The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Softail Cross Bones Photochop Custom

By

Softail Cross Bones photochop

It didn’t take long. No sooner does Harley introduce the Softail Cross Bones and someone is already taking the idea a little further. Adam sent in this quick photochop just to give us an idea of the direction he thought it might go, and come to think of it, it’s pretty much along the lines of some of the suggestions we’ve already heard from you.

Adam gave it shorty pipes, lowered the bars, cleaned up the tank, enlarged and lowered the headlight, swapped the front fender to the rear and removed the front fender entirely. He tried to squeeze in larger wheels, too, just to see how it looked. Overall, as a rough concept, I think it’s pretty sweet.

Harley might have come up with a winner here. They did a lot of what many buyers would do to begin with and turned out a brand new old school custom, no extra work required. The best part, though, is with a base like that to start from, you can take it a little further and really get the look right. If the Motor Company wants to sell a lot of these (who am I kidding, … IF?), they could take some of these ideas and offer the parts in their catalog, of course they might already be thinking along those lines, that catalog is pretty thick already.

I have a hunch the Cross Bones might sell pretty well and given the recent reports of soft sales numbers, it’s a good time for something like this to show up.

Thanks for the chop, Adam.

Softail Cross Bones Stock

Comments

  1. I think it could be even cooler if it were given the total blackout treatment…no chrome at all. That would be eeeeevil. =)

  2. Good work Paul…. you’re really adding something to the world of motorcycle publishing and fans like me.

  4. What this really shows is that Harley doesn’t need a new product planner, they need a new product designer. Adam’s photochop bike looks 100 times better than the real thing. I believe it took quite a stretch of the imagination to think the original bike could look as good as he made it. I had written it off completely. This rendering breathes new life into a new design.

    -todd

  5. The more I look at this photochop version, the more I like it. Harley couldn’t do some of it new, the pipes would not pass, but aftermarket options are plentiful and I would opt for a bit more fender, too, they do come in handy at times, but the look is right. If Harley put something closer to that on the showroom floors, they wouldn’t be able to keep up with demand.

    If HD doesn’t offer a version like this or parts to get close, custom shops and smart dealers should jump on it.

  6. What I find really interesting is how tall and goofy-looking the original front end design looks, after looking at the photo-chop version.

  7. That’s what I’m talking about !!! 2 wheels, a vile engine, no unnecessary iron/plastic, a great retro look, this is beautiful !

    Great job Adam.

  8. I think HD is smart enough to market a bike that encompasses the Kneeslider’s comments above. Todd – HD has good designers (Nightster do anything for you?)

    HD builds the “platform” or “canvas” for their owners to take it from there with the parts catalogue.

    It has been a successful business plan for decades that pleases both the financial statement and their customer base.

    nice job Adam with the photochopping. Zero Engineering and Chica’s influences (and their influences) come through in a cool way.

    I’d also like to see a little more black as Phoebe mentioned…..starting with black spokes for the wheels and perimeter brakes.

  10. this bike is harley’s best work…a big step backwards with a modern twist…nicely managing the balance of both. this puts the rocker and fatbob to shame….and will become a sustainable bike in the lineup for years to come…the only thing they really screwed up on this bike is the seat…it throws you forward and makes you feel like u are sitting on top of it and not in it. however, that is an easy fix with the brawler seat or one like it. in fact, when you put the brawler on it…the back fender works well…and allows for bags or sissy bars….which a bobbed fender would be difficult to pull off. beyond that, it doesn’t need much beyond the personalization that everyone does.

  11. Where can I get a better quality picture of the Photochop version? It is the coolest bike I have ever seen and would like it on my desktop as a wallpaper. Please let me know.

  13. The photochop version is bitchen,rad,way cool. How ever you want to term it. Reminds me of the OD Green Nightster I had, but with the engine size I need, and a bit more wheel travel.
    I currently own one of the few OD Green CrossBones. I love this bike. Looks cool and still practicle.
    I would like to know how many were produced in OD Green, or rather Olive Pearl…

  14. OMG!!! I never saw this photochop version before! I did a photochop back in August and it looks soooooo much the same (http://www.damnvandalactivities.com/transfercase/photochop/xbones.jpg). Guess what, got a Crossbones and I’m almost done making it a reality. On Jan 10, I’ll have the bike done! Dude, it’s not that bad slamming one of these bad boys. It’s looking sweeeeet. I’ll post a link of a photo when it is. Adam, great minds think alike. Our similar designs has to mean something, eh?

  15. Got an ’09. pulling all the xtra garbage off it now. plan to rake and extend the front end & go to a 21, 18″ apes, chop the rear fender, can the front fender, 60’s style sissy bar w/king & queen (i always have a bitch rider) if this looks like shiiiiiiii will try again. just choppin

  16. picked up my 09 Cross Bones a few days ago, first thing was to remove springs from under seat, the ride was great but sat a bit to high on the bike,didnt have them on long enough to miss them, the ride is still very comfortable, and the seat feels great,love the bars…just right for me.Added the quick release windshield and luggage rack for long hauls, looks good with both on, the windshield adds to the retro look and is great once you hit 110K and up, the rack will allow me to carry all I need or be able to pick up a six pack!!!! I allso changed the levers to black, and changed the mirrors, a lowering kit is going on tomorrow, pipes to follow , but I want to hit the road for now!! The floor boards are allso sweet as you can change foot position from fully stretched out to knees bent right under me, a good thing to do on long hauls, this motor is so balanced it dosent even vibrate the mirrors warming up. I picked this bike because it dosent look like every other chrome clone on the road. Its getting lots of negative reviews on different sites, but I could care less its comfortable,hauls ass,nice to look at in my eye and puts me in the wind with a grin on,isnt that what a motorcycle is supposed to do??

  17. I think you need to just like the old classic look in oerder to appreciate this look. flat black would be a killer.