Parts

Let me start by saying that going to my first swap meet was kind of like having sex for the first time in that: 1) It was awkward but fun. 2) I got sweaty and smelled a little funny when it was over. 3) I knew it was going to be an expensive "hobby".

To put it another way, swap meets are great places to get all those parts you never knew you needed.

With such modest budget for my project ($3000 total and I spent $2500 on the bike) I plan on scrounging as many parts as possible from eBay and swap meets. Since my "donorcycle" is actually in pretty nice shape I also plan on selling the parts I rip off it to supplement the budget.

A few weeks ago I went to a meet up near Baltimore and scored some great parts at fantastic prices. Since I'm not 100% certain on the direction of the project, I was a little scatter-shot at the meet and bought whatever seemed cool to me at the time. A great example is the fact that within fifteen minutes I bought z-bars ($2) and 16" ape hangers ($10), which are obviously about as stylistically opposing as you can get.

Moving on.

Besides the two sets of bars, I also picked up a Harley tool box ($4), a pair of chrome pegs ($2), an S&S air cover ($5), and a set of low profile blinkers for my Springer ($10). I'm not sure I would want the tool box on the bike because it is a little clunky looking, but I just couldn't pass up such a good deal.

To round out the project I decided to splurge and buy a Santee bolt-on hardtail off eBay for $195, shipping included. While I think the weld-on hardtails look better, and I actually considered going the weld-on route, I then had a mental image of my welds giving way at 80mph on the highway, and the horrible carnage that would ensue, then opted for the bolt-on. I know how to use two wrenches and have a big tube loc-tite, so I think I can manage the bolt-on just fine and will probably live a more fruitful life because of it.

Some other things on my wish list are: solo "bates" style seat with springs, taillight, one round ear view mirror, and possibly an oil tank that has a battery holder incorporated into it. My bike is right side shift, which will inevitably confuse the shit out of me since I'm in the habit of braking with that foot, so I will likely remove that lever and replace it with a jockey shifter, so might as well throw that on the list too.

This morning I won a vintage "Unity" headlight on eBay, that frankly I forgot I even bid on. I know they reproduce these, but judging by the wiring and pitting on this, it probably is old, and even if it isn't it still looks cool, so screw. I paid $20 with shipping for the light, so I can't really get hurt at that rate, I can always resell it if I don't like it. I'll probably touch up the red paint where it says "Unity" then sand the case and spray it black.