HOT BIKE VOLUME 3 2024

ZIDAN: AMERICAN METAL CUSTOMS’ METICULOUS KNUCKLEHEAD

THE CUSTOM & PERFORMANCE V-TWIN MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE

F-YOU MONEY

KEN’S FACTORY’S HIGH DOLLAR CUSTOM

VOL. 3 2024 • HOTBIKE.COM

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CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS From The Editor ............................................... 10 Riding Gear........................................................ 12 Checking with Bobby Seeger from Indian Larry Motorcycles................................. 14 Tech Tips Featuring Danny Wilson: Pushrod and Tappet Block Removal SCAN THE QR CODE THROUGHOUT FOR EVEN MORE GOOD STUFF!

Hacks for Milwaukee-Eight Engines ............... 88 New Products.................................................... 94 Readers’ Rides................................................... 98

FEATURES Steven Lucas’ Meticulous XB12....................... 18 Trask Performance’s Mean Machine ............. 24 Indian Motorcycle’s Scout Build Series Hosted

By Roland Sands ............................................. 32 American Metal Customs ............................... 46 Ken’s Factory Builds A High Dollar Custom ..... 60 Fox Factory’s New Test Mule By Woodlawn Baggers .......................................... 72

TECH Trying Bitubo’s WME 14-inch Shocks.............. 82 Sawicki Speed’s RT Pipe Install ....................... 84

PROFILE The Parts Counter, Part Two Harley-Davidson’s Touring and Screamin’ Eagle Accessories ........................................... 56

ON THE COVER The latest from Ken Nagai of Ken’s Factory is one of the coolest we’ve seen him do to date. Our man Kaz snapped some pics of Ken in his element in Nagoya.

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PHOTO: STEELDOG PHOTO (KAZ MATSUMOTO)

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SERENDIPITOUS

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t always amazes me how these magazines come together.

Sometimes they flow together as if the literary publishing gods blessed our efforts from on-high. This issue is one of those times. First of all, we do these mags with a skeleton crew, which is a feat in and of itself. But we’re a passionate group of folks that like to see cool things featured. We also like to tell the tales of said things. As it sometimes happens, we were struggling to figure out what our cover bike was going to be for this issue. That is until very serendipitously the Ken’s Factory powers that be posted their new build on Instagram. As soon as we saw this bike, we knew it was special.

We rang up our ace photographer (well, we WhatsApp’d him) and asked if he was available to snap some pics of Ken and his latest creation and it all just worked out. I always get excited about featuring cool bikes with great stories, but this one was even cooler because of how seamlessly and easily it all came together. It’s like it was pre-destined. And when that happens, it’s really special. I guess you could say that’s what makes what we do here still exciting, especially getting to share our stoke and passion for these cool things with you fine people! But what’s even cooler is when I get to share something from someone I admire and respect immensely.

Ken Nagai, from Ken‘s factory, is about as cool as they come.

He’s one of the most talented designers, builders, fabricators, to ever grace our pages, but he’s also a very humble guy. His creative vision is absolutely unique. His style is timeless. In fact, I was looking at an old hotbike.com post of a bike Ken built back in the late 2000s and it was something that was equally as cool today as it was then. Ken, in my opinion, is one of those rare talents that comes along, makes his mark, and does his thing with his head down. The result is a work of two-wheeled art that’s as functional as it is beautiful. Ken’s a man that I admire and respect, and one that I’m definitely honored to feature on this issue’s cover.

You may also notice a lot of the components of Ken’s new bike are one-off parts that he CNC-machined. I mena, these components are about as intricate and detailed as you can get.

I mean look at the tool paths and just the overall design and aesthetic of the machined aluminum. It’s hard to find something as intricate and complex these days. These are the types of bikes that inspire generations. These bikes keep people amped on what we love. This bike helps riders think outside of their own proverbial boxes.

A lot of times I get lost in the search for what’s next or what’s cool and then when something like this happens it’s a good reminder that sometimes the answer is right in front of me. I don’t know if that’s too esoteric or philosophical, but I do know that is how this issue’s cover bike pretty much came to be. I’m excited to share it with you guys and gals because we’re told that this bike might just be Ken’s last custom. I guess we’ll see… I hope you enjoy it.

Bye for now, Jordan 10 HOTBIKE.COM

“KEN, IN MY OPINION, IS ONE OF THOSE RARE TALENTS THAT COMES ALONG, MAKES HIS MARK, AND DOES HIS THING WITH HIS HEAD DOWN. THE RESULT IS A WORK OF TWO-WHEELED ART THAT’S AS FUNCTIONAL AS IT IS BEAUTIFUL. ” President/Editor-In-Chief JORDAN MASTAGNI The Real Boss ASHLEY MASTAGNI Creative Director ROBERT MARTIN

CONTRIBUTORS KAZ MATSUMOTO AKA STEELDOG PHOTO, ALEX CHAPMAN, ROB FORTIER, MICHAEL LICHTER, CHOPSKEE, TED NEWSOME, JEFF BRINKLEY, DANNY WILSON, BROCELIANDE STUDIOS SPONSORS Hot Bike is grateful for these awesome supporters!

AMERICAN METAL WHISKEY, ARCH MOTORCYCLE, AVON GRIPS, BILTWELL, BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO., FACTORY 47, FEULING PARTS, GALFER USA, HORSEPOWER INC., JW SPEAKER, KEN’S FACTORY, KRAUS MOTOR CO., LAW TIGERS, MOTOAMERICA, MOTUL USA, RAMJET RACING, ROLAND SANDS DESIGN, SAWICKI SPEED SHOP, THRASHIN’ SUPPLY CO., TRASK PERFORMANCE, TURN 14

GEAR: TESTED

THE LATEST RIDING GEAR AT HOT BIKE HQ

W

e’re always on the lookout for protective riding gear that looks anything but. There’s no need to look like you’re equipped for battle with every ride. But you can still be protected with some of the latest gear manufacturers out there. The latest from Roadskin and First Mfg. cover the safety and stylish bases. We’ve also been rocking this Cardo Packtalk Edge lately and it definitely gets the job done.

ROADSKIN TARANIS ELITE RIDING JEANS Roadskin’s Taranis Elite motorcycle jeans are comfy. Like really supple and plush. We’ve been riding with these jeans for about a year now, and they’re pretty much a go-to when it comes to a pair of riding jeans that we know will keep us protected should we need it, but also, doesn’t feel like we’re wearing battle armor every time we get off the bike.

The Taranis Elite armored jeans and the first to provide the AAA safety rating in a single layer, as tested by SATRA Technology Centre in the UK. This happens because Roadskin’s uses Kevlar fibers woven into its alreadypremium denim, so they feel and look exactly like a regular five-pocket pair of jeans but give you the peace of mind that comes with wearing AAAs. The Taranis also contains a good amount of elastane for stretch.

This is where the comfort comes into play, especially after the big lunch when you’re out with the guys. They’ll give you an extra inch to get dessert.

The Taranis Elite jeans are comfy, protective and don’t look like dorky riding jeans.

FIRST MANUFACTURING MOTO SHIRT The Moto Shirt is cool. It’s also comfy (are you seeing a trend here?). And lastly, it is constructed from recycled canvas clippings, which are shredded and woven back into spools of new thread. Every new spool of thread is dyed and waxed to create a water resistant material for you to ride in.

It’s also a great balance balance between a jacket and shirt. Crafted from 14-ounce Duck Canvas, and lined with a mesh panel with armor pockets.

And for you big guys, you can get it up to 5XL! We like the Moto Shirt primarily because it’s lightweight and the recycled canvas is comfortable on our skin.

CARDO WIRELESS PACKTALK EDGE The Packtalk Edge is also loaded with everything you need. It’s waterproof.

It connects to pretty much any other Bluetooth comm system on the market. It allows voice activation: “Hey Cardo, what the hell am I doing with my life?” The Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC) setup is crisp and clear with about a 1-mile range. It also adjusts your volume based on ambient noise. Slow down, the volume goes down. Speed up… well, you get the idea. There’s also built-in FM radio with RDS for automatic selection of the strongest signal for when your phone battery takes a shit.

Maybe that’s a good thing? Maybe not. I can only imagine getting stuck on the show tunes station for hours on end.

If Bluetooth communicators are your thang, check out Cardo’s Packtalk Edge. It’s competitively priced at $399.95 for the single unit, but you can catch a break by shelling out for the Duo at $729.95. After all, talking to yourself in your helmet gets pretty old after a while. HB

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SOURCES: ROADSKIN roadskin.co.uk

FIRST MFG. firstmfg.com

CARDO WIRELESS cardosystems.com

THE

HOT SEAT

CHECKING WITH BOBBY SEEGER FROM INDIAN LARRY MOTORCYCLES HOT BIKE: Describe yourself in three words.

BOBBY SEEGER: Real white man.

HB: Haha, nice.

BS: It’s the truth.

HB: All right. Talk about how you ended up in the motorcycle industry.

BS: I got into the motorcycle industry through Indian Larry. He and I had a very good friendship. He wanted me to stop breaking his balls about stuff. The only way that could happen is if we, in his eyes, became partners. That’s what got it going. I didn’t care to. He was brow beating me every fucking day, man. “What’s up? We’re going to be partners. It’s going to be great.” And me telling him, “No, it’s not. It’s going to suck. It’s queer. Just shit.” A lot of good shit talk, I’d say. And that’s how I got into it. All I ever would tell him was, “I don’t understand why you’re not making some money over here. How come you’re not making some money over there? Why are you letting this guy tell you this?” It was because he didn’t own Gasoline Alley. People thought he did, but he didn’t.

HB: Wait, I’m going to back up a little bit. You were going somewhere… you were working with the city… And then how the fuck did you and Larry even get to know each other? Talk about the very beginning and how you guys even met, and that relationship, and how you guys ended up becoming partners.

BS: Larry used to give hand jobs. At this point, I was working for the city of New York, and I had a good thing going.

HB: Doing what?

BS: Working for the MTA, the transit. They have one department that’s an emergency department, working on water pumps and ventilation fans. I just happened to get in on that. That was good. I was in a maintenance gang, and it was fantastic. It’s not like that anymore. I had 17 glorious years. But anyway, then I got in with Larry. It was fun because I had a lot of good times laughing and joking with him.

HB: How did you get in with Larry? How did you guys meet?

BS: Really from just riding around in the city. Just hanging out. I had a full dresser. I was the only one at 25 years old with a full dresser around ‘95, ‘96, ‘97. I ended up getting rid of that bike around 20022003. I’d been sober for a number of years at the time. Larry was dabbling in and out of sobriety. We had a few mutual friends who worked at a shop called American Dream Machine in Soho. Larry would also do motor work at his apartment, which was called Under the Stairs. That was decent for him. Then Jesse James asked him to do Motorcycle Mania. There was a lot of excitement. It was good. Then he 14 HOTBIKE.COM

got Monster Garage, and that’s when they were talking about doing Biker Build-Off from there. Monster Garage was like a transformer. So that excited Larry.

HB: Got it. So you guys just became friends through riding and…

BS: Yeah, early on, it was a lot of mutual friends. I knew him through Iron Horse or knew of him. I couldn’t be bothered with Psycho Cycles and all the antics, so I never went around that. But I would see him

in this lady’s tattoo shop that started tattooing me. I started getting tattooed the end of ‘93 into ‘94. He would be in there because he hung out with her all the time. This lady, Andrea, showed up on the place called East Side, Inc. Her boyfriend at the time was this guy Frank, and Frank was Larry’s roommate. Then Kenny, who ran the shop in Soho, he needed a place to live, so he became Frank and Larry’s roommate.

I hung out with Kenny just about every day. It was a little circus in Larry’s house. Then it was just breakfast and lunches and dinners, just hanging out. We didn’t really talk much about motorcycles. We’d talk about legit massage parlors, what’s a good place for coffee, and life stuff, how to get through certain life stuff. That’s really the basics on it. Then Elisa, my wife at the time, she was a buyer. She has her head on pretty good. I said, “Hey, Larry keeps asking about being a partner.

What do you think? Maybe we go into the garment industry and do some parts and stuff like that, see where it goes. I think it’s something pretty good. I can’t fucking take him asking me anymore. Let’s see what’s up.” She was like, “Absolutely.”

HB: Nice. You’re like, how do I get this guy off my back?

BS: Yeah, it was great because every day I would just show up for a couple of coffees, or I’d meet up with him and have breakfast. The last thing I wanted to do was be in business. Again, I worked for the city, and we had a four-family house. That was a big gamble at the time.

Then it was like, “Oh, how do we put money into a thing that we’re going to help make when all these other things were up and down with Larry?” You know what I mean? Then having people that knew Larry for five, 10 years earlier saying, “Don’t do it. All these other guys that invested, all that shit just never worked,” and blah, blah, blah. I was just like, “No, man, we’ll go at with this. I got no desire to screw him or anybody else. I’m not into that. That got it moving. In the first week after we agreed on everything, the guy that had Gasoline Alley burnt himself out and burnt out his welcome. He left and we just went with Indian Larry, basically.

HB: So essentially with Larry, Gasoline Alley morphed into Indian Larry Motorcycle?

BS: Yeah. And it was really like, what took a change? The change being the guy that was in charge. Because the guy in charge, he really loved, say, Arlen Ness stuff. And as great as Arlen Ness was and the innovator made fantastic stuff. That’s not the style that Larry was making. You know what I mean? Then I was just like, “Look, I don’t give a fuck. I think you should just make the bikes you make, and we should have a good time. Let’s go around the world. You’re invited to all these places. Elisa will manage whatever you need…” And then to look back on it, I am still happy that I didn’t get involved with TV because I thought it was queer. And when Discovery would say something. Pretty much, they didn’t like me because my responses to them were never what they wanted. We’re not here to play games. They want to have a good time.

In the long run, it was good. So it was like, did we want to be on TV even when he died? We didn’t want to be on TV. We were like, all these people are clowns that are getting on stage. They weren’t even in the shop every day. It’s like the one person that should have been up there was Paul or maybe Elisa because she fucking held hands with Larry, guiding him through a whole bunch of shit. But nobody else should have, but yet everybody else claimed to be... I learned a lot then, and I had refreshers as well. But I’ll say this, when we agreed on doing shit together, Larry and I, it was great. There was a good amount of excitement. I said, ‘Oh, motherfucker, we’re going to get your name in lights’ Bo went out and fucking had a neon sign made that said Indian

Larry on it, 6 feet. I thought Larry was going to jerk off. It was exciting.

It was goofy. And nobody else would ever really commit to doing stuff like that. “Why waste the money on that?” That’s what most would say.

HB: So you go into biz together in 2002, and then he passes in 2004.

When did you decide, fuck, do we carry on or do we close the shop?

BS: Right out the gate. So right before he died, I was like, we’re going to have a block party. That’s something that you used to have in the street. Some blocks still have it, but not many. Because the turnover of people from who was here, say ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, they moved or they died. Their kids don’t want They want to be in New York. They want to be in Jersey or Florida or California. You know what I mean? I thought, No, this is 2004. I want to have a fucking block party. Block parties are great. Then boom. We’re having a block party. Nobody wanted to have a block party because it’s really an undertaking. I said, “It’s not going to be a problem. And it worked out. We cooked a pig in the street. A fucking guy came with a jet car from Jersey with the engine off of a plane. It melted the street. The fire department came and they loved it. It was fun. This was in June 2004 and then Larry died in August. The outpouring we received because he’d been on two Biker Build-Offs, the Jesse James stuff, and a variety of magazines at this point. We’re going to have a block party. We’re going to just throw a fucking party. It’s going to be awesome. That’s what we did. A crazy amount of people came from around the world, more mind-blowing than you could imagine because after he died in the Carolinas, we got home and pulled up to the shop, and all there were flowers, cards and notes outside against the wall. And people were portraying it that Larry died doing a stunt. When realistically, that wasn’t the case. He was dehydrated and he blacked out and he fell off the bike, going very, very slow. It was just one of those freak things and he hit his head. It was like that. Then the choice to go forward with Paul Cox was fantastic, but none of us really knew. Paul was not a real... Paul was one of those super talented guys. If he doesn’t know it, he’s going to read up on it and he’s going to fucking dominate it.

He’s just going to do it. That’s been him the whole time I’ve ever known him, and he hasn’t slowed down. But then it’s to the point of there was no time to mourn. It was just like green light, go. We finished off the easy ride a tour, then we had to finish this, finish that. From motorcycle building, clothing, some parts. It was like, Okay, what is this? It’s Larry’s legacy. Great. We’ll call it Indian Larry legacy. Fantastic. That lasted a little bit. Then Paul wanted to go break off on his own, which was really good.

Then it was like, “Wow, I wonder what it would have been like, have we all been under one umbrella?” Paul is one of those few people I actually love. I tell him all the time. I think he’s a fantastic guy. He’s a great father.

He’s a great husband. He’s an all-around, somewhat quiet man, but he’s on the ball. But when we split up, I call it the divorce because he went one way and we went the other, all Elisa and I wanted thought was how do we keep Larry’s name up? The offers to do stuff with the Walmart and stuff like that, we didn’t want to do that. We didn’t want to do it when he was alive. We said no to stuff. We didn’t want to do it when he died because we didn’t think there was longevity. And it wasn’t a money thing because have we been looking to have a money grab, we would have went for the deals and just said, fuck it. But we didn’t do that because we thought, longevity. Fuck it. We can make it, man. Come on. Sometimes I wonder. I should have been hitting that head a little bit more. I’ve been hitting that head a lot. I should have been maybe a little more.

HB: Okay, I think I got it. Thanks for providing the history of the shop, etc. What would you say is your greatest accomplishment?

BS: Well, I’ll tell you that it’s sticking through everything. The fact that

Q&A: CHECKING WITH BOBBY SEEGER FROM INDIAN LARRY MOTORCYCLES every storm that’s come my way, regardless of wanting to weather it or not, I’ve weathered it. And in a sense, I’ve prevailed. I’m above water.

My glass has always been half-full. When I say to people, ‘Hey, you got kids? Yes. Where are your kids? I’d say, I had a boy, I had a girl. My boy got sick. He passed away. My daughter’s healthy and fucking just pumping along. They’re like, I don’t understand. How did he die? ‘Okay, this is how he died.’ But you’re not married anymore. I go, ‘No.’ What I’ve learned is when a when a child dies, usually a parent blows their brains out or they’re at least divorced. The relationships, there’s like a 2 percent chance that they’ll stay together. Me, I was a fan of staying together. I wasn’t interested in any other women. My wife wanted something different. She at least not to be married to me at the time.

When I say to people, I go, You know what? It’s like my wife and I, in my eyes, we hit it off to where we had two Okay, great. She just happens to be that type that is the type A person. That type A person, had it not been for her and her personality and her drive, there wouldn’t have been any enactment to have a law of testing for this particular rare brain disease push forward, because many people tried, but they didn’t push. You know what I mean? The fact that we owned a relatively famous This motorcycle shop, that was surely a help, a stepping stone, if you will, with an outlet for around the world. You know what I mean?

It’s like, Okay, Larry dies. Our son’s born. Larry dies not long after. A couple of years go by. Then if it wasn’t for being in the bike industry, I don’t think it would have gotten as much traction as it did. It can’t be that. Even before the bike industry, I knew somebody around the world, pretty much because I was always out, travel, run around, do stuff. The bike industry just fluffed up a little bit more for me. For me, I say, You know what? Just staying in the rowboat of life and at times just having to have a little Dixie cup to throw the water out because it’s filling. I don’t have the why me, but how did I learn to get through these things? It’s from other people’s experiences. It matters how you get through a particular thing? It’s just like, I’m not the famous guy. I’m not the guy that builds motorcycles. I’m not the guy that wanted this, but I’m the guy. Out of a whole group of fucking friends, everybody would have blown the next person if they could be the guy.

HB: What’s your favorite motorcycle of all time?

BS: The Grease Monkey. 100 percent. The Grease Monkey is badass.

It’s the only bike I didn’t want to ride. I could have ridden it in ‘98. He was like, “Why don’t you just take it?” I was like, “I can’t afford to fix it.”

And then even when he died, I’m like, I’m not riding the bike. That’s like the chalice. That bike’s badass.

it’s a motherfucker, but goddamn, man, I show up. So I don’t have those standards. Everybody’s got that cookie cutter of your regrets or your proudest or what’s your favorite color? Shit like that.

HB: Good. All right. Favorite place on Earth.

BS: Italy. 100 percent. I love it all. I mean, the Amalfi Coast is by far my favorite. I got married there. I’ve been there a lot. I’ve been fortunate to go to Italy over 30-some-odd times. I’ve been to every US state, but Alaska. I’ve been all over.

HB: Is there anything you’re working on that you think you want to just talk about?

BS: We got two bikes that we’re taking our time building because we don’t care enough right now about them because we build bikes at our pace. And if we feel like selling them down the road, we do. If not, we keep them. But really, the big thing is the amount of parts we’ve been doing. A lot of them are for the newer style Harleys. We’ve still done stuff for guys that are at home building choppers or building bikes, little bobbers or however they want to change their lingo. But really, the more dominant thing for us has been these bagger parts. I say bagger parts, you know what I mean? From all these M8s, the diners, bars, risers, trees. Again, we’re not interested in knocking anybody else doing it. Who’s in the business? Who’s fucking who? None of that is any of our business, really. We’re more interested in quality over quantity.

That’s really where it’s at. And we don’t give a shit. If this guy sells more, this guy sells less. We care primarily about quality. And good things take time and all that. But listen, we cost more, we take longer.

HB: What do you see in this industry’s crystal ball?

HB: Who or what inspires you nowadays?

BS: I’m all about people, man. Regular people are the key. Don’t be a jerk off. That’s number one. It’s like my days are pretty much I must talk to my daughter who just turned 18 today. I talk to her 8-10 times a day on the phone every day. I could be in the mountains of Nepal. I could be in fucking Japan, Italy. It doesn’t matter. I’ll be cutting through Ohio. We talk.

HB: What would you say is your proudest moment?

BS: My proudest moment. I got to say, every day, man, it’s all about showing up. That’s where I’m proud. I’m happy, man. I show up. I may not always be the most level head in the room, but I’m one of those in the room. From the kids being born to the kids passing away, I’m there.

And you show up, man. It’s one foot in front of the other. Sometimes 16 HOTBIKE.COM

BS: I see it’s pathetic, but it’s going to still go because, shit, getting around on a motorcycle is a lot more fun. But industry-wise, it’s primarily full of retards. I’m not exempt from that by any means. But my outlook on life is most certainly different than most. I prefer to be at the beach all day and go do whatever John and Gabby in the shop want me to do, be it load CNC machines or sweep the floor and clean the bathrooms. If that’s what it must be, I’m going to go do it.

But otherwise, everybody wants to, like I said, farm out and push and not give credit where credit’s do. Listen, at the end of the day, the only reason that this Indian Larry name stays up is because of teamwork.

It doesn’t matter. There’s no I in any of this shit. It’s all teamwork. If there’s people that have been in my little team that didn’t feel they were part of the team, and you know what? They’re not part of the team anymore. HB

RIDE THE

LIGHTN

Steven Lucas’ Meticulous XB12 WORDS: MAX BIALYSTOCK PHOTOS: BROCELIANDE STUDIOS

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STEVEN LUCAS’ METICULOUS XB12

T

he Buell Super Cruiser is slated to release very soon. It’s been a little over a year since the new Buell emerged from the ashes, led by new ownership and one that’s poised to take a big delicious bite out of its cruiser market competition. But let’s not forget that there are plenty of cool Buells out there that are keeping Buell aficionados satiated.

With that being said, a gentleman by the name of Steven Lucas, aka Matao, built a custom Buell XB12 with plenty of elegance and grace. After Matao completed his project he exhibited at two of the motorcycle world’s most prestigious events—the Bike Shed in London and Wheels and Waves in Biarritz France. This bespoke build reflects a harmonious fusion of modern electronics, premium components, and meticulous attention to detail, all coming together in a striking display of form and function.

At the heart of this build is a seamless integration of cutting-edge electronics, achieved through a collaboration with Motogadget, a leader in motorcycle electronics. From the sleek indicators to the hidden M-Unit, every electronic component was carefully selected to maintain the clean lines of the bike while delivering top-notch functionality. The front and rear indicators were upgraded with precision Motogadget components, providing a modern touch without sacrificing the bike’s raw, aggressive appeal.

For lighting, Baja Designs’ signature front headlight was adapted to a custom steel front end. The bold and rugged look of the Baja Design headlight perfectly complements the muscular stance of the Buell XB12, ensuring that the bike performs as well in low-light conditions as it does in broad daylight.

One of the standout features of this Buell XB12 is the custom upholstery by Saddlery Fleury. The seat, made from premium Alcantara, is not only luxurious but also designed to withstand the rigors of long rides. The seat base, crafted from lightweight carbon, adds both performance and style to the build, reducing weight without compromising on strength.

The rear tubular chassis is a completely custom creation, designed and fabricated by the builder to perfectly suit the bike’s aggressive posture. The attention to detail extends to the mounting of the license plate, which was carefully crafted to integrate smoothly with the overall design. The battery, CDI, and entire electronic system were cleverly hidden under a false tank, keeping the bike’s aesthetic clean and uncluttered while maintaining easy access to essential components.

This Buell XB12 isn’t just about looks—it’s built to perform. The

engine was completely rebuilt by Twin Motor France, ensuring that the bike delivers the power and performance that Buell is known for. Every element, down to the original screws, has been nickel-plated, adding a touch of refinement to the raw mechanics of the bike.

When it comes to braking and suspension, no expense was spared.

The builder opted for a Beringer master cylinder and Beringer brakes, offering unparalleled stopping power. Paired with an Öhlins shock absorber, the ride quality is smooth and responsive, providing the rider with confidence in both urban environments and on open roads.

The aesthetics of this Buell XB12 were taken to another level by the incredible paintwork, done by @abdecometal77330 and @latelier_ de_so. The striking finish emphasizes the bike’s aggressive lines while maintaining a sense of elegance. The overall vision of the builder was perfectly captured by Broceliande Studios (@lesstudiosdebroceliande), whose photography highlights every detail of this incredible machine.

This Buell XB12 stands as a testament to what can be achieved through a combination of innovative engineering, high-quality components, and a vision for design that pushes the boundaries of custom motorcycle building. Whether exhibited at the Bike Shed in London or Wheels and Waves in Biarritz, this Buell is a showstopper, embodying the essence of motorcycle culture with its unique blend of style and performance. HB

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“I CREATED THE REAR TUBULAR CHASSIS WITH A SEAT BASE MADE OF CARBON...”

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SPEC SHEET BIKE OWNER SHOP NAME SHOP WEBSITE/SOCIAL MAKE/MODEL FABRICATION ASSEMBLY BUILD TIME

STEVEN LUCAS MATAO BZH MATAO-BZH.COM BUELL XB12 MATAO BZH MATAO BZH 350 HOURS

ENGINE YEAR/MANUFACTURER TYPE/SIZE CASES CYLINDERS HEADS ROCKER BOXES EFI/CARB AIR CLEANER EXHAUST

BUELL-TWIN MOTOR FRANCE/1200CC BUELL/1200CC BUELL BUELL BUELL BUELL BUELL K&N GPR

TRANSMISSION YEAR/MANUFACTURER/TYPE CASE CLUTCH PRIMARY DRIVE

BUELL XB12 BUELL BUELL BUELL

FRAME YEAR/MANUFACTURER RAKE STRETCH

BUELL BUELL STOCK N/A

SUSPENSION MANUFACTURER FRONT

ÖHLINS

TRIPLE TREES MANUFACTURER REAR WHEELS, TIRES, AND BRAKES MANUFACTURER FRONT-TYPE TIRE HEIGHT-WIDTH CALIPER ROTOR MANUFACTURER REAR FINISH-PAINT COLOR PAINTER GRAPHICS SPECIAL FINISHES ACCESSORIES FRONT FENDER REAR FENDER FAIRING/WINDSCREEN GAUGES. GAS TANK/CAP DASH OIL TANK HANDLEBARS HAND CONTROLS/GRIPS FOOT CONTROLS/PEGS HEADLIGHT TAILLIGHT TURN SIGNALS LICENSE MOUNT SEAT

MATAO BZH ÖHLINS

BUELL XB12 PIRELLI SUPER CORSA BERINGER MASTER CYLINDER BERINGER BUELL XB12 GRIS MAT-NOIR MAT-NOIR BRILLIANT BLACK AND GRAY S. ATELIER DE SO MATAO MATAO MATAO MOTOGADGET MATAO MATAO MATAO MATAO MATAO STOCK STOCK RIZOMA MOTOGADGET LSL BAJA DESIGN MOTOGADGET MOTOGADGET MATAO SADDLERY FLEURY

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TRASK PERFORMANCE’S MEAN MACHINE WORDS: FRANK RIZZO PHOTOS: ALEX CHAPMAN

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N

ick Trask of Trask Performance has never been one to shy away from bold, aggressive designs. As a fellow Hamster and V-twin junkie, it’s no surprise that Nick, known for his need for speed by creating on-tap, raw horsepower through his Trask Turbo Systems, brought his trademark style to the forefront with this FXR build. This project is not just another custom motorcycle—it’s a visceral, sensory overload that pulled out all the stops.

Nick and the owner of this fine machine, Steve Conklin, met through Hamsters club. They quickly bonded over their shared passion for anything with a motor and wheels. Nick’s personality is reflected in his creations, and when it came to building an FXR, it was clear the result would be something out of the ordinary. Trask’s style can be summed up in a few words: clean, masculine, rugged, and fast as fuck. The first time you hear the bike’s turbo whistle, you know it’s a Trask machine—a signature that’s hard to miss.

Nick and the Trask crew had a simple goal when taking on Steve’s FXR project: build a lightweight, high-horsepower machine that delivers performance as aggressive as its appearance. In the world of custom motorcycles, people often say “less is more,” but Trask took the opposite route with this project. The design is an all-out assault on the senses.

The moment the Twin Cam roars to life, you’re bombarded with sound, vibration, and raw speed. The turbocharged V-twin is anything but subtle, delivering ridiculous power that Steve jokingly refers to as “Tradiculous.” The throttle response? Explosive. The speed? Beyond belief.

It’s not just a bike—it’s a missile on two wheels as Steve refers to it.

The FXR platform has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past decade, becoming somewhat of a cult classic. Known for its nimble handling, low stance, and robust frame, the FXR is an ideal foundation for a custom build. Lightweight and compact, the FXR frame can handle big horsepower upgrades, which is exactly what Trask Performance aimed to do.

As with any ambitious custom project, the biggest challenge was time. Trask Performance is a world-renowned shop, churning out high-quality performance V-twin motorcycle products and they’re also in high demand for their elite builds. This FXR was no different. But, Nick is a loyal friend, and Steve’s FXR would have been built no matter what because Nick took on the project despite his busy schedule. As with most custom builds, patience is a virtue. Perfection takes time, and Nick Trask was determined to make this bike perfect. “It’s going to be badass,” became the recurring mantra whenever progress updates were requested. Hearing Nick say it in his Kiwi accent only added to the anticipation.

While the FXR may have classic roots, Trask Performance’s approach was anything but old-fashioned. Every inch of this bike was engineered with performance in mind. Moots McDonagh, another seasoned pro and Trask tech guru, helped bring the vision to life, transforming raw ideas into mechanical reality with uncompromised craftsmanship. Whether it was the frame modifications or the custom turbo setup, Moots’ handiwork is all over this bike. His skill in balancing function with form is evident in every detail.

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“FROM THE ROAR OF THE TURBOCHARGED ENGINE TO THE RAZOR-SHARP HANDLING, EVERY RIDE IS AN ADRENALINE RUSH.”

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The final product is more than just aesthetically pleasing—it’s a predator. Designed for performance, the Trask FXR feels like a weapon. Light, agile, and incredibly quick, it delivers massive horsepower while staying nimble enough to slice through traffic or carve corners on backroads. Riding this bike feels like you’re locked and loaded, ready to unleash it at any moment.

The FXR platform has always held a special place in the hearts of custom bike builders because it offered better handling and durability compared to other Harley-Davidson models of the time.

It’s compact, relatively affordable, and, most importantly, it can handle a high-performance build. The variety of aftermarket parts available only sweetens the deal, allowing custom builders like Trask to take the platform to new levels of power and style.

This particular FXR started as an ’88 FXR-S, a bike with humble beginnings but ripe with potential. While FXRs have become somewhat nostalgic, this one is far from a museum piece. It’s a

modernized, turbo-charged monster, ready to take on the road with unparalleled performance.

No matter where this FXR goes, it turns heads. Whether it’s parked at a bike show or cruising down the highway, people can’t help but stare. The bike’s aggressive stance, combined with its muscular design and turbo whistle, leaves a lasting impression.

“What is it?” is the most common question from curious onlookers.

The answer is simple: it’s the most radical bike they’ve ever seen.

The Trask FXR custom build is a testament to Nick Trask’s talent, vision, and relentless pursuit of performance. It’s more than just a bike—it’s an experience. From the roar of the turbocharged engine to the razor-sharp handling, every ride is an adrenaline rush. And as the author can attest, this build was well worth the wait. Trask Performance has once again proven why they are at the forefront of custom V-twin motorcycles, delivering a bike that’s not only visually striking but a true powerhouse on the road. HB

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SPEC SHEET BIKE OWNER SHOP NAME SHOP PHONE SHOP WEBSITE/SOCIAL YEAR/MAKE/MODEL FABRICAJON ASSEMBLY BUILD TIME ENGINE YEAR/MANUFACTURER TYPE/SIZE CASES AIR CLEANER EXHAUST SPECIAL FEATURES

STEVE CONKLIN (EAGLE, CO) TRASK PERFORMANCE / PHOENIX, AZ (623) 879-8488 WWW.TRASKPERFORMANCE.COM @TRASKPERFORMANCE 1987 HD FXR TRASK PERFORMANCE TRASK PERFORMANCE / MOOTS MCDONOUGH 5 MONTHS S&S 124 CI TWINCAM EFI S&S CYLINDERS S&S HEADS S&S ROCKER BOXES S&S EFI/CARB EFI TRASK TURBO TRASK CUSTOM HIGH OUTPUT TURBO SYSTEM TBW / THUNDERMAXX ECM

TRANSMISSION HD FL W/BAKER 6 SPD YEAR/MANUFACTURER/TYPE CASE OEM FL TRASK BILLET BASKET, DP PLATES, CLUTCH SE ADJUSTER, STAR RACING BILLET RAMP PRIMARY DRIVE HD FL 2001 FRAME YEAR/MANUFACTURER RAKE STRETCH

TWINCAM CONVERSION DONE BY ROLLING THUNDER (SAINT-COME, QUE STOCK STOCK

SUSPENSION MANUFACTURER FRONT LENGTH TRIPLE TREES MANUFACTURER REAR SPECIAL FEATURES

SUZUKI HAYABUSA STOCK/LOWERED BROCKS PERFORMANCE NOWASKEY REMOTE RESI SHOCKS, 12” BROCKS PERFORMANCE SWING ARM

WHEELS, TIRES, AND BRAKES

BST TWIN TEK BERINGER BRAKES

MANUFACTURER FRONT-TYPE METZLER 19” TIRE HEIGHT-WIDTH 110/90-19 WHEEL HEIGHT-WIDTH CALIPER BERINGER RADIAL ROTOR BERINGER AEROTEC BST TWIN TEK MANUFACTURER REAR WHEEL HEIGHT-WIDTH 17” TIRE HEIGHT-WIDTH 180/60-17 CALIPER BERINGER RADIAL ROTOR BERINGER AEROTEC BERINGER REAR MASTER FINISH-PAINT COLOR PAINTER GRAPHICS SPECIAL FINISHES ACCESSORIES FRONT FENDER REAR FENDER

CERAKOTE TUNGSTEN BASE, TITANIUM GREY HIGHLIGHT, BLUE PINSTRIPES KRASH / KOLOR CHOP / TEMPE, AZ VON BUTCH DESIGN WHEELS CLEAR COATED TO MATCH PAINT

KRAUS DYNAMOTO CARBON FIBER ITALIAN PERFORMANCE LATE MODEL DYNA CARBON FENDER FAIRING/WINDSCREEN N/A GAUGES AUTO METER GAS TANK/CAP LATE MODEL DYNA MODIFIED TO FIT FXR BACKBONE / HD FLUSH MOUNT CAPS DASH CUSTOM FXR DASH, MODIFIED TO FIT LATE MODEL DYNA TANK OIL TANK N/A HANDLEBARS TRASK MOTO BARS HAND CONTROLS/GRIPS 06+ DYNA HAND CONTROLS FOOT CONTROLS/PEGS TRASK ASSAULT FOOT BEGS HEADLIGHT BAJA DESIGNS LP6, TRASK CNC’S BRACKET TAILLIGHT KELLERMANN TURN SIGNALS KELLERMANN LICENSE MOUNT CUSTOM TRASK MOUNT SEAT GUYS UPHOLSTERY, MESA AZ AUDIO N/A MISC FXR DIVISON STRUTS, ITALIAN PERFORMANCE SIDE COVERS

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INDIAN MOTORCYCLE’S SCOUT BUILD SERIES HOSTED BY ROLAND SANDS WORDS: JORDAN MASTAGNI PHOTOS: COURTESY OF INDIAN MOTORCYCLE

ou might remember Indian Motorcycle’s Forged Series from last year, where the brass at Indian Motorcycle tapped one of their most loyal ambassadors, Carey Hart, to select two other builders and take the then-new Sport Chief to new heights by customizing the bike for a special recipient. Yaniv Evan, from Powerplant Motorcycles, built a cool bobbed out rendition for Norman Reedus. Jake Cutler from Barnstorm Cycles, built a head-turner for TJ Dillishaw, of UFC fame, and Hart himself, built a sweet little paneled Sport Chief for his old FMX pal, Twitch.

Well, the Forged Series is back again this year, with an allnew host, Roland Sands from Roland Sands Design. Roland was tasked with finding two other builders to tackle an all-new platform: The 2025 Indian Scout. Designed with customization in mind, the all-new Indian Scout is a bike born from icons and ridden by legends. Each build in this sophomore effort of the Forged Series is rooted in a historical figure, machine, or era of inspiration taken from Scout’s 100-plus-year history

- highlighting icons of the past, through the eyes of today’s legends.

Roland and the Indian team selected Brittney Olsen, a vintage motorcycle aficionado who has built several period-correct machines throughout her tenure. Her specialty is definitely old iron, so we’re excited to see what Brittney brings to the table in this new endeavor with a modern machine.

Roland and company also selected a Swedish customizer, Ronna Noren, from Unique Custom Cycles, with his clean and sanitary styling, making subtle yet significant changes to the motorcycle the star of the show. Ronna will be building his take on the Indian Scout.

The 2025 Indian Scout was designed with customization in mind, and the all-new cruiser is a bike born from icons and ridden by legends. Each build in this sophomore effort of the FORGED Series is rooted in a historical figure, machine, or era of inspiration taken from Scout’s 100-plus-year history - highlighting icons of the past, through the eyes of today’s legends.

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ROLAND SANDS DESIGN’S 2025 INDIAN SCOUT HOOLIGAN INSPIRED BY LEGENDARY RACER, ED KRETZ, BUILT FOR TWENTY-ONE PILOTS’ JOSH DUN Roland Sands of Roland Sands Design was tasked with spearheading this year’s FORGED Series, where he and his crew, most notably RSD builder/fabricator, Aaron Boss, set out to build a rad new ripper for Twenty Pilots’ drummer, Josh Dun, using the all-new Indian Scout as the platform.

After the build was complete, Roland and Aaron invited Josh Dun over to RSD’s HQ in Long Beach to check out the new machine in the metal and go for a little shakedown rip around town.

Roland, Aaron and the RSD crew knew the performance stance was very important to achieve the level of performance they were after.

The stock Scout gave them the chops to make it sit just right with 17inch RSD/Dymag wheels shod in Dunlop Q5 tires with dual disc front brakes and radial mount calipers. The list goes on…

“What makes an RSD bike an RSD bike is taking the performance of the machine and elevating it,” Roland says. “Right when you look at this bike you go, ‘oh, that thing’s high-performance for sure.’”

RSD has in fact always taken cruisers and turned them into sport 34 HOTBIKE.COM

bikes. They built their business doing so. “We’ve done the same thing with this bike,” Roland says. “That silhouette… that’s an RSD silhouette.”

A lot of the credit goes to the all-new Scout platform because of its ease of customization. “The cool thing was how easy it was to make the Scout fit that RSD mold,” Roland says.

In fact, customizability is what helps modernize the all-new Scout.

Indian understood its customers like to personalize their own bikes so why not make it easier for them do so, which was a main consideration when creating the updated Scout platform.

When Josh entered the shop and met with Roland and Aaron, it turned out that the Columbus, Ohio native, was no stranger to Indians. In fact he currently owns an Indian Scout Bobber and has ridden the FTR1200, which is a great segue into the bike he was presented. RSD and Indian have a long history with the Scout platform in all its iterations and this Scout/FTR hybrid turned out to be the perfect combo for the new owner since those are the only two Indians Josh has ever ridden.

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“WHAT MAKES AN RSD BIKE AN RSD BIKE IS TAKING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MACHINE AND ELEVATING IT” When Josh saw his new machine, he was pretty much floored. “Wow, this thing’s perfect!” Josh says.

Aaron did a great job morphing a lot of the FTR components onto the Scout for this project.

“You can obviously see all the parts to adapt the FTR front fork, triple clamp and everything else to that neck. We had to modify the front fairing piece to hook up to these forks,” Aaron says. Aaron and the crew also had to modify the stock foot control brackets to fit the completely one-off custom exhaust. The motor was already pretty well dialed to receive the FTR swingarm too so it seemed like a natural fit. For the tail section, which was originally designed for the flat track tail sections RSD used to make for the Scout, which they basically just reimagined to work with the new platform. After fab was done, it was off to paint and the Saddlemen crew knocked out a one-off custom seat for the bike in about a day.

The RSD Scout was inspired by Ed Kretz, a legendary racer from the ‘30s and ‘40s who received attention after winning the inaugural Daytona 200 in 1937. Ed, aka the Iron Man, was a true original in those times, dominating the racing scene on an Indian Sport Scout.

“I think if Ed Kretz was building Indians today, this is the kind of project he would take on,” says Roland Sands.

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BRITTNEY OLSEN’S 20TH CENTURY RACING’S 2025 INDIAN SCOUT INSPIRED BY TWO-WHEELED TRAILBLAZER, CECILIA ADAMS, BUILT FOR SINGER, NIKKI LANE If you’re a fan of vintage-meets-modern custom motorcycles, you’ll definitely appreciate Brittney Olsen’s take on a 2025 Indian Scout.

Brittney Olsen, of 20th Century Racing, was asked by this year’s FORGED host, Roland Sands, of Roland Sands Design, to be one of three to customize a brand-new Indian Scout. Brittney eagerly obliged and was inspired by the legendary two-wheeled trailblazer, Cecilia Adams, to build a bike for country singer, Nikki Lane.

Brittney is a vintage motorcycle aficionado. She builds and races old iron of all shapes and sizes, but she’s definitely no stranger to old Indian motorcycles. When Roland selected Brittney to build a new Indian Scout, we were excited to see where she’d take it. Her tribute to Cecilia Adams that ended up in the loving arms of its new owner, Nikki Lane, hit the proverbial nail on the head.

“Nikki’s Scout is so on-point to what Cecilia Adams’ bike was because her bike was fully custom,” Brittney said. “Nikki’s bike is fully custom, from the front to the back, there wasn’t anything we didn’t touch. It is 100 percent representative of the entire movement, not 38 HOTBIKE.COM

only Cecilia Adams, but all of the women Sport Scout riders in the ‘50s.”

Well, Brittney and Roland flew out to Nashville to meet up with Nikki and deliver her new motorcycle, which would of course include a shakedown ride. Upon seeing the new “old” Indian Scout, Nikki was blown away by what Brittney and Roland presented her with. “This is insane!” Nikki said. “I did not know how you were going to make this look old.”

Brittney paid attention to every bit of the motorcycle, making it all flow together seamlessly, naturally. “Every bit of the motorcycle, the frontend to the handlebars, to the seat, fender, everything has been played with and touched,” Brittney said.

Brittney did quite a lot with this build, crafting a custom one-off girder frontend by hand for Nikki’s Scout, which features two springs and a shock unlike the traditional single-spring Sport Scouts. In fact, Brittney blended Chief parts into the frontend to get the front suspension just right. Brittney also incorporated some Flanders

I KNOW IT TOOK A LOT OF WORK AND I’M REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE I’M GOING TO PUT A LOT OF MILES ON IT,”

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style bars, and a custom tank which incorporates more Chief parts by way of the iconic teardrop Chief tank sides that she morphed into the Scout center tunnel to keep the GPS and other modern Scout wiring harnesses and gauge components intact.

“I know it took a lot of work and I’m really excited because I’m going to put a lot of miles on it,” Nikki says.

After the maiden voyage, both Brittney and Nikki were grinning ear to ear. “Seeing Nikki on the bike, and how good she looks on the bike and seeing how it fits her personal style as well, it’s a huge honor for me,” Brittney says.

After seeing the reveal of Nikki’s new Scout and the meeting of Brittney and Nikki together, you can tell it was kismet that their worlds collided. Brittney’s build of Nikki’s new Scout couldn’t have been built by a better candidate.

“I survived 10 years of playing music before we were profitable by selling vintage and sharing those stories of finding things in a bin outside a flea market on our way across the country, and it just became a little bit of an addiction for me,” Nikki says.

Nikki’s love for two wheels runs in the family. Her dad was a motocross rider and her mom was a pit tootsie known as Hurricane Hannah who used to change Nikki’s dad’s tearaways on dirt bike trails.

Nikki, who found motorcycles on her own after moving back to Tennessee says she’s not good at meditating and that motorcycles help provide that. “It takes me to another place mentally,” Nikki says. “It allows me to free up my mind, look around in a different way, and getting away from this busy life you can tell that we have going on here.”

SPECS FRAME:

CUSTOM FRAME WITH ONE-OFF STRUTS, SEAT MOUNTS AND UNDERSEAT FRAME COVER HANDBUILT REAR STRUTS SHOCKS: FORKS: CUSTOM HANDBUILT GIRDER FRONTEND WITH 1946 TO 1948 INDIAN CHIEF SPRINGS, SHOCK AND RISERS FRONT WHEEL: CUSTOM LACED 19” FTR RIM TO STOCK SCOUT FRONT HUB CUSTOM LACED 18” FTR RIM TO STOCK REAR WHEEL: SCOUT REAR HUB FACTORY INDIAN SCOUT FRONT BRAKES: REAR BRAKES: FACTORY INDIAN SCOUT TANK: MODIFIED STOCK SCOUT GAS TANK USING STOCK SPRINGFIELD CHIEFTAIN TANK PANELS TO GET THE ORIGINAL INDIANSPORT SCOUT TEARDROP SHAPE. WE KEPT THE TOP AND BOTTOM TUNNEL RAM OF THE STOCK SCOUT GAS TANKS TO KEEP THE STOCK FUEL PUMP, AIR INTAKE BOX AND THE STOCK SCOUT GPS PANEL THAT ORIGINALLY CAME STOCK DASH: FACTORY CHROME DASH GPS UNIT COVER REAR FENDER: EXTENDED REAR SUB-FENDER SEAT: CUSTOM VINTAGE BATES SEAT AND REAR FENDER PAD HANDLEBARS: CUSTOM POLISHED STAINLESS STEEL BARS WITH GAUGE/CONSOLE RELOCATION EXHAUST: HANDMADE POLISHED STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST FOOT CONTROLS: FACTORY MID CONTROLS WITH CUSTOM LONGER BRAKE LINE PAINT: CUSTOM BLACK PAINT JOB WITH CUSTOM LETTERING, STRIPING AND HOLD AND SILVER LEAF DONE BY JEREMY PEDERSONX

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RONNA NOREN’S UNIQUE CUSTOM CYCLES’ 2025 INDIAN SCOUT INSPIRED BY STAN DISHONG, BUILT FOR SCORPIONS’ MIKKEY DEE Attention long chopper aficionados! Unique Custom Cycles’ raked out, long-fork Indian Scout may look simple, but it’s anything but.

UCC owner, Ronna Noren, built the water-cooled performance cruiser into a long chop for recipient Mikkey Dee of The Scorpions. To say he knocked it out of the park would be an understatement.

The inspiration for Ronna’s build comes from legendary custom bike builder and drag racer, Stan Dishong, a trailblazer in the NorCal custom bike scene with Stan’s Cycle in Vallejo, California. Stan made long Springer frontends, sissy bars, tall risers and handlebars and much more. In fact, one of Stan’s early customers was Arlen Ness.

We think Stan would be proud of Ronna’s efforts with the new UCC Scout, which took a completely different approach than either Roland Sands Design’s Scout racer or even 20th Century Racing’s vintageinspired take. Mix in chopper styling with a reshaped frame, plenty of rake and long frontend with a performance-packed, water-cooled 1250cc V-twin and you have one badass machine.

It says a lot about a builder when a custom bike doesn’t look

modified. In other words, if someone builds a custom motorcycle that looks like it came that way from the factory, well that’s a testament to that builder’s quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.

After Ronna Noren was invited by his friend, and head of design for Indian Motorcycle, Ola Stenegard, to take part in this year’s FORGED Series, we knew he was going to bring something special.

“When you sweep your eyes over the bike, nothing really jumps out at you in a bad way,” Ola says. “It’s just totally consistent and sits really well and that to me is what sums up this bike. It’s the stance, it sits right, it’s totally clean, and that’s what makes it so special.”

Ronna’s built several custom bikes over his 40-year tenure as a premiere custom shop in Sweden. He’s kind of known as a fabrication genius. After seeing where he took the stock Scout in this year’s FORGED series, we understand why. The lines flow perfectly. Look at how well the rear shock blends into the frame that now swoops seamlessly up to the neck. The way he reshaped and redesigned the radiator shroud into the new downtube is also seamless. It’s like it ISSUE 3 / 2024 41

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IT’S REALLY LIGHT HANDLING AND HAS A GREAT BALANCE. I REALLY ENJOYED THAT!”

came that way from the factory, which is the approach all the greats set out to achieve.

“The plan from the beginning was to strip down the bike and make it as clean as possible,” Ronna says. “I started with stretching the frame and making a smaller gas tank and bigger wheel. It feels lighter and works on the triple trees to get the trail right to handle really good. Of course it has a little bit longer fork like Stan’s bike and this is a twist on that.”

Ronna also took the factory gas tank and reshaped it, making it a tad smaller to fit the new chassis all together. “I took the stock tank and cut it down so it fits the chopper better,” Ronna says.

Roland Sands was on-hand at the custom reveals for each bike’s intended recipients. Roland and Ola hit the road to Prague to see Ronna’s creation and watch Mikkey’s jaw drop when he first encountered the performance chopper. When Roland got to Prague and saw what Ronna had built, he was impressed. “Simplicity is complicated,” Roland says. “It absolutely is when it comes to building simple-looking bikes. I mean the tank is simple, the paint is simple, but this is a water-cooled American twin by Indian Motorcycle in a beautiful chopper chassis. That’s a lot of goodness all smashed into one package.”

After the gents took a look at the bike, all that was left to do was go for a ride. Ronna, Roland, Ola and Mikkey suited up and hit the road for a very cool customer shakedown ride.

“Riding it all day was another experience,” Mikkey says. “It’s really light handling and has a great balance. I really enjoyed that!”

Another first, in all of Ronna’s 40 years of building bikes, was that Ronna took a ride with one of his customers. “Normally I never ride with the customer,” Ronna says. “That was the first day I rode with the customer, and to see how much he liked the bike for me was special.”

The 2025 Indian Scout was designed with customization in mind, and the all-new cruiser is a bike that allows just that. Ola says he couldn’t be more excited about working with such a diverse group of

custom builders, each unique in their own way, which was the goal in showcasing the Scout’s potential for customizability.

“Every year when we do the FORGED Program, we’re trying to pick the right builders that can really show the diversity of the platform,” Ola says.

“All the builders took it in so many different directions and really showed what this platform can do. All the way from West Coast performance to old-school girder to East Coast bar hopper-bruiser, it really showed that the platform can do it all, which is really awesome.” HB

SPECS FRAME:

ONE-OFF CUSTOM NARROWED UPPER FRAME BUILT AROUND A TRASK POWERFLOW AIR FILTER SHOCKS: SHOCK MOUNTS MOVED BACK, 33-DEGREE ON THE NECK, 37 DEGREES ON THE FORK, 4” STRETCH FORKS: 8” OVER TOLLE ENGINEERING FORK LEGS AND HYDRAULICS TRIPLE TREES: ONE-OFF BILLET TRIPLE TREES WITH 4 DEGREES OF RAKE SHOCKS: IMC/FOX WITH BLACK ANODIZED ALUMINUM BODY 80/90-21” CERAKOTED HUB AND RIM WITH FRONT WHEEL: STAINLESS SPOKES 180/55-18” CERAKOTED HUB AND 5.5” RIM WITH REAR WHEEL: STAINLESS SPOKES FRONT BRAKES: ISR 6-PISTON, ONE-PIECE, RADIAL CALIPER AND ISR PROTOTYPE BILLET ADAPTER KIT FOR SCOUT, 320MM FULL FLOATING DISC, ISR MASTER CYLINDER REAR BRAKES: ISR 4-PISTON, ONE-PIECE, RADIAL CALOI[PER AND ISR PROTOTYPE BILLET ADAPTER KIT FOR SCOUT, IMC MASTER CYLINDER TANK: SHORTENED, NARROWED AND SECTIONED STOCK SCOUT WITH CUSTOM TUNNEL AND REPOSITIONED FUEL PUMP, TOLLE ENGINEERING POP-UP FUEL CAP REAR FENDER: CUSTOM MODIFIED FRONT FENDER: ONE-OFF MODIFIED SEAT: ONE-OFF STEEL SEAT BASE, SILVER MACHINE UPHOLSTERY HANDLEBARS: HEAVILY MODIFIED STOCK BARS WITH INTEGRATED RISERS AND ONE-OFF SPEEDO HOUSING EXHAUST: FULL CUSTOM ONE-OFF HEADERS AND MUFFLERS IN STAINLESS STEEL FOOT CONTROLS: MODIFIED SCOUT PEGS AND CONTROLS PAINT: CUSTOM PAINT AND GLOSS BLACK FRAME/SWINGARM

BY HAKAN LINDBERG

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Attention To Detail

WORDS: JORDAN MASTAGNI PHOTOS: GRANT KETTNER, AUSTIN CARFI

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J

osh Allison’s journey into custom motorcycle building and metal fabrication is deeply rooted in his artistic upbringing and passion for two-wheeled machines. Josh was born in Laramie, Wyoming. He grew up in a creative environment, spending time in his grandfather’s art studio. His love for motorcycles began early, drawing bikes as a child and learning to ride a dirt bike at 8 years old.

Throughout high school, life revolved around two things: art and motorcycles. He excelled with art with a full-ride art scholarship at Mesa State College in Colorado. But after a short stint, Josh realized the traditional graphic design route wasn’t for him.

Josh then moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, to dabble in tattoo artistry but struggled with its demanding apprenticeship system. On offhours, this is where Josh discovered his talent for custom painting, starting with motocross helmets and expanding into custom motorcycle jobs. His first road bike, a 1980 CB 750, gifted by one of his clients, sparked his love for street riding and customization. Wanting to expand his skills beyond painting, Josh enrolled at Wyotech, where he learned metal shaping, welding, and advanced street rod techniques. This education, particularly learning how to shape metal, marked a pivotal moment in his career, allowing him to fully realize his custom bikebuilding ambitions.

After honing his craft at prestigious shops such as Tin Element, Pinkees Rod Shop, and Newstalgia Custom Paint, Josh shifted his focus back to motorcycles. One of Josh’s pivotal projects, a 1969 BSA chopper, garnered attention from the custom bike world and opened the door to the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin. His work caught the eye of industry heavyweights, and it also started a great relationship with Baleigh Industrial.

Josh’s career took another leap with his participation in the People’s Champ competition, followed by an opportunity as an Invited Builder for Born-Free. His 1951 Panhead project became a standout build, further establishing him as a serious contender in the custom motorcycle scene.

After opening Cry Baby Cycles in Colorado, his work drew the attention of Orange County Choppers, leading to new opportunities in the bike and car customization world.

In a pivotal career move, Josh co-founded American Metal Customs with Chris Bishop in Danbury, Connecticut. Their vision was to create a one-stop shop for custom metal shaping, car and bike building, and restoration. The facility, which boasts 270-car storage, custom fabrication capabilities, and a speakeasy bar, embodies their unique blend of craftsmanship and lifestyle.

Alongside partners Brian Stephenson and Randy Carlson, they expanded the brand to include American Metal Whiskey, further intertwining their

ISSUE 3 / 2024 49

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“I’M A VERY ORGANIC BUILDER AND WHEN I GET INTO SOMETHING, ONE PART BUILDS THE NEXT.” love of craftsmanship with, well, their love of fine whiskey. Today, Josh continues to push the boundaries of custom motorcycles with meticulous attention to detail shown in this elaborately built beauty dubbed Zidan. “I’m a very organic builder and when I get into something, one part builds the next,” Josh says.

Zidan is more than just a custom chopper built for the BornFree show. It’s a line in the sand; a representation of built versus bought. While it’s designed as a showpiece, Zidan is far from just a static work of art. It’s fully functional, embodying both elegance and toughness, a balance that defines Josh’s style. “Zidan is definitely a show bike, but, you could go fire it up and ride it if you want,” Josh says. “It’s not just this thing that doesn’t function.”

The inspiration behind Zidan came from an unexpected source you wouldn’t necessarily find in custom bike building—a delicate China teacup. Josh was inspired by the gold-trimmed teacup’s fragility and grace, and he set out to replicate those qualities in a motorcycle. “If I could make a bike feel like that teacup, it would be insane,” he recalls.

That vision translated into Zidan’s sleek, elegant design, complete with intricate gold leafing and polished chrome elements, which give the chopper its “bougey” yet hard-edged appeal.

One of Zidan’s most striking features is its motor—a rare 1938 Knucklehead. Finding this engine was a stroke of luck. Knuckles

are difficult to come by. They’re not cheap either. Not content with leaving the engine in its original state, Josh modified it extensively, incorporating a Magneto, open rockers and a dual carb setup.

Synchronizing these components proved to be one of the biggest challenges, but it was essential to ensure the bike’s rideability.

Zidan’s craftsmanship is otherworldly. Nearly every element was handcrafted. The frame, originally a 1929 VL, was completely reworked—stretched by an inch and a half, modified with a 31-degree rake, and windowed at the neck. The result is a completely unique chassis that houses all of the custom features, from the handmade Springer frontend to the sleek sissy bar.

Josh’s meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout.

The fuel petcocks are hidden inside the tank to maintain Zidan’s clean aesthetic, though this decision made the installation process particularly grueling. Every piece of the bike, from the tanks to the handlebars, was hand-shaped, resulting in a bike that’s as much a rideable machine as it is a sculptural piece of art.

Despite the difficulties and challenges, Zidan stands as a testament to Josh Allison’s skill and vision—a bike that merges old-world elegance with modern custom craftsmanship. It reflects the essence of what makes American Metal Customs’ creations stand out in the world of custom motorcycles: functional art with a soul. HB ISSUE 3 / 2024 51

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SPEC SHEET BIKE OWNER SHOP NAME SHOP PHONE SHOP WEBSITE/SOCIAL YEAR/MAKE/MODEL FABRICATION ASSEMBLY BUILD TIME

AMERICAN METAL CUSTOMS AMERICAN METAL CUSTOMS 970-556-1112 AMERICANMETALCUSTOMS.COM IG/FB AMERICAN METAL CUSTOMS 1938EL HARLEY KNUCKLEHEAD CUSTOM BOBBER JOSH ALLISON JOSH ALLISON 10 MONTHS

ENGINE YEAR/MANUFACTURER TYPE/SIZE CASES CYLINDERS HEADS ROCKER BOXES EFI/CARB AIR CLEANER EXHAUST SPECIAL FEATURES

1938/H-D EL KNUCKLEHEAD 1938/H-D 61CI ‘38 KNUCKLEHEAD KNUCKLEHEAD CUSTOM KNUCKLEHEAD KNUCKLEHEAD M5 LINKART CUSTOM CUSTOM DUAL CARB SET UP WITH THE PORT GOING TO EACH HEAD INSTEAD OF A MANIFOLD. OPEN ROCKERS AND VALVES WITH FULLY POLISHED CASES. M5 MORRIS MAG AND CUSTOM PUSHROD COVERS

TRANSMISSION YEAR/MANUFACTURER/TYPE CASE H-D CLUTCH PRIMARY DRIVE FRAME YEAR/MANUFACTURER RAKE

4-SPEED RACHET-TOP 1946/H-D/4-SPEED POLISHED KNUCKLEHEAD CHAIN CUSTOM VL 1929/H-D 31

STRETCH SUSPENSION MANUFACTURER FRONT TRIPLE TREES SPECIAL FEATURES

WHEELS, TIRES, AND BRAKES MANUFACTURER FRONT WHEEL HEIGHT-WIDTH TIRE HEIGHT-WIDTH MANUFACTURER REAR WHEEL HEIGHT-WIDTH TIRE HEIGHT-WIDTH CALIPER ROTOR FINISH-PAINT COLOR PAINTER SPECIAL FINISHES ACCESSORIES REAR FENDER GAS TANK/CAP OIL TANK HANDLEBARS HAND CONTROLS/GRIPS FOOT CONTROLS/PEGS HEADLIGHT TAILLIGHT LIGHT SEAT

1.5 INCHES SPRINGER FRONTEND HANDMADE CUSTOM HANDMADE SPRINGER FRONTEND/ CHROME AND GOLD LEAF

TYPE 21 INCH CUSTOM FROM OLD NIPPLE TWISTER 21/2.75 INCH 21 INCH 16-INCH CUSTOM FROM OLD NIPPLE TWISTER 5.00/16 72H SINGLE DUAL

CRACKLE PEARL WITH GOLD LEAF JOSH ALLISON AND JASON KNAPP GOLD LEAF

HANDMADE HANDMADE HANDMADE HANDMADE KUSTOMTECH KUSTOMTECH UNKNOWN CUSTOM ASYLUM VINTAGE HANDMADE

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CATCH THE PARTS COUNTER VIDEO SERIES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

THE PARTS COUNTER PART TWO

HARLEYDAVIDSON’S TOURING AND SCREAMIN’ EAGLE ACCESSORIES

W

elcome back to The Parts Counter presented by Hot Bike Magazine. If you missed the last installment, our friends at Harley-Davidson sent us a whole batch of new Genuine Motor Parts and Accessories to install and evaluate on Thrashin Supply’s new 2024 Road Glide. This time, Harley sent us some great new components for Danny Wilson’s (aka The Motorwitch) new 2024 Street Glide. We headed to Danny’s Phoenix shop, Motorwitch Industries, to do the installation.

Danny’s been working on Harley-Davidson motorcycles for over 25 years. He started as an H-D master technician and became so knowledgeable that The Motor Company hired him to train new techs at dealerships around the world, which he did for many years.

Now, Danny’s got his own shop, Motorwitch Industries, and he has a great reputation of making motorcycles perform extremely well.

He’s also a bit of a dyno-tuning guru and engine-building master. We hooked Danny up with the Long-Haul Touring package and some rad new Screamin’ Eagle components from Harley-Davidson’s Genuine Motorcycle Parts & Accessories catalog.

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The Long Haul Touring Accessories package includes everything you need for a long road trip: H-D Detachables Two-Up Tour-Pak Mounting Rack, 4-Point Docking Hardware Kit, Sundowner Seat, Mid-Frame Air Deflectors, Heel Shifter, Streamliner Passenger Footboard and Mount Kit. And while we were at it–and since Danny and his wife like to ride together–a color-matched TourPak with the backrest pad was a great addition as well. Here’s a snapshot of the different components we installed.

Because we were enhancing Danny’s Street Glide’s touring capabilities, we couldn’t forget about adding Harley’s new Embedded Navigation System. This upgrade is a digital download that is seamlessly integrated with Skyline OS and the new 12.3-inch TFT color touch screen display. It unlocks the new Infotainment system’s full potential with options like turn by turn navigation prompts and the Tour display, expanding the map to nearly 80% of the 12.3-inch screen.

The SE8-511 is a billet version of the camshaft installed in the ‘24 CVO Road Glide ST. The later intake closing is an indication of a higher horsepower camshaft. It will pick up torque at higher engine speeds the later the intake closes. With increased valve lift to take full advantage of the port flow, overlap is also increased to take advantage of scavenging as well as manage residual fraction for combustion control.

LONG-HAUL ACCESSORY PACKAGE, TOUR-PAK: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Long-Haul accessory Package – Black, Part Number: 50700117A King Tour-Pak Backrest Pad – CVO Style, Part Number: 52300744 King Tour-Pak Luggage - (Color TBD), Part Number: 53001044(EYO) Electrical Connection Kit, P/N 69203400 LED King Tour-Pak Run/Brake/Turn Lamp Kit, Part Number: 67801541 LOCK WITH 7586 (SPECIFY KEY NUMBER), 90300030 Harley-Davidson Embedded Navigation, Part Number: 76100034

For the Screamin’ Eagle Performance mods, we selected the following for Danny’s Street Glide: Screamin’ Eagle Stage II Kit, which includes a new cam, new pushrods, new lifters, and pushrod tube covers. We also opted for a new set of Titanium Slip-On Mufflers and a new Screamin’ Eagle High-Flow Air Filter and Air Cleaner Trim. Of course, we’d need to tune everything once those bits were installed, so we grabbed a Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner to tackle the job.

The Stage II Kit also includes the quick-install pushrods, which allow installation of the camshaft without removing the top end of the engine. This reduces mechanic time and cost significantly.

The Screamin’ Eagle lifters are a great upgrade in this bike, too.

They have floating axles on the roller, which allows the axles to move so that the needle bearings are not rolling across the same portion of the axle under high load. Ultimately, this improves roller and axle life significantly.

For improved airflow and exhaust, we selected the new Screamin’ Eagle air cleaner because it includes a washable and reusable performance air filter designed to increase air flow.

For exhaust, we went with the Screamin’ Eagle Extreme Flow Titanium Slip-On Mufflers because of the improved exhaust flow, significant weight reduction and a deep, sporty exhaust tone.

Plus, the Forged Carbon Fiber end caps are just plain cool.

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THE PARTS COUNTER: PART TWO

To tune all these new components in perfect harmony, we grabbed Harley’s Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner, which is cool because you can easily tune via Bluetooth on your smartphone. and the Next generation performance tuning made even easier.

Being 49-state emissions compliant the Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner allows you to adjust key parameters or simply upload the latest Engine Control Module (ECM) calibrations to match your bike’s state-of-tune and much more. Made for many different configurations, it was the perfect accompaniment for our performance combination.

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The Screamin’ Eagle components we installed were a great combination of improving overall power, and even better, the power delivery. We gained some horsepower and torque figures, but the overall powerband is consistent from idle to redline. In other words, that linear torque curve you’re seeing in the graph is a great visual into how the power delivery works in real time given these new modifications. HB

SCREAMIN’ EAGLE PERFORMANCE COMPONENTS: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Screamin’ Eagle Stage II Kit, Part Number: 92500133 Screamin’ Eagle High-Flow Air Filter and Air Cleaner Trim, Part Number: 29400494 Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner, Part Number: 41001141 Screamin’ Eagle Extreme Flow Titanium Slip-On Mufflers, Part Number: 64901365

SOURCES:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY Harley-Davidson.com MOTORWITCH INDUSTRIES MotorwitchIndustries.com ISSUE 3 / 2024 59

F-YOU MONEY KEN’S FACTORY’S HIGH DOLLAR CUSTOM

WORDS: NELSON KANNO PHOTOS: STEELDOG PHOTO (KAZ MATSUMOTO)

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KEN’S FACTORY BUILDS A HIGH DOLLAR CUSTOM

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hat do you do if you’re a motorcycle nut with fuck-you money? You call Ken’s Factory located in Nagoya Japan to build you something special. The result is certain to be a custom unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Kind of like the bike you’re seeing across these pages.

Ken Nagai’s hands have shaped, cut, welded, molded–you name it–American muscle cars and motorcycles for the last 40 years.

And during those years he’s masterfully honed his craft, gaining a following among the most demanding clients. These clients have two things in common: the deepest pockets and the request for a true, one-off build from Ken’s Factory.

All Ken’s Factory ground-up builds have a six-figure starting point. And that’s just to get in the door. Specific requests can fluctuate prices, making them more than double at times.

Occasionally Ken does get a client that drops some heavy coin and only asks for all his attention into personal creativity. This is when Ken plans a build using his shop’s mission statement: Details Create Style.

This client contacted Ken directly, seemingly out of nowhere.

“He just called and asked about building three or four bikes at the same time,” Ken remembers. “And of those bikes, this is the most

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complicated. And he did not have any input on the design.” This may sound a bit surprising. When asked about having full reign on this project Ken replied, “…he spent about $350,000 USD on this build alone, so I’m not sure what is unusual anymore.”

“After drawing this bike, I built a bagger for him which was easy– we used all our Ken’s Factory Next Level parts on it and quickly finished it for him to ride. Then it was right back to this build, which was started with chassis design.”

Frame angles, a small stretch and rake was carefully formulated then followed by the front end setup. Akin to most of Ken’s full builds, an exclusive billet girder fork was planned out in CAD. “Each girder fork we create for our full builds and for custom orders are all completely one-off. No two are alike in the world, they are all designed by me personally.” Thirdly, was wheel design and size, a 23x3.75 front and a 23x7 rear.

CAD was used again to plan a gas tank and fender. Multiple sections of 5052 aluminum were all CNC’d in-house, which led to Ken welding each piece together to make into the gas tank you see here. The rear fender was cut out of three separate pieces, then bolted together. This allowed Ken to cut more details and complexity into the body panels.

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Get tickets at MotoAmerica.com

“EACH GIRDER FORK WE CREATE FOR OUR FULL BUILDS AND FOR CUSTOM ORDERS ARE ALL COMPLETELY ONEOFF. NO TWO ARE ALIKE IN THE WORLD, THEY ARE ALL DESIGNED BY ME PERSONALLY.” Now a basic rolling chassis had come together, yet Ken’s Factory’s biggest hurdle stood in front of them: tackling the Milwaukee-Eight’s CAN bus-based fuel injection system and simplifying it.

“What kind of signal was coming out of the black box?” Ken says. “It was trial and error. And I do mean trial and error!

At the time, nobody else had anything like that to work with. It was quite the task. But eventually we had it figured out.”

Getting the fuel injection setup was a sigh of relief which led to one of Ken’s favorite additions to his customs – a supercharger, screaming to an HPI throttle body. Ken found it very satisfying to see his plan of fitting an Eaton M62 system all under the seat.

Although he wishes there was more space for an intercooler, he decided against it to keep the look of the bike as tight as possible. “I made a cooling tube instead, and I like to think that it makes at least a little difference,” Ken says.

“Let’s be honest though, this bike is for blasting around the city or going down the boulevard. Nobody wants to take this style of bike on a really long ride.”

When stopping to really look at the intricacies of this build, one would have to put on the lenses of a bike builder, CAD designer, machinist, welder, mechanical/electrical engineer – all orchestrated into one build, at the hands of one man. But with a budget this deep, it demands all that is complexly interrelating, which is what Ken’s Factory had carefully honed for over 33 years.

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“LET’S BE HONEST THOUGH, THIS BIKE IS FOR BLASTING AROUND THE CITY OR GOING DOWN THE BOULEVARD. NOBODY WANTS TO TAKE THIS STYLE OF BIKE ON A REALLY LONG RIDE.”

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KEN’S FACTORY BUILDS A HIGH DOLLAR CUSTOM

And for the curious - not much could be mentioned about the identity of the client, who chose confidentiality. Only clues to be had was that he’s very money savvy, known to take high-risk ventures in business. Not much risk was taken with this build though. He got what he wished for, which was to add a few of Ken’s Factory’s bikes to his private Tokyo parking garage filled with his personal car collection.

After all that, what’s next? Where does one go from here? Ken does have another build coming up, a knucklehead chopper he’s putting together for a different client. “But this may be my last build. I’m concentrating much more on parts development now - our Next Level series. But you never know, I’m a hustler. Maybe someone will offer more, I’ll make a comeback!”

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KEN’S FACTORY BUILDS A HIGH DOLLAR CUSTOM SPEC SHEET SHOP NAME SHOP WEBSITE/SOCIAL YEAR/MAKE/MODEL FABRICATION ASSEMBLY BUILD TIME

KEN’S FACTORY KENSFACTORYUSA.COM, @KENSFACTORY 2019 “BASE” BUT BUILT IN 2023 KEN’S FACTORY KEN’S FACTORY 1 YEAR

ENGINE YEAR/MANUFACTURER 2019 H-D MILWAUKEE-EIGHT TYPE/SIZE H-D/114CI CYLINDERS H-D CASES H-D H-D HEADS ROCKER BOXES KEN’S FACTORY EFI/CARB HPI THROTTLE BODY/EATON M62 SUPERCHARGER AIR CLEANER KEN’S FACTORY KEN’S FACTORY EXHAUST SPECIAL FEATURES SO MANY! TRANSMISSION YEAR/MANUFACTURER/TYPE CASE CLUTCH PRIMARY DRIVE

2019/H-D/6-SPEED H-D BARNETT NH POWER & KEN’S FACTORY

FRAME YEAR/MANUFACTURER RAKE STRETCH

KEN’S FACTORY MAYBE 38 …LITTLE BIT, 2”

SUSPENSION MANUFACTURER FRONT LENGTH TRIPLE TREES MANUFACTURER REAR SPECIAL FEATURES

KEN’S FACTORY MAYBE 2” OVER KEN’S FACTORY RACE TECH PIGGYBACK

WHEELS, TIRES, AND BRAKES MANUFACTURER FRONT-TYPE WHEEL HEIGHT-WIDTH TIRE HEIGHT-WIDTH CALIPER ROTOR MANUFACTURER REAR WHEEL HEIGHT-WIDTH TIRE HEIGHT-WIDTH CALIPER ROTOR

KEN’S FACTORY 23X3.75 130/60R23 KEN’S FACTORY KEN’S FACTORY KEN’S FACTORY 23X7 200/30R23 KEN’S FACTORY KEN’S FACTORY

FINISH-PAINT COLOR PAINTER GRAPHICS SPECIAL FINISHES

CANDY BLUE COBOO – NAGOYA, JAPAN YES LOTS

ACCESSORIES REAR FENDER GAUGES GAS TANK/CAP OIL TANK HANDLEBARS HAND CONTROLS/GRIPS FOOT CONTROLS/PEGS HEADLIGHT TAILLIGHT TURN SIGNALS LICENSE MOUNT SEAT MISC

COBOO – NAGOYA JAPAN MOTOGADGET COBOO – NAGOYA JAPAN H-D KEN’S FACTORY KEN’S FACTORY KEN’S FACTORY DUAL, KEN’S FACTORY KELLERMANN KELLERMANN NOT YET! ATELIER CHERRY EVERYWHERE

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Spirit of

FOX FACTORY’S NEW TEST MULE BY WOODLAWN BAGGERS WORDS: JORDAN MASTAGNI PHOTOS: JEFF BRINKLEY

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A

t this past Sturgis rally, we encountered a pretty rad Road Glide with some of the wildest paint we’ve seen to date.

As it turned out, FOX (yes, the one that makes the rad rear shocks for Harleys) collaborated with Woodlawn Baggers to build a custom Harley-Davidson Road Glide, designed to showcase FOX’s aftermarket suspension products. This build was aimed at raising brand awareness in the Harley-Davidson market. Originally intended for SEMA, the project pivoted toward unveiling the bike at Sturgis due to time constraints. Despite challenges in sourcing carbon fiber body panels and tight deadlines, the bike, featuring the iconic FOX logo and marking their 50th anniversary, turned out to be a stunning success.

The collaboration between FOX, spearheaded by and Woodlawn Baggers began in early 2024, with initial talks about building a custom bike for charity. However, time constraints led the team to shift their focus to creating a performance-oriented bike for FOX.

Meeting in person at Daytona Bike Week solidified their partnership, and despite being geographically distant, the team worked closely to bring the project to life. FOX representatives were thrilled with the bike’s unveiling at Sturgis.

This build represents FOX’s push into the V-Twin market, leveraging its long history in suspension technology. Known for excellence in mountain biking and off-road segments, FOX’s goal was to merge performance and aesthetics in the growing performance bagger niche. The Road Glide is designed for both show and go, delivering a top-tier riding experience.

FOX’s dedication to product testing ensures that all its shocks, across various markets, are finely tuned for peak performance, making them a trusted name in the motorcycle world. This project not only brought attention to FOX’s offerings for Harley-Davidson motorcycles but also forged new friendships and connections in the custom bike community.

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ADAPTED FOR YOUR RIDE nd Rou 5" 7 .

5

nd ou R 7"

The Adaptive 2 Series® of LED Motorcycle Headlights dynamically fill in the dark corners as the bike turns left or right. Embedded sensors in the headlight work in real time to calculate banking angles and speed to adjust and direct precise beam patterns for maximum comfort and safety for the rider.

Made to Fit Your Ride No matter what you ride, we’ve got you covered. The Adaptive 2 Series® Headlights fit over 1,000 styles of motorcycles.

ide 5" W 8 .

6

Adaptive 2®

Halogen

Find Your Fit:

Coleton Miller, founder of Woodlawn Baggers, is a third-generation motorcycle enthusiast from Greenwood, South Carolina, with deep family roots in the Harley-Davidson world. His grandfather was a Harley dealer and racer in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and Coleton grew up working in his granddad’s shop. Despite pressure to pursue a traditional career path, Coleton followed his passion for motorcycles. In college, at the tender age of 19, he launched Woodlawn Baggers, initially focusing on simple builds but eventually expanding to custom big-wheel bikes.

Over the last decade, Coleton has transitioned to performance-oriented builds, combining luxury with high functionality, which has become his signature style.

Miller’s big break came through his work on Mike Denison’s 2022 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. This led to an opportunity with FOX, where he was given free reign to design a high-performance showcase bike for the company. The build exemplified Coleton’s attention to detail, from smoothing frames to splitting engine cases, resulting in a luxurious, over-the-top motorcycle designed for both show and high performance.

Woodlawn Baggers now operates with a tight-knit team, including Steve Hardy, previously from The Bike Exchange, who has a strong sales background, and a small crew of craftsmen. Together, they run two shops, handling everything from in-house powdercoating to complex custom builds. With over a decade in the business, Coleton has built a loyal following across the USA and continues to push the boundaries of custom motorcycle craftsmanship. HB 78 HOTBIKE.COM

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SPEC SHEET BIKE OWNER FOX FACTORY SHOP NAME WOODLAWN BAGGERS PERFORMANCE DIVISION SHOP PHONE 864-993-5422 WOODLAWNBAGGERS.COM / SHOP WEBSITE/SOCIAL @WOODLAWNPERFORMANCEDIV YEAR/MAKE/MODEL 2024 H-D ROAD GLIDE FABRICATION COLETON LOLLIS ASSEMBLY COLETON LOLLIS 6 MONTHS BUILD TIME ENGINE YEAR/MANUFACTURER TYPE/SIZE CASES CYLINDERS HEADS ROCKER BOXES AIR CLEANER EXHAUST

M8 2024 HARLEY-DAVIDSON 131 H-D H-D H-D KUSTOM KULTURE TRASK SIK PIPES

TRANSMISSION YEAR/MANUFACTURER/TYPE CASE CLUTCH PRIMARY DRIVE FRAME YEAR/MANUFACTURER RAKE SUSPENSION MANUFACTURER FRONT LENGTH TRIPLE TREES MANUFACTURER REAR SPECIAL FEATURES

BACKCUT 2024 HD H-D TRASK STAR BILLET RAMP SMOOTHED H-D 2024 H-D STOCK

H-D & FOX FACTORY H-D WITH FOX PROTOTYPE CARTRIDGES STOCK H-D FOX FACTORY QS3-QSR REMOTE RESERVOIR FOR H-D TOURING DUAL ADJUSTABLE, 3 POSITIONS FOR COMPRESSION AND REBOUND ADJUSTMENT

WHEELS, TIRES, AND BRAKES JADE AFFILIATED, WOODLAWN BAGGER PERF, METZELER, LYNDALL JADE AFFILIATED MANUFACTURER FRONT-TYPE WHEEL HEIGHT-WIDTH 19X3.5 130/60/19 TIRE HEIGHT-WIDTH CALIPER BREMBO M4 ROTOR LYNDALL MANUFACTURER REAR JADE AFFILIATED 18 X 5.5 WHEEL HEIGHT-WIDTH TIRE HEIGHT-WIDTH 180MM CALIPER BREMBO M4 ROTOR LYNDALL FINISH-PAINT COLOR PAINTER GRAPHICS SPECIAL FINISHES

WHITE, CANDY ORANGE, FOX CERAKOTE GRAY NSD PAINTWORKS JASON VANDER WOUDE PROPRIETARY FOX GRAY FROM CERAKOTE

ACCESSORIES FRONT FENDER HOFMANN DESIGNS REAR FENDER HOFMANN DESIGNS FAIRING/WINDSCREEN CARBON VISIONARY, GHOST COMPOSITES GAUGES HD GAS TANK/CAP KNEE CUT DASH CARBON VISIONARY OIL TANK H-D HANDLEBARS ODI, WOODLAWN RISERS HAND CONTROLS/GRIPS ARLEN NESS FOOT CONTROLS/PEGS HHI MID CONTROLS HEADLIGHT BAJA DESIGNS TAILLIGHT MOTO GADGET TURN SIGNALS MOTO GADGET. BAJA DESIGNS SEAT CUSTOM UPHOLSTERED SADDLEMEN STEP UP

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DIY

SHOCK

WAP

TRYING BITUBO’S WME 14-INCH SHOCKS

O

WORDS AND PHOTOS: JORDAN MASTAGNI

ur pal’s ‘94 FXR was in dire need of some new rear shocks. His bargain basement shocks were so bad that he got some pretty gnarly wobbles when cornering.

It just goes to show what a quality setup can do for your riding capabilities. Luckily, we’ve been itching to try a set of Bitubo’s WME rear shocks ($614.95), which offer a great blend of race-proven comfort, performance, and affordability for motorcycle enthusiasts looking to upgrade their ride. Designed as a bolt-on solution, these shocks provide full adjustability, allowing riders to customize their suspension setup for optimal handling and comfort. With their focus on performance, WME shocks are suited for various HarleyDavidson and Indian Scout models.

At the heart of the Bitubo WME rear shocks is their advanced internal floating piston design. This feature is crucial for separating nitrogen gas from the shock oil, which ensures precise control over damping performance in various riding conditions. By maintaining this separation, the shocks can react quickly to changes in terrain, offering smoother rides while preventing cavitation or aeration of the oil.

The WME shocks are gas-charged mono-tube systems with Cr-Si alloy steel springs. This high-quality spring material provides longevity and superior performance under load. The gas-charged system increases pressure within the shock, improving response time, and maintaining suspension consistency over long rides, even in tough conditions. Whether navigating city streets or taking on more demanding roadways, the WME delivers consistent performance.

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We went with the black 14-inch shocks for our FXR with a threaded spring preload adjustment (A), and five-position rebound adjustment (B).

One of the standout features of the Bitubo WME shocks is the adjustment capabilities. Riders can fine-tune their suspension setup to suit their riding style, weight, and the type of terrain they frequently encounter. These shocks come with a stepless fiveposition rebound adjustment system, giving you the freedom to control how quickly the suspension returns to its neutral position after compressing. Fine-tuning rebound damping improves stability, enhancing the overall feel and traction of the motorcycle, especially during aggressive cornering or rough road conditions.

In addition, the threaded spring preload adjustment allows riders to set the appropriate spring tension based on their weight or the

load they’re carrying. Whether you ride solo or with a passenger, adjusting the preload ensures the suspension maintains its proper sag for optimal traction and control.

Bitubo offers the WME shocks in a range of sizes and finishes to cater to a wide array of motorcycles and rider preferences.

Available in 12”, 13”, and 14” height options, the WME can accommodate different rider preferences for ride height and ground clearance. Additionally, the shocks are available in either a standard or heavy-duty spring rate, allowing riders to select the right spring tension based on their bike’s load and riding style.

3.

We had a bit of trouble getting the bottom shock bolt installed between the shock eyelet and the swingarm’s mounting tab. We bent the tab just enough to get it to fit.

Then we popped the rear shock on the left side first with the collars installed on each side. We installed each shock with the rebound-adjuster positioned at the top.

As you can see, this FXR’s shocks were pretty worn out. In about an hour, we’d remedy that issue with some new Bitubo WME shocks.

4.

After sandwiching the left shock in place, we tightened down the bolts and moved onto installing the right shock using the same method. After that installation was complete. Next it was time to set the sag.

1.

We popped the bike on our Let’s Roll scissor lift to start the swap. This is a relatively easy installation. Or at least it should be. We removed the top shock bolt, followed by the bottom.

After a couple hours on the bike, our test pilot noticed a considerable difference in the performance of the Bitubo shocks. He also played around with pre-load settings based on his specs and made rebound adjustments as needed. Overall, the Bitubo WME Shocks are easier on his spine and didn’t break the bank. HB

SOURCE: 2.

Check out the difference between old vs. new. The spring alone on the swap meet shocks is laughable.

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TECH

FIT FOR

SAWICKI SPEED’S RT PIPE INSTALL

T

WORDS AND PHOTOS: JORDAN MASTAGNI

he new Sawicki RT Exhaust looks right at home on this 2024 Street Glide.

Stainless exhaust pipes have been the rage for a while now.

But quality stainless exhausts are a dime a dozen. Sawicki Speed’s RT Exhaust (P/N 930-01210-RT) is unique in that it’s made from 304 stainless steel but features the same significant design as the Royal-T Racing stainless exhausts a handful of years ago. Well, that’s because Sawicki owns the rights to the patents and luckily for you, can make them for your model!

With the same iconic design and the proven performance, the Sawicki RT Exhaust features additional ground clearance, the RT is also pretty damn easy on the eyes. Made for multiple models, the RT comes with everything you need to disco.

We headed over to Zion Harley-Davidson in Washington, Utah, to work with our pal, Cache Benson and the whole crew over there to get the new Sawicki RT Pipe installed and to do some runs on the dyno. We found that the bike made a jump in power with the pipe, a high-flow air cleaner, and a Screamin’ Eagle Pro Tuner.

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BRASS TACKS • • • • • • • •

27-pound weight savings over stock 1 ¾-inch primaries stepped to 2 inches Comes with exhaust gaskets, standard mounting hardware, and brackets Accepts 18mm sensor for aftermarket tuners (12mm reducers are included) RT option offered in brushed stainless finish with welded RT end Sold as full system only, muffler not available separately Limited Lifetime Warranty Made in the USA

FITMENTS: • •

2017-2024 Harley-Davidson FLH/FLT/Special/Limited/ ST M8 models M8 Bagger RT Part Number: 930-01210-RT

Jumping right into the pipe swap, the guys loaded the bike on the lift and started by removing the bags.

For clearance, the right side footboard was temporarily removed.

The left side muffler clamp and muffler were removed…

Followed by the right side muffler.

The oxygen sensor Deutsch connectors were located and un-plugged. The factory oxygen sensors will be installed on the new Sawicki RT pipe. These were set aside for the time being.

Moving onto the head pipe removal, the factory heat shields were removed. The exhaust stud nuts were loosened and the head pipes were removed from the bike.

The Sawicki RT Pipe was prepped and ready for installation. Notice the intricate laser cut badging with super tight welds. A thing of beauty.

New exhaust gaskets were installed…

…And the factory exhaust flanges and retaining rings. Next, the factory oxygen sensors were installed onto the RT pipe.

Sawicki supplies this handy-dandy spring tool with each of its exhaust systems that require springs. They also provide new exhaust gaskets for the exhaust ports too. That’s all on top of the necessary mounting hardware.

Once everything was prepped, the new RT Pipe was installed onto the Street Glide.

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TECH SAWICKI SPEED’S RT PIPE INSTALL

We installed the exhaust stud nuts, securing the flanges to the heads. We’ll tighten these to specs when the entire pipe is installed. Then, the oxygen senor Deutsch connectors were plugged back into their respective ports.

And the RT Muffler bracket was loosely installed so we could confirm the exhaust springs would reach each exhaust spring clasp.

As you can see there are two exhaust spring clasps on the head pipe, and two spring clasps on the muffler. Once we had these installed, we then tightened down the muffler bracket.

Next up, we placed the carbon heat shield on the rear exhaust head pipe.

Followed by the carbon fiber heat shield on the front exhaust head pipe.

Once the exhaust installation was complete, the bags were re-installed and the bike was ready for some dyno time.

After a few runs on the dyno, the Sawicki RT Pipe increased horsepower dramatically around the 4,000 RPM mark. You’ll see the stock curve falling flat, where the RT Pipe just keeps climbing, ultimately to 96hp. The torque output increased as well, and stayed a lot more linear on the graph as opposed to the factory run. All in all, you have a well-performing pipe, but one that’s easy on the eyes and sounds great as well? You got yourself a homerun. HB 86 HOTBIKE.COM

TECH T PS

FROM THE

PROS:

MILWAUKEEEIGHT ENGINE HACKS

I

n the past, we’ve talked about cam installs and went into the meat and potatoes of actually doing it step by step. In this installment, we’re going to talk about just some tech tips that will make the job easier for you if you’re intending to do any engine work yourself. I’m going to be doing some of these tech tips on this engine that I’m in the process of bench building, and I’m going to do a couple of tech tips on a motor that’s in the frame here so that you can get a better idea of what I’m talking about. So let’s get into it.

WITH DANNY WILSON

A lot of times you’re going to be doing a bolt-in cam, which means that you don’t have to change the valve springs or get up into the rocker boxes at all. That being the case, you’re going to cut the push rods out with bolt cutters, not with any saw or anything like that. You need to use legitimate bolt cutters. To do that, you’re going to pull the keeper off of the pushrod tube cover and slip the pushrod tube up.

Then you’re ready to get in there with bolt cutters and cut that push rod. As you can see, there’s not a whole lot of room to get the bolt cutters in there with the throttle body in the way. Here’s Tech Tip #1: If you pull the throttle body off by just removing the three bolts holding it in place, you give yourself way more access to get in here to make your cut. And also, when you get down to adjusting your pushrods, it’s a lot easier to do it without that throttle there too. So now that we’ve got that out of the mix, it’s very easy to slip your bolt cutters in there and cut the pushrod out, allowing you to then get down here to your lifters.

WORDS AND PHOTOS: DANNY WILSON

SCAN THE QR CODE & CHECK OUT THE VIDEO IF YOU NEED SOME HELP DOING THIS YOURSELF ON THE HOT BIKE YOUTUBE CHANNEL 88 HOTBIKE.COM

TECH T PS PUSHROD AND TAPPET BLOCK REMOVAL HACKS FOR MILWAUKEEEIGHT ENGINES Now that we’ve removed all four pushrods and our tappet covers, we like to replace the factory plastic keepers with a billet aluminum set form S&S Cycle. The keepers are designed to keep the tappet from spinning so that the wheel stays clocked on the cam correctly. But replacing the plastic keepers can be tricky because the keeper bolts are notoriously weak. And if not removed correctly, can be a real pain in the balls, which brings us to Tech Tip #2.There’s really not a mechanical way that I can tell you to test for this, but when you put a tool on the keeper bolt, if it feels really tight, put some heat on it with a torch. What happens is you’ll spin the head off of that keeper bolt, which will put you right in the hurt locker because it’s very difficult to get them out without damaging the crank cases. So, what you want to do is take a torch and apply some heat to the crank case right there. You’re going to melt the cuff more than likely, but what the heat is going to do is break down the thread locker on the keeper bolt, and it’s also going to swell the aluminum in the crankcase, which is going to make the bolt a looser fit. Don’t be alarmed if things get a little smoky and weird. This is pretty normal.

But after you’ve put a little bit of heat on the area, gently back that bolt out. You’ll feel a very noticeable difference in how much resistance it takes to get the bolt out now.

When you go to install the new S&S keepers, it’s always a good idea to run a tap through the hole before reinstalling the keeper bolt. There’s usually a lot of threadlocking compound on these bolts, and that’s part of what causes the problem. It’s not a real strong fastener, and it’s got an excessive amount of loctite on it. So Once you get that out without burning your fingers, you can then pull that plastic cuff off and remove your tappets. HB

SOURCES: MOTORWITCH INDUSTRIES motorwitchindustries.com

S&S CYCLE sscycle.com

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NEW PRODUCTS TRASK PERFORMANCE POWER PLATE $149.95 Trask Performance just released its direct-bolt-on Power Plate for Big Twin and Milwaukee-Eight Slipper Style Clutches. Engineered to extract the maximum potential from your motorcycle’s power plant, the Power Plate practically eliminates clutch slippage and ensures your engine power is efficiently transferred to the road.

This is achieved through the Power Plate’s over 300 pounds of pressure being applied to the clutch pack, compared to the stock 198 pounds. Overall, this results in unparalleled clamping force so riders can now experience a seamless connection between the throttle and the asphalt. traskperformance.com

FEULING PARTS BA MOTO AIR CLEANER $659.95 Feuling’s BA air cleaner lengthens the intake runners and increases air velocity, delivering added volume for balanced dynamic flow. The BA air cleaner features a high-flow billet aluminum velocity stack with optimal opening diameter, outer lip and internal (ID) taper. The BA Air Cleaner includes a highflow reusable air filter and one piece billet cage. The one piece design, creates a clean look and eases installation when compared to the industry standard multi stack up construction. feulingparts.com

FOX REMOTE-RESERVOIR H-D SHOCKS $1,599.99

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The new Fox three-position Quick Switch Rebound (QSR) shocks make it easy to dial in the correct rebound for a personalized ride. The QS3-QSR remote reservoirs house internal floating pistons to separate the nitrogen gas from the shock oil to better maintain damping control no matter how long you ride. They’re also compression and reboundadjustable—combined with vehiclespecific damping and linear spring rates and offer the ability to quickly adapt to any riding situation. ridefox.com

BILTWELL EXFIL-105 BAG $199.95 The EXFIL-105 can fit 105 frickin’ beers in it! What else is there to be said? It’s a massive, 100-percent waterproof bag that easily attaches to your large luggage rack, your rear seat or over the saddlebags via its many tie-down points. biltwellinc.com

THRASHIN’ SUPPLY CO. ANTI-REVERSION STAINLESS 2-INTO-1 PIPES CONTACT FOR PRICE

The Thrashin’ 2-into-1 Anti-Reversion Exhaust system incorporates Jim Feuling’s patented designs, featuring equal-length stepped headpipes, an anti-reversion transition merge collector, and an optional “dog ball” muffler core. These innovations ensure smooth exhaust flow, reducing reversion and improving engine performance. The stainless steel system starts with square-cut spigots for optimal exhaust port transitions. Feuling’s AR Chambers at key points enhance gas flow, while the optional “Dog Ball” baffle creates a deep tone without sacrificing performance. Replaceable stainless-steel wool and fiberglass extend packing life, with reverse end cones and various sizing options available for customization. thrashinsupply.com

SAWICKI SPEED CARBON FIBER SOFTAIL SIDE COVERS $700 Made in-house from real carbon fiber, Sawicki’s Side Covers offer riders a way to further customize their ride. Made from lightweight carbon fiber, you can choose from two designs: single duct or dual duct in a gloss finish (matte coming soon!). The new side covers also reuse the OEM mounting hardware. sawickispeed.com

ROLAND SANDS DESIGN 2” TALL SECTOR RISERS

HARLEY-DAVIDSON SCREAMIN’ EAGLE® STAGE IV KIT - 117CI TO 131CI

$290

$3,949.95

The RSD SECTOR riser system offers an innovative solution for riders looking to dial in their hand controls position. This 2-inch system in straight rise configuration is a great one for flat track bars or taller apes. You can also choose brushed nickel plated finish in this, and all the Sector risers. rolandsands.com

This 117ci to 131ci Stage IV Kit was engineered by Harley-Davidson to run with wide-open throttle at high engine speeds, and to provide instant passing power from cruising speed. It delivers 131 horsepower and 139 ft-lb of torque to the rear wheel and includes: Screamin’ Eagle Extreme CNC-ported heads, 68mm throttle body and new cast 68mm intake manifold, new SE8-550 high-lift cam, 6.8 gram per second fuel injectors, new forged high-compression pistons and rings are designed to withstand increased combustion forces and much more. harley-davidson.com

KEN’S FACTORY NXT-S1 NEXT LEVEL BILLET SWINGARM $3,299 Ken’s Factory’s Next Level Swingarm fits ’09–later Harley-Davidson Touring models and is made from high-grade 2017 billet aluminum with three-position adjustable height options (Stock, +1/2” and 1”). It works with OEM calipers/brackets and comes with a notch adjuster for the perfect belt/chain line. Weighing just 20.7 pounds, the NXT-S1 is available in raw, black, gold or red anodize and comes with stainless steel hardware and ARP fasteners. kensfactoryusa.com

HORSEPOWER, INC. M8 JLR-478 CAM $325 The JLR-478 Camshaft is a bolt-in upgrade for Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight motorcycles. It enhances performance with improved power delivery and throttle response, making it ideal for riders seeking more torque and horsepower. Designed for easy installation, this camshaft boosts overall engine efficiency without requiring major modifications. horsepowerinc.net

AMERICAN METAL WHISKEY THE DISCIPLE SONICINFUSED WHISKEY $79.99 American Metal Whiskey’s LimitedEdition Tennessee Straight Whiskey is sonically infused with American Metal Whiskey’s patent-pending process using the signature sound of the custom motorcycle called The Disciple, hand built by Josh Allison of American Metal Customs. The sounds of this custom build were captured and then used to drive the whiskey in and out of the American oak barrel from the inside to deliver a taste that is truly iconic. americanmetalwhiskey.com

KRAUS MOTOR CO. TITANIUM KR LOW BAR $410 The KR Low Bars offer superior control with optimal hand positioning for enhanced responsiveness. Crafted in lightweight, durable raw titanium, they ensure precise handling and withstand hard riding. Featuring easy fitment with laser markings, these bars deliver unbeatable performance. Dimensions: 29” width, 2.5” pullback, 3.25” height, 2” rise. krausmotorco.com ISSUE 3 / 2024 95

READERS’ RIDES

MIKE DUNLAP’S HARLEY

F

or Mike Dunlap, building a custom motorcycle isn’t about personal recognition. From the very beginning, his goal has been clear: to build a solid rider from his stock Softail with the help of some great companies and friends. “It wasn’t about me,” he says. “I just wanted to emphasize and highlight the people and companies involved with the bike.” For Mike, motorcycles represent not just a passion, but the core of the businesses that contribute to this vibrant, ever-evolving community.

The companies that played a part in Mike’s build read like a who’s who of the custom motorcycle world. Speed Merchant, SPB Fab Exhaust, Girten Auto Specialties Paint & Performance, Santoro Fab Worx, and Death Metal Racing were just some of the names involved. Each brought its own expertise and craftsmanship, contributing to what would become a Mike’s dream ride. From Metzeler tires to Saddlemen seats, from Lyndall brakes to NAMZ electronics, Mike’s bike has all the goodies.

Check out that swingarm! This was a one-off custom swingarm crafted by Brandon at Speed Merchant. Mike highlights this as one of the most difficult aspects of the project, something that seemed “impossible” at first but came to life with meticulous attention to detail.

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Equally impressive is the work of Ben Girten and Justin Page, who handled the bike’s body and paint. They not only delivered a flawless finish but also created a one-of-a-kind LP9 bracket.

Mike also wants to thank Brad Barnes, Steve at Speed-Kings, Chico and Paul at Lyndall, Mike at Santoro, and the crew at Get Lowered for all playing key roles in helping Mike’s vision become a reality.

It’s clear that for Mike, the bike itself is just part of the story. His love for the custom motorcycle community, coupled with his desire to showcase the people behind the scenes, makes his project more than just a personal achievement. “For me, it’s more than the bike,” Mike says. “It’s truly about everyone that came together to make my vision happen.”

Looking ahead, Mike expresses a desire to see more stories of individuals in the community showcased, including active-duty military members like himself. Though he prefers to “hide in the shadows,” Mike believes that his Softail build is one of the cleanest out there—a reflection of the collective efforts of the people and companies he so deeply respects. HB