2000 Sportster 883 Make-Over: Mellow Yellow Part One

Made some progress on the Mellow Yellow Sportster. It seems that comfortable AND cool looking are two things not normally found on rigid Evo Sportsters. It's funny, the factory plunger seat that I had on my '72 XLCH and my '77 FXE were the most comfortable seats I ever rode on. Oh well...The first thing I did before anything else on this bike was to replace the silly forward controls with mid-controls I found for cheap on eBay. Next was the sissybar, saddlebag mounts and double seat. I threw a Corbin cafe seat on it I had laying around and started to remove/replace all the "Ride To Live" bling that seems to be on every Harley Ive ever bought (Gas cap, battery cover, clutch cover, handlebar riser top). Next the giant chrome engine guards are coming off, and Im replacing the buckhorn handlebars with a more classic style bars. The air cleaner is an aftermarket Screamin' Eagle II, so that's nice.

Im thinking of leaving the stock tank since I like that decal and replacing the yellow fenders with black ones. That way maybe the yellow won't bum me out if theres not quite as much of it. I always did like the BSA 441s with the yellow tank(:

 Some future plans are: Progressive front springs,Progressive 412 13" Rear shocks, Cafe cowl/wind shield, LED headlight conversion, Fork Gaiters, Avon Contour grips, replace stock turn signals with mini bullet signals, Avon Tires, Replace the Vance & Hines Straight Shots with a two-into-one set-up.

 I see these pre-rubber mount bikes get a bad rap in the past few years as "vibrating too much to take on any long trips". I always laugh and think that the people who say that obviously have never ridden any Harleys (or older Triumphs) made prior to 1985! After owning a dozen or so Ironheads in the past number of years, I remember riding an Evo 883 for the first time and thinking "Holy shit! These things are so smooth!".

 I Think that'll do it for now.

Bloggin' again!

I let this go for awhile, but I realized I like blogs way better than Instagram. Blogs are more substantial and enjoyable than Instagram in my opinion. Alots happened since I last posted (back problems, purchasing a business, car stolen, fatherhood etc). Long story short, I sold my '77 FXE out of frustration and depression about my protracted back injury. Its been a dark year for me personally, but Im seeing some light at the end of that tunnel. My back has been healing slowly, but it seems to be getting better, so I decided to buy another bike. Super pissed at myself for selling my beloved Shovelhead, but I was not in my right mind at the time, drinking WAY too much to ease the pain and crushing depression and anxiety related to my back. Oh well, no looking back! I decided to buy a pre-2004 Sportster because I think they retain most of the lines of the original ironhead Sportys they descended from, Plus there's thousands of them out there for cheap. I scraped up enough money to buy an ugly yellow (i hate yellow) 2000 Evo Sporty 883 Hugger. It was pretty cheap (offered him $2700)and had the 1200 conversion, low miles, great shape and ran good, so I decided it would be a fun challenge to a) Make it look like a cool, classic Sportster and b) make it actually ride comfortably for long distance riding. Plus, I love Sportsters. I Know no-one see's this blog, but I realized posting this stuff is a kinda therapy for me, like screaming into the void.

My 1977 FXE

I keep messing with her, replacing the stock tank with 3.5 gallon FX split tanks, removing fenders, chopping fenders, etc. But I honestly miss it being 100% stock like the pic here. You just don't see many unmolested Super Glides around anymore.

Shovelhead Trippin'

Took an overnight on the ol' 1977 FXE. Not a whole lot of riding' this summer what with buying a new house and being a 50yr old papa to a 4-yr old adorable little girl. About 400 miles of back roads and some super-slab. Ran strong and steady. People see me and look surprised that Im riding this 40 yr old bike in a sea of brand-new Harleys with brand new Harley outfits, brand new ape hangers, tough-guy posing. I just smile and putt on by, satisfied with the fact that I keep this bike on the road with my own two hands, like my father before me.