Hey guys got a quick question from a newb. I am looking to start customizing my 97 sportster I will attach a photo of what it looks like now and then approximately what I want it to look like after. Any tips on where I should start or do first and any opinion at all would be greatly appreciated. Current
Something like this final product

 

Thats a 48... to get that...
peanut tank
mid-glide front end
White wall balloon tires
wider, smaller wheels
Lowered rear
Remove lower belt guard
chop rear fender
​​​​​​axle replacement...


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Your bike looks pretty good now. In my opinion much better than that picture of the other bike.

 

Leave it alone for now, ride and enjoy it and let your personal thoughts influence any changes you make. Otherwise all you're doing is giving us your credit card to spend how WE want!

 

What he says is true. However if you don't want the hassle of ripping your bike totally to shreds and making a clone, you can :
-obviously removing all the doo dads (free)
-replace bars ($50-$200)
-low slung seat of your choice, but please don’t do a spring seat. ($250-$500)
-replace those giant beacons, I mean blinkers, with some lower profile LED type ($100-$300)(you “may” need a load balancer so add $25-$100.)
-replace mirrors ($50-$150)
-exhaust. the stock header with cross over is a VERY good system. You can simply do slip-on mufflers for more power and sounds (couple hundred?)
-a/c ($150ish)

The peanut tank may look good, but you will be filling up more often. I’d keep the tank for now until you did all of the above. Plus the color and badging as is, is pretty rad. I see lots of guys with more modern bikes going for this older school look. Same for the fender. Don’t chop something just because. The longer fender can look bad a$$ too.

This may not cost you much if anything at all once you sell the removed items. If you start ripping off the front and rear end, chopping and painting tins, you’re going to be so far upside down on this bike it won’t be funny.

 

Not really looking for a clone at all it's more of a stylistic influence I would be making it my own. I do not want an exact replica of the bike posted just like the style

 

that style is someone just being them. Just be you on your bike. It will turn out just fine.

 

I hear ya. Just giving you my $.02. I know what it's like to spend serious time and money ripping apart a perfectly good bike chasing what I thought I wanted it to be. Only to realize I went WAY overboard. My 1st bike I literally had torn half apart before I even took it around the block. I was so eager to "build". In retrospect, I wish it were EXACTLY the way I bought it. C'est la vie!

I think if you start with my few subtle and cheap suggestions you'll have that style and a somewhat original bike you won't lose at the local bike night. And from there you can decide how much more you want to customize.

You have an awesome base to work with. So don't be a dummy like me and ruin it!!! lol

 

Thanks for the input everyone

 

I really like it just the way it is.