1978flh09

1978 H-D FLH BUILD: PAGE 9

After 10 months of work the bike finally fired on the first try and the lift went to the floor. There were still a few cosmetic details to be squared away but a rideable bike had come to life. It first roared at about 3:30 am but as it turned its first revolutions I called the ol lady and woke her up. She was so excited about the bike being done she didn't even care about the time.

I started this bike early 1996 with an intended budget of 17,000 dollars and a goal of finishing in four months. I blew both goals to shreds in the end but I opted to do some things that were more dollar and time demanding than first planned. I did manage to take it for its first test ride on December 31st so I at least finished it in the same calendar year I started. When someone asks me how much it costs to build it I have a very simple answer, "Every spare dime I had."

GETTING CLOSER EVERY MINUTE

THE LIFT IS FINALLY ON THE FLOOR

GETTING IT HOME

ALL IT NEEDS ARE BAGS AND A WINDSHIELD

We left the saddle bags and windshield off initially for a reason. As with all new bikes, there is a very specific break-in process if you want to do it right. Leaving all of the extra wind load and weight off possible gives a lighter load on the new build during the break-in process. When you have the price of two motorcycles into a custom build, you should do everything possible to take care of your ride. Now that it is broken in I do ride it like it is meant to. I added the winshield, saddle bags and tourpak afterinitial break-in and rode the bike to the 5,000 mile mark.

DREAMSICKLE BUILD PAGE 1 DREAMSICKLE BUILD PAGE 2

DREAMSICKLE BUILD PAGE 3 DREAMSICKLE BUILD PAGE 4

DREAMSICKLE BUILD PAGE 5 DREAMSICKLE BUILD PAGE 6

DREAMSICKLE BUILD PAGE 7 DREAMSICKLE BUILD PAGE 8

DREAMSICKLE BUILD PAGE 9 DREAMSICKLE BUILD PAGE 10

BACK TO COOLHAWGS.COM

NAVIGATION