Streetfighter Motorcycle Build – Thinking Outside the Box

So we have the basics of changing tail sections, installing flat bars, changing lights, etc…

But what about the parts that are screwed to these parts?

And the parts that are screwed to those parts? And so on and so on.

Basically what I mean is that there are so many ideas that we could implement in our builds.

Let’s take some ideas from the German scene to start with. They have some of the most detailed bikes out there. They use a lot of custom billet parts that have been designed to clean all OEM plastic and castings that come out of the factory.

Fork covers are starting to become more common among many of the show bikes. A sign taken from the crowd of cruisers cleaning up the front. Most of the time, matching the diameter of the triple clamps creates a more uniform look from top to bottom. Also remaining at the front are integrated risers and bar clamps. Still using flat bars, but without the hassle of risers sticking up in the air. The riser cap is made to lay flat against the clamp, either on the top or the front side of the clamp.

Another clean look that has been showing up a lot more. Billet Brake Reservoirs. Get that ugly piece of plastic off the bike. These parts simply replace the plastic cup or can be bolted onto the master cylinder for a more one piece look.

An inexpensive version of this has been used on racing bikes for many years. A capped clear tube filled with fluid acts as a ressy. The great thing about this, aside from its weight-saving quality, is that it can be made as big or small as you like. A small piece of solid wire bent to fit inside the tube helps in rigidity and allows it to be placed in almost any direction.

The next level of this idea is to build the reservoir on the handlebars. A look at Gregg’s Customs Hellion gives a great example of this mod.

While we’re talking about hiding things, what about all those cables? Another look at the multitude of helicopters gives us a good solution. Throttle internals have been copied and reproduced at a much more affordable price range. The downside is that they are rarely made for 7/8 bars. But I have your solution:

Once upon a time Honda offered the CT70 mini bike that used an internal throttle assembly. And guess what? It was a 7/8 diameter. The best part is that it’s still available and for the low price of $25.99, you too can have this super clean, super hack part that all the cool kids are doing.

These can be purchased from various websites. I also came across a few versions of tickets on eBay, but they are rare and a bit more. And while you’re at it, why not go for that ultra clean look and put one on the clutch side too?

Speaking of swapping tail sections. We all want that ultra slippery piece of plastic to make our butt look good. Aftermarket stuff is rare and expensive. Some have gone down the road of seriously modifying the OEM plastic, some have made their own molds out of foam and fiberglass. I totally agree with these ideas. It is a great exercise in creativity. For those of us who haven’t yet perfected these skills, there are other options. Look at other alternatives. Pocket bikes, for example. Many of the mid-size bikes are copies of some of the more popular full-size bikes. They are just much smaller. The best part is that they are cheap. Most can be had for around $40. Also, some of the wacky scooters offer really cool taillights and frames that can be made to work with a little imagination and ingenuity. Keep your eyes open. There may be things you never thought of before.