• Articles
  • Motorcycles for Sale
  • Motorcycle Parts
  • Motorcycle Manuals
  • Collectibles
  • Contact

The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Softail Cross Bones Photochop Custom

By Paul Crowe

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

Posted on January 27, 2008 Filed Under: Motorcycle Business, Motorcycle Design

Parts and Service Manuals and more!

Be sure to check out the new motorcycle manuals and literature listings. I just put it together to make your eBay search easier and it's pretty sweet. It's fun just to browse though it. Check it out!

« Motorcycle Art from Watch Parts
Forbes 10 Legendary Motorcycle Rides »

Comments

  1. Phoebe says

    January 27, 2008 at 12:46 pm

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

  2. OMMAG says

    January 27, 2008 at 9:21 pm

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

  3. Keith says

    January 27, 2008 at 9:47 pm

    Maybe a full rear fender or Indian Chief front and rear fender .

  4. todd says

    January 28, 2008 at 12:15 am

    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. kneeslider says

    January 28, 2008 at 9:00 am

    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. Phoebe says

    January 28, 2008 at 9:51 am

    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. Nick says

    January 28, 2008 at 11:35 am

    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. hoyt says

    January 28, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    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.

  9. todd says

    January 28, 2008 at 3:17 pm

    Yes, the Nightster does look good to me. That’s why it’s doomed to being removed from the lineup. In fact it reminds me a little of my own BMW bobber:
    http://s240.photobucket.com/albums/ff280/tsorel/bobber/?action=view&current=DSC_00441.jpg

    -todd

  10. mitchell says

    April 18, 2008 at 10:24 pm

    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. Mike says

    July 3, 2008 at 11:45 am

    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.

  12. Dee says

    August 19, 2008 at 1:35 pm

    Looks kind of like a ZERO Engineering bike. Just not as cool.

  13. RCP2 says

    October 24, 2008 at 5:45 pm

    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. Scout says

    December 27, 2008 at 8:15 am

    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. coyotee says

    February 19, 2009 at 5:14 pm

    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. skien dhiu says

    May 13, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    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. RUDE1 says

    June 15, 2009 at 9:14 pm

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

  18. ed flanagan says

    September 18, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    just got one. it likes me a lot.
    …
    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/3923378435_4d8920b566.jpg

Search articles on The Kneeslider

Do You need motorcycle parts?

Everything from normal maintenance items to hard to find out of production parts, look here first.
Be very specific for best results! Use part numbers if you have them.
Be sure to check out our motorcycle manuals and literature listings, too!

From The Kneeslider Archives

Kawasaki factory auto racing

Kawasaki Factory Auto Racing

Triumph Millenium 900 by Vicente Design

Allen Millyard 5 liter V-Twin out of two cylinders from a Pratt and Whitney 1340 radial

Allen Millyard Builds a 5 Liter V-Twin

Motorcycle Engine Powered Cars

Copyright © 2021 · The Kneeslider · Website by Crowe Computer Services
US Army veteran owned and operated
This website proudly Made in the USA!
Made in the USA