Builder CULT-WERK

Contact [email protected]

Country Austria

Model H-D Sportster

Style Cafe Racer

La entrada Harley Davidson Sportster 48 Custom “Goodwood” by Cult-Werk aparece primero en DARK KUSTOM.

Builder RICK’S MOTORCYCLES

Contact [email protected]

Country Germany

Model Harley-Davidson Sportster

Style Bobber

With the “Forty Eight”, Harley-Davidson created one of the most popular Sportsters with stock fat wheels. Two 16 inch rims serve as a reminder of the Bobbers built just after the second world war – a treat for customizers! Rick’s Harley-Davidson went one step further and created on the basis of the model their own motorcycle style: “”survival bikes” running on fat, knobbly tires, which look like a two-wheel version of a tractor, which resemble “Rokon” motorcycles with 4-wheel drive. The “Big Foot” bikes were a big success and are still in demand in various paint jobs and other variations.

The look is based on the enlargement of the wheel diameter to a 17 inch wheel set front and rear; in this case Rick’s “Apollo” design wheels with 4.5” rim width at the front and 6” at the rear on a Rick’s Motorcycles disc wheel  – black powder-coated, matching the engine, and with matching brake discs and pulley. Knobbly tires are from Metzeler and also allow rides on rough terrain.

A wide dirt track handlebar and small handlebar fairing dominate the “commando stance”. On this bike nothing is superfluous and functionality is top priority. The two short fender at front and rear don’t protect the bike and rider from mud – or rain on asphalt – but the shield at the bottom of the engine does so from larger pieces when riding off road. On request, the stock swingarm of the “Big Foot” can be reinforced by Rick’s team with additional bottom struts, and also the primary pulley conversion is a favoured variation.

Rick’s “Good Guys” air filter and BSL’s “The Bomb” exhaust systems are further additions to this extreme bike, which does not need any modifications to the frame, and also keeps the popular “peanut” tank of the stock bike.

Rick’s Motorcycles is prepared for the “Tracker style” wave because all parts were developed based on practical experience and with passion: Rick himself is not only and experienced Harley rider on the tarmac, but in his little spare time he also rides a trials bike. Several “Big Foot” Sportster conversions have already been carried out and more are in preparation. If you want to convert your “Forty Eight” into a “Dirty Eight”, Rick’s Motorcycles can achieve this in very little time…

La entrada Harley Davidson Sportster 48 Custom by Rick’s Motorcycles aparece primero en DARK KUSTOM.

Builder RICK’S MOTORCYCLES

Contact [email protected]

Country Germany

Model Harley-Davidson Sportster

Style Bobber

• Exhaust System Vance & Hines “Short Shots”

Platinum literally means small silver. The Incas gave the highly valued metal its name, but were at a loss of what to do with it because of its high melting temperature and the difficult way of working with it. The same applies to the Sportster build series. Ignored for a long time, Harley’s little bike stood around in the showrooms waiting for some girl to offer the XL a new home. But this is a while ago, because with the introduction of the Sportster 48, these bikes were highly sought after. Rick’s Motorcycles converted a 48 into a very special bike.

Rick’s Motorcycles is a high-class address for radical stock customs modified for style and performance. The majority of Rick’s bike projects keep the stock frame and engine so that they can be serviced and looked after at the local Harley dealer. With only a few modifications Rick’s team transformed this Sportster Forty Eight into a compact, very clean and really cool ride.

Rick’s “Rodder“ design rims in size 3.5 x 16 inch received front and rear “Rodder” front disc and drive pulley. At the rear the stock disc was kept, as well as all brake pistons. Front and rear fenders were bobbed, also suitably shortened, and play an important role in the whole black/silver design, which is further emphasized by Harley-Davidson’s Dark Custom motor covers. The Old School flair is enhanced by cut-outs in the stock air filter. Furthermore, the Harley-Davidson rubber grips were used, but the stock indicators were exchanged for Kellermann design parts.

Rick’s Motorcycles offers very clean and compact mounting holders. The two rear indicators serve as rear and stop light in the way already introduced by Harley-Davidson a few years ago. Rick’s side license plate holders have been used for years, and because of the large German plates, the stock brake disc was not exchanged with a “Rodder” design disc. The Sportster motor remained untouched because the aim of this conversion was to keep the costs low, but to achieve a cool look nevertheless. Only a pair of staggered Vance & Hines “Short Shots” were added. The short pipes offer a good view onto the rear wheel and the “Rodder” drive pulley. It is obvious that the addition of an authorized Harley-Davidson dealership to Rick’s Motorcycles increased the motivation of the team at Baden-Baden for creating superb custom bikes…like pouring gasoline into the fire!

Text & photos: Horst Rösler

La entrada Harley-Davidson Sportster “Platinum” by Rick’s Motorcycles aparece primero en DARK KUSTOM.