Custom Dirt Track Style Harley Sportster

Because customizing stock Harley models, instead of building new bikes from the ground up, is big again and because all Sportster models are big sellers, I introduce you to another nice custom project by Steve Willis the man in charge of Speed and Custom, the custom division of Brighton, UK based Shaw Harley-Davidson. The XLST3 featured here is based on a 2011 XL1200N Nightster and was inspired by the look of the 70’s Dirt Trackers. Stripping down the factory Sportster to bare frame was a must to be able to freely rebuild for such an appealing result.

From there a RSD gas tank was used, modified with new gussets welded under it and new tabs on the frame to position it to give the bike its racing stance. Original rear fender and supports were removed and tossed, and to reach the high back end look of a dirt tracker a stock Harley-Davidson Crossbones front fender was fitted and held in place by an old school fender brace. Then, Shaw Speed & Custom hand made the handlebars, seat and exhaust system.

Old racer look was reinforced by replacing the final belt drive system with a chain and sprocket. A very clean and practical push start button was installed and incorporated to the frame neck right side. XLST3 rear suspension is provided by a pair of gold Ohlins shocks with front end tubes gold nitrated to match. Like it’s sone in cycling, inside rims are painted with the XLST3 logo. For brake calipers, 13″ rotors (model Black Op) and engine covers, Steve Willis placed an order with his pal Roland Sands at RSD.

This Sportster Tracker just whom 1st place at the London International Custom Bike Show AMD Championship event, and in January 2nd place of the AMD International Class in Verona.

See other custom Harley projects at Shaw Harley-Davidson.

28 Responses to “Custom Dirt Track Style Harley Sportster”


  1. 1 Richard Mar 24th, 2011 at 9:45 am

    Very nice. The dirt tracker look seems the new thing for custom builders.

  2. 2 Dale Mar 24th, 2011 at 9:45 am

    Love it. Very cool

  3. 3 alan Mar 24th, 2011 at 10:15 am

    very cool i love it

  4. 4 Jonnychrome Mar 24th, 2011 at 10:56 am

    keep an eye on Shaw, these guys aren’t sleeping. Sick tracker.

  5. 5 Steve Hog Radio Producer Johann Mar 24th, 2011 at 11:02 am

    Ah What a lot of money and talent can do to a standard model Sportster.

    Very clean and what a kick back to the past. Indeed we always seem to go backward to go forward be it bike building or todays muscle cars: Mustang, Challenger and Camero all have that late 60’s early seventies vibe to them as does this very well put together bike.

    Well done.

  6. 6 fluke Mar 24th, 2011 at 11:06 am

    Another home run by Shaw, those guys just can’t do anything wrong.

    HD, time to get Shaw to design all your new models, you would easily double sales if you did.

  7. 7 Eric Maurer Mar 24th, 2011 at 11:34 am

    this thing is RAD!

  8. 8 Gas Man Mar 24th, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    Love the start button in place of the steering neck lock.

    Wonder how flickable it is on the dirt track.

  9. 9 nicker Mar 24th, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Back to basics, Engine, wheels, & frame. Very nice indeed!

    RE:
    “…flickable …” ???

    Better yet “slideable”…… 🙂

    Don’t know where ya ride it in London, but CA has thousands of miles of dirt roads just begging for scooters like this….

    -nicker-

  10. 10 KSW Mar 24th, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    WOW! A Harley Motard that would attract younger buyers.
    Who could have thought their is a need for such a bike.

    IF HD is serious about attracting young riders who admire the likes of Roland Sands
    this should be in their line up. Put some more streetable shoes on off the showroom
    floor and call it done.

    Kevin

  11. 11 Shawn Mar 24th, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    Normally not a big fan of the tracker look…. But this is pretty cool. It has such a fun, colorful look….. as if Lego decided to get hard core. 🙂

  12. 12 goldgunner Mar 24th, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    Replace the dirt knobbies with some stickies and hit the road – as is a fine area bike

  13. 13 Harry from OK Mar 24th, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    I like it; a really cool execution of a custom sportster…

  14. 14 Luis Mar 24th, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    I love that exhaust.!

  15. 15 Heavy Metal Mar 24th, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    Looks great. Finally the knobby tire thing looks right.

  16. 16 viking Mar 24th, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    Awesome, really cool bike

  17. 17 sollis Mar 24th, 2011 at 11:21 pm

    Wow great bike

  18. 18 highrpm Mar 25th, 2011 at 12:52 am

    like it; is it light enough to be a serious dirt tracker?

  19. 19 Wiz Mar 25th, 2011 at 1:39 am

    Now that’s my kind of “Dinger” [that’s what we used to call our dirt bikes RING-DING-DING-DING!!!] Wiz

  20. 20 jon h Mar 25th, 2011 at 2:54 am

    Not bad for a Harley ;o) Love the graphics under the rear mud-guard

  21. 21 chopmonster66 Mar 25th, 2011 at 5:44 am

    looks like it would be fun to ride…very cool

  22. 22 Sportster Mike Mar 25th, 2011 at 8:26 am

    Saw this at the Ally Pally show in London – but didn’t hear it fire up
    The girls were sitting on though.. next time I might kick them off and swing my leg over..
    Hopefully will see it again at the CaliforniaDreamin Show in Bournemouth in May

  23. 23 nicker Mar 25th, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    Shawn,
    RE:
    “…Normally not a big fan of the tracker look…”

    The “look” here is beside the point…..
    “trackers” aren’t about the look, they’re about “the ride.”
    One becomes a “fan of that look” when ya learn how ta-ride one.

    Could well be the “shape of things to come.”
    Try it, you’ll like it………. 🙂

    -nicker-

  24. 24 Rob Campbell Mar 25th, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    I like the feel of this thing. Years ago I got to volunteer at an Easyrider motorcycle rodeo and saw some interesting concepts like this on a variety of Harley machines from Knucks on up.

    I agree that this look is something the MoCo should incorporate somewhere in their lineup. It’d be interesting if they moved toward an enduro machine.

    Cyril, I was taken by your idea that the move is back toward customizing stock machines and not so much with ground up customs. I haven’t really thought about it, and I’ll be interested to keep my eye on that trend. Takes me back a few years to finding whatever I could (afford) to put on my shovelhead early on to get it running, making some parts when nothing else would do, and making it purely about the ride.

    Thanks for the reflection.

  25. 25 Dodson Mar 25th, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    I like it.

  26. 26 jatinder pal Mar 28th, 2011 at 8:25 am

    Not a fan of sporty but just love this one…..beautiful bike.

  27. 27 Paul Holbrecht Nov 5th, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    WOW, that ‘s the coolest tracker I ‘ve ever seen!! My sincere congratulations!!

  1. 1 Is the trend towards customizing stock bikes? | Cartoon Thunder Pingback on Mar 25th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
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Cyril Huze