Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127936
FEATURE BIKE By SCott Rousseau Photos by Jeff.Haln t' not like Jeff Hain doesn't spend ugh time at the beach already.. The 31-year-old associate editor of Cycle News' sister publication, Personal Watercraft Illustrated, makes a living out of hanging out where the sand meets the surf and at various lakes and rivers from California to Arizona, as he tests all manner of stock and modified Jet Skis, Sea-Doos and Wavewhatevers. Heck, he even has a rare Champion beach cruiser for pedaling along the coastline. . But about a year ago; Hain decided th.at he wanted a little more motivation for attacking the Pacific Coast Highway, and when this particular 1996 HarleyDavidson FXSTSB Bad Boy became available at a bargain price, he jumped on it. Since then, Hain has put way more time, money and sweat into the bike than he'd ever imagined he would, but if you're a fan of the Milwaukee marque, we think you'll appreciate it. Hain started by pretty much leaving the motor's internals alone - a good idea, seeing as how the bike was a former CN project machine and had already received a complement of H-D Screamin' Eagle goodies, including a mechanical camshaft, ignition module, slip-on tailpipes and a carburetor breather kit. He did add a K&N Thunderslide throttle slide and jet kit, however. - BadBoy project But engine aside, a stock-appearing Bad Boy is nothing more than that stock. So Hain and his friend Dan Gunter went to work, dismantling the machine and prepping it for .a gaggle of exterior enhancements. Surprisingly, Hain's vision for the machine was to keep it simple, more or less giving the appearance of a nicely enhanced stocker rather than some bolted-up billet monstrosity. "I didn't want the billet look," Hain says. "I wanted a custom-looking bike, but I wanted it to still be a Harley." To that end, .the entire stock Springer front end, handlebars and risers, front master cylinder and perches, rear swingarm, oil tank, slotted rear wheel, front rim and hub, brake discs and calipers, stock forward control brackets, exhaust brackets and several miscellaneous bits were cleaned up and shipped off to South Bay Chrome in Santa Ana, California, to be rechromed. While that was being done, Hain sent the stock fuel tanks, dashboard and fepders to his longtime buddy, renowned custom painter Jeff Long of Jeff Long Graphics in Dallas, Texas. Next, Hain placed a call to the good folks at F&S Hatiey-Davidson in Dayton, Ohio, to place a huge order for things such as brake rebuild kits, and also Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessory items, like a Bad Boy leather tank 'panel with pouch, Profile rearshock lowering kit, ribbed chrome oilpump cover, chrome brake lever, switch