BALD EAGLE CUSTOMS

 

THE MAN KNOWN AS

BALD EAGLE

First, why Bald Eagle?  Very briefly, because I am a patriot, a former United States Marine who served in the Air Wing (hence the Eagle...otherwise I could have been globe or anchor). 

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My world of custom motorcycles began just a few short years ago, but I have been in to custom vehicles all my life, from the the time I turned 16 and began to transform my 1985 Mercury Caprice into what most people thought was some sort of special Mustang 5.0 to my later teen years of Mini Truck'n to my current passion, motorcycles...specifically the Honda VLX. 

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Motorcycle building/rebuilding came unfortunately within the first week of purchasing my 2000 VLX due to the fact that a 90 year old man decided to pull across 7 lanes of traffic in front of me.  Fortunately for me, I had the ability and resources to rebuild that bike and still ride it today (thanks to shadowriders.net).  

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From there, as 2012 started I took to a project to teach my 10 year old son about tools, engines and responsibility so we started a project together.  I entered it into The Chopper Underground Bike Build Off mainly to give me a timeline (Jan. 1- Mar. 31) to complete the bike and have it ready by spring to ride.  I was quite please and surprised that I finished a respectable 3rd place finish behind a very nicely done XS650 and a 40's Indian...not too bad for my first real build (bike was not even running or together when I purchased it) and only 90 days. 

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As if that was not enough, the Motorcycle Club that I now have the honor of being President of (Shadow Riders Owners Club) decided to help one of our brothers in need out who was forced to sell his bike to pay for bills as life sometimes crashes down on us.  Everyone pitched in, secretly, and I purchased the bike, rebuilt it and at our annual Tail of the Dragon Meet-up, we gave it back to him.  That rebuild was the most meaningful one yet...and was done in less than 45 days!

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Which brings us here...many people have asked me to build them a bike so why not???  Building bikes is a hobby for me at this point, not a job.  I don't make a ton of money building bikes, everything known I probably loose a little, but it keeps me busy and allows me to use the skills I love to use. 

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Why the VLX 600?  There are several reasons actually.  First of all, although some may consider it under-powered at only 583cc (35.5ci), this V-Twin engine was actually built to race, properly tuned it is very surprising.  Another reason the displacement is not so much of an issue is because the dry weight of the VLX is only 432 pounds.  The VLX has a single mono shock under the seat giving the rider the comfort of a swingarm suspension with the look of a hard tail suspension.    ​​

 

​VLX General Specifications

Overall length :90.0"

Wheelbase: 63:2"

Seat Height: 25.6"

Ground Clearance: 5.5"

Frame: Steel Double Cradle

Tires: 100/90-19" Front, 170/80-15" Rear

Rake: 35 degrees

Trail: 6.5"

Engine: Liquid Cooled SOHC 52 degree V-Twin, 583cc (35.5ci), 3 valves/cylinder, 9.2:1 compression ratio

Transmission: 4 speed

Fuel Capacity: 2.9 gallons (inc. 0.9 reserve)

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1988-1998 Are dual car carbs, 1999-2007 models single carb.  There was a minor loss in HP going from the dual to single carb, but fuel mileage is increased.  There are several other changes from the two models, mainly cosmetic changes, side covers, rear fenders and pegs.    ​​