La entrada Harley Davidson Softail Slim ‘Ape Hanger’ by Don Gonzo aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Builder RICK’S MOTORCYCLES

Contact [email protected]

Country Germany

Model H-D Softail Slim

Style Cruiser

The noble “Sunday Dress Slim” is a distinguished rendition of the Softail Slim FLSL 107. While much has been said about Rick’s approved “modular” or “kit system” for crafting exceptional custom bikes, the term “kit” may inadvertently diminish the inherent craftsmanship and individuality found in Rick’s unique and often bespoke parts, each meticulously assembled at the Baden-Baden workshops. Genuine high-class metalwork and extensive labor define Rick’s “Heavy Metal” components, exemplified in this creation featuring a solid metal front fender, an intricate fuel tank extension, and substantial tailends designed to support both rider and passenger with ease, all while exuding an air of refined elegance.

The Softail “Slim,” adorned in its “Sunday suit,” boasts a subtle and tasteful color scheme, meticulous finish, and undeniable allure, standing as a testament to Rick’s Motorcycles’ commitment to excellence.

Despite its designation as a “kit,” this project transcends mere component assembly, embodying a class of its own through the meticulous selection and seamless integration of its individual elements.

Originally favored by customizers during the Twin Cam era, the “Softail Slim” remains a popular choice even with the introduction of the “Milwaukee Eight” powered version in 2018. While discontinued for the US market in 2022, the FLSL continued to captivate European enthusiasts, especially at establishments like Harley-Davidson Baden-Baden.

Transformed from its factory bobber origins by the skilled hands of the Rick’s team, the “Slim” model serves as a canvas for boundless customization possibilities, with Rick’s Design Wheels and other bespoke components elevating it to new heights of sophistication and performance.

Thanks to Rick’s Motorcycles’ innovative solutions and meticulously engineered components, radical customizations like the “Sunday Dress Slim” can now be achieved without compromising the bike’s main frame structure or drivetrain.

The sophisticated “Fat Ass” Swingarm Kit by Rick’s, featured prominently on this build, ensures precise wheel alignment and optimal power transmission, while maintaining the integrity of the original frame and drivetrain components.

The transformation of the “Slim” extends to its suspension and braking systems, with upgrades such as the “Fat Boy” style fork and Air Suspension enhancing both performance and aesthetics.

Complemented by a host of Rick’s Customparts and meticulously applied paintwork, the “Sunday Dress Slim” epitomizes elegance and sophistication, showcasing a harmonious blend of form and function that sets it apart as a true masterpiece of custom motorcycle design.

La entrada Softail Slim FLSL 107 ‘Sunday Slim’ by Rick’s motorcycles aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

La entrada Harley-Davidson FLSL Softail Slim by Killer Custom aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Manufacturer: BT Chopper

Origin: Poland

Bike Color: Vibrant Green

Custom Paintwork: This stunning motorcycle features a striking green paint job adorned with a minimalist Harley-Davidson logo on the fuel tank.

Every inch of this motorcycle has undergone a meticulous transformation, from the wheels to the lights, resulting in a truly unique and eye-catching masterpiece.

For those who appreciate the art of customization and the iconic Harley-Davidson brand, the Harley-Davidson Slim M8 by BT Chopper, hailing from the heart of Poland, promises an unparalleled riding experience. Get ready to hit the road in unparalleled style and power!

La entrada Introducing the Harley-Davidson Slim M8 by BT Chopper! aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Updated Harley Softail Slim is already a classic bike, but when modified by Killer Custom from Lithuania, it becomes a true work of art.

The color scheme of this particular bike is a combination of black and gray that exudes class and style. Killer Custom specializes in customizing motorcycles and they have certainly hit the mark with this one.

The Softail Slim is a cruiser-style motorcycle, which makes it perfect for long, relaxed rides on the open road. Modified with a number of high-quality and stylish accessories, this bike will turn heads wherever it goes. Some of these accessories include Booster Mirrors, Harley-Davidson Softail Back Frame Spoiler, and Avon Air Cushioned Grips Fly-By-Wire.

Harley-Davidson M8 Softail Rear Fender “Bobbstr,” which accommodates 180-200 wide tires, is another modification that gives the bike an aggressive yet elegant appearance.

The addition of Harley-Davidson Softail “Turbo” Led Turn Signals also adds to the bike’s sleek look, while the Harley-Davidson “Avenger” 1 1/4″ Fat Drag Handlebar and Softail 3″ Riser Set for 1 1/4″ Handlebar raise the rider’s grip for improved comfort while cruising.

The Progressive Suspension Front Fork Lowering Kit is an essential accessory for those who want to improve handling and stability while riding. Killer Custom has included Harley-Davidson Licence Plate Holder with Lightning All Countries and Harley-Davidson “Avenger” Series Softail M8 Radiator Cover to further accentuate the bike’s overall aesthetic.

The Softail Side Covers “Avenger” For Shock Absorber Without Preload Adjustment Knob and tires Dunlop edition Harley-Davidson complete the package.

The final touch to the Harley-Davidson Softail Slim modified by Killer Custom is the exhaust system Supertrapp black 2 in 1 and a Screamin’ Eagle air filter.

These modifications ensure that the bike not only looks amazing but also sounds great as it revs through the gears. As a result, the Softail Slim is transformed into a head-turning machine built for cruising in style.

La entrada Killer Custom has updated the classic Harley Softail Slim aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Builder RICK’S MOTORCYCLES

Contact [email protected]

Country Germany

Model Harley-Davidson Slim

Style Cruiser

La entrada Harley-Davidson Slim 300 ‘Femme Fatale’ by Rick’s Motorcycles aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Builder BÜNDNERBIKE

Contact [email protected]

Country Switzerland

Model H-D Softail

Style Dragster

Softail Slim parts

• Tire size 330/17 inches
• Heck Buendner Bike
• Frame H-D modified Bündnerbike
• Tank Grisons Bike
• Handlebar Bike Grisons
• Yoke-Grisons Bike
• Öhlin’s fork
• Oeltank-Grisons Bike
• Brakes Brembo
• Kess Tech silencer
• Exhaust manifold own
• Footrests, fittings PM
• Indoor gas-handles Grisons Bike
• Number holder on the side
• Chassis Bündnerbike
• Saddle Bündnerbike

La entrada Harley Softail Slim “A PIECE OF ART NR. 1” by Bündnerbike aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Builder RICK’S MOTORCYCLES

Contact [email protected]

Country Germany

Model Harley-Davidson Softail

Style Cruiser

The Harley-Davidson „Slim“ is, as the name suggests, more (or less…) a „Softail“ model with slim lines. Reason enough for the Rick’s Motorcycles team to show that it also cuts a good figure with a wide tailed and a high-class front. Of course, the customizing took place at Rick’s in Baden-Baden and almost all parts mounted came straight from Rick’s Motorcycles production lines. Here are some details on the most important modifications that make this bike a unique work of metal art!

Few people realize that there are two frame versions of the Milwaukee-Eight Softail model lines: The „Slim“, „Heritage“ and „De Luxe“ models are based on a „narrow“ frame width, all others on a slightly wider framework, allowing for bigger rear tires to be mounted even on stock bikes. Rick’s „Fat Ass Kit“ has always made it possible to implant almost any tyre width into any given Softail model. Utilizing the special developed Rick’s intermediate shaft with a second belt, the final drive belt is moved outwards and allows the wider tyre sizes. The benefits are visible: The wheel can be aligned centered in the frame and there is no disturbing offset. Optimal cornering is granted at all riding situations.

On to the front end, again there is nothing as we know it from the stock version of the „Slim“. The entire fork, including triple-trees, is available from Rick’s for the Milwaukee-Eight Softail models. These forks looks like a unique „single piece“, all machined transitions are smooth and clean, all screws have been hidden or covered with matching covers. Super clean from the outside, technological advanced inside: Progressive fork springs, seals and damper elements are of OEM quality. Rick’s „Good Guys“ fork is TÜV-approved including homologation for Switzerland. The headlight bracket lamp is adapted from the long-discontinued original V-Rod and – in combination with the Rick’s fork – grant a style that is as timeless as it is clean. With the brake caliper matched to the design by Rick’s, a total of six pistons bite into a brake disc also manufactured by Rick’s.

Even though Rick’s today manufactures well over 1000 different customparts, the well-established Rick’s Design Wheels are still among the best-known Rick’s items. Of course, Rick’s wheels were also chosen for this project: The 5-spoke design of the one-piece forged wheels is christened „Gimmi 5“ and was powder coated in black. For the rear wheel, the choice was 10.5 x 18 inches and 4.0 x 18 inches is the front width. The rear brake disc was moved to the drive side with Rick’s Drive Side Brake System, which makes the rear wheel design completely visible on the right side.

However, the style of a true custombike is essentially determined by the bodyparts. Again, the Rick’s team has „gone the extra mile“ to achieve tis outstanding result: The rear mudguard is „stock handcrafted“ Rick’s 300 Kit for Milwaukee-Eight models. An additional frame cover has been incorporated to hide the frame tubes under the seat, which allows the entire rear end look like a single piece – thus much cleaner and refined. The tank still is most reminiscent of the former „Slim“, base, but the fuel reservoir has not been left untouched either: Rick’s sheet metal workshop has stretched the stock tank considerably – not to increase the capacity, but rather to optimize the overall line. The customized tank now stretches over the two cylinders in a gentle curve, almost completing the look. So what’s left? The rear mudguard is new, the tank has been re-designed: So the front fender cannot be left out. There’s no question that the full metal fender in front also comes from Rick’s great parts range.

Finally, the list of accessories used is remaining – and again, almost all of them came from the Rick’s cataloge: Airfilter, grips, handlebar; risers, the adjustable brake and clutch levers and the footrest system including AK 4.7 footrests all are marked with the distinctive Rick’s logo to refer to one of Germany’s top custom parts manufacturer. Only turn signals are manufactured by Kellermann and are called „Atto“.

Text & photos: Peter Schulz

La entrada Harley-Davidson Slim ‘The one and only’ by Rick’s Motorcycles aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Builder HARLEY-DAVIDSON QUERÉTARO

Contest Battle of the Kings 2019

Country Mexico

Model Harley-Davidson Slim

Style Street Tracker

La entrada Harley-Davidson Softail Slim ‘Joe Tracker’ by H-D Querétaro aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

MUSCLE STYLE VIDEOS

La entrada Harley-Davidson Softail Slim Bobber by Tommy & Sons aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Builder THUNDERBIKE

Contact [email protected]

Custom painting Kruse design

Country Germany

Model H-D Slim

Style Bobber

Thunderbike parts

THUNDERBIKE VIDEOS

La entrada Harley-Davidson Softail Slim ‘Flying Fury’ by Thunderbike aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Builder RICK’S MOTORCYCLES

Contact [email protected]

Country Germany

Model Harley-Davidson Softail

Style Cruiser

RICK’S MOTORCYCLES VIDEOS

La entrada Harley-Davidson Twin Rat Slim ‘Shabby Chic’ by Rick’s motorcycles aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Builder RICK’S MOTORCYCLES

Contact [email protected]

Country Germany

Model Harley-Davidson Softail

Style Cruiser

When the new Milwaukee-Eight Softails were presented, they were well received among the friends of American bikes. However, parts manufacturers and customizers faced an unknown challenge. Everything is different, and no part of the range for the 2017 Twin Cam models fits onto the new 2018 models. At Rick’s they accepted this challenge, and within a short period of time, a large part of the sought-after parts from Rick’s was newly developed, among them Rick’s Fat Ass kit for wide tire conversions, which was used on this Milwaukee-Eight Softail Slim for the first time.

For the EVO models, but also for the Twin Cam Softails, the patented swingarm kit was produced several thousand times and mounted on bikes around the globe, and there was no question that this system was also to be offered for the new Softails. However, this is a completely new part now, as no single part could be used from the existing kit. Only the idea is the same, i.e. to carry the drive belt via a second belt and an interim shaft past the wheel.

But one thing after the other, because if you want to understand why at Rick’s they make such an effort, you should understand more about the problems of wide tire conversions.

If you want to ride with a wide tire, you quickly reach the narrow limits set by the bike manufacturer, and depending on the model, a 240 tire is, due to the swingarm width, often the limit. And even if the swingarm was wider, with increasing tire width it’s not possible to lead the drive belt past the wheel.

Many customizers the world over face this problem, and just as many solutions have been tried during the last few years, but only a small amount was satisfactory as drive shafts were repositioned, wheels relocated to the right and much more. But Rick’s Motorcycles is known for the perfection of their parts and tackled the problem in a different way.

The task at hand was clearly defined. The Softail look, with its triangular swingarm, which gives the frame a resemblance of an old rigid frame, was to be kept at all cost. The tire was to run centric in the middle, and the kit should be easy to mount and without any frame modifications and additional welding work. And last but not least, the TÜV testers needed to be kept happy to approve it.

That this was possible had already been proven with the versions for Twin Cam and EVO models. The trick behind it sounds simple, is, however, in technical terms a lot more difficult. Instead of a single drive belt, at Rick’s they use two shorter ones and the power is then sent to an interim shaft. The shorter belt can now be positioned to the outside, to send the power past the wheel to the drive pulley. With this trick, wide tires up to 360 can be mounted without any problems.

Since on the Milwaukee-Eight models all mounting and pivot points are new, and the frame is a completely new construction, the tried and tested idea had to be revisited again. It took the engineers at Rick’s, in cooperation with the TÜV, one year to be able to present the new product that could be made in series. The first 300 conversion was presented at the European Bike Week 2018, and without doubt the converted Softail Slim was the highlight at Rick’s Motorcycles’ stand there and created a lot of interest with the visitors.

But Rick’s Softail Slim has far more to offer than just a fat 300 rear tire. The tires run on smart, completely black powder-coated “Classic Steve” forged wheels.

The stock fender is not big enough to cover the XXL dimension, so a steel rear fender had to be developed, which solves this problem. Rick’s steel fenders are available for all new Softail models in various dimensions.

The stretched look of the finished custom bike is due to the shape of the stock tank, which was elongated by Rick’s. Tank adjustments of this kind are daily routine in Baden-Baden, and the aim is that the tank afterwards matches the lines of the bike and stretches in a soft curve over the cylinder heads.

Another steel part deserves a closer look…the front fender. At Rick’s they have two versions in the program, a short version as well as a standard length, and for every Softail model from 2018 such a suitable cover was developed.

Let’s now talk about the accessories, the screwed-on parts, which have been used on numerous of Rick’s customs.

First of all there are the foot controls, which are also new creations for these models from 2018, and Rick’s now offers the complete system in three different versions. The first version has the OE position; the one used here places the feet two inches forward. For all who have even longer legs, there is a 4” version.

No matter if large or small, long or short, with Rick’s adjustable brake and clutch levers you are on the safe side. Depending on the size of the hand or the thickness of the gloves worn, the levers can easily be adjusted within seconds, and the rubber grips from Rick’s ensure a perfect grip when accelerating.

The air filter is also worth a look. On this bike the “Spoke” design from Rick’s was used. All Rick’s design filters are already available for the Milwaukee Softails from model year 2018, and of course with TÜV, and also in connection with the adjustable exhaust systems from Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde.

A lot more could be said about the first Milwaukee-Eight Softail with a 300 tire, like the clutch cover, which thanks to acrylic glass gives a clear view of the clutch inner. The risers and the handlebar are all made in Baden-Baden, only the indicators are not made by Rick’s, but a Kellermann product. The Atto 3 into 1 at the rear fender combines rear light, brake light and indicator in one housing and has the necessary E-approval stamp for registering the bike in Germany and the EU. Finally we would like to make the following conclusion about this Fat Ass Softail.

The developers in Baden-Baden have achieved to construct a wide tire kit for Softail models that should even make the strongest critics of wide tire conversions happy. Thanks to Rick’s patented system, the wheel actually runs in the centre. Why this is so important is noticeable in the first sharp bend, as the whole bike can easily be steered into the bend and out again. And thanks to an installed Airride system, the height of the bike can seamlessly be adjusted at the push a button and therefore to the needs of the rider and riding situation. We are certain that Rick’s Fat Ass kit for the Softail models from year 2018 will be as popular as the previous kits. Optically, wide tires will also in future remain a matter of taste, but technically speaking, there is no longer an argument that rules XXL tires out.

Photos: Peter Schulz

Text: Peter Schulz

La entrada Harley-Davidson Softail Slim “300” by Rick’s Motorcycles aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Builder NINE HILLS MOTORCYCLES

Contact [email protected]

Country Poland

Model H-D Softail

Style Dragster

La entrada Harley-Davidson Slim Softail S 110 by Nine Hills Motorcycles aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.

Builder BÜNDNERBIKE

Contact [email protected]

Country Switzerland

Model H-D Slim

Style Springer

VIDEOS OF BÜNDNERBIKE

La entrada Harley Custom Springer Slim S ‘Gold Junge 2’ by Bünderbike aparece primero en DarkKustom.com.