My '04 VL800 Volusia - from garden ornament to daily ride!

Recently got my '04 VL800, swapped for my 2 XV535's! Poor girl had been living outside for about a year so a lot of the add-ons were rusted out, but I would have removed them anyway. Only 7500 miles, Vance & Hines Cruzer exhaust :)


After removing the bits I didn't want she started looking a bit better.


A week later, a few more bit's removed and some cleaning. New mirrors, reg plate and a bit of polish.

Wow - what a difference.  Any plans for more stripping?

johnboss wrote:

Wow - what a difference.  Any plans for more stripping?

Not at the moment as it's my daily commuter. Later on I may cut down the mudguards a bit, change indicators and tail light and put on some wide beach / glide handlebars. Also contemplating covering the spokes with solid discs and whitewall tyres. Watch this space!

Vast improvement! Looks much better 

I thought all that rust was mud when I first saw it, You've done an excellent job of cleaning it up! 

Thanks all. There was quite a bit of rust, but mainly the add-ons that were beyond polish, and they weren't to my taste anyway. Still lots more to come, mainly wheels that are still rusty but will think of something!

be interested as to what you do solid disc wise, spokes are great looking when in top condition  but look shite when not as mine are . well done so far

And by the way..... Great trick how you parked it in exactly the same spot to do the before and after shots!  

On a side note, it's really frustrating when after market chrome doesn't survive well. Someone will have spent a lot on the various bits, but you're so right , they were spoiling the bike in their condition.

Same with my bike... It's the aftermarket stuff that's looking quite shabby now.... And some of it pretty expensive like highway hawk forward controls.

Highway Hawk might be expensive Mal, but that's no guarantee of quality.

I've heard a lot of people moan about their stuff looking shabby in no time

totally agree mine came with hawk backrest never been on it could nt tell it was chrome been meaning to rub it down do it black or plastic dip it and pass it on

Looking good 

Little bit more done. More polishing, de-badged tank, replaced rusty gear and brake pedals.

Looking better with every picture