7.7 Harley Davidson V Rod “Le Mans” by Rick’s Motorcycles
Builder RICK’S MOTORCYCLES
Contact [email protected]
Country Germany
Brand Harley-Davidson
Model Night Rod Special
Name “Le Mans”
Style Muscle
Harley Davidson V Rod review
Steve McQueen’s races with the Gulf race cars are legendary, but the “Gulf” paint theme also has other friends!
What do Steve McQueen, Le Mans and the Harley-Davidson V-Rod have in common? In one word: Porsche! In 2010, Rick’s customizing team built this customer bike, shortly after Rick’s became an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer, as a homage to Steve McQueen’s 1971 cult film “Le Mans”. In the film Steve McQueen drives the powder-blue Gulf Porsche 917, and who would have had the slightest doubt that from 2001 also a V-Rod would be standing in his garage?
When introducing the V-Rod, Harley-Davidson did not make it a secret which development basis Porsche Engineering used when developing the motor for the V-Rod – and it was this connection which inspired one of Rick’s customers to have his 2010 VRSC in the style of the now classic “Gulf Design” Porsche race car, and he received a real eye-catcher!
Rick’s team analysed the design of the race car in the film and selected suitable components in order to transform the V-Rod into a real racer. Because the motor components were also painted – and the covers were powder-coated – almost the entire engine was dismantled. The work to achieve the “Dark Look” was enormous! Powder-coat also for the “Apollo” design wheels as well as for the matching brake discs, pulley, stock brake calipers, fork and many other details. And while the motor was out of the frame, why not paint the frame at the same time…
German V-Rodders love their fat rear tires: the wide tire conversion is standard routine at Rick’s, which is often carried out for other dealers too. In the 10.5 x 18” rear wheel is a Metzeler 280/35 18 tire for which Rick’s also offers optionally a CNC one-sided swingarm – or a widening of the stock swingarm, of which there are always several examples ready in stock.
The belt offset is compensated for by Rick’s with a specially developed offset pulley, which accepts the lever motion into an additional outer bearing. Legend Air was for a long time Rick’s first choice, but now other alternatives are also available. Each detail, including the hidden cables of the Kellermann indicators, is refined.
The complete bodywork stems from Rick’s V-Rod program: airbox cover with additional “air scoop” air inlet and a smaller, tighter front fender. The short rear could not be smaller.
Harley Davidson V Rod parts
- Wheels Rick’s Motorcycles 10,5″ x 18″ 3,5″ x 18″
- Tires Metzeler Marathon 280/35 18″ 130/60 18″
- Exhaust system H-D “modified” 2-in-2 Black
- Airbox cover Rick’s Motorcycles RACE GFK
- Rear fender Rick’s Motorcycles RACE 280
- Front fender Rick’s Motorcycles GFK
- Front Fork Harley Davidson
- Shock Legend Air
- Air Cleaner Harley-Davidson
- Turn Signals Kellermann Micro 1000 2in1 LED
- Mirrors Rizoma Circuit 744
- License Plate Holder Rick’s Motorcycles
- Brake disc Rick’s Motorcycles
- Swingarm Rick’s Motorcycles
- Riser Rick’s Motorcycles
- Headlights Rick’s Motorcycles Good Guys
- Handlebar Rick’s Motorcycles V-Rod 1
- Gas Tank Rick’s Motorcycles
- Grips Arlen Ness
- Pegs Arlen Ness
- Seat Rick’s Motorcycles
- Painter Rick’s Motorcycles
Harley Davidson V Rod images
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