| Author | Message | ||
     Midknyte |
I'm bugging for a cafe bike but I don't have the desire to tear down a bike and make one for myself... And only one or two also-ran bike manufacturers are producing an authentic looking ready made cafe bike. The big four and more haven't really caught on and embraced them yet. The more I look, the more I realize I wish I could find one from a mfr that I know will be around after I buy it (shades of Buell...). I've kind of been lamenting all of the themed Sportsters still falling behind in this cafe / tracker phase. And then this drops, http://www.harley-davidson.com/shop/inspiration-gallery-2017-iron-883-2 I'm now thinking that this, https://m.harley-davidson.com/#bikes/xl1200cx  Plus this, http://mstore.harley-davidson.com/store/rear-set-foot-controls?testName=Monetate-_-Endcaps-_-PAC+PDP+Bottom  And these, http://mstore.harley-davidson.com/store/diamond-black-hand-grips-pa-09-56100199--1?testName=Monetate-_-Endcaps-_-PAC+PDP+Bottom  Might make for a pretty fun, albeit a bit expensive, bike. The Roadster comes with a nice solo'ish seat and dropped bars right out of the box. Better bits and suspension travel. The only thing it really begs for are rear set controls - and that is finally an option. (Message edited by midknyte on February 27, 2017) | ||
| Midknyte |
I've been meaning to post some more thoughts on this bike, and Crusty has indicated interest in them, so here's to motivation... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=4062&post=2623988#POST2623988 I did buy one. Several bikes had piqued my interest prior. The Royal Enfield Continental GT I think is the one that got me started. https://royalenfield.com/usa/mobile/motorcycles/co ntinental-gt Then I found the revised Cleveland Misfit, similar and at half the price for what should be the same relative quality (not fantastic but less money at risk). I've been following a rider group on Facebook, and between the near non-existence of the Misfit production and the rat bike issues of the Heist sister model, this one became less and less promising. https://clevelandcyclewerks.com/misfit-details-gen -ii/ Not until after I bought the Roadster did I discover this gem - the Triumph Street Cup. Teeth meet gnash. I need to go test ride one for the sake of doing it. http://m.triumphmotorcycles.com/bikes/classics/str eet-cup/2018/street-cup More later. I'm going to break this into thoughts and pieces. | ||
| Crusty |
I demo rode a new Roadster and fell in love with it. However, if I got one, I'd turn it into something similar to what Jed Clampett did to his:  I think it would be a really good ride for me to take to the Arctic Ocean. (Message edited by Crusty on May 02, 2018) | ||
| 34nineteen |
I have a Roadster too. NRHS 1250 Kit Stage 3 cams V+H 3" slip ons V+H FP3 HD mid controls Fuel gauge sender kit Daymaker headlight Custom Dynamics turn signal inserts Solo saddlebag  (Message edited by 34nineteen on May 11, 2018) | ||
| Johnod |
I like this sort of thing. http://motorivista.com/harley-sportster-cafe-racer /red-max-speed-shop-cafe-racer/ Also Guzzi makes some nice looking bikes imo. | ||
| Midknyte |
 >However, if I got one, I'd turn it into something similar to... I'm lightly amazed, with the nice varieties of Sportsters that HD produces, the ways in which people still feel the need to tear into these bikes and customize them. But not completely. They've very successfully created a culture of personalization. I initially thought I'd be changing the bars and pegs to a full on cafe posture, but my bike came optioned with anti-lock brakes, keyless ignition, and I'm sure a premium for the color. I wanted a red bike, and that's how it came. That raised the price enough that I took it on as-is. But I'm glad because I've since had an opportunity to sit on one with the clip on bars and pegs and I did not like it. This thing is top heavy, and the stock bars afford a little more leverage in righting the bike off the sidestand. Also, the seating position would have been redundant already having my Firebolt. The one thing I felt compelled to fix so far was swapping the wrinkle gray air filter can for gloss black to fix the color line. I'll be adding a flyscreen to it and stopping there... | ||
| Midknyte |
A second, necessary mod... I noticed when getting the bikes started for spring, that the deflector in the headlight had broken off the stalk inside the glass. It might have been covered under my warranty, but I was generally miffed at the notion of possibly paying a MoCo price for a replacement (and rather bummed because I was happy for shutting down all my bikes in the fall with fresh fluids and no issues) so I decided to take a chance on a DayMaker clone that everyone on the face & book has been raving about. It can be had on Amazon for just under 50 bills and it is indeed a marked improvement. I was hesitant after my experience with HIDs and their interference with the fuel pump on startup while igniting. This thing works, and well. Does not run hot either. Headlamp bell is cool to the touch after a ride.  | ||
| Crusty |
I have one of those Daymaker headlights from Amazon my '05 Roadster. The increased light outut is amazing. It's been on the bike for almost a year now and it hasn't caused any problems. I'm about 95% sure that it's the same unit that the MoFoCo is selling for $300.00. It's the first Sportster I've owned that has what I consider a decent headlight. | ||
| Midknyte |
About that flyscreen... I'd been grousing over the lack of cafe style flyscreens for the Roadster due to its' 55mm fork tubes. Finding for the most part, only racer cowls or traditional travel screens. Anything else requiring mixing & matching, trial & effort - bleh! Only one to my knowledge exists in bolt-on form from National Flyscreen and while pretty spot on, did not push me over the edge. Available in chrome or blacked out versions - the chrome version was too much for my liking (with the chrome hardware vs the black fork tubes) and the blacked out version not standing out at all. I revisited it and played around with their sample image in Photoshop to see what it would look like if I were to change it a bit - black mounting hardware, with a chrome brow to make it stand out and tie in with the nominal amount of chrome on the front end (bar and turn signal housings). It popped. It looked good. I liked it. I sent National an email to see if they would allow me to make a custom order and they replied immediately, suggesting buying the lower priced black kit and the part number for the chrome brow as a replacement part - priced together at about the same as chrome version. N2535-002 wind shield kit, $139.95, and the chrome plate part number 30-310400-000, $21.95. http://www.nationalcycle.com/vehicles/motorcycle-1/harleydavidson/harleydavidsonxl1200cxroadster/2017harleydavidsonxl1200cxroadster/n2535-002.html    | ||
| Midknyte |
   |
