Harley Sportster Makeover

[@danield831]

Great job!! For a guy who says he's not a mechanic he sure as hell did some fine work on this old Sporty!! I'd hire him to do these mods on my bike any day of the week! Anyway the only down side with the air filter is that if you are not a fair-weather rider and do some riding in the rain, the filter will get wet. If the stock air cleaner is to bulky and gets in your way I suggest and S&S tear drop air cleaner. It's a classic/iconic look, smaller in profile and has a housing to protect from the rain while still getting more air intake.

[@C0LDW4RK1D]

Really simple mods, done with skill and know-how, make a big difference. Very nice work, dude.

[@davidhelmuth5707]

Just my opinion, every sporty needs to be like this. Kinda bobber looking. If you want to go cruise then get a street glide like I did! Wheels down...

[@bigdeal6852]

Hey you mentioned every part you used in your blog...but what kind of wool non abrasive cleaning pads did you use and who was the maker of them ?....it was hard to hear.

[@ryker4124]

Just a couple things that I noticed. The plate holder needs a light. The tail light is illegal because the turn signals are not spaced far enough apart. Your throttle and clutch cables are running in front of your forks, should not do that for safety. Like to know what headlight you used because I couldn't get one that fit in the housing.

[@TheDutchPathFinder1]

Next: Forward Controls and a pair of screaming eagle 2 pipes. ( or short shots) Nice bike dude...

[@briangoldy8784]

Short Shots...VH.......Look an Sound great.....purchase the Tuner with them....

[@pastorbobncc365]

Looks a lot better, good job, have a blessed week my friend.

[@PeteDriver530]

I have a '93 Sportster (that I bought new in '93!), I put on a bob fender with a blue-dot catseye taillight. the license plate hangs under the light, it looks clean and no legal problems. Sportsters for life!

[@tonymarchant9083]

Great vid ......the bike looks lots better Hope you still have it.

[@Saltysailor83]

I turned my ‘97 883 into a 1200 monster using Buell Thunderstorm Heads, pistons and cams. Exhaust is a Thunderheader with a K&N filter and jet kit on a stock 39mm carb. My mini corvette!!

[@icemansxl]

If you guys like this go watch hoonigan motorcycle videos

[@anthonyb6808]

There is a cover made specifically to cover the license plate holes in the fender. J&P Cycles probably carries them.

[@philgatzke8284]

J&P Cycles Part Number: 340-700: 340-701: 3050098:or in black 340-0088

[@TheMongo1357]

Only opinion I have is, I would have left that engine guard on! Everything else looks tight!

[@aronbechiom565]

Of all the Harley videos...yours was the only one that helped me figure out removing the front signals, so I could flip the mirrors. Keeping the stock signals on...but am very impressed with those thin adhesive LEDs. May get some, and add them lower on the forks, or possibly the engine guard...low and wide. I have the same back rest and pad... going to gloss it, also. Thanks for posting...nice work, looks great.

[@wetdedstuocm]

Sweet, looks good.. Ahhh memories 1965 Triumph Bonneville 650 rode it all over, Can't ride anymore Hell I can't hardly walk..LMAO

[@jman1957]

Ridden most all my life. I Know my days in the saddle or getting short.

[@hotstove6539]

Great job. About the license relocation, NY finest don't break you stones about not having a light on your plate?

[@jeremymann8930]

Another quick mod is to flip the mirrors under the bars, and it actually helps visibility a lot in my experience. Note when you do this you'll have to swap sides so Right mirror goes under Left grip and vise versa

[@j.acencc6273]

And they work better when you flip them... instead of seeing your shoulder... you could see perfectly behind you under your arm.

[@basuramanya]

How about a "Don't Die" Sticker to cover the holes in back?

[@WhiskeyChaser]

Fellow 05 Sportster owner in NY. You live in the city? We ride all over out here, outside the city have some amazing roads

[@garypeterson1594]

what model bike lift are you using ? Thanks

[@MakeEverything]

Whatever one Harbor Freight sells, it worked pretty well

[@pyrotec613]

Hey, how are those amazon turn signals holding up? I was looking into them, too, but on the fence still.

[@MakeEverything]

So far so good. Ive had some hyper flash with them, but they are still working fine

[@pyrotec613]

@@MakeEverything oooh, I gotcha. Yea, I forgot a load distributor is needed for those. But in all honesty, I actually like the hyper flash, I think it would better catch the attention of other drivers.

[@jamescabarr2921]

Does it make the turn signal flash faster with those LED's including the rear brake/turn signal lights?

[@balmoralpjk]

Do you wear any Levi’s jeans in particular?? Any leather biker jackets or leather chaps that you wear with the bike?? Like to see more bike videos!

[@MakeEverything]

Samantha Barton thanks!! More coming soon! I wear heavy jeans, boots, and usually a heavy canvas jacket when I ride. I also wear a full face helmet and make sure my girl is well covered Incase of a slide.

[@davepelfrey3958]

Just stumbled upon your channel. I really like what you did here. Everr thought of putting any forward controls on your bike? New subscriber.

[@MakeEverything]

Yeah! I want to make some!

[@christopherdean1326]

Just finished putting forwards on mine. Bought from Amazon (or eBay, can't remember now) but they were half the price of most of the big dealers. Easy weekend's work in front garden with hand tools.

[@datamek]

Thanx God such chinese crap trim is not allowed in EU.... Ripping off fine turn indicators and putting this crap instead... OMG....

[@josedaniel4725]

Looks great 👍🏼 I ride a 2007 HDSPORTSTER 1200 Custom but it's chromed out, still the seat looks great but Amazon states unavailable and doesn't indicate when seat will be back in stock? Not blaming you bro just what Amazon stated.

[@motohq5341]

Some great mods, i can see my bank balance dropping pretty soon as I start putting some of these on my XL53C!😆

[@davidforteza1063]

I just got a 2006 Sportster 1200 XL Custom for my son. I am stoked on what can be done to this bike. Your video is great and I definitely will be making these modifications. Question: fuel gauge ????? can it be done since it does not have one.

[@howietorock]

Make everything?? ...it's like bolt on everthing

[@terrynorlo3196]

Now it's just a motorcycle, China parts? A lot of guys put aftermarket parts on their Harley's. I could never understand that. It's like you're lowering the value of your harley on purpose. Don't go too far with A passenger on that seat. It looks like a padded 2×4

[@brettgreen9576]

You don't grease bolts... you're just asking for them to back off. If you do you use something like a dry lubricant. Trippin

[@rbljackson]

I dont suppose you still have the stock parts laying around in the garage? I could use the seat/luggage rack, Engine guard, mounting hardware, quick release windshield, and if you swapped out the factory controls in a later video, I could use those as well.

[@schwermetall666]

Really nice rebuild, you did some things I'd like to do on my sportster as well. Especially lowering the back suspension, the bike looks a lot cooler like that!

[@websterb614]

You didn't need to install a load resistor with the headlight and taillight? I have same taillight and it's causing hyperflashing. Thought I'd need a resistor... but I see so many people that don't.

[@ronlheureux7623]

I was hoping that you were going to clean up the bike as you dismantled parts of it. Like under the original saddle. I may be a bit more OCD then others, though. You did make some nice upgrades here.

[@BigHesh81]

Not sure about legality in your area, or if you plan to do much night time riding, but you might want to add a light to illuminate your plate. They make LED integrated license plate bolts that come black or silver, and are a nice and clean solution. Here is a pic of an example: c7f18bfd95533c304910-d5dafa989ba9369a28040fb82b0c7ae4.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/AKZG.jpg Amazon, Aliexpress, Revzilla, and most other common sites will have different options of these (Pointed or domed tip, brushed or polished, painted black or raw, etc etc) Great vid!

[@MakeEverything]

BigHesh81 thanks! Funny enough I found these after I was done with the build and added them. It’ll help keep me out of a ticket and also add a little more awareness to the cars around me! 👍🏻

[@davidbrooks4285]

Oh wow I wish you could see what I did to my 05 883 cause now it’s a 1200 and I had Harley customize it

[@josephcivita1450]

Side mount plate looks good until the first time you catch your leg on it moving the bike around. The pain will make your eyes water.

[@wojtek0128]

Idiotic. You just circumcised a Harley, you don’t splice wires man….. loss of value

[@rijkie226]

Brilliant job! Thank you. Greetz from Amsterdam😊

[@africano39]

Brother I have a 1200 custom sportster..need guidence on moving it..thanks

[@gibsonhd3950]

Do you know how many miles for a 2004-2006 Harley Sportster 883 1 liter of petrol?

[@HouseWashingRick]

Can you post the link please of the non abrasive sponge you used to clean the chrome and oxidation please

[@Eak12345]

How is the 883 sportster on highways? And how is it after a couple of hours on the highway?

[@christopherdean1326]

Great video mate! Just got my first Harley (first bike at all!) '94 S&S Sportster. Like what you've done and it gave me some ideas. Like the front turn signals and the lowered rear end. I was wondering how those rear fender trims came off, as I plan to get different rear turn signals as well.

[@PeteDriver530]

cool! :) still riding my '93 almost 27 years later! they're great bikes, before H-D made them hard to work on

[@bigburrearp7609]

You so make me want to get a sportster now! Great vid.

[@aaronfelix1252]

Steel bolt and aluminum nut will give you trouble over time. It's gonna be galvanic corrosion.

[@GearheadSCLA]

Do you still have that sissy bar and luggage thing? I’m looking for one

[@ElMonkeyceramictile]

I have motorcycle same as that one where you get the windshield thank you if you answer my question

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Use stripper. Re-prime, sand, and paint. Just a little tank. 😃👍

[@EverythingN.Nothing]

I've had baffles "fall out" before too... Haha. Nice project.

[@howardbull9001]

How did you overcome the hyperflash on the LED's?

[@traebuckley7139]

I swear whoever I bought my bike from watched this video because it has the same exact mods on it

[@mbsnyderc]

I don't get why people want to lower the bike it doesn't make it ride better or handle better in corners,and the side mounted license plate is not an improvement.but it's your bike.

[@ralphtorsiello4874]

I'd lower the front fender an inch from the tire for sleek fitment by drilling new fender mount holes.

[@tewderrick]

Really nice, wish I knew you or live around your area I could use some parts you dont want anymore

[@southernragenga]

If you want to put baffles back in that helps with performance and not spend any extra money look into homemade lollypop baffles they actually work really well

[@WilliamJacksonComputing]

Is that a Paladin PT-525 multi-tool you were using in the video?

[@IdaKicker]

I just put the exact same mirrors on my bike.

[@06708Benny]

be careful you dont get to close to rear taillight wiring harness cause your tire can shred it,

[@CantTreadOnMe]

What is that jack and where did you get it!? Im looking for something exactly like that but all I find are these small square ones. That jack looks perfect! What brand and where?

[@Williamcole10]

Anyone know of someone installing that tail light and has the detailed instructions for how to get the turn signals to work

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Nice changes. I'd high temp paint the cylinder heads black and put on chrome mirrors to balance out the chrome/ black situation. Lose the tank Sportster decal- Yuck.

[@MakeEverything]

James Barisitz good ideas! That damn sportster decal is UNDER the clear coat!! So annoying! I have to wet sand the tank and repolish it! Soon!

[@Group_Anonymous]

Make Everything get it vinyl wrapped or make custom decals online. Use black wrinkle paint for that newer Harley look

[@garystratton4125]

some good choices .. I like this ... for the holes yu mentioned... what about just put a chrome bolt in them..

[@williamtuel5252]

Hope you stay safe small turn signals are dangerous please be careful especially in the northeast

[@miporsche]

I agree. I have a softail modded by the previous owner. I put the factory turn signals back on in their factory location. Safer, I’m thinking, having a visible separation between the left and right. I’m glad the man I bought it from saved the factory parts.

[@jerlaine1638]

Great job, I even have the same taillight, fortunately I had the ends that clipped right in. That said I get wanting to clean her up and slim it down, but I still recommend having the engine bars. They legit saved my Fatboy when I went down on it, well them and the saddle bags

[@jeffdagenais6980]

I used the quick disconnect backrest and put an Oak St. Benedict cross on it.

[@ZeeMightyMite]

Where is the link for the headlight you said you changed out? I don't see it.

[@stwhite5135]

Does New York not require a lighted license plate?

[@dramos888]

I have the same bike. Your video inspired me to do all this. Your links in the description really helps with the finds. Very helpful and thank you for sharing this video. 👍

[@stizzoforizzo898]

Never seen a sporty w a headlight lid. Looks like a dyna cool bike man

[@COORTEGA-c6v]

Nice, maybe some new bars would set that bike off even better..

[@BlackMountainCycles]

Man, my baffles also just “fell out”…. Crazy….. 😉

[@ahill7099]

Kind of weird how the key is constantly moving even before he touches it

[@666Jakemetal]

I noticed that too I'm guessing he maybe had a fan going or something

[@billcarson1966]

Nicely done! I can fix almost anything around the house but I know very little about cars and I'm certainly not a motorcycle mechanic. This was fun to watch and I could easily do the things you did on my own bike. I used to have a bike. It's been a while but I'm looking to get one again within the next year. Nice to know I can do these upgrades myself. It's saves some money and makes owning a bike even more fun when you do it yourself. One thing - Don't paint the driveway stones! Next time put down some cardboard when you paint! You know dad would've slapped ya upside the head for that! lol

[@pedrolanevert]

Nice little sporty, but you sacrificed the confort! my brain loves your bike, my lumbar, doesn’t! 😉👍🏻

[@MCLEO983]

Looks way better

[@pipolebnene]

i wish it was easy to make these old sportsters to look like new 48s

[@katpopa1532]

It looks the damn same lol

[@rawdawg3234]

Never trust a man who doesn't put the wireless headset wire BEHIND his head

[@jhonnelelegaspi7125]

Help me with my 1985 sportster xlh 1000 please

[@ryanlittle4351]

Can I buy that shield of you still have it. I got an 08 sportster. Looking to do some simple mods. Ape bars done my lights already and change out the air intake filter.

[@ryanlittle4351]

And if I send you my bike could you do the work you did and have it back by the spring?

[@edwincalle506]

I have Sporster 2016 original 16000 miles and I am planing to do that kind of a transformation

[@robbyclark6915]

Love those sportsters! Nice simple build with a really cool bike! Great video!

[@bonecrusha2012]

Just curious here, do you still have the engine guard you took off?

[@goonigoogoo5868]

no matter what you try and do this thing ...it is still a Harley piece of junk. sad you put that much time into it...my opinion , not worth the effort. no power, no handling, no performance , ugly, and as im sure makes way too much noise . the type of people who ride these things are people I wish not to associate with. unless that is your thing.. if you don't like my comment ,,well too bad , then dont post this on you tube

[@281sTravel]

Good...Now Fuck Off Simp!

[@bfitz7480]

I welcome suggestions from your followers as well

[@nexlvl3578]

I love it

[@joshuamclaughlin1257]

Link for headlight replacement?

[@BNatoAk]

I like what you did! Much better!

[@Lucascalcena]

How’s that builtwell seat working out?

[@MakeEverything]

I really like it, I was a little worried because it was stiff at first, and the passenger pad is small, but it’s been comfortable for me and my girl rides on the back and says it’s fine. Even on a long ride

[@mose717]

How does it do in the rain with the air filter exposed?

[@robertadkins4466]

Dude I'll take the turn signals you took off.

[@tompraska6858]

All that work, and it looks the same at the end.

[@andyho361]

Thank you so much for all the link to amazon

[@bretttaylor6456]

Does windshield make any difference.

[@rickflippin1]

I ride a roadglide but i love sportsters

[@OldBiker54]

You need Chrome Now rocker covers cases

[@kymjamz2570]

Finally, someone I actually enjoy learning from ! Thanks dude ,I just subscribed to your channel

[@iAmKyleD]

I’m in NY too! U got any parts still?

[@juhakivimaki94]

i think the new seat is worse than the old one