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Harley-Davidson Ice-Cool Brother Is a Mean Green FXDR

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Few motorcycle builders out there have enough products in their portfolio as to feel comfortable to reference older builds as soon as new ones pop up. Thunderbike is one of them, with the Germans having released into the wild over the past 25 years literally hundreds of custom bikes, all of them based on or heavily related to Harley-Davidson two-wheelers. Back in 2019, Thunderbike built a special machine for Harley’s Battle of the Kings competition. It was called Roar, and came as a heavily modified FXDR sporting tons of custom parts, a Stage 3 tuning kit to increase the Screamin’ Eagle engine’s displacement to 117ci and give it more power, and a devilish, dragster-like appearance enhanced by the orange-black-silver paint scheme used on it. Thunderbike’s most recent project is dubbed Ice-Cool Brother. Not exactly a cool name for a Harley custom bike, but it does send across the message Thunderbike wants sent: this could be the brother of the Roar, and because its painted grey-green, it’s Ice-Cool. Childish reasoning, we know, but the machine itself is far from that. Commissioned by one of the garage’s customers, it comes with a lower stance owed to fork modifications, breathes easier thanks to a new air filter kit, and packs a bigger punch thanks to the fitting of a Stage II torque kit. Thanks to the changes made, Thunderbike says there’s a 5 percent increase in torque right from the start, and at 4,500 rpm it even squeezes 14 percent more than before. You can find the entire list of modifications made to the bike at this link. What you’ll not find is the final build price for the Ice-Cool Brother, but after some digging (Thunderbike lists most of the parts used in the project) we came up […]

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Harley-Davidson Model J Built The Traditional Way Can Still Race

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com There are a great number of custom bikes being made just for show. They look stunning, feel great, but they are not really meant to be ridden, just admired. That’s not the case with the one here. Back in the months when the health crisis was not all that bad, yet we all were hunkered down as if there was no worse tomorrow, all major motorcycle shows were canceled – as was pretty much everything else, for that matter. To fill the void, Harley-Davidson set up The No Show, an online event dedicated to the custom builders who all of a sudden had no place to show their masterpieces. 60 builders from 10 countries were featured in the series, and the Model J in the gallery above is one of them. As one of the earliest motorcycles in the bike maker’s portfolio, the Model J still captures the imagination of custom builders. Introduced in 1915 as mostly a military motorcycle, it quickly rose to top of the range status, and was seen on the battlefields, on the streets, and on the tracks. Sadly, there are not that many of them left today, that’s why we’re more than glad to talk about one once we get wind of it. The Model J we have here comes from 1927, and was remade back in 2016 by a shop called Built The Traditional Way from Grove City, Ohio. The man behind it showed it first during that year’s Born Free motorcycle show, from where he returned, obviously, with an award, and decided to show it once again in Harley’s The No Show. Made on a custom worked frame and boasting a new tank and lowered seat height, the bike is powered by a rugged and race-proven 93ci engine

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Roland Sands’ Harley Davidson 883 Sportster

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by Silvian Secara from https://www.autoevolution.com One thing’s for sure; the pros over at Roland Sands Design a no strangers to the two-wheeler realm. Besides crafting some seriously rad custom motorcycles, the California-based company also specializes in designing casual apparel and riding gear, as well as manufacturing aftermarket modules that’ll have your machine looking the part. In the past, we’ve examined an array of ambitious exploits from RSD, such as a feral BMW R18 behemoth and one gorgeous MV Agusta Dragster 800RR, to name a couple. Let me tell you, there’s no shortage of breathtaking goodness in their spectacular portfolio. As you browse through, you’ll run into virtually countless awe-inspiring works of two-wheeled art that guarantee to soothe each and every last corner of your moto-loving soul. As such, it goes without saying these folks aren’t playing around. RSD’s outstanding ventures earned them a reputation as a force to be reckoned with, an accomplishment that led to a great deal of successful (and often unexpected) collaborations. For a clear demonstration of their abilities, let’s take a closer look at one such exploit, shall we? The project in question was commissioned by none other than Technics, a revered producer of audio equipment. They requested that Roland Sands converts Harley Davidson’s ferocious 883 Sportster into a tribute to their iconic DJing gadgets. While that may sound a little odd to some, the team gladly accepted. To give you a better idea as to how far their undertaking has come, we’ll start by reminding ourselves of the donor’s main characteristics. The 883 Sportster is powered by a brutal Evolution V-twin engine, with two valves per cylinder and a humungous displacement of 883cc. At 6,000 rpm, this nasty piece of air-cooled machinery is capable of generating up to 51 hp, along with 54 pound-feet (73

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Tamarit Motorcycles’ Custom Triumph Bonneville Is Ready to Steal the Show

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by Silvian Secara from https://www.autoevolution.com This gorgeous thing’s outfit boasts some serious retro vibes. Back in 2015, the motorcycle realm was delighted with the arrival of a new player on the scene. Tamarit Motorcycles debuted with as many as five magnificent projects that served to let everyone know they aren’t messing around. Over the years, the Spanish firm amassed an impressive selection of no less than 52 custom entities. Besides constructing some of the raddest one-off two-wheelers you’ll ever come across, the Elche-based company also prides itself with a delicious inventory that hosts over 170 aftermarket components manufactured in-house. One thing’s for sure; these moto specialists are no amateurs! Their stunning one-off machines guarantee to soothe the soul of even the most pretentious rider out there. In case this stirs your curiosity, Tamarit’s majestic undertakings can all be admired on their social media profiles. But first, let’s take a minute to drool over one such masterpiece, namely a 2008 model in Triumph’s iconic Bonneville lineup that’ll certainly raise your pulse. I’ll have to point out the obvious and say the ‘08 Bonneville is one hell of a donor. It is powered by a vicious DOHC parallel-twin behemoth, with a generous compression ratio of 9.2:1 and a truly humungous displacement of 865cc. At around 7,200 rpm, this fiendish piece of air-cooled machinery is capable of producing up to 66 bhp, along with a feral torque output of 52 pound-feet (70 Nm) at 6,000 revs. A five-speed gearbox transmits the engine’s unholy force to Bonnie’s 17-inch multi-spoked rear wheel by means of a chain final drive. The powertrain is hugged by a tubular steel cradle frame, which rests on a set of 41 mm (1.61 inches) forks at the front, coupled with fully-adjustable dual shock absorbers and a double-sided swingarm on the

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Four Corners Motorcycle Rally Announces ‘Roll Now, Rock Later’ Sweepstakes

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Legendary Rock Bands Slipknot, Disturbed, Godsmack, and Five Finger Death Punch Join Four Corners Motorcycle Rally To Help Raise Funds For Worthy Charities Named one of seven best motorcycle rallies in the United States by Motorcyclecruiser.com DURANGO, Colo. (September 22, 2020) – Four Corners Motorcycle Rally is proud to announce that they have teamed up with legendary rock bands Slipknot, Disturbed, Godsmack, and Five Finger Death Punch for the ‘Roll Now, Rock Later’ Sweepstakes. “I have been lucky to have had the chance to make friends with a ton of people from different walks of life throughout my career,” says John Oakes, managing partner of Four Corners Motorcycle Rally. “With what the world is dealing with this year, I felt it to be critically important to do what I can to do something positive in the middle of all the craziness. After reaching out to friends in the motorcycle and music industries, I am excited about what we are making happen together! One lucky person and a guest will get their choice of a VIP Side of Stage experience at a future concert with our friends Slipknot, Disturbed, Godsmack, or Five Finger Death Punch and receive a custom 2020 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special all while raising money for three great causes.” Starting today, fans can visit www.FourCornersMotorcycleRally.com to make a donation benefitting Building Homes For Heroes, Unite The United, and Scars Foundation. Donations can be made in denominations of $10, $25, $50, up to $100 – the higher the pledge, the exponential increase in entries*. Entries will close on October 23, 2020.  One winner will be chosen at random to win the following grand prize: **Custom 2020 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Special, from Durango Harley-Davidson customized by Jeff G. Holt from V-Twin Visionary, custom paint from Taylor Schultz with parts and accessories from

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One-Off Honda VF500C Magna Prides Itself with Tasty Retro Livery

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by Silvian Secara from https://www.autoevolution.com Germans never fail to amaze us with their fascinating displays of top-grade engineering. Let me tell you, ANX Prototypes’ Nick Xiromeritis is no stranger to the automotive industry. Over the course of several years, this Detroit-born petrolhead’s career would carry him all around the globe. After spending a good chunk of time working for Mazda in Japan, he took off to Paris, where he was employed by Renault. As of today, he lives in Cologne, Germany. Xiromeritis founded his very own workshop a few years ago, while his interests gradually shifted towards motorcycles. He shares the workspace with none other than JvB Moto’s Jens vom Brauck, a gifted aftermarket surgeon that’ll happily tackle just about any two-wheeled custom exploit. For a clear demonstration of Nick’s abilities, we’ll be having a quick look at one of his spectacular undertakings. The project is based on Honda’s feral 1983 VF500C, otherwise known as V30 Magna. Needless to say, this bad boy loves its intricate retro-styled livery! Before we go into any details about the build itself, we’ll start by reminding ourselves of the donor’s main specs. This fiendish piece of machinery is brought to life by a ruthless four-stroke V4 powerplant, with a total of 16 valves and as many as four 34 mm (1.34 inches) Keihin carburetors. The liquid-cooled DOHC leviathan boasts a compression ratio of 11.0:1 and a respectable displacement of 498cc. Additionally, it has a glorious redline of 12,500 rpm. At around 11,500 revs, this nasty animal is capable of delivering up to 68 bhp, along with a torque output of 32 pound-feet (43 Nm) at 10,500 rpm. The engine’s force travels to a chain final drive by means of a six-speed transmission. Ultimately, this whole shebang enables VF500C to reach a top speed of

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Jesse Spade’s Custom Ducati 750SS Loves Its New Outfit

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by Silvian Secara from https://www.autoevolution.com Who would’ve thought Ducati’s monstrosity could make for such a sexy naked bike? Jesse Spade’s passion for motorcycles goes all the way back to his childhood. At the age of nine, he was already twisting the throttle of his very first dirt bike and things just went from there. Later on, Spade kicked off his adventure in the realm of custom rides by purchasing a 1996 Honda CBR600F3 and tweaking it to his liking. Over the years, he undertook an array of two-wheeled ventures as side projects, while his main activity revolved around modifying Jeeps of all shapes and sizes. As of 2016, this ambitious fellow decided it was time to spice things up and turned his moto exploits into a full-time activity. You can probably imagine that a fresh start should prove to be a genuine relief after spending twenty years with Jeep’s behemoths. Since its foundation, Spade’s workshop stacked up on some truly fascinating creatures, including a brutal 2005 Kawasaki ZZR1200 and one rad 1971 Triumph Tiger, to name a couple. As you browse their portfolio, you will encounter a magnificent Ducati 750SS-based masterpiece that does a splendid job at looking delicious. In fact, let’s examine this mechanical work of art a little closer. I’ll have to point out the obvious and say that the donor is one competent machine. It is put in motion by a ruthless four-stroke V-twin colossus, with two valves per cylinder head and a generous displacement of 748cc. The air-cooled leviathan is fed by a Marelli CPU 1.5 electronic fuel injection, complemented by a desmodromic valvetrain. At around 8,250 rpm, this feral piece of machinery is capable of delivering up to 61 hp, along with a solid torque output of 44 pound-feet (60 Nm) at 6,000 revs. A

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Harley-Davidson Bara Bore Is a Fat Boy on an Indian Diet

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com Seeing how many custom garages are out there working their magic on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, one might be tricked into believing this is something anyone can do. After all, Harley itself made it incredibly easy for custom shops to make a living off their products – if anything, the Milwaukee based bike maker is the most tuner-friendly industry giant there is. Over the past few months we’ve talked aplenty about Harley and the aftermarket world it is so much a part of. We’ve had the King of Kings competition dedicated to international Harley dealers back in May, then the health-crisis inspired The No Show dedicated to minor custom builders in the U.S., and of course our extensive coverage of the custom Harley movement in Europe. But there are shops living off the American two-wheelers in other parts of the world as well. India, for instance, is one of the bike maker’s major markets, and there’s even a local factory catering to the needs of the Asian Indian customers. One of the most visible Indian garages in the country is Rajputana. We’ve only recently started talking about their Harleys, and we’ll probably not keep it up for long. These guys seem to like Royal Enfields more, as in there are only a handful of Harleys in their portfolio. All are incredible unique though to deserve a place under the spotlight – we’ve already talked a bit about the modified Street 750 and the Forty-Eight these guys are responsible for. Now it’s time for a Fat Boy that got a taste of Indian styling. Just like in the case of the other two, we are only being told that modifications to the stock bike can take from six to eight months, but we are not being told what

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Bee-One Cycles Bomb Boss V8 Motorcycle Flaunts Massive Rear Tire

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by Mircea Panait from https://www.autoevolution.com Two to four cylinders, that’s how most bikes like to roll. The advent of Boss Hoss Cycles, however, changed everything thanks to Chevy small-block V8 conversions that range from the LS3 to the 383 and 454. These babies aren’t cheap, though. The most affordable bike in the company’s inventory is a used 383, priced at $45,500 compared to the original price of $50,500. There are, however, people who prefer to put their own touch on the V8-converted Boss Hoss, and this gets us to Janne Uskali. Editor-in-chief at Bomber Magazine in Finland, the Finnish motorcycle enthusiast and rider is responsible for a one-off creation that he calls the Bee-One Cycles Bomb Boss. Tipping the scales at 600 kilograms including Janne, the bike was completed in 2019 after four years of elbow grease. The Bomb Boss is centered around the ZZ4 crate engine, based on the L98 from the 1985 to 1991 Corvette. Right off the bat, the eight-cylinder mill develops 355 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. The ratings quoted by Janne are 350 horsepower and 443 pound-feet, and the additional torque may have something to do with the NASCAR-style side exhausts. Ape’s Metalshop Oy in Helsinki is the shop responsible for the triple clamps that attach the 63-millimeter inverted forks to the frame. Another highlight comes in the guise of the Vee Rubber 360/30 by 18-inch rear tire, a massive piece of rubber compared to the 300/35 by 18-inch rears of the Boss Hoss Standard and Super Sport bikes. So why did Janne need such a huge tire? Well, he likes riding like a man on a mission, lighting up the rear and power sliding the motorcycle in the twisties. Given the torque of the ZZ4 crate engine and the rider’s style, it comes

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Triumph Thruxton 900 Undergoes a Delicious Transformation

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by Silvian Secara from https://www.autoevolution.com It packs a perfectly balanced blend of vintage and modern styling that guarantees to leave you speechless. Let’s be frank; when it comes to performance and reliability, the breathtaking Thruxton R tends to completely overshadow its predecessor, Triumph’s 2013 Thruxton 900. Nonetheless, the folks over at Nova Motorcycles went above and beyond to convert this undistinguished two-wheeler into something truly exceptional. To give you a better idea as to how far this project has come, we’ll start by having a look back at what the original machine was made of. It is brought to life by a four-stroke parallel-twin powerplant, with a generous displacement of 865cc. At around 7,400 revs, the air-cooled DOHC is good for up to 68 bhp, along with 51 pound-feet (69 Nm) of torque output at 5,800 rpm. A five-speed gearbox is tasked with transmitting this force to a chain final drive. The whole thing rests on KYB 41 mm (1.6 inches) forks with adjustable preload at the front, accompanied by chrome spring twin shocks and a double-sided swingarm at the rear. Thruxton 900 rolls on a pair of multi-spoked aluminum wheels, with a diameter of 18 inches up front and 17 inches at the back. Stopping power is handled by a single 320 mm (12.6 inches) floating disc and Nissin two-piston floating caliper at the front, joined by a 255 mm (10 inches) rotor and a two-piston caliper on the opposite end. Now, when it comes to impressive custom builds, the Nova Motorcycles crew isn’t messing around! As of 2013, the firm was co-founded by Sayer Anthony and Pete Chilton in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. In our day and age, the team prides itself with a plethora of magnificent projects. As you browse their stunning portfolio, you will come across an

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