DP Custom Cycles have built their reputation with classy Ironhead-based customs. But for their latest build, they’ve jumped forward in time—with a 2000-model Harley Sportster 1200.
‘Black & White’ has a stripped-back, minimal look, and is all the better for it. “The customer for this build was really cool to work with,” says DP’s Jarrod Del Prado. “His only requirements were that the bike rode well and we stuck with black and white with the paint scheme.”
DP Customs decided to go with a sharp and edgy look with both the paint and the lines of the bike. The seatpan and cowl are hand-made from steel. Semi-gloss black powder coat replaces the pseudo-chrome of the primary/cam covers, rocker boxes, forks and battery box. The paint was then topped off with asymmetrical black stripes—inspired by the ‘Le Mans’ stripes on mid-60s Shelby Mustangs. The result looks crisp and effective.
The Evolution engine gets a little more pep from a Crane Cams FireBall Single-Fire Ignition and Coil; the exhaust system now runs into a chambered 2-into-1 collector underneath the bike. “It has a higher pitch than stock and it’s not overly loud,” Del Prado notes. The lovely anodized black rearsets (above) are worth a mention too, and were built by Shane at Chainsikle. (“They have a super-precise action and the pegs grip just right.”)
The front end has been lowered and stiffened to improve the Sportster’s stance. It flows smoothly rearwards to the 14” Progressive Suspension 970 shocks (below) and 18” rear wheel. For rubber, DP went with Dunlop GT501 tires, and improved the brakes with a set of high performance EBC pads.
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Images courtesy of Jed Stahm.
