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Finally got my Harley

J

Josh

Lifer
2007 Nightster. Pic below. It's my first bike.

Love it so far, the guy I got it from gave me a brain bucket, but decided to get a full face Bell Arrow helmet. Would like to make some modifications to the bike over time...the typical Nightster stuff: Vance & Hines black short shots, ape hangers, and some whitewalls on the tires. Assuming I'm going to have to take it to a shop for most of the mods.

IMG-20110604-00001.jpg
 
Pipes are easy to change out yourself. Ape hangers can be problematic because depending on how tall you want them they'll almost definitely require new cables for everything: brake, throttle, clutch, turn signal. You could do it yourself if you're mechanically inclined.

Congrats on the new scooter, keep the shiny (blacked out?) side up.
 
BoberFett said:
Pipes are easy to change out yourself. Ape hangers can be problematic because depending on how tall you want them they'll almost definitely require new cables for everything: brake, throttle, clutch, turn signal. You could do it yourself if you're mechanically inclined.

Congrats on the new scooter, keep the shiny (blacked out?) side up.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I was reading about the pipes and I've come across a few places that said to change the pipes on the Nightster to the V&H short shots requires a new fuelpak and an air cleaner...?
 
So you're looking to become an asshole? V&H short pipes are gonna be obnoxiously loud, ape hangers make you look like a douche, and whitewalls have been played out since the roaring twenties.

At least you are making a good decision on the helmet for now.. I imagine the more comfortable you get you'll probably ditch the helmet for a cig and a live free ride hard Harley bandana and a tank top.
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
So you're looking to become an asshole? V&H short pipes are gonna be obnoxiously loud, ape hangers make you look like a douche, and whitewalls have been played out since the roaring twenties.

At least you are making a good decision on the helmet for now.. I imagine the more comfortable you get you'll probably ditch the helmet for a cig and a live free ride hard Harley bandana and a tank top.
Click to expand...

Will always wear a helmet.

As far as the short shots - it's not for noise, I like the look of them. I would gladly put quiet baffles on them to make them not as noisy, I don't want a loud as hell bike at all. As far as ape hangers I don't want some huge ape hangers, just slightly raised ones compared to the stock and honestly, I like the look of the whitewalls.
 
Bike looks good as is. I'd find some quieter pipes myself. Im all for a decently loud exhaust but straight pipes is overkill. You'll be waking all your neighbors up starting your bike early in the morning to go to work and setting off car alarms and just being an ass in general with those V&H. Not sure about whitewalls on a blacked out bike either. Straight drag bars would look awesome on that bike.
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Bike looks good as is. I'd find some quieter pipes myself. Im all for a decently loud exhaust but straight pipes is overkill. You'll be waking all your neighbors up starting your bike early in the morning to go to work and setting off car alarms and just being an ass in general with those V&H. Not sure about whitewalls on a blacked out bike either. Straight drag bars would look awesome on that bike.
Click to expand...

Think I posted this vid in another thread: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpNaUEyd6-M&feature=related

I do like the look of his Nightster...I understand the V&H pipes are loud, and I would put quiet baffles on them to tone em down a bit...but I def do want to get rid of the chrome pipes and make em black. Any other suggestions?
 
a few inches on the bars would suit that bike, i like louder than normal but not too loud pipes. the black pipes do look the best on that bike tho. im not a fan of white walls tho, theres only a few custom retros ive liked them on. also, having loud pipes doesnt mean youre automatically a douche. youre a douche if you sit there and rev at red lights, hammer it every time youre accelerating and make sure to let everyone know you have loud pipes. i had loud pipes on my bike for years and most people never even noticed the difference.

nice bike tho, enjoy it!
 
hanoverphist said:
a few inches on the bars would suit that bike, i like louder than normal but not too loud pipes. the black pipes do look the best on that bike tho. im not a fan of white walls tho, theres only a few custom retros ive liked them on. also, having loud pipes doesnt mean youre automatically a douche. youre a douche if you sit there and rev at red lights, hammer it every time youre accelerating and make sure to let everyone know you have loud pipes. i had loud pipes on my bike for years and most people never even noticed the difference.

nice bike tho, enjoy it!
Click to expand...

Thanks, yea, I'm thinking of just getting some high temp paint and coating the stock pipes for now in black, but I do really like the look of the shorter pipes - either way, the chrome pipes need to go and black pipes need to happen.
 
That high temp paint won't stick. Get the stock pipes ceramic coated if you're going that route. Is there a quiet baffle insert option for the V&H?
 
The very first mod to make is get rid of that nasty factory saddle. Not only will it improve the look but, your ass will thank you. 🙂
 
MagnusTheBrewer said:
The very first mod to make is get rid of that nasty factory saddle. Not only will it improve the look but, your ass will thank you. 🙂
Click to expand...

Any suggestions? I saw one that I liked (forget the name) but it basically allowed for another person to sit on the bike albeit probably very uncomfortably.

OILFIELDTRASH said:
That high temp paint won't stick. Get the stock pipes ceramic coated if you're going that route. Is there a quiet baffle insert option for the V&H?
Click to expand...

From what I have read, yes there is a quiet baffle insert option.
 
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Josh said:
Any suggestions? I saw one that I liked (forget the name) but it basically allowed for another person to sit on the bike albeit probably very uncomfortably.
Click to expand...

Kuryakyn and Corbin both have good saddles unless you want to spring for custom. I've never been able to figure out why manufs. who build very expensive rides, ALWAYS cheap out on the seat.
 
Josh said:
Thanks. I was reading about the pipes and I've come across a few places that said to change the pipes on the Nightster to the V&H short shots requires a new fuelpak and an air cleaner...?
Click to expand...

That's because of the difference in airflow between stock and aftermarket pipes. Don't know what kind of work is required to change a "fuelpak" but air cleaner is simple enough. Is that thing carbureted or fuel injected?
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
So you're looking to become an asshole? V&H short pipes are gonna be obnoxiously loud, ape hangers make you look like a douche, and whitewalls have been played out since the roaring twenties.

At least you are making a good decision on the helmet for now.. I imagine the more comfortable you get you'll probably ditch the helmet for a cig and a live free ride hard Harley bandana and a tank top.
Click to expand...

Don't worry, he'll never out-asshole you.
 
MagnusTheBrewer said:
Kuryakyn and Corbin both have good saddles unless you want to spring for custom. I've never been able to figure out why manufs. who build very expensive rides, ALWAYS cheap out on the seat.
Click to expand...

Mustang makes a really nice saddle as well, I've had mine for seven years and it's still really comfortable.
 
BoberFett said:
That's because of the difference in airflow between stock and aftermarket pipes. Don't know what kind of work is required to change a "fuelpak" but air cleaner is simple enough. Is that thing carbureted or fuel injected?
Click to expand...

'07 will be EFI. It's a great system.

ZV
 
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