My commuter Harley Build is done

[kurth83]

My build is done, at least the visible parts, the Batwing was the last part, and it went on this morning. Here are some pics of my Harley Street 750 commuter build. FYI I did a similar treatment to the Honda CB500x a few years back. This bike is actually 2" narrower than that bike, kinda funny, but adv bikes have wide bars.

- Memphis Shades Batwing fairing is the main aesthetic, combined with OEM crash bars to give that classic Harley look. Hardest part of the fairing install was the turn signal relocation, the plastic parts didn't quite fit, some shaping and silicone sealant to the rescue.
- top case (GIVI V46NT), but no side cases, narrow is best for lane splitting.
- light triangle up front, L-Shaped DRL's mounted to crash bars with custom fabricated aluminum (painted black) brackets.
- light triangle in the rear, 3" truck pedestal lights mounted in a givi case, give huge bright running/brake/turns. Case and lights chosen to be slightly less wide than the bars, again for lane splitting.
- second set of mirrors for 360 degree awareness, mounted high for panoramic over-the-shoulder view. OEM mirrors used as blind-spot mirrors.
- Progressive 12 13.5" rear shocks in beautiful black (stock was icky chrome), with 70/120 springs for cushy suspension for a lightweight rider like myself, adds almost 2" to rear wheel travel and all of it gets used nicely.
- AirHawk Cruiser R small inflatable seat cushion for even cushier ride (the ride is still a bit rougher than the adv bike, but worlds better than stock).
- Rupse TPMS (chinese cheapo, seems to work well enough).
- All electrical work uses waterproof automotive connectors and engine-compartment-grade high-temperature automotive electrical tape for the most professional job I could manage.

Still to come are some electronic gizmos, like gear indicator and heated grips, but they won't affect the look so it's time for pics.

 

[davidji]

FYI I did a similar treatment to the Honda CB500x a few years back. This bike is actually 2" narrower than that bike, kinda funny, but adv bikes have wide bars.

That they do. But a narrower bar swap is pretty easy. Alternately (or in addition), you can swap in narrower bar end weights, or if the bike is smooth enough, go without. Not hard to reduce the width of a bike by 2" or more, if you want to.

Faast internal bar weights are really narrow.
https://www.fasstco.com/products/anti-vibration-inserts

 

[berth]

Nice job. Looks good.

Frankly, what I like about the Street 750, and this build, is how un-Harley it looks.

Part is the overall silhouette, the less extreme rake on the front end, but notably in this build how the engine blends with the bike.

I can't say I care for the crash bars -- they just stand out (due to their size) on what is otherwise a compact looking bike.

I'm sure they're quite functional, so it's likely just me.

 

[kurth83]

Crash bars are for the DRL/light triangle. You can't get a triangle that big any other way. Part of the appeal of a cruiser to me.

To me the most un-harley thing about it is the Givi case. I was able to color coordinate it by sticking with the black/grey motif, but it still cries non-harley to me.

I have seen lots of cruisers with crash-bar mounted lights, and loved that look the moment I saw it.

The rear case-mounted lights were inspired by gold wings that have running lights on their luggage. I added brake/turn to the idea.

 

[Hlenoble]

Looks great, well done!

 

[russ69]

Are you a MOD? Too (two) many mirrors.

 

[Karbon]

Most chill.

Although i think you could of had a honda PC800 and save yourself a a chunk of change.

 

[Whammy]

Cool !
The gratification of building your own ride the way you want it. Nothing better.
Congrats

 

[budgie45]

Nice scoot

 

[avu3]

I realize that you were going for max triangle, but putting the rear lamps to the left and right on the case makes you wider... something you were seeking to avoid by not going with side cases.

Did you consider alternatives?

I'm really impressed. I agree it looks "odd" to the eye, but it also looks really functional. Good storage, good visibility, good weather protection. I like it.

 

[kurth83]

I wanted the rear lights far apart to make it look bigger at night. Like a car, the rear lights tell you how wide it is.

My thinking is the rear just needs to be slightly narrower than the bars. The bars are like whiskers on a cat, if they fit through, everything behind will too.

As for alternatives, I went through several on earlier bikes, I used to fabricate aluminum light brackets and mount regular rear turn/brake lights. The simplicity of pedestal lights on a Givi case to give maximum light triangle was my best idea yet, its less work and makes for a clean if somewhat goofy look.

The aluminum brackets looked a bit like a kid went wild with an erector set.

 

[avu3]

Ahh, from the angles I was thinking the rear ended up wider. You're right, as long as the bars all clear, you're good behind. Good analogy thinking about the cat.

My RT has the slim side cases, they're semi-useless but at least I know they won't rub!

 

[m0t0_ryder]

Nice functional build.

It appears the rear case brake lights will cast a forward red light as well as back. Is that accurate?
If so you will probably have to alter that as forward (facing) red lights are not permitted. Even if it's just for braking.

 

[j5m]

Atbge!

 

[RVFRick]

Congrats on the good looking and functional build. Is it loud?

 

[kurth83]

Nice functional build.

It appears the rear case brake lights will cast a forward red light as well as back. Is that accurate?
If so you will probably have to alter that as forward (facing) red lights are not permitted. Even if it's just for braking.

I didn't give the full details there but I rewired the pedestal lights.
- Ambers show dim forward only for running, both sides light bright for turns.
- The reds are running/brake, and rear-only, the front faces don't light up.

I actually bought 4 dual-sided red/amber lights, and surgeried them into two reds and two ambers, wired up the way I liked.

WRT how loud is it:
- It has the level one upgrade (screamin eagle nightstick pipes, more open intake, and ECU flash).
- That pipe is still street legal but considerably louder than the basic pipe, but nowhere near as loud as a 'normal' (rofl) Harley. Loud enough to wake the neighbors at 6:00 am though, so I walk it down to the end of our apt complex driveway before I start it.
- They did some clever engineering to make the pipe disperse sound in a circular pattern with baffles so it doesn't throw all the sound backwards like other pipes, that allows it to be louder but still pass the decibel test since there isn't a sound hot-spot directly behind the pipe, or at least that's my interpretation.

 

[Strigoi]

Those dual mirrors. :rofl

 

[Mccookers]

Nice ride, it looks like it is ready to split some lanes. :afm199 Interested in volume of exhaust however.

 

[firstbuell]

My build is done, at least the visible parts, the Batwing was the last part, and it went on this morning. Here are some pics of my Harley Street 750 commuter build. FYI I did a similar treatment to the Honda CB500x a few years back. This bike is actually 2" narrower than that bike, kinda funny, but adv bikes have wide bars.

- Memphis Shades Batwing fairing is the main aesthetic, combined with OEM crash bars to give that classic Harley look. Hardest part of the fairing install was the turn signal relocation, the plastic parts didn't quite fit, some shaping and silicone sealant to the rescue.
- top case (GIVI V46NT), but no side cases, narrow is best for lane splitting.
- light triangle up front, L-Shaped DRL's mounted to crash bars with custom fabricated aluminum (painted black) brackets.
- light triangle in the rear, 3" truck pedestal lights mounted in a givi case, give huge bright running/brake/turns. Case and lights chosen to be slightly less wide than the bars, again for lane splitting.
- second set of mirrors for 360 degree awareness, mounted high for panoramic over-the-shoulder view. OEM mirrors used as blind-spot mirrors.
- Progressive 12 13.5" rear shocks in beautiful black (stock was icky chrome), with 70/120 springs for cushy suspension for a lightweight rider like myself, adds almost 2" to rear wheel travel and all of it gets used nicely.
- AirHawk Cruiser R small inflatable seat cushion for even cushier ride (the ride is still a bit rougher than the adv bike, but worlds better than stock).
- Rupse TPMS (chinese cheapo, seems to work well enough).
- All electrical work uses waterproof automotive connectors and engine-compartment-grade high-temperature automotive electrical tape for the most professional job I could manage.

Still to come are some electronic gizmos, like gear indicator and heated grips, but they won't affect the look so it's time for pics.

Congrats !!

I support ya 100% on this functional moto, built to address the challenges of stayin' alive while MC commuting

'dual everything' & 'the light triangle' are sound approaches to being visible -
how it all looks while static is kinda unimportant.....

RE: mo sound - tho' the barf online exhaust ethic has become increasingly quiet, out on the fwy, a booming V-twin parts the sea of traffic like nuttin else [that basso profundo is almost subliminal - while fwy driving during congestion, I often 'feel' a H-D splitting before I see or hear it]

here's to a zillion happy & safe miles for ya

 

[J-Boat]

Congrats !!

I support ya 100% on this functional moto, built to address the challenges of stayin' alive while MC commuting

'dual everything' & 'the light triangle' are sound approaches to being visible -
how it all looks while static is kinda unimportant.....

RE: mo sound - tho' the barf online exhaust ethic has become increasingly quiet, out on the fwy, a booming V-twin parts the sea of traffic like nuttin else [that basso profundo is almost subliminal - while fwy driving during congestion, I often 'feel' a H-D splitting before I see or hear it]

here's to a zillon happy & safe miles for ya

http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=521880

:laughing