2003 Vrod transformation
by Editor on 08/11/22
Logged in a lot of hours into this bike over the years, it's come a long way since I bought it as a parts bike. click here If you're interested in the transformation.
Wildfire smoke in British Columbia Canada
by Editor on 08/10/22
Decided to stop here due to the wildfire smoke, the closer I got to Twin Lakes the thicker it got. The smell of smoke was very strong when I got off the bike, not as noticeable when riding.
I turned around and followed the blue path in the sky.
Thank you once again to the brave men and women firefighters who are working so incredibly hard at the Keremeos Creek wildfire that has now grown to 6,900 hectors in size!
Spotted Lake
by Editor on 08/08/22
Spotted Lake just outside of Osoyoos British Columbia is an amazing sight to behold.
JF Kustoms in Osoyoos British Columbia
by Editor on 08/05/22
I've ridden past many times but today I finally stopped by JF Kustoms for a photo op with their trailer parked in front of the shop. The bay doors were open and looking in I could see a bee hive of activity and many awesome vehicles. The owner JF Launier is one of the stars from the hit TV series Rust Valley Restorers.
VROD Chrome Billet Muffler Clamp Kit. Part Number: 65271-03
by Editor on 08/04/22
SALE PENDING
For sale: BNIB: Genuine Harley-Davidson VROD Chrome Billet Muffler Clamp Kit. Part Number: 65271-03 These have never been mounted on a bike, comes with all original packaging.
Price: $375USD + shipping & all PayPal fees. Contact info is at the bottom of this page.
click here for more Vrod parts
Genuine Harley Davidson VROD saddlebags for sale
by Editor on 08/01/22
SALE PENDING
NEW VIDEO of Unicorn bags for sale:
After removing these from the bike and using Mequire's Scratch X2.0 on them they look a whole lot better than the last video.
For sale: Genuine Harley-Davidson Vrod hard shell saddlebags with all 3 mounting brackets and also the 2 upper shock mounts. These are the same bags from the previous video I posted when on the bike.
They look a heck of a lot better now!
Once I had them off I used Meguires Scratch X2.0 on the bottoms and was amazed with the results. There are still some marks, scratches and scuffs that I was unable to rub out by hand but a buffing wheel might get even better results. The lids have what I would call normal wear for their age except for the left lid that has some road rash. As you can see In this video I go out of my way to show the blemishes.
I do not have the keys but the bags open and close as they should. One gas shock can hold the lid up, the other cannot. All the mounting bolts, nuts, washers are not OEM. The 4 OEM rubber mounts for the bottom of the saddlebags to the lower mounting brackets were missing so I used 4 mounting blocks from another set of the HD leather bags with rubber added.
Price is $950USD + shipping and all PayPal fees. Contact info is at the bottom of this page if you want to buy them.
VROD Hardshell saddlebags for sale
by Editor on 07/29/22
SALE PENDING
For sale: Genuine Harley-Davidson Vrod hard shell saddlebags with all 3 mounting brackets and also the 2 upper shock mounts. These bags are a good candidate for a custom paint job to match your bike or can be used as is of the scratches don't bother you.
I do not have the key for the locks but the bags open and close as they should. All the mounting bolts, nuts, washers are not OEM. The 4 OEM rubber mounts for the bottom of the saddlebags to the lower mounting brackets were missing so I used 4 mounting blocks from another set of the HD leather bags with rubber added.
Price is $950USD plus shipping and all PayPal fees.
Contact information is at the very bottom of this page.
Vrod carriage style saddlebag support mounting bolts
by Editor on 07/28/22
The Genuine Harley-Davidson hard shell saddlebags are very difficult to find hence the term unicorn bags. I was missing 2 specialty bolts that are hidden under the license plate bracket we're the red side reflectors are.
According to the mounting instructions they are referred to as "Carriage style" saddlebag support mounting bolt and in the parts list: Screw Flat head M10x1.25x20 long.
These are not available from HD and are not your run of the mill common bolt stocked at your local hardware store. I was able to find a car bumper bolt that was very close in size but not metric only imperial. (Not a big deal cause it takes a nut & not threaded into anything)
After cutting a 3/4 inch off the length & grinding down, then filling the dome flat, I was able to accurately replicate the original ones from HD.
Just in case you ever need a set yourself I took a before & after pic and the package it came in.
2005 VRSCSE CVO VROD parts
by Editor on 07/26/22
Junk in the trunk!
While working on the bike I needed a safe and dust free place to store all the parts taken off while restoring the back wheel. The Monte Carlo's trunk seemed like the perfect spot!
click here for more on this bike
VRSCSE CVO VROD rear Reactor wheel
by Editor on 07/22/22
Good from far but far from good.
After using AutoSol, a soft cloth with light pressure I was able to flatten many of the "bumps". (normally I wouldn't use that on chrome because it has an abrasive in it)
Mothers chrome polish was used next and this is the final result.
Definitely a lot better than it was but unfortunately there are some blisters in the chrome and spots where it's missing but this is as good as it gets. Only so much can be done with neglected chrome...
It will go back on the bike like this so I can ride it for the remaining season then decide if I will re-chrome it over the winter.
click here for more on this bike
Happy Birthday Diane
by Editor on 07/21/22
A BIG Happy Birthday shout out to this amazing women and co-founder of VRIDETV.
Reactor Wheel from the CVO Vrod
by Editor on 07/20/22
Made some decent progress on this Reactor Wheel from the CVO Vrod.
I used AutoSol and rubbed lightly with a soft cloth. (I don't usually use it on chrome because it has an abrasive in it, but in this case I took the chance)
I would say that 75% of the bumps are smooth now but there are some remaining and the chrome does have blisters in a few spots.
Tomorrow I'm going to use the Mothers chrome polish that I have here and see how it looks.
It's pretty obvious that this was caused by years of neglect by previous owners and it baffles me why basic cleaning wasn't done. It would have prevented all of this...
click here for more on this bike.
VRSCSE CVO VROD rear Reactor wheel
by Editor on 07/19/22
Time to address this mess...
Unfortunately the this rear wheel on the VRSCSE CVO VROD has been neglected for years by previous owners and the chrome has little bumps that will turn into pitting if they are not rubbed out. Hopefully it's not too late...
click here for more on this bike.
Protecting a Vrod airbox with 3M
by Editor on 07/18/22
The 3M invisible bra is done!
Between all the measuring, taping, making 2 different templates then transferring to film & laying it down, I spent way more time on this then I care to admit. But the unicorn paint is protected from my jacket, zipper & anything else..
click here for more on this bike
VRSCSE CVO VROD airbox protection
by Editor on 07/17/22
Making a template that will be transferred to 3M clear protective film for the airbox to prevent any marking on the unicorn paint from jacket, zipper etc.
click here for more on this bike
3M clear protective film VROD
by Editor on 07/16/22
Baseplate & mini backrest mounted after adding a 3M clear protective film onto the fender to prevent any marking on the unicorn paint. Standing beside the bike it's unnoticeable, but close up you can see a 1/4 inch of the 3M film on the fender around the baseplate.
click here for more on this bike
Protecting VROD paint to mount a baseplate
by Editor on 07/15/22
Test fit prior to making a template for the Baseplate & mini backrest with 3M clear protective film to prevent any marking on the unicorn paint.
click here for more on this bike
Vrod fork slider dust covers
by Editor on 07/12/22
Another piece to the 2005 VRSCSE CVO Screamin' Eagle restoration puzzle.
Stoked to have found these BNIB fork slider dust covers on eBay.
click here for more on this bike.
CVO Vrod rear wheel spacers 41189-04
by Editor on 07/09/22
Another piece to the restoration puzzle.
Very happy to have been able to track down these brand new rear wheel spacers for the 2005 CVO, the good folks at American Harley-Davidson in Leominster Massachusetts had them and JC was super helpful. The ones on the bike are in terrible condition, chrome is badly pitted on the large one and the small one had no chrome left and the steel was very rusted.
click here for more on this bike
Vaseux Lake
by Editor on 07/05/22
Stopped along side Highway 97 at Vaseux Lake for a pic while dodging the rain...
click here for more on this bike
