The Harley-Davidson Sportster “Platinum” by Rick’s Motorcycles is an exclusive custom interpretation of the legendary Sportster Forty-Eight, created for riders who want a compact, aggressive motorcycle with clean lines and strong visual presence.
The name “Platinum” refers to the precious metal—rare, valuable, and difficult to work with—perfectly reflecting this series of builds: small in size, but powerful in character and style.
For many years, the Sportster was considered Harley’s “small bike,” often overlooked in showrooms and associated with beginners. That perception changed dramatically with the launch of the Sportster Forty-Eight, which quickly became one of the most popular bases for premium custom projects.
Building on this platform, Rick’s Motorcycles has created a distinctive version that blends performance-oriented design with a striking black-and-silver finish.
Recognized as one of Europe’s top workshops for Harley-Davidson custom motorcycles, Rick’s Motorcycles typically retains the stock frame and engine in its projects, ensuring that the bikes remain serviceable at any official Harley-Davidson dealership. With only a few smart modifications, the team transformed this Forty-Eight into a compact, extremely clean, and undeniably cool custom bike.
The Sportster “Platinum” features Rick’s Rodder wheels in 3.5 x 16 inches, combined with matching Rodder front brake discs and drive pulley. Both front and rear fenders were shortened in true bobber style, emphasizing the minimalist design and highlighting the black/silver contrast across the motorcycle.
Harley-Davidson Dark Custom engine covers and cut-outs in the stock air filter reinforce the Old School look. Original Harley grips are retained, while the stock indicators are replaced with stylish Kellermann units.
Rick’s Motorcycles also fits compact, ultra-clean mounting brackets. The rear indicators double as taillight and brake light, following Harley-Davidson’s modern lighting concept. A side-mounted license plate holder, a longtime Rick’s trademark, keeps the rear wheel visually open and uncluttered.
The engine remains untouched to keep costs reasonable and reliability high, but a pair of Vance & Hines Short Shots exhausts are added to enhance sound and showcase the rear wheel and drive pulley.
The result is a Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight “Platinum” custom that delivers metallic elegance, minimalist design, and muscular attitude. It proves that with thoughtful design and carefully selected components, the compact Sportster can be transformed into a truly striking piece of custom motorcycle craftsmanship.
