Tech

I can’t tell you how happy I was when engineers at Harley-Davidson devised a counter-balancing mechanism for the rigid mounted motors in their 2000 Softails models. Then, when I got a load of the Deuce, their newest FXST, which just happens to be the slickest custom production model the motor company ever produced, I was […]

This Tech is brought to you by Bikernet Sponsor J&P Cycles One of the more difficult challenges we face in our tech department here at J&P Cycles is the issue of handlebars. Often we hear this simple directive: “I just want to move my hands about two inches farther back.” But in order for our

Wire Plus has been engineering state-of-the-art custom wiring harnesses, digital instrument panels and other innovative products for more than a decade. Rick Marler, President and founder of Wire Plus is an avid enthusiast himself, and has been riding his entire life. Marler knows what the environment can do to motorcycle components, especially electronics. “Our systems

This is wild. Some of the most precision shit in life is magnificently simple. Motorsport makes this popular tour-pak rack from a ¼-inch plate of billet aluminum, the masters of billet wheels, but I’ll touch on them in a minute. Metalsport’s Contoured “Billet Tour Pack Rack” is available in show chrome, Black Chrome and Raw

While there are positive signs the economy is climbing out of the toilet, that’s hardly an occasion to break into three choruses of “We’re in the money.” Nevertheless, those who can pop for a new motorcycle should step up, even if we're still teetering on the edge. For the rest of us, we’ll continue do

Here's our test subject, a 2010 dresser belonging to a Departure Bike Works Customer.We keep up on exhaust systems. The damn things are forced to change as fast as new models are released. D&D runs dyno tests on every exhaust system they make, plus they have developed new, better flowing touring bike mufflers, so when

This is a strange one. In this economy, suddenly Sportsters became the answer for wild years of partying on two wheels without any major expense. For a decade, it didn't make financial sense to customize or ever buy a Sportster. Big twins were moneymakers, whereas Sportsters cost the same to modify, but the resale price

Bert Baker, the mad scientist behind the Baker product line.The Baker team understands the love affair with your vintage motorcycle… There’s nothing like putting authentic, vintage styled components on your nostalgic bike. That’s why BAKER has taken the time to reinvent the 4-Speed. “Some people don't give a smooth fart about any Big Twins after

The 2007-2009 Sportsters have the ECM module mounted on the rear fender. This does not lend itself to a clean solo seat option. Seat styles for these year bikes have a “hump” in them to allow for a compartment to hide the module. I have been looking for a way to move the ECM to

We are currently working on the good Dr. Hamster's '34 VL, which, for some unknown reason has a set of mid '40s Indian handlebars mounted on dogbones, attached to his VL springer front end, with dogbone risers. It's a strange arrangement, but we decided to stick with it. We checked out the bike from stem

Editor’s Note: We are going to work with S&S, Baker, BDL, Compu-Fire and other Bikernet Sponsors, on their most asked tech questions. We’ll try to deliver the info you need access to. The following came from Howard Kelly, the former editor of HOT BIKE, and now an S&S tech editor. “We take tech calls all

  The Sturgis Shovel has seen its share of LA Harbor town back alleys in the eight years of pounding the streets around Wilmington, California. The exhaust is really starting to show the effects of the road and weather. Originally these hand fabricated pipes were painted with barbeque paint found lying around the Bikernet Intergalactic

This shows just a fragment of all the parts involved.Hang on. Here comes a complete build of a custom CCI Goliath Bike Kit. We built this 100-inch Rev Tech monster in nine days. The bike was assembled to promote the Annual Beach Ride, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, through the efforts of Custom

Shrunken FXR mid-controls by Giggie at Compu-Fire. Note: we need flat-headed Allens. Giggie our master machinist from Compu-Fire rolled up to the Bikernet Headquarters last Saturday. We haven’t seen him for months due in part to his work on new starting systems for the custom market. They are dancing through the final development stages of

Stuffing a big twin into a VL frame dates back to the days when the Knucklehead was a brand new, modern OHV engine, 1936. There were a lot of advantages to a conversion like this. VL frames were good for a 25 pound frame-weight reduction, versus its Knuck counterpart. The shallower VL rake made for

The key to this warlord modification is aWWI TRENCH KNIFE, original about $200 plus. Bob T., being a knife collector, has a goddamn box full of of them. Next ya need a RoadRat, Roberts kick pedal rod (it's longer than stock). He machines them from 304 stainless. (Road Rat Robrrts E-mail is RoadRatRoberts@webtv.net) Stem from

Click to see more from Lucky Devil Sportster mods will hit an all-time high with the new rubbermounted chassis wrapped securely around the upgraded 2004 drive train. We needed a tech sizzling with Sportster custom upgrades. By the grace-of-god a call came through to the headquarters one strange, sorta evil, morning. Terrie called and told

The before (top) and after shot of the Heritage modification.A full moon glowed over the harbor the night a call came through from an irate reader, “You bastards had a Softail project and never finished it,” the caller exclaimed frothing at the mouth. “I'm comin' all the way to Califa to snatch your women, drink

Click to see more from Lucky Devil Nicci (left) and Denise at Jack's in Austin waiting to Rigid Frame Richard to return from the Lucky Devil Shop. They're still smiling…I returned, this time, from my hometown of Houston. Kent at Lucky Devil Metal Works informed me earlier in the week that Bradley Da Polisher &

This was actually one of the easiest bikes I’ve ever wired. It’s not a bad notion to sketch out a wiring diagram with consideration for the placement of the components. Think about it long and hard, then take your time. Below this mess I ran the Hardcore Choppers basic wiring diagram and tips on wiring

It’s time to feature the 1928Shovelhead and American Iron said theywould take it on. They’re the only bookthat accepts antique bikes. I’ve writtenabout four features for them on rare, very coolhistoric models. No the ’28 Shovel doesn’t fallinto that catagory, but what the hell, it’sgot class. We needed to complete a couple ofdetail mods before

Jose I receive many e-mails about the Bikernet fiberglass seat tech. In reality we're working on bikes every single day, so I'll shoot stuff getting done. We make as much as possible, instead of buying parts, but in this case I asked someone to make a special part. Many of you have asked on Your

We’re getting right down to the bottom line. Harold Ponteralli, our painter called, “If I deliver the paint can you make it to the show.” I assembled bikes overnight for run deadlines in the past, so we went for it. We installed the new sheet metal, ran the oil lines and picked up a few

We often get calls for basic wiring diagrams. Here's one that was taken from an old Easyriders and expanded by the wizards of Hard Core Chopper Magazine in Japan. Take your time. Keep those copper strands away from sharp edges, moving stuff (like chains) and hot items. Cover everything with shrink wrap. Use extra layers