I think I'm getting back on a motorcycle

[phylodog]

I haven't owned a motorcycle since our wonderful politicians forced the sale of my beloved 01HD Road King back in 2008 (funny how a $600 overnight increase in your mortgage will screw with you). This time however, it's primarily just going to be for commuting and running errands so I'm not considering another big cruiser but I've got my attention focused on a Sportster. There are a lot of bobber style sportsters out there that I like and that's the direction I'd like to go.

The only issue I'm having is that I don't want to spend the extra several thousand to get one that already looks the way I like. After dealing with the 3 acres of chrome on my Road King for years I think I just want everything black and the black bikes bring a premium. I'm curious if anyone has painted their own motorcycle engines/forks/whatever themselves? I see plenty of videos on painting the chrome parts black on motorcycles but I don't know if that is something that looks good for a few weeks then starts peeling off or if there are paints that actually work properly? If I can buy a Sportster cheap I don't mind spending money to get it where I want it within reason but I'm not looking to tear a bike down and rebuild/refinish it.

Anyone have experience here?

 

[cg21]

Funny how you had to pay extra for chrome before and black was cheaper now it reversed. I have always hated chrome but I preferred when other people liked it so my black options were the cheaper of the two.

 

[phylodog]

Funny how you had to pay extra for chrome before and black was cheaper now it reversed. I have always hated chrome but I preferred when other people liked it so my black options were the cheaper of the two.

You're absolutely right. I don't want to think about the amount of money I spent on chrome for my Road King. I won't be going down that same road here.

 

[cg21]

You're absolutely right. I don't want to think about the amount of money I spent on chrome for my Road King. I won't be going down that same road here.

I mean if strictly a commuter…. What I would do……. Buy a case of high temp black rattle cans and a case of black plastidip. Degrease the crap out of everything pressure wash whatever it takes ….. then spray everything with the correct can. Touch ups are super easy with flat colors will cost next to nothing when talking about vehicle upgrades. And worst that will happen is black flakes off somewhere and you get a chrome peekaboo touch up as needed.


I used high temp on chrome stacks and it held up well. And also used plastidip on a lot of parts. Prep work is 98% of the battle. Plastidip all over this truck.

 

[Keith_Indy]

I had a buddy who used this over his wheels. Held up pretty well.

Wheel Coating – Duplicolor

www.duplicolor.com

 

[KokomoDave]

I sold my old bike to buy an almost all black bike but went with an Austrian mc v.s. Sportstah.

 

[EyeCarry]

Find a used 1200 sporty with as much black as possible and do the rest yourself as suggested above.
I used Plastidip on my Ultra's fuel door almost 4 years ago to kill the glare. The paint still is going strong.

 

[frenchiectfd2203]

I was all chrome before I bought my new Limited. Black looks much better in my opinion.

 

[mike4sigs]

I mean if strictly a commuter…. What I would do……. Buy a case of high temp black rattle cans and a case of black plastidip. Degrease the crap out of everything pressure wash whatever it takes ….. then spray everything with the correct can. Touch ups are super easy with flat colors will cost next to nothing when talking about vehicle upgrades. And worst that will happen is black flakes off somewhere and you get a chrome peekaboo touch up as needed.


I used high temp on chrome stacks and it held up well. And also used plastidip on a lot of parts. Prep work is 98% of the battle. Plastidip all over this truck.

nice truck
What is MPG on that

 

[PGRChaplain]

Not hard to Black it Out yourself, Prep is Everything! I was at 469 Cycle in New Haven the other day, he has 10-12 Sportsters in stock.

Home - 469 Cycle Shop

We Are Proud To Be Indiana’s Number 1 Used Harley Davidson Motorcycle Seller!

469cycleshop.com

 

[kawtech87]

2024 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty Motorcycle

An expertly balanced bike with a chopped rear fender and blacked-out, stripped down bobber styling. Find price and colors for the 2024 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty Motorcycle.

www.indianmotorcycle.com

Or

2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Sport Heritage Motorcycle - Photo Gallery, Video, Specs, Features, Offers, Inventory and more

2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Sport Heritage Motorcycle

www.yamahamotorsports.com

Just saying. If it were me.

Better bikes for about what you'd spend on a used sportster but brand new

 

[churchmouse]

OK. I have been involved with Bikes all my memorable life. Built a few sportsters and I will tell you they ride like especially to guys that have had some issues in life. I put a 1200 kit on a new 883 for a buddy's wife. Rode it to seat the rings and hated every second of it. Bouncy short sport bike.
Ride one or 2 before you make the leap. You may find my opinion to be true. If not, you are good to go but I hate them.

 

[churchmouse]

2024 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty Motorcycle

An expertly balanced bike with a chopped rear fender and blacked-out, stripped down bobber styling. Find price and colors for the 2024 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty Motorcycle.

www.indianmotorcycle.com

Or

2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Sport Heritage Motorcycle - Photo Gallery, Video, Specs, Features, Offers, Inventory and more

2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Sport Heritage Motorcycle

www.yamahamotorsports.com

Just saying. If it were me.

Better bikes for about what you'd spend on a used sportster but brand new

Winner.

 

[phylodog]

2024 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty Motorcycle

An expertly balanced bike with a chopped rear fender and blacked-out, stripped down bobber styling. Find price and colors for the 2024 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty Motorcycle.

www.indianmotorcycle.com

Or

2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Sport Heritage Motorcycle - Photo Gallery, Video, Specs, Features, Offers, Inventory and more

2023 Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Sport Heritage Motorcycle

www.yamahamotorsports.com

Just saying. If it were me.

Better bikes for about what you'd spend on a used sportster but brand new

Unfortunately my budget is in the $3500 range.

 

[phylodog]

OK. I have been involved with Bikes all my memorable life. Built a few sportsters and I will tell you they ride like especially to guys that have had some issues in life. I put a 1200 kit on a new 883 for a buddy's wife. Rode it to seat the rings and hated every second of it. Bouncy short sport bike.
Ride one or 2 before you make the leap. You may find my opinion to be true. If not, you are good to go but I hate them.

I'm with ya 100%. Fortunately for me the roads around here are really well maintained and since it's just a commuter and not something I plan on taking out for joy rides I'm really tempted in spite of their shortcomings. I miss my Road King but I've always liked the look of a nice sportster.

 

[cg21]

nice truck
What is MPG on that

11 loaded or not

 

[patience0830]

I'm with ya 100%. Fortunately for me the roads around here are really well maintained and since it's just a commuter and not something I plan on taking out for joy rides I'm really tempted in spite of their shortcomings. I miss my Road King but I've always liked the look of a nice sportster.
View attachment 189262

I like the looks, but after having fallen off, repeatedly, from 5 mph to 65 mph and seeing friends nearly die after being rear-ended by a jeep at a stop light, I'll never ride one on the street again. Probably safer to take up skydiving for your adrenalin rush. I still deal with scar tissue from the higher speed crash I had.

 

[Lmo1131]

Unfortunately my budget is in the $3500 range.

that's a bit short...

2009 Harley Davidson Sportster 883 - general for sale - by owner

I have for sale a 2009 Harley Davidson Sportster 883 motorcycle. Has 10,000 miles, Indiana Title. Comes with saddle bags, windshield, & has speakers & hook up for a stereo. Garage Kept. Very...

bloomington.craigslist.org

2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200 Custom - motorcycle parts - by...

2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200 Custom: paint color is Black Cherry Pearl. bike is in excellent condition. five speed with forward controls. has Harley-Davidson detachable windshield,...

decatur.craigslist.org

Harley Sportster 883 Iron - motorcycles/scooters - by owner -...

good condition, mustang seat, new battery, ready to ride

bloomington.craigslist.org

2000 Harley Davidson - motorcycles/scooters - by owner - vehicle...

2000 Harley Davidson for sell no trades. New battery installed late last summer. LED turn signals front, rear, crash bar with LED running /turn signals, windscreen, new hand grips and foot pegs.

bloomington.craigslist.org

a little better, but it's in Ohio

2006 Harley Davidson Sportster 883r - general for sale - by owner

2006 Harley Davidson Sportster 883r. Runs great. Currently has 19,746 miles. Has newer seat, forward controls, back rest, and saddlebags. Comes with original seat, original mid controls, oil filter...

chillicothe.craigslist.org

 

[kawtech87]

Unfortunately my budget is in the $3500 range.

Ahh, that damned budget word. Some how I seem to never to stay in one. But I get it if you have to.

Look at a used Kawasaki Vulcan 900. Handle like a small bike feel like a big bike. Great all around bikes and simple to work on.

CM is right. You have back or shoulder issues correct? You're going to HATE the ride of a sporty.

 

[phylodog]

I need to buy some lottery tickets