Why don’t we see more great customs being built with Sportster and Buell power trains? They are affordable, plentiful, powerful, easy to work on, and are cost effective. Brad Rhodes of Rock Star Motorcycles has heard it all before. “Real men don’t ride Sportsters, they are girls’ bikes.”
Brad took his Buell/Sportster motor to 41 Performance and had a complete rework done. The displacement didn’t change too much, it’s now 1250cc; but the wizards at 41 Performance worked their magic. The lower end is from Buell, rocker arms and pushrods are from S&S, lifter blocks are from Zipper’s, the cams are from Andrews, the heads and cylinders are also from S&S, the triple-step exhaust is from FSD, and providing all of that fuel is an S&S Super G carb. With a mountain of torque and 125 horses, Brad now has a V-Twin beater. He probably won’t get asked if they make that in a man’s size again.
The rigid frame has a very mild 35° of rake with an additional three degrees of rake in the HHI triple trees. The frame boasts six inches of stretch, a single downtube and a curved backbone. Brad may call this Rock Star a Bobber, but only if a Bobber mated with a Board Tracker. The distinct split tanks are from Rock Star, as is the rear fender and oil bag. The sprung solo seat is from J-Pride Interiors. The risers and handlebars are from Biltwell and feature Hammer Custom Cycle grips. Hammer Custom also supplied the foot controls and are the masterminds behind the internal wiring of the bike. The distinctive wheels are from Rock Star. A 21” wrapped in Avon rubber rolls up front. In the rear is an 18 x 8.5” wrapped with an Avon 250 tire. Front and rear wheel braking is courtesy of HHI. Paul Diogo applied the old school gold flake paint and Fred Shutrump from Fireball laid the graphics down.
If there are any doubters out there that think Brad doesn’t own a real Harley, he has three words for you, “bring it on!” Rock Star Motorcycles builds more than just Sportster/Buell customs, if you like what you see here, check out www.rockstarmotorcycles.com.
::Check us out at your local news stand or subscribe online TODAY!::
