Sportster Cafe Build - Burly Brand

[BurlyBrand]

Stepping outside our comfort zone again. Scrambler build went pretty well and for those of you that gave us props, it's much appreciated. This time we're looking to transform a raggedy Sportster into a legit Cafe. If all goes well, we'll create some new parts and maybe learn something along the way. As always, your input is appreciated.

Our victim this time is a pretty sad 2003 883. It was a test bed for our cable kit program and then stuck in a corner to rot. Clogged carb and very dead battery attest to that.







Yeh, somewhere along the way the airfilter went missing.



and one of the risers shattered. A really really long time ago.


For now, we'll use the stock wheels and maybe some vintage looking Avons. Probably start by stripping off all the unnecessary parts and weld up a set of Clubman bars. That should give us a feel for what it'll take to make an ass-low XL into something that wants a level looking chassis.

More pics on the way as we break stuff. Stay tuned for another action packed episode of "Sportster and Sawzalls" some time next week.

[CoyoteUSP]

Yessssssssssssssssssssssss

[Nosebleed]

(Nose goes to make popcorn)

You guys want some?

[Jackfrost]

Oh goody here they go again

[Saltytonk]

Yep I'll be watching this one too!

[RAT]

Sweet, that scrambler is titty balls! Looking forward to this...

[RAT]

also, you gotta keep the clutch cable like that

[hutchings]

Subscribed as always!


I won't spoil this one for everybody.. but I bet after seeing the pipes going on this thing, the direction it's headed is gonna be great!




Cough*DPCustom*Cough

[nunez8853]

this is exactly what i wanna see. a cafe sportster, i wanna do one of those so bad. once i have the coin i will for sure

[BurlyBrand]

Stalker!

Yeh, we scored a super rare DP Customs box pipe. Pics soon enough.

Subscribed as always!


I won't spoil this one for everybody.. but I bet after seeing the pipes going on this thing, the direction it's headed is gonna be great!




Cough*DPCustom*Cough

[BurlyBrand]

Bike strippage is in play.




We really like the look and convenience of Clubman bars (no drama relocating speedo or dealing with a top triple clamp), so we've mocked up a set. Pulling wires internally is a pain, so look for an update that makes that much easier.




Cafe styling will want a much taller rear-end and likely lower fork to achieve a proper level chassis. Tentative plan is a set of the new 15" Stiletto shocks in the back and a 2" drop in the forks. Both will firm up the suspension which will also pay off in handling characteristics. This thing needs to do more than just impress hipsters, it'll need to rail corners as well!

[NHMike]

Looking forward to seeing how this tunrs out. Saw a pic of a bike with the Stilletos on it and they looked badass.

[BurlyBrand]

Tall shocks are the secret sauce to transforming the XL chassis into a proper Cafe.

http://www.burlybrand.com/stilettoshocks/index.aspx

Looking forward to seeing how this tunrs out. Saw a pic of a bike with the Stilletos on it and they looked badass.

[derekd403]

Sweet, that scrambler is titty balls! Looking forward to this...

I wanna subscribe in hoping this turns out "titty balls"

[BurlyBrand]

We're not even sure what that means....

I wanna subscribe in hoping this turns out "titty balls"

[derekd403]

Me either, but it has "titty" so it's gotta be at least half good

[SewerRob]

Yes, after how the scrambler turned out I can't wait to see this transformation.

[hutchings]

Stalker!

Yeh, we scored a super rare DP Customs box pipe. Pics soon enough.

Why are you so mean to me?

Haha... Any plans for rear sets, or just keeping mids?

[Brendden]

I wanna subscribe in hoping this turns out "titty balls"

So you want this bike to be a tranny?

[BurlyBrand]

You're a spoiler!!!

Looking like we'll end up with mids, really liking the Chainsikle stuff. http://chainsikle.com/

Super clean and low buck solution.

Why are you so mean to me?

Haha... Any plans for rear sets, or just keeping mids?