Harley-Davidson is an icon of American culture and the most popular marque for custom builders. Shortly after the company was founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, customizers started bobbing, chopping and dirt tracking the famous V-twins.
After WW2 Harley motorcycles were at the center of the bobber craze, and kept their lead as Californian bikers turned to choppers in the late 1950s. The 45-degree engines have their own nicknames and folklore: from flatheads, knuckleheads, panheads and shovelheads to today’s Evolution and Milwaukee-Eight motors.
The Sportster is the basis for more Harley-Davidson customs than any other model. Originally fitted with an ‘Ironhead’ motor, it turned 60 years old in 2017. It’s probably the single most customized motorcycle on the planet, and certainly has the largest supply of aftermarket parts.
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 15 years since the first One Motorcycle Show was held back in 2010, and 2025 holds a special significance. This year, One combined forces with the AIMExpo to hold an additional event in Las Vegas alongside AIM, providing a unique opportunity to see two completely different sides of…
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You can often tell when a custom motorcycle has been built merely to gawk at, and when it’s been built to be ridden. This rowdy Harley Sportster flat tracker leaves little room for doubt. Inspired by the iconic Harley XR750, it hits all the right aesthetic notes, with a build spec tailored to daily abuse.…
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Despite what hardcore adventure riders will tell you, most adventure bikes never leave the asphalt. Not that there’s anything wrong with that—thanks to their ergonomics, adventure bikes work great as sports tourers too. Which is why The Motor Co. has just released the road-focused Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 ST. Unveiled four years ago, the Pan…
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When it comes to Harley-Davidson design, the 1971 FX Super Glide is one of those bikes that people either love, or love to hate. It was Harley’s first attempt at a factory custom, mixing the sporty vibe of the XL series with the heavyweight punch of the FL models. But what really stole the show—for…
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Harley-Davidson may have dropped the Evo Sportster from its range, but that doesn’t mean it’s going away any time soon. The ‘old’…
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Australia’s Gasoline Motor Co. turns a Sportster into a fetching Harley XR750 replica, South Korea’s Crazy Garage transforms a Ducati Hypermotard, and…
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Every five years, Harley-Davidson releases a fresh slew of special anniversary editions. They’re usually existing models, upgraded with fancy liveries and, in…
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When I think of a bobber, a “bob-job,” a “cut-down,” a “chopper,” or whatever the hell you want to call it, this…
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The early 1970s were trying times at Harley-Davidson. The effects of AMF’s takeover in 1969 were trashing the company’s reputation and finances,…
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The two custom motorcycles that headline this week’s edition of Speed Read couldn’t be more different. One is a Harley Pan America…
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Some custom motorcycle builders are drawn to the simplicity of vintage machines, while others favor the performance and reliability of modern motorcycles.…
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Anyone who’s ever picked up a wrench has probably experienced the urge to create something from scratch; something that exudes craftsmanship and…
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