First I've seen of someone taking the forks down. Exactly what I want to do with mine. It looks fantastic!! Wish I had the skills to do it myself, probably gonna cost me. Love that seat, too. Bike looks slammin'. Love it.
Well done mate. Looks fkn cool. I've only just got my speedmaster, but you've got my brain ticking over already. Stay safe & keep her on at least 1 wheel.
Good job mate, isn't funny in the sixties we use to scream out for lots of chrome but we couldn't afford it. The motorcycle manufacturers use to put a limited amount of chrome on their bikes but it wasn't enough. Now they do put loads of chrome on their manufactured machines people don't want it how times have changed. My brother purchased a 1942 Harley WLA ex army hand gear change on the petrol tank and foot clutch in 1963 still in army colours for £5-00 he stripped it down had all stove enameled in black and ivory. He couldn't afford loads of chrome for reasons mentioned before, he had a two tone black and ivory studded seat which made it look great, but still yearned for lots of chrome. You still made a good job of yours though, happy motorcycling P.S I have a 2002 Bonneville America in black and silver from new and guess what it has lot's of chrome on it lovely jubbly
When you showed the straight bars I had visions of a contortionist... until I got to the bit about forward controls gone. Would love to do the same, if only I had the smarts.
Nice custom bike making a good bike even better in many ways! I totally agree with reducing the weight to help the power to weight ratio. In a word..Inspirational! Made some custom parts for my Speedy but might borrow some of your ideas..Thanks for sharing Man. Cheers
It's a credit to you , you've created a beautiful machine. If I had a speedmaster or America its pretty much how I would do it..i rode an America after fixing it up for a friend and found the forwards a bit odd but I've had 42 bikes now and none have been cruisers ..but I did really enjoy the ride.. Great job buddy ride safe and enjoy...peace and love ☮❤
Great effort... Thanks... Nothing was mentioned about compression ratios...🤔 and with the description you've give, one would expect it to resemble exhaust notes of a 900 Nuda...really...
I've been inspired by what you've done with the forward controls, I'm doing the same as you but I'm going to have to raise the seat height from standard. I would have traded the bike in if I hadn't seen your RUclips channel, thanks for sharing that.
Hey mate have you got any photos up close of the controls as in where you have mounted them. I've been wanting to do the same thing on my 08 America. As I find the forward controls uncomfortable
I have a Speedmaster too and I have customized it a lot as well so because of vandalism my front fender is broken I would like to know what fender do you have? It looks great as the whole bike does!
couple questions mate, I'm trying to lighten the my speedy what was the front forks you used? and what else did you strip off to lighten it?am only a wee guy so the lighter I can make it the easier time I'll have to adjust to the weight of it. thanks...sweet looking speedy very tidy looking
It's a fair bit different now a year on from this. Basically any bolt on parts I removed. Battery box and tool box, air box, every heavy bracket that is attached to the bike to hold something I removed. The forks are original they just have the covers removed. That doesn't take off much weight as the fork shrouds are just stainless covers but it all adds up. The exhaust covers, brackets for the side covers and metal grill air filter covers are all gone. The box of bits I have that were taken off weighs about 40kg now. Though I haven't weighed the bike to see what it actually weighs after the work. It is still a bit top heavy at slow speeds but it does handle much better than in original form. The back end is much lighter without the original rear fender and all the bits that hold that on. I would say there is 15kg in that rear end alone.
Great Vid Mr Blah, looks like you've changed it to just what floats your boat, Can I ask if you have ridden a Speedmaster prior to this one as I'd be interested in your thoughts on the difference that the Big bore kit made to the power output ! Keep us posted on any further developments .
+mark simpson Cheers. Yes I ridden a few. Though only carb models not any efi. From memory stock 790/865 Speedmasters are around 60hp give or take?.. I think at 60hp they make a reasonable account of themselves. They aren't slow but they aren't fast either. Last time it was put on the dyno this was around 86hp but I can't remember the torque figures. Will be getting it put on the dyno to rejet the carbs soon for the pipes so I will let you know. I would expect around the 90hp mark. Feels like around 90. It certainly gets up and boogies now. You do need a heavy duty clutch kit/springs as well because the standard springs can't handle the load and the clutch just slips.
+G Blah Cheers for that , 86 hp is certainly nothing to be sneezed at although you have to do your sums if you big bore kit at around $5.000 + or trade up ! But i do love my Speedmaster.
Not sure if you could buy them in colours. These have been powdercoated. They are easy to get off so you could paint them with a high temp paint or get them powdercoated.
Great job. Looks awesome! Would love to put rear controls on as well. I am not as mechanically skilled. If you have any suggestions, I will take them before I get started. Thanks for sharing!
Nice mods! Being on the short side, I'm always thinking about mid-pegs for my America. Can you tell me little about what you have done to fabricate them. Thanks man!
+flirtingdisaster Sure. They are mounted to where the rear footpeg brackets were attached. That saved me welding any lugs on or drilling the frame. I moved the rear brake cylinder to the back of the bike attached to the new bracket. I used steel because it is easier for me to work with and modify when I need to by cutting and welding. I cut and bent some steel for the brake and gear levers to be sure they cleared my pipes. I just did that on my anvil. I made up some brackets to hold the original footpegs and attached it all together with a shaft of stainless steel with spacers inbetween to get a smooth up/down motion. The gear linkage can be a bit of a pain to get right for smooth gear changes but after some trial and error it came together. It is one of those jobs that takes a bit of time to get right for positioning and user friendliness. I couldn't find any after market rearsets for this bike so making them seemed the obvious choice. But it may have been easier to buy a set of simple rearsets and just make a bracket to attach them to. I think I have seen a kit that brings stock forward controls back a few inches but if you want a set of mids/rears you just need to weld up or machine a bracket that fits on the old rear footpeg mounts. A midset that the gear shift attached straight to the gearbox with no linkage would be great to get rid of any slop but that isn't far enough back for where I want my feet. But if you want midsets I think that would be a good way to go. Make sense?
I got the Norman Hyde set backs, brings pegs back 4”. Little more comfy. Feet forward is the ‘cruiser’ thing. I don’t have the machinist chops to do what you did with the rear sets, I would love that, though. You’ve GOT to lighten the load on these things. Drill out everything! It’s a freaking rock from the factory. And the front end is MONSTROUS! Gotta lighten the whole thing. Nice ride, dude.
First I've seen of someone taking the forks down. Exactly what I want to do with mine. It looks fantastic!! Wish I had the skills to do it myself, probably gonna cost me. Love that seat, too. Bike looks slammin'. Love it.
Well done mate. Looks fkn cool. I've only just got my speedmaster, but you've got my brain ticking over already. Stay safe & keep her on at least 1 wheel.
love it. I was so close to selling my 865 because I want mid controls. I need to find a fabricator!
Just bought a 2008 one yesterday with 7000 km on , very interested in modifying it like this looks awesome 🤩
It's very unique 👌
You're a good designer in my opinion..
It's fantastic !!
Good job mate, isn't funny in the sixties we use to scream out for lots of chrome but we couldn't afford it. The motorcycle manufacturers use to put a limited amount of chrome on their bikes but it wasn't enough. Now they do put loads of chrome on their manufactured machines people don't want it how times have changed. My brother purchased a 1942 Harley WLA ex army hand gear change on the petrol tank and foot clutch in 1963 still in army colours for £5-00 he stripped it down had all stove enameled in black and ivory. He couldn't afford loads of chrome for reasons mentioned before, he had a two tone black and ivory studded seat which made it look great, but still yearned for lots of chrome. You still made a good job of yours though, happy motorcycling P.S I have a 2002 Bonneville America in black and silver from new and guess what it has lot's of chrome on it lovely jubbly
Great bike mate really good job. Been looking at Speedmasters for a while and definitely going down that road. Thanks great video 👍🏻 Antony UK
Just watched this video and the bike looks good. Really nice.
When you showed the straight bars I had visions of a contortionist... until I got to the bit about forward controls gone. Would love to do the same, if only I had the smarts.
Nice custom bike making a good bike even better in many ways! I totally agree with reducing the weight to help the power to weight ratio. In a word..Inspirational! Made some custom parts for my Speedy but might borrow some of your ideas..Thanks for sharing Man. Cheers
It's a credit to you , you've created a beautiful machine.
If I had a speedmaster or America its pretty much how I would do it..i rode an America after fixing it up for a friend and found the forwards a bit odd but I've had 42 bikes now and none have been cruisers ..but I did really enjoy the ride..
Great job buddy ride safe and enjoy...peace and love ☮❤
Beautiful! Superb job, mate!
Great effort... Thanks...
Nothing was mentioned about compression ratios...🤔
and with the description you've give, one would expect it to resemble exhaust notes of a 900 Nuda...really...
Good job mate! Looks great!
this is great brother! bike looks awesome, I just picked up a 06 same colour.
I've been inspired by what you've done with the forward controls, I'm doing the same as you but I'm going to have to raise the seat height from standard. I would have traded the bike in if I hadn't seen your RUclips channel, thanks for sharing that.
Very nice bike yes indeed, rearsets are great.
Be interesting to know where the luxury seat came?
Nice job on conversion!
Wow, great looking Big Bore Bobber!
Big bore. That's what I would like to do to my American. It's a 2002, 800 cc. I would very much like to increase it to 1000cc Do they make a kit?
Great job. Looks proper now
You did a good job,great looking bike.
Beautiful Bike
WOW ... nice bike !!!
the mudgard looks good.
this bike is beautiful
Looking great got a 2004 same carbs
Excellent built looks clean !!
+Zone Television Cheers mate
Hey mate have you got any photos up close of the controls as in where you have mounted them. I've been wanting to do the same thing on my 08 America. As I find the forward controls uncomfortable
Personally, I couldn't ride it cos me legs would be dead in 10 minutes. But... awesome lookin' bike! Good job, man!
Cheers
Nice Job!
Nice bike.
Great job dude. Wish I had your skills. My knees don't like the forward controls on my '07 model. Would prefer them further back.
Nice job, definitely agree about the front end and that bar holding the forward controls is well over the top. What length handle did you use.
Great bike!! Thanks for sharing it!!
Where did you get the headlight grill?
Finding one online that fits a 2003 Speedmaster seems impossible!
Looks and sounds amazing!
I have a Speedmaster too and I have customized it a lot as well so because of vandalism my front fender is broken I would like to know what fender do you have? It looks great as the whole bike does!
Beautiful ride (as u know) I'm having trouble finding these fuel tank knee pads for my 2007 America. Any ideas? Thanks for sharing your vid. -H
I friggin love it, great work!
Sweet work on this one...custom seat or aftermarket? O.o
couple questions mate, I'm trying to lighten the my speedy what was the front forks you used? and what else did you strip off to lighten it?am only a wee guy so the lighter I can make it the easier time I'll have to adjust to the weight of it. thanks...sweet looking speedy very tidy looking
It's a fair bit different now a year on from this. Basically any bolt on parts I removed. Battery box and tool box, air box, every heavy bracket that is attached to the bike to hold something I removed. The forks are original they just have the covers removed. That doesn't take off much weight as the fork shrouds are just stainless covers but it all adds up. The exhaust covers, brackets for the side covers and metal grill air filter covers are all gone. The box of bits I have that were taken off weighs about 40kg now. Though I haven't weighed the bike to see what it actually weighs after the work. It is still a bit top heavy at slow speeds but it does handle much better than in original form. The back end is much lighter without the original rear fender and all the bits that hold that on. I would say there is 15kg in that rear end alone.
Great Vid Mr Blah, looks like you've changed it to just what floats your boat, Can I ask if you have ridden a Speedmaster prior to this one as I'd be interested in your thoughts on the difference that the Big bore kit made to the power output !
Keep us posted on any further developments .
+mark simpson Cheers. Yes I ridden a few. Though only carb models not any efi. From memory stock 790/865 Speedmasters are around 60hp give or take?.. I think at 60hp they make a reasonable account of themselves. They aren't slow but they aren't fast either. Last time it was put on the dyno this was around 86hp but I can't remember the torque figures. Will be getting it put on the dyno to rejet the carbs soon for the pipes so I will let you know. I would expect around the 90hp mark. Feels like around 90. It certainly gets up and boogies now. You do need a heavy duty clutch kit/springs as well because the standard springs can't handle the load and the clutch just slips.
+G Blah Cheers for that , 86 hp is certainly nothing to be sneezed at although you have to do your sums if you big bore kit at around $5.000 + or trade up !
But i do love my Speedmaster.
Where do you have this windshield and seat from? I am searching quite a while ...
Whatn was the HP gain from the motor bro
looking good
The Candy Red Cam Covers look awesome... do you know where I can buy the same for my 2010 Speedmaster?
Not sure if you could buy them in colours. These have been powdercoated. They are easy to get off so you could paint them with a high temp paint or get them powdercoated.
Ah.. easy enough. Thanks... your bike looks amazing
Nice bike! Your a great fabricator. I might be buying same bike. I have to say the rear rim is not to my liking, with those slanted cut outs.
Gidday, tell me, what paint did you end up using for your exhaust and front forks
Exhaust is just a regular ceramic heat paint. Forks I used duramax which is an enamel that is easy to touch up the stone chips.
Nice job
I would like to move my forward controls to the rear. Is there a kit for purchase to relocate the controls to the rear?
Not that I have seen. I did look but didn't find anything available so I made my own.
Great job. Looks awesome! Would love to put rear controls on as well. I am not as mechanically skilled. If you have any suggestions, I will take them before I get started. Thanks for sharing!
Sweet......
Nice job :)
why not?
where did you get the seat?
I made it. Although it is different now. I should probably post a vid of how the bike looks now. Cheers
just saw the new Vid,,,, sweet indeed thx
now to put laced wheels on it.
8:24
Why didn't you just buy a friggin Thruxton
gedday sport taste like shit but ya can live on it
sounds stock
All that talk and not a single second of the bloody thing running. FAIL!
8.27
Nice mods! Being on the short side, I'm always thinking about mid-pegs for my America. Can you tell me little about what you have done to fabricate them. Thanks man!
+flirtingdisaster Sure. They are mounted to where the rear footpeg brackets were attached. That saved me welding any lugs on or drilling the frame. I moved the rear brake cylinder to the back of the bike attached to the new bracket. I used steel because it is easier for me to work with and modify when I need to by cutting and welding. I cut and bent some steel for the brake and gear levers to be sure they cleared my pipes. I just did that on my anvil. I made up some brackets to hold the original footpegs and attached it all together with a shaft of stainless steel with spacers inbetween to get a smooth up/down motion. The gear linkage can be a bit of a pain to get right for smooth gear changes but after some trial and error it came together. It is one of those jobs that takes a bit of time to get right for positioning and user friendliness. I couldn't find any after market rearsets for this bike so making them seemed the obvious choice. But it may have been easier to buy a set of simple rearsets and just make a bracket to attach them to. I think I have seen a kit that brings stock forward controls back a few inches but if you want a set of mids/rears you just need to weld up or machine a bracket that fits on the old rear footpeg mounts. A midset that the gear shift attached straight to the gearbox with no linkage would be great to get rid of any slop but that isn't far enough back for where I want my feet. But if you want midsets I think that would be a good way to go. Make sense?
I got the Norman Hyde set backs, brings pegs back 4”. Little more comfy. Feet forward is the ‘cruiser’ thing. I don’t have the machinist chops to do what you did with the rear sets, I would love that, though. You’ve GOT to lighten the load on these things. Drill out everything! It’s a freaking rock from the factory. And the front end is MONSTROUS! Gotta lighten the whole thing. Nice ride, dude.