And those bikes are STILL awesome to build! But with fuel injected models so cheap, it’s hard to convince people of carbs. Even I can’t wait to get a FI bike.
U have mentioned the Yamaha SRX 400CC. It's my current bike and trust me, whoever sees my bike gets surprised by how different i have made it look. I do D.I.Y transformation for myself on my own bikes and this SRX-4 is the biggest bike I have ever owned
I think some of the nicest looking customs are made out of the least popular but possibly more challenging machines (due to frame design etc.). And I agree with you completely about RE and Airheads.
And you guys should also try doing the Kawasaki Balius, it has a very awesome chassis to play around with and not forgetting a big enough engine space for quit a wide range of engine fittings
I don't exactly think a Sportster is "overlooked" for custom bike building 😂 They just get used to build bobbers and choppers more often than cafes (though some cafes are made from them too!). A hard-tailed sportster makes a killer bobber, look at the stuff Mint Customs have done, so beautiful.
I agree! In my experience I feel like the Harley guys know about Sportsters, and the Sportster guys know about Sportsters (shout out Sporty Mob) but the 50 year old guy in a quite neighborhood wanting to do a shed build just sees “Harley” and dismisses the bike. Or the 20 something woman who wants to build her first bike just sees Sportsters as “choppers” and again, moves on to, coincidentally, a different two cylinder. But as you’ve mentioned the people who know, definitely know.
@@JacobBaldry now that my CB 360 is mostly done, a bobber built off a Sportster is highest on my list of things to make if I ever have the spare cash to give it another go. You're definitely right that until I found some appreciation for them I wrote them off completely. I wanted to be anything but a Harley rider. Now that I've put some miles on one (my father in law has a spare Sportster 1200 I rode a fair bit while working on my own bike) and had a chance to see someone make something that doesn't look like a cartoon, I get it. Preconceptions fade away, they're all capable of being cool machines with enough creativity.
Interesting to hear, you were checking out the SRX 600, as I also ride a CB 750 and have my previous SRX 6 not in operation these days down in my basement. However, both bikes are not really customized, as I usually prefer to stick to the factory setup - except some mainly technical improvements
Factory setups are great! I can’t help but modify, but it certainly isn’t due to a lack of respect for the original. And they hold more value if you don’t mess with them too much 😁 what’s a common “technical improvement” you make?
@@JacobBaldry Better brakes (e.g. 2nd disc for the 750), better suspension, maybe for the next level then also better carbs, a slightly bigger bore or a even better swingarm. I also like oil thermometers, as they tell you a lot about the load you can/shall put onto the machine. The frame itsself and the instruments I usually prefer to leave untouched.
@@JacobBaldry Better brakes (e.g. 2nd disc for the 750), better suspension, maybe for the next level then also better carbs, a slightly bigger bore or a even better swingarm. I also like oil thermometers, as they tell you a lot about the load you can/shall put onto the machine. The frame itsself and the instruments I usually prefer to leave untouched.
Used to have a RE Classic 500 and its a super cool and vintage bike, but its ancient tech (present on almost all of the RE models) make them not so easy to customize or change, due to it lack of OEM parts that fits the old ways of design that these bikes have
I think if you want to customize royal enfields you have to treat them like they’re old bikes. Even the new ones. Then it’s a little easier to find parts. But you’re not wrong! It is more difficult than how triumph lets you customize.
The aftermarket is the best reason for buying a sportster. You can just get anything you want and it's relatively affordable to do so. That said, the used prices of sportsters are so high relative to other bikes that you probably make up the difference there.
The aftermarket is fantastic and unlike anything else for this bike. And Sporty prices are definitely high, but they seem to hold their value, and buying an 883 will help knock some cost off too. Not as many sellers saying “I know what I have” to an 883 😅
Totally agree. Sport bikes as streetfighters are huge in Europe where I grew up in the 80's especially the early GSXRs.
And those bikes are STILL awesome to build! But with fuel injected models so cheap, it’s hard to convince people of carbs. Even I can’t wait to get a FI bike.
U have mentioned the Yamaha SRX 400CC. It's my current bike and trust me, whoever sees my bike gets surprised by how different i have made it look.
I do D.I.Y transformation for myself on my own bikes and this SRX-4 is the biggest bike I have ever owned
I think some of the nicest looking customs are made out of the least popular but possibly more challenging machines (due to frame design etc.). And I agree with you completely about RE and Airheads.
Agreed. Sometimes they don’t turn out great when you build a bike with a terrible frame, but when it DOES work out, it’s incredible.
And you guys should also try doing the Kawasaki Balius, it has a very awesome chassis to play around with and not forgetting a big enough engine space for quit a wide range of engine fittings
Good list. Kawasaki W650 is another option. True 60s styling and has a genuine bevel drive.
Ooo that is a good one! I didn’t know it was a bevel drive. How’s the reliability overall? Could be a great “0-mile vintage” bike to build.
gonna be at 10k subs before the end of the year easy, keep it up
I don't exactly think a Sportster is "overlooked" for custom bike building 😂 They just get used to build bobbers and choppers more often than cafes (though some cafes are made from them too!). A hard-tailed sportster makes a killer bobber, look at the stuff Mint Customs have done, so beautiful.
I agree! In my experience I feel like the Harley guys know about Sportsters, and the Sportster guys know about Sportsters (shout out Sporty Mob) but the 50 year old guy in a quite neighborhood wanting to do a shed build just sees “Harley” and dismisses the bike. Or the 20 something woman who wants to build her first bike just sees Sportsters as “choppers” and again, moves on to, coincidentally, a different two cylinder. But as you’ve mentioned the people who know, definitely know.
@@JacobBaldry now that my CB 360 is mostly done, a bobber built off a Sportster is highest on my list of things to make if I ever have the spare cash to give it another go. You're definitely right that until I found some appreciation for them I wrote them off completely. I wanted to be anything but a Harley rider. Now that I've put some miles on one (my father in law has a spare Sportster 1200 I rode a fair bit while working on my own bike) and had a chance to see someone make something that doesn't look like a cartoon, I get it. Preconceptions fade away, they're all capable of being cool machines with enough creativity.
Interesting to hear, you were checking out the SRX 600, as I also ride a CB 750 and have my previous SRX 6 not in operation these days down in my basement. However, both bikes are not really customized, as I usually prefer to stick to the factory setup - except some mainly technical improvements
Factory setups are great! I can’t help but modify, but it certainly isn’t due to a lack of respect for the original. And they hold more value if you don’t mess with them too much 😁 what’s a common “technical improvement” you make?
@@JacobBaldry Better brakes (e.g. 2nd disc for the 750), better suspension, maybe for the next level then also better carbs, a slightly bigger bore or a even better swingarm. I also like oil thermometers, as they tell you a lot about the load you can/shall put onto the machine.
The frame itsself and the instruments I usually prefer to leave untouched.
@@JacobBaldry Better brakes (e.g. 2nd disc for the 750), better suspension, maybe for the next level then also better carbs, a slightly bigger bore or a even better swingarm. I also like oil thermometers, as they tell you a lot about the load you can/shall put onto the machine.
The frame itsself and the instruments I usually prefer to leave untouched.
I have a 79 cm 400a I love it
Used to have a RE Classic 500 and its a super cool and vintage bike, but its ancient tech (present on almost all of the RE models) make them not so easy to customize or change, due to it lack of OEM parts that fits the old ways of design that these bikes have
I think if you want to customize royal enfields you have to treat them like they’re old bikes. Even the new ones. Then it’s a little easier to find parts. But you’re not wrong! It is more difficult than how triumph lets you customize.
@@JacobBaldry Indeed, its necessary to change the mindset to an 1950's way of customizing, but totally agree with you!
The aftermarket is the best reason for buying a sportster. You can just get anything you want and it's relatively affordable to do so. That said, the used prices of sportsters are so high relative to other bikes that you probably make up the difference there.
The aftermarket is fantastic and unlike anything else for this bike. And Sporty prices are definitely high, but they seem to hold their value, and buying an 883 will help knock some cost off too. Not as many sellers saying “I know what I have” to an 883 😅
@@JacobBaldry True haha. But oh god I just realized people could actually say that one day since they're out of production.
@@blondiejoe all the more reason we should grab one now 😂