the problem with the high prices of custom bikes generally r, u buy a stock harley for ur donor parts, then u decide u wanna customise it, so u take alot of pieces off to replace with other similar/upgrade/performance/chromey/etc pieces, then u add together the cost of the donor bike plus all the new parts plus the man hours n hey presto u have urself a very expensive custom bike.
You are so right ...
That is exactly what I am doing now. The 2000 Fat Boy gets lowered, new air filter, new exhaust, new wheel at the rear, chrome pieces, sprockets, etc., new rear fender, new seat, new paint. In total $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ !
What I find is that the parts taken off have almost no resale value. Who'd buy a mirror chrome wheel (just one, mind you) for a 130 tire at a decent price? Or a 2000 original air filter, etc. etc. In summary I have bought most of the add-on pieces twice already for the bike. But a man has got to do ... especially in the winter ;-).
Ride safely,
Louis