It's obviously been quite a while since I've posted. No, I didn't sell the bike and quit this foolishness after my mishap. I've healed and the bike was up and rideable within a month or so, which I did for several hundred more miles through late summer and fall.
On one ride in September, I rode up to Denver where my wife was attending a conference. While she was conferring, I rode up to Boulder along CO470 and CO93, then west and back south on CO119 through Nederland and Blackhawk (known as the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway), then headed back to Colorado Springs via CO83. On the way back I rode into a 25-30 mph headwind which, added to the 65-70 ground speed, about ripped me off the bike. It was literally all I could do to hang on and maintain control of the scoot. So my next purchase was a windshield (22" Slipstreamer), which has made a big difference in riding comfort, especially as it's gotten colder.
Another recent acquisition was a 19" laced front wheel and tire that I swapped the OEM 21" for. Not only does the fatter tire give me a little more road contact for turning and stopping, but I like the more "retro" look. Here's what the bike looks like today (more or less).
On one ride in September, I rode up to Denver where my wife was attending a conference. While she was conferring, I rode up to Boulder along CO470 and CO93, then west and back south on CO119 through Nederland and Blackhawk (known as the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway), then headed back to Colorado Springs via CO83. On the way back I rode into a 25-30 mph headwind which, added to the 65-70 ground speed, about ripped me off the bike. It was literally all I could do to hang on and maintain control of the scoot. So my next purchase was a windshield (22" Slipstreamer), which has made a big difference in riding comfort, especially as it's gotten colder.
Another recent acquisition was a 19" laced front wheel and tire that I swapped the OEM 21" for. Not only does the fatter tire give me a little more road contact for turning and stopping, but I like the more "retro" look. Here's what the bike looks like today (more or less).
2007 was the 50th Anniversary of the Sportster line for Harley-Davidson, the longest running model line in their 105 year history. Since I bought my 2007 last spring, I've had in mind modifying it over time to create a modern replica of the original Sporty. 
As I've googled around looking for ideas, I found a '57 replica that Billy Joel (the Piano Man) had built. I don't have the resources that he has but it's good to know that many of the parts for the '57 look are still available.
And I found this picture in American Iron of an original '57 Sporty and its owner who has owned it since it was new. I think this is the look I'm going to go for since it's all-black like my Custom and it has the 2-2 pipes with tapered mufflers which have continued to be the signature exhaust for Sportsters down through the years.
So since my bike needed some cosmetic work following my fall last summer, I removed the tank, fenders, and battery cover this weekend and took them to get repainted. While I'm keeping the gloss black color, I'm having them remove the Harley script logos on the tank which on the 883s is a decal under the clearcoat. I'll replace them with the round 1957 tank emblems.
I also bought a front fender from a later-model Ironhead Sportster that is the same shape as the original '57 but will mount to contemporary front forks (same as the Billy Joel bike). So that's also getting painted, and I have a small "50th Sportster" medallion that I'll mount on the front of it.Already purchased but not yet applied are a chrome 8" round air cleaner cover with the "Bar and Shield" design etched into it like the original, and replica "nostalgic" hand grips. The grips I can apply right away, but I'll have to wait on the air cleaner cover until I buy an Arlen Ness "Big Sucker" free flow air cleaner in conjunction with 2-1/2" tapered performance mufflers from Khrome Werks. The air cleaner and mufflers should allow the 883 to breathe better and are good for about a 10 horsepower increase. Future acquisitions for both appearance and performance will include 12" covered Progressive shocks and a 7" headlight.
Here's my ride, bereft of its sheet metal, waiting for the painters to finish their magic.
