Custom Harley Davidson Street Bob
One of a number of custom builds to come out of Harley Heaven's Melbourne workshop in recent years, this particular bike was created in late 2009 by Pearson, the 'Senior Chrome Consultant' at Harley Heaven, and his team, led by Darren Condy. Inspiration apparently came from a trip to the USA, where Pearson experienced the lowrider custom scene first-hand.
If you've seen the custom lowriders that proliferate through the US southern and west coast states, you'll know the common themes are a low slung stance, full hydraulic suspension, bold colours, multi-spoke rims, and lots of bling. Taking that theme even further, the lowrider pushbikes add candy-twist bars, eye-searingly bright paint jobs and even 'continental kit' rear-mounted spare wheels.
In the case of the 'California Street Bob' (the name Pearson gave this custom), the lowrider influence is best evidenced in the choice of wheels. The 60-spoke wires (stock Dyna FXDBs run 40-spoke rims) are from Ridewright Wheels in the US. The front is a 21-inch, while at the back, the 18-inch Ridewright has been mated up to a chunky Zeel Design 240 wide arse kit.
Combined with other elements of the overall design, the multi-spoke rims give the Cali Bob a neat retro touch. Black hubs and rims are used at each end, along with Metzeler ME880 rubber, with black billet axle caps added to the front end as well. The stock brake set-up has been retained, with black H-D centre sections added to complement the rims and hubs.
At the back end, the factory rear guard was ditched in favour of a Russ Wernimont item (who also built the fuel tank for the O.C.C. 'Valvoline' chopper featured last issue) that hugs the wide rear tyre and suits the solo set-up of this bike. Additionally, the rear guard has had an Arlen Ness rear number plate and LED taillight frame recessed into it. Harley Heaven flipped the bracket so the tail light sits below the plate holder, another neat addition to the build.
The stock Dyna rear shocks have been replaced with a pair of Progressive Suspension 430 Series 11-inch coilovers, finished with black springs and anodized caps with 'contrast cut' milled detailing. Front suspension and triple trees are stock Harley, with a set of black FXDF Fat Bob risers and bars added - a good choice, as the flatter Fat Bob bars undoubtedly look better than the factory FXDB mini apes, and add to the low and slick look.
Complementing the Fat Bob 'bars are Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories grips and levers, both finished in Diamond Black, and black Arlen Ness teardrop mirrors. The Harley Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories parts catalogue also provided the bullet 5 ¾ inch headlight, as well as the Diamond Black-finished forward controls, pegs and pedals. The temptation may have been to go with a black-shell for the headlight, but the chromed light doesn't look out of place. Switchgear and tank instrumentation are stock Harley.
The tank is stock Street Bob, but a set of flush-mount pop-up filler caps have been added, and finished in black. The solo seat is an H-D 'Brawler' that's a flatter and smoother design than the stock FXDB bobber seat.
For all the custom parts added from nose to tail, the driveline of the California Street Bob has been left largely untouched. Engine is the 2009 Street Bob's stock Twin Cam 96 v-twin, but for more grunt and smoother performance, a Screamin' Eagle Pro Super Tuner has been fitted, along with a high flow air filter housed under a cover custom made by Harley Heaven. Pipes are Vance & Hines Sideshots with matt black heatshields and chrome tips. The Harley 6-speed and belt final drive are unaltered, with blackouts on the primary cover, air filter cover, battery box and other parts.
As you've no doubt gathered by now, 'black' is the predominant theme of this custom. However, Pearson used his exposure to the US lowriders and their elaborate custom paintjobs to create something that's more than just another all-black "stealth special". From scallops to flames, stripes, lace and more, the lowrider scene has produced just about every loud custom paint finish you could think of, but this bike called for something a little more subtle.
With a flamed theme in mind, Pearson collaborated with Kral's Creations in Berwick, who came up with the combination of Fire Fleck Gold flames over a Vivid Black base. It's a colour pairing that almost always looks good, and this was no exception. The end result is a Wide Glide meets hot rod meets John Player Special Lotus F1 look. In certain light, the metalflake gold takes on a real orange hue, which isn't a bad thing. Let's face it, there's nothing more "Harley" than orange & black, right?
In addition to the tank, the air cleaner cover, timing cover, horn cover and primary cover were flamed by Kral's, with the rear and front guard (an all-steel 'Long Boy' unit from Zodiac) also treated to some very precise flamework, running a good two thirds around the snug-fitting fenders. Graffiti-style 'Street Bob' and 'Harley Davidson' identifying graphics are the final touch.
As you can tell from the photos, the owner of this bike, Nazim, has treated it with kid gloves since he bought it. The bike's been ridden sparingly (never in the rain) and always washed and polished by hand, which explains why the paint, chrome and other details on the California Street Bob look as fresh now as they did when the bike rolled out of Harley Heaven three years ago.
As much as he loves it, the classic no-time-to-ride scenario has led Naz to offer the California Street Bob for sale. Asking price for this one-off piece of Harley Heaven magic is $39,500, with the sale including a genuine Harley jacket (large), gloves and helmet (medium). The bike still has 10 months rego, and Nazim will supply a RWC upon sale. Contact Nazim on 0415 520 506 for further details.
