) when it was expected to make you're Harley un-stock. I didn't realize that times have changed so much...the RUB's have taken over.

That's what I like to see ...

a bit of origionality..

instead of all this cookiecutterprettybilletandchromecrap....


Some of us are individuals....... not sheep

That's what I like to see ...

a bit of origionality..

instead of all this cookiecutterprettybilletandchromecrap....


Some of us are individuals....... not sheep

I have nothing against originallity. I just don't understand taking a rattle can and squirting it on your tins and calling it original. I wouldn't paint my Vette with a rattle can and call it "original", I'd call it crap. I wouldn't paint my house with a rattle can and call it original, I'd call it crap, and I certainly wouldn't paint my most prized possesion, my bike, with a rattle can and call it original. I take more pride in my ride than that. If this is what you like, and what you want to do, then fine. It just doesn't work for me. My bike is original, there's none other like it, though I didn't get extravigant either. I just took some time, yes some money, but I have a bike that doesn't look like I painted it in my back yard. I am a BIG fan of stock paint. I love original, whether it be 1906 or 2006. But having that preferance gets labels like RUB and cookiecutterprettybilletandchromecrap and sheep thrown in my direction.

I guess the fact that it rubs so many people the wrong way makes me happy. I think that stock bikes look a bit...bland.

If you're gonna do things with the hopes of touching a nerve, you should grow a little thicker skin.

In other words, only those who can afford to restore their damaged XL to its original state should post pictures here.

In other words, only those who can afford to restore their damaged XL to its original state should post pictures here.

When did I say that? The point, if you track this thread all the way back to it's beginnings, is taking a NEW bike and doing a rattle can paint job on it. Not saying it's wrong, either, just that I fail to understand it. Okay? Please follow along.

In other words, only those who can afford to restore their damaged XL to its original state should post pictures here.

Also understand that I do NOT repersent this forum, and my views are strictly my own. Because I am outspoken, don't misinterprate this as being the views of the majority. You're welcome to your opiniion, your bike, and your personal tastes. This is an open forum, I don't discourage anyone from posting their opinions, or pictures. I will at minimum be honest, and my opinion is just that, mine.

It's not something I'll be doing with mine, but you've definitely made your bike your own and I think it looks pretty good (not that you give a rats ass what anyone really thinks anyways).

Rat Bike, Bobber, Chromed-out Cruiser, Touring, Chopper, Stock, whatever it is you like, the only important thing is that you are happy with it and it is yours.

If you're gonna do things with the hopes of touching a nerve, you should grow a little thicker skin.


True, how true.

I guess the fact that it rubs so many people the wrong way makes me happy. I think that stock bikes look a bit...bland.

If you're gonna do things with the hopes of touching a nerve, you should grow a little thicker skin.
That is a damn good point Alleydude...

...but that said, this thread is kinda going out of the way to put everybody's bikes down (whether it be stock, chromed out, ratty, etc). We should all step back a bit and ask ourselves would we say these things to someone face to face. I always thought it was common decency never to say someones wife is ugly even if she is (in our eyes), and never say someones bike is ugly even if it is (in our eyes).

Gazza

We should all step back a bit and ask ourselves would we say these things to someone face to face. I always thought it was common decency never to say someones wife is ugly even if she is (in our eyes), and never say someones bike is ugly even if it is (in our eyes).
Well said Gary! :D

Wouldnt be my first choice, i think the title of this says it all "Cheap-Ass", BUT if you like it that is what matters, and frankly, you shouldnt give a shit what I or anyone else has to say about it. Is it origninal? in my eyes not really, its originality stretches as far as picking the color of rust-oleum off the hardware store shelf. Now, my idea of a perfect bike is different than anyone elses here, and i believe that is true for everyone. If this is what you feel is perfect for you then damnit thats the way it is, enjoy, you took a risk, you like the way it turned out. If you hadnt liked the way it turned out you wouldnt really be set back any further than you started, seeing as it was damaged to begin with. We're all riders here, and i am willing to bet that at least 70% of us wouldnt be caught dead on a jap bike, that is our own opinion, but most of us show the people who choose the japanese bikes the respect they deserve, simply for riding, wave to them when they pass us by, we may not like their choice in bikes, but we have respect for them simply because they ride, and i believe this is a similar situation, we respect the fact that you ride, but not necessarily what you ride. So, after saying all of this WHO GIVES A SHIT, GET ON YOUR BIKE AND ENJOY!!!

Make your bike look the way YOU want it to look. And don't care what others say!

Some people dont't like the ratbike look, and some people dislikes the stock look.

My sporty was a '04 883 custom. I bought it brand new for just a little bit over $22.000 (Bikes ARE expensive here in Norway thanks to our communistlike tax regime!).

I didn't like the stock look, so I got rid of the chrome risers, installed dragbars, chopped the rear fender and rattlecan'ed everything satin black in my garage.

Now it's MY bike, and to me it looks better than sportys with $4000 worth of custom paint jobs, chrome plated everything and golden crows stuck all over them.

Next winters project: Building and programming a fuel injection controller from scratch, and fitting upside-down forks from a 04 Kawasaki 636R.

People may say whatever they want. But it's MY bike and I'll build it the way I want it to look!

Everyone ride safe - on the bike of their own choice! :-)

I'm not going to dis your choices concerning your bike,I dont care if its green with pink poka dots, if you like it, ride proud.

However,why in the world would you allow your wife in the garage

I'm with Slink on both counts. It's your ride...... :banawala

Still got two wheels? I like it!

Now, now, now... we're not allowed to have that opinion here. :shhhh
Sorry, didnt mean to offend.

I think it's cool. (and how I loved that the guy from Norway has snow in his pics, and he's ready to ride!):banagui