It’s no secret that we’re suckers for a good dual-Sporty around here. The premise of turning a V-twin cruiser into a dirt-flinging scrambler is not only cheeky, but it proves the Sportster’s endearing versatility. And this Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 scrambler is a stellar example of the genre.
It’s the work of Ruler—a Japanese custom bike workshop headed up by Takeshi Mizuta. Mizuta-san racks up more mileage each year than most, commuting 75 miles by bike every day. So he’s all about building custom motorcycles that are fun and functional.
Ruler has a couple of Sportster scramblers under its belt already, but this project called for a little extra spice. “The owner’s order was to create a style that no one else has,” Takeshi tells us. “We received several images of custom bikes by overseas builders from him, so we started production using those as references.”
A 2002-model Harley-Davidson XLH883 Sportster served as the donor for the build, so Ruler’s first job was to radically alter its stance to suit the requisite style. Then it was time to swap out its bodywork and kit it out with the right mix of aftermarket parts.
Takeshi gave the Sportster a boost by lengthening the OEM forks and swapping the stumpy rear shocks out for a set of longer RacingBros units. The stock hubs were re-laced to 19F/18R rims; a big step up from the bike’s bobber-like 16” rear wheel. Then Michelin Anakee Wild tires were fitted to ensure an appropriate amount of roost with decent enough grip on the road.
The brakes are original, but they’ve been upgraded with new GTS rotors. And if you’re wondering if they’re up to the task, it’s worth noting that Ruler’s performance strategy was more about shedding weight than increasing power—so the Sporty should be easy enough to slow down.
It’s also why Takeshi didn’t mess with the 883 Sportster’s engine. Other than a new Dyna S ignition, and upgrades to the intake and exhaust, the engine’s still stock—on the inside, at least. On the outside, Takeshi trimmed away as much of the cam cover as the bike could live without.
The forward-facing air filter comes from Vance & Hines and sports a rather swish-looking forged carbon intake manifold. The two-into-one exhaust headers are Ruler originals, as are the generous heat shields, while the high-mounted muffler comes from HP Corse.
Moving to the bodywork, Ruler ditched everything except for the Sportster’s fuel tank. “I wanted to preserve the Sportster feel,” Takeshi explains. “After all, this tank is the Sporty’s hallmark.”
Ruler did make one change to the tank; the filler cap has been moved higher to eke out a tiny bit more capacity. The Sportster’s new stepped solo seat is a custom piece, featuring muscle car-inspired upholstery. Ruler trimmed off the bike’s rear fender struts, then installed universal enduro fenders from UFO at both ends.
Fans of old adventure bikes will immediately identify the inspiration for this Sportster 883 scrambler’s twin headlights. Taking cues from the iconic 1980s Honda XLR250 Baja, Ruler mounted a pair of PIAA LED projectors in a custom-made cage. Since the arrangement dominates the cockpit, a small aftermarket speedo was mounted just off the left fork leg.
MX-style handlebars are fitted with Kuryakyn grips and mirrors, and PowerMadd hand guards. Kuryakyn also supplied the bike’s new foot pegs, while the tiny LED turn signals and taillights are Kijima items.
From afar, this custom Sporty looks like it’s been murdered out like a million before it. The client did indeed request a black paint job, but Ruler responded with a smorgasbord of dark finishes, courtesy of their go-to painter, FFF. Look closely, and you’ll spot wrinkle, matte, gloss, Cerakote, and DLC black coatings throughout the bike.
The fuel tank and fenders are particularly radical, featuring a gunmetal and black zebra pattern. If there’s a colorful livery that would look better on this Sportster, we can’t picture it.
Now that this ferocious dual-Sporty is all buttoned up, Takeshi has named it the ‘Brutester.’ It’s an appropriate moniker for a bike that looks like it belongs in the wild.
Ruler Instagram | Images by, and with great thanks to, Kazuo Matsumoto
