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[SPIDERMAN]

You know, there's been a lot of discussion on the use of aftermarket products in conjunction with the stock H-D in many threads on this site. I'd like to ask why folks don't build a bike from scratch using what they percieve to be the best parts in every area of the build. There are total clone copies of H-D bagger frames available out there. I built an exact copy of a Road King one time using one of those frames and parts collected at swap meets. You couldn't tell the difference between it and a stock RK until you looked at the VIN numbers. Sooooooooo Why not folks. I think a lot of you have got a point. There are a lot of excellent componenets out there. They spawned a huge industry in custom bikes, but no one is building custom baggers beyond customizing stock baggers. Why not ? Why take a $33,000 bike and strip $12,000 worth of parts off it. Why not use that $12,000 in building your dream bike.

[BobD]

You make a strong case Brian and I think most of us would love to build a dream bike with the exact custom equipment we feel is best. Problem is, most of those custom builds fail to comply with "homogenous" content requirements of the DOT and others. Because of that failing, those bikes can't be financed, can't be insured and often it's a struggle just to license them. For that reason, recognized custom manufacturers, including company's like Big Dog, Orange County and others have owned the "custom" market because they've invested big bucks in going through the homogenous content proof process.
If I built one at home, what value would it have it it couldn't be insured or financed or ever licensed?

[Fired00d]

Ezrider,
You hit the nail on the head there. It has become a nightmare to get bike DOT qualified with local DMV's. And after you jump thru all the hoops they require, then you have to deal with insurance companies to get them insured. Unfortunately because of these nightmares most people have opted to buy something that is already recognized by DMV/Insurance Companies and spend mega $$ improving/customizing/personalizing to make it their own.

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[SPIDERMAN]

Ok, I'm not up to the latest on DMV laws around the USA Last bike I built I jumped through the hoops here with California DMV. They did an inspection, filled out some forms and sent me to the CHP. I had to make an appointment with a CHP motorcycle specialists who went over the bike for almost 2 hours. CHP signed off on the bike, back to DMV I went. It took awhile but in the end I had a bike registered as a 2002 SPCNS (Special Construction) State Farm Insured it for me for about $57 a month. Considering the time I spent planning and building the bike, it didn't seem that bad. So you can do it - - - - - at least in California you can- - - - or could the last I knew.

ANYWAY, The idea behind the thread is what would you do if you could ?

Has anyone ever called OCC and asked about having a custom bagger built ?  chit, they built a sidehack cop bike on the show which was a bagger.

[The Mysterious Q!]

I made the mistake of buying a "composite" HD not knowing any better and when I tried to insure it all the major carriers wouldn't touch it.I finally found an insurance guy who said it went back to when swindlers would buy a frame engine case halves and a tranny,take all the vin #'s from just the parts and get a title for them.Then they would insure it as a whole bike sight unseen and poof it got stolen.Cash in hand never to get a recovered bike and a good percentage of these people went and bought real HD's with their insurance money and insured through the same carrier. They got wise to it and stopped insuring unrecognized bikes. That may be a part of the reason,who knows? Later, 0069 Q

[cigarmike]

I just sold my 2002 speciality construction fatboy, When I first tried to get it registered, I Didnt have any trouble with Calif. DMV, The highway patrol only looked at the vin #'s and had me show him that the lights all worked, 5 minutes in and out. went back to DMV, it only cost me $75 total for all fees, there was no sales tax. My insurance is also State Farm, that was $375 every 6 months to insure it full coverage with replacement value at 25k if it ever was totalled or stolen.

The guy I sold it to, his insurance wouldnt touch it, so he's now insured thru State Farm, and since his old insurance company that he had been with 22 years wouldnt help him, he switched out all of his vehicles to State farm. I think he said he had Farmers, and never once had a claim. Thats BS if you have been a good customer and get treated as if you would "have the bike stolen " just to get some money out of it.

[Jock]

Insurance is a key, on the two customs I have owned, I have never found any insurance company willing to provide more than liability on the bike.

Unrelated to the above statement, my current custom may be up for sale if I get off my @$$ and do something about it.

[SPIDERMAN]

[highlight]if I get off my @$$ and do something about it. [/highlight]

is your @$$ expensive, is that why you spell it that way   [smiley=huepfenjump3.gif] [smiley=huepfenjump3.gif]

[fatboyse2]

I bought a Deuce frame from a local garage sale for $60.  I spent over 3 weeks getting all of the information and doing a title search on the vin before I got it registered with the DMV.  In all it cost me $148 to register the bare frame to me (fortunately, they did not ask to see the bike as it would have been a bit harder to explain without wheels and engine). I've sent it out for a dip, straightening and paint for another $800.  So now I'll have a painted registered frame in about 2 more weeks.  I've been looking through lots of catalogs and stopping into my dealer for part pricing.  I have a 5 speed tranny all the engine parts for a 103 except a block and cylinders, as I did a major rebuild on my FLSTFSE2.  Just doing the rough build on paper I'll have about $9000 more in parts before labor to build a complete bike.  Figure another $1600 for custom wheels and $2500 for a nice paint job and I've just about got a rider...

[SPIDERMAN]

If I may offer a couple pieces of advice based on experience.First, buy the shop and parts manual that match the frame you're using. Even where you use custom aftermarket parts, those books will still act as a blueprint for your build. AND, when you get stuck as to what size fastener you need in a certain place they are lifesavers. Next, if at all possible, use stock H-D exhaust brkts.Over the years, I have learned the hard way, that while the after market truly does build better exhaust, they do not put the R & D into the brkts and more often than not, that is where your trouble starts. Lastly, unless you're going to run the wires through the frame and do a hidden wiring set up, go buy the stock wiring harness. You can pull out the wires you don't use and having the schematic in the shop manual to reference is a huge help
 At the end of the day, it sounds like for something shy of $15,000 you're going to have a nice custom, built by you and for you. Something to be proud of - - - - -certainly something I respect as do a lot of people I know. There's just something special about being able to say " I built it myself "  

[fatboyse2]

Thanks Spidey.  I've got the manuals already, I picked them up a couple of weeks ago (used).  I'm planning on internal wiring and making this ride as clean a possible.  More to come.

[HUBBARD]

Yeah, 'er 'uh, fatboyse2,
  Doesn't the Engine have to have a VIN that matches the VIN on the Frame in NC?  It does here in West "By God."  Unless, of course, you are planning to apply for a Reconstructed Title, upon completion.  Please advise.  Later--HUBBARD  

[fatboyse2]

Well, I'm in NJ and an envelope amd a smile is all it took to take care of the paperwork [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]

The frame VIN is all they asked for, the title search did not turn up any leans or non-conformance and I had a receipt from the owner for sale so it was 3 weeks wait for a lost title.

[HUBBARD]

Yeah, 'er 'uh, fatboyse2,
  Sorry for accusing you of being a tar-heel.  Back to what I was saying earlier.  If you purchase a New Motor, legally, you will recieve a crisp new Manufacturers Certificate of Origin.  You may be able to purchase new cases, and stencil identical VIN's from the Frame, if they still come that way, but that's probably a stretch, unless the Motor matched to that Frame was destroyed, and documented as such.  Otherwise, there would be two V-Twin Engines in existence, with the same VIN.  That would create a monster you wouldn't want to deal with, whether you are building it to sell, or building it as a keeper.  With the tremendous increase of Motorcycle registrations, Nationwide, and the increase in Motorcycle thefts, the authorities are checking both the Frame and Engine VIN's, for a match.  I was made aware of this information by a Friend of mine, who is a WV State Trooper.  If WV is doing it, you can be sure they ain't the Lone Ranger.  What you do is your business, and none of mine.  Just information I thought worthy of passing on.  Later--HUBBARD