How to: Install A Harley-Davidson Sportster Hardtail Frame 1982 - 2003

CHANGE / UPDATE
04:05 - The proper measurement for the backbone is 1 - 1.5” back from the back edge of the top motor mount bracket. Using a small ruler held parallel to the backbone, scribe a mark at 1”.
Note: We initially specified this measurement at 9/16" but it should be cut a bit longer and adjusted it to ensure that the frame isn't cut too short. You may have to grind the top, stock backbone a bit to get the perfect fit. A slight gap is ideal as this allows the weld to penetrate the stock backbone, the hardtail backbone, and the slug that connects the two.
www.lowbrowcustoms.com/produc...
In this step by step how-to tutorial, Tyler with the help of his stunt double Tim, walk you through how easy it is to install our Lowbrow Customs Hardtail section for 1982-03 Harley-Davidson Sportsters. In an afternoon in your garage you can change the entire look of your Sportster and give yourself a good canvas to start your killer chopper or bobber project.
Learn more about Lowbrow Customs Hardtails for 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters - • Review - Weld-On Hardt...
Music by:
"Stoner Vegan"
Composed by Vegan Friendly

[@ludditeneaderthal]

Tip for square cutting the frame tubes: scribe those measurements as shown. Now grab one of those c clamp style tubing cutters plumbers use for water lines and mechanics use for hard lines. Set the cutting wheel on your scribe point, and run that bad boy around the frame tube a few times. Voila, nice square DEEP scribe line around the whole tube. Your blade or disc can be eyeballed "on the line" the whole way around, no muss, no fuss, and damn near perfect. Easiest way to insure your mark doesn't disappear, wander off, or get burnt back by grinder sparks, etc. like it can with tape, sharpee, or scratches in the paint.

[@charlesharper7292]

My wife has a 94 XL1200 I bought for her in 96. I just lost her to covid. I plan to do this as a tribute to her. Thanks for the video.

[@lowbrowcustoms]

So sorry to hear that… man… That bike will mean a lot for sure. Take care man.

[@deckerhand12]

Like how they go step by step even how to remove the motor. No others channel has gone into every little detail like this. One of the better diy videos I have seen

[@anthonygiovannikarmawisera218]

Please show more of this build. I'm very interested. You all make it look so easy.. Awesome video..

[@hddm3]

Hell yeah guys! Awsome man. I actually learned something. You didn’t cut out the most important parts. Great job

[@samb2108]

Much better then the first video. Thank you for doing what you do. Keep it coming.

[@googleybear25]

Great instructional video. i really like how it was all laid out for a complete newbie like me. Keep up the great work.

[@timhudson1846]

I almost did this... then i fell in love with my memories as a teenager in the 70s.. remember the old skool swing arm choppers. ? Yea, at this age ill appreciate some rear shocks..

[@conorpapineau2317]

When my current bike is built, this sporty chopper hardtail will be next. Nicely done

[@dirtyrottenchristos]

First video seen by this channel, I subscribed in the first 15 seconds for a plethora of reasons

[@troyfabrication]

Well done Guy's, this is the kind of video that could sway someone on the edge of installing a hardtail themselves to go for it. You make it look easy and stress free.

[@Changtent]

It IS that easy, and Tyler does a great job here. Remember, if you 'mess up' - it's only "time and money" nobody got hurt, lost their limbs, or life. Reminded me of a co-worker mechanic that forgot to torque the rod bearings on a Detroit Deisel engine. When he fired it up for the test run, a rod came out the side of the block and pieces flew everywhere. $40K gone right now. "It's only time and money. LOTS of time, and LOTS of money." lol

[@artvandelay9201]

That's their plan... that's why they don't show the part where they get the hardtail into the frame.

[@donaldpate1863]

Very therapeutic, please show the finished builds, and handling, of such projects when possible, Thanks for you professionalism as well, thats always a plus, your time spent learning proper shows, and makes for a better seating position for me, as you hold class!

[@builtnotboughtbybruce]

Really appreciate you guys taking time to share information and knowledge. Keep the videos coming.

[@curtlesniewski3843]

Tyler is the shit!!! Lowbrow is a one stop shop man, everything is top notch, quality is impressive, and tech's and customer service is kickass!!! Great people, and company!!!

[@rascalz4267]

Almost done paying off my sporty. Next one will be an older one and hardtailing it. This video made me feel way more comfortable going with a hardtail. Thought it was going to be a way longer process. Love the company and the videos y’all🤘🏼

[@Directory1]

This was a life saver last minute.

[@hardball107]

The people at Lowbrow are great and this product rocks. Bought one of these hardtail assembly's and this was the first time doing any frame work and literally completed the installation and mock up into a roller in 5 hours and I took my time. Measure 5 times and cut once. Tacked the tail in place with a mig, through the engine back in place and took it over to a friends house for final welding and a few oat sodas. Less than 8 hours work and we're a roller ready for the rest of construction, piece of cake. You could probably do it faster.

[@BearArms1972]

I DIG that disk rear wheel! Great video as usual.

[@TIICProductions]

Damn, definitely keep doing videos like this. You guys laid it out so easy to follow!

[@Changtent]

Great video thx. To mark the frame for cutting, I scribe it the way you do, then wrap masking tape around the frame tubes with the edge of the masking tape right on the scribed line. This helps me to keep my cuts straight because you can see if you are cutting off on an angle. Just follow the edge of the masking tape with your cutting tool. PS: I loved watching the rear frame section drop on the table, haha. Nice effect for the video.

[@Scottwhittysydney]

I don't even know what to say. If I had the confidence to take it apart and get it back together right I'd do it! SWEET Video man. Really.

[@YogisCycleService]

Great work and fun to watch, thank you.

[@darrenpulleng2789]

Super informative,cant wait for 2022 and I actually own a decent bike . This channel is awesome 👌

[@Forbidden-po8ey]

Will be rewatching in the near future 🤘

[@corneilcorneil]

Nice result! 👍🏼👍🏼 I use a central rope for the alignment, just to be sure.

[@trenton1]

Stunt double was a classy move lol, cant wait to do mine!

[@critterwatene8073]

Great video. Thankyou sir!! All the way from New Zealand.

[@gregorystark1217]

Well, just found my next project. great work guys.

[@rawbertschoppershop3926]

Just bought one! I’ve used others in the past looking forward to using your hardtail and horseshoe style oil tank on the most current build.

[@Liveharley1]

Great video, Like how you go step by step.

[@Seven.And.The.RaggedTiger]

Kool deal fellas,since getting my Road King I've wanted to hardtail my sporty since it's not my primary bike now I can make it my fun bad ass bike.. thanx 👍

[@jakobdavis93]

Just got an electra glide and this is my plan exactly lol

[@blwnova4155]

Tyler explains things very well

[@gregr1672]

Really nice blue collar every day working stiff type installation!.The stuff that makes America Great .

[@Egadirov]

WOW! Thank you for great tutorial!

[@Terry_Baker]

Another great video as usual!!

[@jeremybecker847]

Best part is that it's the same year as mine. Haha. Going to pick myself up one here soon.

[@chrisl.7345]

Great video..very informative, thank you guys !

[@AdaMoto83]

That’s awesome guys. Very inspiring. 👌🏾

[@donaldpate1863]

I didn't check how old the video was, before I spoke, but it makes no difference to me, I'll subscribe and check it all out.

[@brolly2479]

Video was a big help thanks.

[@jamesbedford6642]

Brill easy to follow video well done lads

[@thomascollier4913]

Thanks Bro this really helps,,,, great video.

[@sinfulcustomcycles5938]

Nice work from lowbrow

[@dalemasyk1583]

hmmmm like that sound ' hardtail sportster ' n that likes pretty cool also, i myself have 95 sportster lowrider very slick looking if i may say so , great video easy to do now

[@LNSPLTBLVD]

Great video!

[@RandyMoe]

Dang good! I will do this. But may never ride it. Going blind. I will never sell my last Sporty. I had an old crippled friend. I moved his chop on my trailer many times. RIP Rick!

[@travistrammell3424]

Good info & Nice job.

[@jamesderbaum9678]

Great job, great video

[@robertrattray5640]

Great video mate.

[@pitman2911]

Nice work well done 👍

[@lukealvarez530]

Excellent video. :)

[@bobbysantonio9398]

Great video. I want to do that to mine

[@jesusccccccc5941]

Great video. Seems pretty simple to do.. wish you guys would do a "How to rake a sportster frame" for those of us who cant afford a chopper

[@lifeofky4037]

did you ever find anything on this?

[@cycleish]

Why did I sell my Sportster? Great video! Not that I would do this but still cool to watch.

[@dfcvda]

Atlast i have found the video !! oh and we use a saws all in Medicine for amputations, honest, I`m a Surgeon, in England.

[@MrKikkomon]

Awesome video

[@benwinter2420]

Hardtail Sportsters are pretty clean

[@brolly2479]

Great video

[@shawnparent688]

Great video.....

[@highwaytramp6147]

Awesome thanks man 😎🤘

[@DEATHMETALCYCLE]

Wow. You made it look so easy!

[@78ruff]

Just received mine yesterday (fast shipping!) and I am using a hose clamp after initial little scribe mark.. so paranoid to cut it haha

[@mikeruthantisdel5679]

I want to see the finished bike. Looks good so far but I want to see what they do with the front end.

[@paulc858]

Awesome video. Where can I get a hard tail frame like the one you used. I can already see the finished bike. It’s going to look awesome. Thanks again for the post.

[@robsmith2936]

Trenches Icon HYDRO was engineered with a hydrophobic technology on the crown panels designed to bead away water and prevent absorption. Constructed with durable materials, the hats are water repellant, floatable, and breathable.[copy]

[@mikeychanal572]

Just perfect 👌

Muy buen trabajo me gusto !

[@MotoDUDEabides]

That frame cut scene.... 😂😂😂.... clever.

[@rideonthemovie931]

Great Video :-)

[@vagabond3045]

Nice I see sk tools I use them to also could MiG welding the frame be ok

[@danielphillips6933]

Great video!!! Tyler write a book and be my friend!

[@jayn8392]

Been wanting tondonthis for years to my sporty.i just don't know about my welder being up to the task. It's a nice hobart but we only have 110v in the garage. It should be able to handle the tube thickness in theory, eapecially using a few tricks, but I just can't bring myself to risk it.

[@patrickrooney5735]

Great video love you guys however I just don't understand where all my wiring was go sneaky sneaky like I am such an amateur however I am going to attempt this on 2 iron heads and I am not by no stretch of the imagination a motorcycle electrician the welding I'm okay pretty good it's the wiring that holds me back I don't know how you can help me if you can if you have a video that I am not aware of this is my dilemma

[@UrbanMasterExperiment]

Looks easy :)

[@1381greg]

I can do this. Thank you......Thumbs Up.

[@cosmiccharlie8294]

That hardtail gives a real jump in the clean looks of a build. I need to ride one to see how much you give up in terms of handling.

[@lowbrowcustoms]

Cosmic Charlie gives nothing up on handling, but gives up a long if comfort. Bumps hit harder is all

[@chappledesign]

Great vid. Extremely helpful in determining if I want to do this in the future. Curious to know what amp setting and rod size you are using on the welds (@240v) ?

[@pebear]

I got a 73 XLCH Motor in a Pre 1970 frame. HD didn't put any numbers on their frames before 1970. I know I had a hell of a time finding swing arm bearings for this thing. My cousin had a set for a 50's frame that worked. So do you have a hard tail for the Pre 70's frames?

[@scottdennis6000]

I just lifted my motor out of the frame. Phuk sake! - you are stronger than you look ;)

[@jjforeal2]

Dude! You aren’t kidding. I watched him do it, so I bought an engine mount from lowbrow, with plans to put the engine on my workbench. Long story short, it’s still on the floor.

[@sailingwiththeerros9139]

Great video. thank you. I noticed ur out of stock on the frames...will you be doing more?

[@justindusek3557]

So Im doing the same thing on my 97 1200 c but I was wondering do they make a neck that is stretched with a 40° rake? I want better handling when I chop it

[@josephmartin4904]

Hello I want to do this to my bike and I am going to order all my parts from you. Question Can I re use my belt going with your weld on hard tail ? Thanx

[@jillc7984]

I might be interested in your hardtail setup. It looks like I can save some money by using the original brake. How are you going to make that work? Will it lock in on the tube? Thanks

[@TheZEUS626]

🔥🔥🔥

[@wedowhatwewant6850]

What’s the penetration depth needed for that to be a good weld? Wondering what machine would be good enough.

[@danielfarmer4311]

Stunt Double 😎👌

[@lowbrowcustoms]

little fun with the cameras ahahah. cheesy but fun.

[@donaldarthur3497]

I'll be to your place in thirty minutes is that cool

[@joegrima6852]

Hey guys love your work, Ive been running rigid shocks on my 2010 48, but would love to hard tail the frame, my big problem is Im in Australia!! do you guys have any idea what the freight cost to Australia would be? cheers

[@lowbrowcustoms]

you can go on the site and put your address in the shopping cart after adding the product and it will calculate it for you. www.lowbrowcustoms.com/collections/motorcycle-hardtail/products/weld-on-hardtail-rear-frame-section-for-1982-2003-harley-sportster-in-stock

[@mrdrivebytrucker]

Almost looks like I could do this myself

[@joetheman357]

After you get it all welded up, how do yall measure for the battery box and other stuff? Got a video on that by chance? Great vids guys keep it up

[@lowbrowcustoms]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6uzeaGthMqhp7c

[@joetheman357]

@@lowbrowcustoms yall are the best, appreciate it!

[@RedBeardSyndicate]

You guys make some great stuff! Do you make a hard tail for an 05 sportster 1200?

[@lowbrowcustoms]

we haven't developed anything for 04- up at the moment, but are in the process of design etc. if you are in a pinch and looking to do something now, our friends at Led Sled Customs do nice hardtail kit. www.ledsledcustoms.com/product/hartail-2004-and-up Note if you are going to do this job you have to convert your motor to solid mount or your chain will always keep popping off. We sell a Solid mount conversion kit thats made in the US you would want to make sure and grab this too. www.lowbrowcustoms.com/lowbrow-customs-complete-solid-motor-mount-kit-for-2004-up-harley-davidson-sportster-xl.html hope that helps. Cheers.

[@mrdrivebytrucker]

Question. You mentioned leaving an eighth of an inch gap where the tubes meet but I thought I heard you measure the distance and then cut the frame at the same measurement instead of cutting an eighth of an inch more off. Can you address that please? Thank you

[@Luftbubblan]

The dream :D

[@bobox6073]

Damn bro u are strong . I can pick the motor up bro. U Left that up like it's nothing

[@seaeff6428]

Wish I would’ve seen the update where it’s no longer 9/16th. My slug is only maybe 1/4-1/2 inch in and I have about a 7/8ths gap. I’ll make it work though.

[@cdmxxxx4094]

Can you make one for a 2012 sportster 🙏🏻🙏🏻 ... great video!!

[@lowbrowcustoms]

we haven't developed anything for 04- up at the moment, but are in the process of design etc. if you are in a pinch and looking to do something now, our friends at Led Sled Customs do nice hardtail kit. www.ledsledcustoms.com/product/hartail-2004-and-up Note if you are going to do this job you have to convert your motor to solid mount or your chain will always keep popping off. We sell a Solid mount conversion kit thats made in the US you would want to make sure and grab this too. www.lowbrowcustoms.com/lowbrow-customs-complete-solid-motor-mount-kit-for-2004-up-harley-davidson-sportster-xl.html hope that helps. Cheers.

[@nathanlocke2185]

Wish yall would make one for a 1980 ironhead

[@gringo8262]

Cool

[@captgraybush2890]

I feel like the price of the section of hard tail and the cost of having a machine shop hack and weld this very sketchy job would be just as much as ordering a full hardtail frame?

[@lowbrowcustoms]

It depends! If you go to a reputable shop, it wouldn't be sketchy or a hack job! If you are more comfortable with just getting a full frame, that is the way to go!

[@snaggletooth9784]

Say if you did this in the UK to a 82 sportster the bike could keep its VIN number and wouldn't need new plates.. and a 40 year old bike in the UK is tax and MOT exempt..

[@Harv3st]

I am not confident enough in my welding for this yet lol. Would be afraid it would rip apart on the road.

[@arturoolivas467]

Hola que tal LOWBROW CUSTOMS solo para mencionarles que hace unos meses atrás Ordene una hartail para mí 1975 Harley Sporter 1000cc y las medidas no dan quedó corta en dónde ensambla atrás del asiento por la base de los Amortiguadores me quedaron mal LOWBROW CUSTOMS en fin gracias y saludos