Sportster Scrambler Build

One of the coolest things I get to do is manage the Burly Brand. Have been part of this thing for about five years and enjoy every minute of it. http://www.burlybrand.com

With that comes an opportunity design parts and build bikes to market them (a rarity for marketing geeks at my level) Not a bad gig at all. 

This project began as a concept for a couple of new parts, including a crossbar style handlebar, a vintage moto peg and tall shocks, all designed with the Sportster in mind. Pegs launched last year and have proven very successful. Bars, shocks and a few others are right around the corner. Now it's time to show the market how to use them! 

Began with a mostly stock 2006 Sporty 883. Buddy of mine gave it to his Dad as a retirement present and the Dad rode until his fused ankle couldn't take it anymore. When it came back I called dibs.

It looked like this within a few days of hitting my garage. Plan? Everything that I can get off it will go to black powder, wheels are shod with giant knobby rubber and hope is to create a classic Scrambler style bike. Lots of challenges there as the ass-low Sporty platform is going to resist looking the part.

These guys will certainly help out, though. Ride Wright wheels (19" F and 17" R) are shod with Continental TKC80 knobs. The tires are DOT compliant and a favorite of the ADV rider set, so I know they'll work.

Next up is ditching the giant rear fender/seat and supporting struts. I'm pretty committed now. 

I absolutely love this part of a build. 

This guy will fill the void and hopefully have a match on the front. 

Used a Dime City Cycles hoop (pre bent) and welded it to the stock chassis. Couple of supporting tabs and I'm in business. Rubber mounted front and rear, big frubber int he front as fender is cantilevered and unsupported below it. 

This stuff will need a new home. 

That looks proper Scrambler, doesn't it?  Actual Triumph Scrambler mufflers. They're huge, though. Might be dicey making this work. 

New Burly Moto bars look the part. Not loving the small Sporty tank, though. Sits high and looks a bit bobberish. 

First mockup shot. Hoop came out exactly like I saw it in my head. Rack is from a mid 70's ATC. I'm in love. Front fender needs to be much smaller, though. 

Reached out on Facebook to Burly fans and swapped for some of our parts. Cool deal for everyone. The larger tank sits lower and is far less awkward. 

More soon. 

1973 VW Bus - Revival

 More we rip into it, the more challenges I see. Windshield rubber was toast and broke off in my hand. Some surface rust underneath, but nothing that would require any metal replacement.

That's lovely. 

Speaker from 1973. 

Used some of this magic sauce to coat any suspect metal around the frame and then primered over it. Should be good for another 40 years. 

Bodywork is now done from the beltline up. Now comes the hard stuff.