2002 Vulcan Classic 1500

by Robert Hall
(Lumberton, Texas)

The name is RED I got this 2002 Vulcan Classic 1500 Chopper Bobber so I can cut it up and for the fact that they don’t make very many aftermarket parts for this bike. I wanted to build a chopper/bobber from something that you don’t see a lot of. When I got the bike it was used and was a full bagger with a lot of stuff on it. I started by stripping everything that it didn't need to make it down the road, you know, all the turn lights, wind shield, bags, front fender, rear fender, and so on. I look at it as if it don’t need it then why have it, but that's just me. I started the rebuild with removing the rear shocks and let it go as low as it can then lifted it about 1" and made a set of strut bars to make it ridged. On the left strut bar I made a tag and brake light mount and then started my search for a brake light. I like to use brake lights that you would not think of using but this time I used a brake light that was a brake light on another bike, A Honda CBR-1000, (YES a sport bike). With the idea in mind of part chopper and part bobber I moved on to the rear finder, I was going to cut it short and flat but you see that a lot so I cut it down to a point. I know I didn't go very crazy on that one. But I did the best finder mod to the front fender, I gave it to a friend because he wanted it, (I don't need it. I don't want it). Moving on to the seat. I got a piece of thin plate from my scrap pile (I don't trash any metal) and started to bend and hammer with no plan in mind. When I was happy with it then I got some very soft leather and laced it on the seat pan. The hard part was finding a set of handle bars that I like, this went on for day's, when I found a set that I liked they wanted a arm and leg + one tooth for them. So back to the scrap pile, I still wanted the bars so I made mine to look like them but to fit me. I like tool bags so I have a place for all the crap in my pockets but I don’t like them in black leather so got some brown leather and made me one and branded it with a set of brass knuckles. Covered it all in black primer with a red primer LUCKY 13 on the side. Now I'm working on making a set of 2" pipes for it and a sissy bar. But that’s my bike in a nutshell.