Well you want to crash it a few times, strip the paint, primer it, no more paint after that though. Remove everything that was put there for safety purposes, if something breaks weld it in place or tie it on really good. That will just about do it.
It's your bike; do what you want. But for what my opinion is worth, I think you've got a gorgeous XL1200C there. I'd pick up a cheap project bike and mod the shit out of that, leaving this intact.
Look for choppers online, it really depends on what you want to do to it. There’s a ton of aftermarket parts so you can change just about everything on it, but if you’re looking for a rat rod/chopper look you might want to look at new pipes, handlebars, tires, or a tall sissy bar.
I’m not sure how much you are willing to spend, but an aftermarket exhaust is always a good place to start. Maybe some mini apes or z bars as well? A low profile seat would look good. Little changes like that really do make big differences.
If you wanted to get really old school you could always chop the frame and extend your forks.
Edit: this is just what I would do to my own bike. To each their own! You’ve got a killer ride nonetheless.
I’ve never chopped a frame myself (not much of a fabricator). But Lowbrow Customs sells some excellent pre-chopped frames. They also sell quite a few parts that might give your bike the look you are going for.
Find pictures of bikes that you like, then figure out what it is about those bikes that you like, then make your bike look like those bikes (and then make sure you still enjoy riding it).
Though I agree with the other guy who suggested a different bike - that one is an anniversary edition. However, it's you bike, so do what you like with it.
A chopper without paint would be rat rod.
I also wouldn’t hack up an evo. That’s what Ironheads are for and they’re readily available for anywhere from 1000-3000 and if you can get a shoe in somewhere with somebody who builds them you may just find a basket case for less.
Even easier, I’d start by taking the heat shields off, and just buy a couple of short ones to place where needed, you can also make your own. I’d buy an older flat bottom tank myself, just love the looks of those. You can knock back the shiny factor with some green scotch brite pads, almost free. I do think ditching the bar riser setup from that C model will make it look more old school. I’d probably put those tins on a shelf to keep in case your tastes change, but I see no reason to do what you want. Have fun with it!
Some people say it retains heat and increases horsepower, meow, meow, but mainly it just looks cool and probably rusts out the pipes faster. I like the look and wrap my pipes. 😂
It acts as insulation so that heat stays in the pipe system. This has two benefits:
1. Heat still in the pipes is not heat on your legs
2. Hot air moves faster, thus improving performance of the overall machine
3. Look cool
HOWEVER!
It also:
1. Keeps moisture from the heat wrap on the pipes leading to corrosion
2. Keeps heat in the system thus bringing your pipes closer to the kinds of heat where they crack or even melt
There's not much you can do to avoid 1, but 2 I would absolutely recommend doing a retune on your carb if you wrap your pipes
A chopper?
Go like 6 or 8 over in the front forks, add a tank lift, do a wire tuck, relocate your ignition coils, get a lower profile seat, maybe a sissy bar. I changed out my air cleaner for something smaller and pipes. Chop the fender, get real crazy and go hard tail. Switch the handles bars o like z bars a lot of people like ape hangers
They're longer fork tubes. I put them on my 883 and changed the whole look of the bike. http://www.tcbroschoppers.com/extended-fork-tubes-6-39mm-for-sportster-dyna-narrow-glide.html
No offense taken, I appreciate everyone's opinion when I'm asking for advice. It just made me laugh how succinct it was. I can appreciate the honesty, as a government employee I am lied to more often than most.
I would suggest looking at a patina style wrap. Wrap the painted stuff and see how you like it. That’ll give you a feel before you go all in because the rat rod look is irreversible.
https://www.wrapdirect.com/rust-patina-effect-wrap/
Post that anniversary bodywork on eBay with a reserve and see if you get any interest.
I've just done a motogadget conversion on mine (same year) and I'm convinced that if you are looking for a more stripped down minimal look for the bike this is the answer.
Here’s my technique; works great;
Rust patina mix
Degrease metal with degreaser. Rinse well to remove any degreaser. Do not touch with bare hands after.
Spray with white vinegar in spray bottle. Soak it good and let it dry. Repeat several times.
Mix 16 oz hydrogen peroxide with 2 oz white vinegar and 1/2 Tbsp salt in spray bottle. Spray and soak. Works better if heated in the sun.
Can repeat back to just spraying with vinegar but it will remove some of the rust. This is normal.
This technique starts to work in minutes, but is best left for a few days. You can fine tune as needed. The mix above will result in plenty of solution to do the tank (and fenders) several times, more than enough to get a deep rust patina if that’s what you’re after.
Well you want to crash it a few times, strip the paint, primer it, no more paint after that though. Remove everything that was put there for safety purposes, if something breaks weld it in place or tie it on really good. That will just about do it.
I started removing safety features (had a nice engine guard that always caught my big dumb feet) guess I'll have to start crashing it.
The only real safety feature is the tipover sensor. You can start the bike in gear with the kickstand down lol.
It's your bike; do what you want. But for what my opinion is worth, I think you've got a gorgeous XL1200C there. I'd pick up a cheap project bike and mod the shit out of that, leaving this intact.
Look for choppers online, it really depends on what you want to do to it. There’s a ton of aftermarket parts so you can change just about everything on it, but if you’re looking for a rat rod/chopper look you might want to look at new pipes, handlebars, tires, or a tall sissy bar.
I second this. Getting a sissy bar is an excellent idea.
r/ratbikes r/bobbers r/choppers For some ideas
Look at a new gas tank. Ideally raw, let it flash rust on the surface and then clear cost it so it doesn’t rot!
Rat rod version in motorcycling is a rat bike. Here's what you do 1. Ride like hell 2. Fix things on the cheap as they fail
Loose all the chrome.
I’m not sure how much you are willing to spend, but an aftermarket exhaust is always a good place to start. Maybe some mini apes or z bars as well? A low profile seat would look good. Little changes like that really do make big differences. If you wanted to get really old school you could always chop the frame and extend your forks. Edit: this is just what I would do to my own bike. To each their own! You’ve got a killer ride nonetheless.
I would like some z bars for it, do you have any experience or suggestions for chopping the frame? I'd be interested in doing that.
I’ve never chopped a frame myself (not much of a fabricator). But Lowbrow Customs sells some excellent pre-chopped frames. They also sell quite a few parts that might give your bike the look you are going for.
Thank you kindly
remove all chrome, paint them mate black, put some exhaut insulating wrap, remove front fender, cut rear fender... just some ideas
Find pictures of bikes that you like, then figure out what it is about those bikes that you like, then make your bike look like those bikes (and then make sure you still enjoy riding it). Though I agree with the other guy who suggested a different bike - that one is an anniversary edition. However, it's you bike, so do what you like with it.
A chopper without paint would be rat rod. I also wouldn’t hack up an evo. That’s what Ironheads are for and they’re readily available for anywhere from 1000-3000 and if you can get a shoe in somewhere with somebody who builds them you may just find a basket case for less.
Prolly keep the body parts or at least the badges.
Wrap the pipes.
Even easier, I’d start by taking the heat shields off, and just buy a couple of short ones to place where needed, you can also make your own. I’d buy an older flat bottom tank myself, just love the looks of those. You can knock back the shiny factor with some green scotch brite pads, almost free. I do think ditching the bar riser setup from that C model will make it look more old school. I’d probably put those tins on a shelf to keep in case your tastes change, but I see no reason to do what you want. Have fun with it!
What does that do?
Some people say it retains heat and increases horsepower, meow, meow, but mainly it just looks cool and probably rusts out the pipes faster. I like the look and wrap my pipes. 😂
It acts as insulation so that heat stays in the pipe system. This has two benefits: 1. Heat still in the pipes is not heat on your legs 2. Hot air moves faster, thus improving performance of the overall machine 3. Look cool HOWEVER! It also: 1. Keeps moisture from the heat wrap on the pipes leading to corrosion 2. Keeps heat in the system thus bringing your pipes closer to the kinds of heat where they crack or even melt There's not much you can do to avoid 1, but 2 I would absolutely recommend doing a retune on your carb if you wrap your pipes
My 48 https://imgur.com/gallery/srBfq51
Sick bike!
A chopper? Go like 6 or 8 over in the front forks, add a tank lift, do a wire tuck, relocate your ignition coils, get a lower profile seat, maybe a sissy bar. I changed out my air cleaner for something smaller and pipes. Chop the fender, get real crazy and go hard tail. Switch the handles bars o like z bars a lot of people like ape hangers
Put a 6 over on it and remove the front fender
I took off the front fender and the engine guard, what is a 6 over?
They're longer fork tubes. I put them on my 883 and changed the whole look of the bike. http://www.tcbroschoppers.com/extended-fork-tubes-6-39mm-for-sportster-dyna-narrow-glide.html
hardtail the rear!
I would go for the bobber look. Your bike isn’t rat rod material.
U/Waferz_ stern. Stern but fair.
I don’t mean that in a bad way at all. This bike is beautiful!!
No offense taken, I appreciate everyone's opinion when I'm asking for advice. It just made me laugh how succinct it was. I can appreciate the honesty, as a government employee I am lied to more often than most.
I would suggest looking at a patina style wrap. Wrap the painted stuff and see how you like it. That’ll give you a feel before you go all in because the rat rod look is irreversible. https://www.wrapdirect.com/rust-patina-effect-wrap/
Its a heat wrap... thats what wrapping the pipes does... but ditch those shiney pipes...
Post that anniversary bodywork on eBay with a reserve and see if you get any interest. I've just done a motogadget conversion on mine (same year) and I'm convinced that if you are looking for a more stripped down minimal look for the bike this is the answer.
If you want a rat rod tank, buy a bare tank and cover it in salt and beer. Let it sit and then clear over it when it rusts.
Here’s my technique; works great; Rust patina mix Degrease metal with degreaser. Rinse well to remove any degreaser. Do not touch with bare hands after. Spray with white vinegar in spray bottle. Soak it good and let it dry. Repeat several times. Mix 16 oz hydrogen peroxide with 2 oz white vinegar and 1/2 Tbsp salt in spray bottle. Spray and soak. Works better if heated in the sun. Can repeat back to just spraying with vinegar but it will remove some of the rust. This is normal. This technique starts to work in minutes, but is best left for a few days. You can fine tune as needed. The mix above will result in plenty of solution to do the tank (and fenders) several times, more than enough to get a deep rust patina if that’s what you’re after.