MidnightLunacy

Hey all, figured I walk ya'll through the creation up to this point of my hommage to those of my grandfather's generation who did amazing things in the ETO and Pacific and to my cousin, who died on a week of R&R from fighting in Iraq.

"Lil Miss Horsepower" as she has come to be known (will make more sense once my artist gets back to me with some pinup nose art for her) started off as a stock royal purple rebel (the fastest colour, ofcourse) My ex (not ex) at the time had a black rebel, so we used to ride all over together.

so, between my german bike, my love of history, and my inability to ever afford a ww2 era WLA, i went with the next best thing. Make one. lol.
I did however decide to go with a more "mad max" battlefield approach, using 25 mm cans for the saddlebags, for example.

The lights are fully encased inside the cans, except for the brake light, tucked up under the fender for now.

Even after I got most of the basic modding and turned her OD, it didnt occur to me how much just painting the chrome black would instantly add some cred to the "authentic" look


next inline was the front end. the side ammocan was easy, the harder part was the gunscabbard. I didnt really feel like even putting an empty one on there, just might draw a little too much attention. So i went with a m1943 e-tool folding shovel. I think it tucks right in quite nicely.

ofcourse, gotta finish the look with one of the DOT approved german Wehrmacht helmets and a pair of aviator goggles. Ive gotten all sorts of attentions with her, from passing cagers to some of the local bikegang hardcore riders saying even though its not a HD, i could come ride with them anytime. I nicely declined ofcourse. lol

Next is to find a way to get OD engine paint, touch up the star, black out the rest of the chrome and do a different speedo. but all in good time.
So, what ya'll think?

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oneway

I like it!

I also like old military bikes; but also could never afford one.

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'85 Rebel 250
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HomegrownCustoms

Bike is spot on looks great, what did that front fender come off of? An American take on a Japanese bike nice irony. I always wanted to paint a bike up like a p40 warhawk, one of these days. Superb bike tho love it

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MidnightLunacy

thanks!
the front fender is actually off a german Zundapp, had a extra donor scoot lying around.

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flitecontrol

Certainly unique. I like the theme and what you've done. If you can't find OD engine paint, flat black would also be good. The front fender just isn't quite right to my eye. Looks like the fender is reversed from what it should be, but maybe it's the picture angle. I would check with local law enforcement and see if there would be any problem mounting a front fork scabbard with an M1 stock fitted to a broomstick barrel in it. Wouldn't be a real gun. Of course if you lived down here, it wouldn't be a problem if it was a real M1. I strap my cased shotgun to the rear rack and go hunting. Never had a problem with the law.

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
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KnoXouT

I think it's awesome!

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Guba

Cool looking bike! If I had to be pessimistic about something, I'd say you need to add some barbed wire to the top of your chain link fence.

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'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

GearJammer

Incredible! That's a magazine feature bike if I ever saw one....GREAT job!

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1986 450 Rebel

Shadow Shack

I really like it.

One thing I'd point out though, adding that shovel and ammo can to the fork lowers is adding unsprung weight to the wheel --- uneven weight on each side at that, I'd recommend looking into alternative mounting points for those two items.

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MidnightLunacy

I was thinking about the weight and balance issue... been taking it easy at first just to make sure its all secured and not throwing things off too much. She's very steady. When I change the angle of the handlebars, she feels squirlier than adding the cans.. I know the wla had both mounted like that, but needless to say, that was a much much sturdier steed.

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