| I built my first "chopper" way back in 1979. It was a Honda, but it was loud, so it wasn't all that bad. This is what it looked like when I first started. I completely rebuilt it from here bit can't find the picture of it. |
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After I moved to California, I bought "half a Harley" - a Suzuki Savage. |
| You can't live in the desert without a dirtbike. So I got one of those too. |
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I bought my Sporty in 1990 while I lived in California. I've spent
a lot of time and money modifying it and not anywhere near enough time riding
it.
This is what it looked like in 1991 (just after I bought it). |
| Here it is in 1996 (my first real attempt at customizing it). 5 gallon Fat-Bob tanks, skirted fenders, saddle and tool bags, "baby" ape hangers, drag pipes, accel ignition, a windshield, and my own paint job (Krylon spray paint). Really didn't look too bad for a $15.00 paint job. |
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Here it is in 1997. I added highway lamps, forward controls, and my own *real* paint job (metal flake blue and silver with 15 coats of clear). |
| Here is is in 2000. I added floorboards and bigger saddle bags, swapped 5 gallon Fat-Bobs for 3.5 gallon and gave it a new metal flake blue paint (w/o stripes or "bandaids"). |
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2001 was a hard year on it. It fell off the road into a ditch during Sturgis bike week and got a little "messed up." In 2002, the horn fell off it while riding during Moondance Jam (I guess I can honestly say that parts do fall off Harleys :) ). Here it is as it sits as of 2003. I've repainted it neon red, powder coated the frame red, changed the handle bars, chromed the engine et al, put a spoked front wheel and a solid aluminum rear wheel on, new seat, steel braided cables, molded the license plate into the rear fender, widened the front fender, put in a 1200cc conversion, Screaming Eagle cams and a single fire Dyna ignition and changed the front end to a 4 degree over - mid glide unit. I can't think of much else to do it - time for a new bike? Keep reading... |
| Here it is in 2008. I added a new dash and 1959 (year I was born) tank emblems. Finally, I asked my grandson what I should call it now that it has been completely modified and he though it should be called a "Phat Sporty". So, there you have it - A Phat Sporty. Now (2009) everyone thinks it should be called a "Phatster". |
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I bought a new Harley (2004 fuel injected Night Train) so I would have something to RIDE while I'm tearing into the Sporty.
Yes, I did think of new things to do to the sporty, and, yes, I have already started modifying the Night Train (exhaust,
intake, saddle, bags, windshield, handlebars, foot peds and a soon to be installed backrest - Grandson has been pestering me
about a backrest so he could go for rides).
The Night Train is much nicer on the highway, but the Sporty is more fun in town. |
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After riding around Lake Superior (and getting beat up by the elements) I decided to add some Road Glide parts (making a "Night Glide") such as a 16" front tire, Road Glide front fender, engine guards, fairing, better seat!, etc. |
| Here it is in 2009. I didn't like the small bags, trunk or how poorly the paint matched. So I decided to start over with bigger bags and a Heritage fender. I also decided it would be easier (and cheaper) to simply repaint the entire bike than to try to match the 4 layer factory paint. The color choice was easy. I simply matched it to my truck (like I did with the sporty - I had a red truck at that time). |
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Here it is in 2011. I decided to stretch the bags 2 inches, put on a bigger fairing (with a much better stereo), different handlebars, and lowered the front 1 inch. I really think I am done with it now. |
| Well, I wasn't done with it. Here it is in 2018. I didn't like the front wheel and got a heck of a deal on a chrome spoked wheel. |
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Since I have enough left-over parts to nearly build a third bike... Anyways, it will
be a Dyna as I got a great deal on a frame. I am the fourth owner of
this frame that none of the previous owners could get a 5 speed transmission into.
But, I have a welder and know how to use it... So, yes the tranny is
already installed.
PS I now have a blue truck, so it will be blue. |
| Here it is in 2017. I finally got the frame powerder coated and pieces install into the frame. My biggest holdup now is the wiring, which needs to be done before I install the fuel tank and exhaust. The color choice was easy. I simply matched it to my truck (like I did with the sporty and Nighttrain- I now have a blue truck). |
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Getting close. Needs rear brakes and I need to fix an poil pressure issue. |
| Had to call in an expert to help with the front wheel. |
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