Custom Harley-Davidson Rocker C

A Harley Rocker C. The client wanted a badass bike (they all do…), a look and stance that demanded respect, a sleek yet tough silhouette taking influences from his Overfinch Custom Range Rover (a strange idea if you ask me…), wide bars, big rear end, black with detailing, clean looking and muscular. The result is called “Mission Impossible” one of the reasons being probably the client’s difficult to execute briefing, the other  the deadline that was given, starting the project in April 2011 with a completion date end of May!

The crew at the custom wing of UK Shaw Harley-Davidson went to study the look of the boxy Custom Range Rover, retained from it the characteristic grille, the big motor, the black wheels, the red huge brake calipers. They also integrated some ideas already developed on one of their their own customs, the Bell & Ross Nascafe Racer. Engine work included stripping, machining and rebuilding the engine with a Harley-Davidson Screamin Eagle 110 cubic inch kit and the beautiful Rocker Boxes from Covingtons.

To carry the massive rear wheel (18 x 10) with its macho 300 mm rear tire, the shop picked the wide tire swingarm kit from German Rick’s, keeping the wheel centered without requiring a visually ugly huge offset. After alignment setup was done, a one-off custom rear fender and gas tank were in-house fabricated. “Mission Impossible” got a Harley VRSC front end which was modified to take the one nearside caliper to keep the offside of the bike clean and simple. The shop is a big fan of Performance Machine and of Roland Sands Design parts. So the bike is a rolling demo of their products: PM wheels, open primary belt system, brakes, hand and foot controls. Roland Sands transmission and cam, ignition covers.

For finishing touches and detailing, Shaw Harley-Davidson  loves using anodizing and of titanium nitrading, and following client’s request ordered a paint job by Image Custom Design trying to realistically mimic a stone aged skull (forgetting any reference to the Range Rover imagery!) Well, client got what he wanted and is happy.

49 Responses to “Custom Harley-Davidson Rocker C”


  1. 1 Doc Robinson Jun 6th, 2011 at 7:41 am

    Lose that ugly big chunk of tin on the down tubes and this would be a cool bike indeed. With it … Yuk!

  2. 2 monkeyfrog Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:12 am

    That looks awesome. Love the tidy detailing. I really like the way these guys use original parts in different ways. Think SS&C is fast becoming a household name!!

  3. 3 Bob Bobson Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Whatever the guys down at Shaw Harley-Davidson are on, I want some!! Bike looks wicked, great to see some UK talent and at last, someone prepared to break the custom bike building mould, keep it up guys!!

  4. 4 Todd8080 Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:23 am

    Oh, yeah, that big fake radiator is sooo attractive, especially on an air cooled motor. But at least the bike’s painted flat black, which is a totally new and original concept.

  5. 5 CHAD1969 Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:32 am

    bike looks badass. saw it in the flesh at a show last week and it looks even better. Really clever paint effects. Looks like a carving

  6. 6 GRIP ACE - HIDDEN MOTORCYCLE SWITCH SYSTEM Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:35 am

    Great creativity.

  7. 7 Captain T Hurst Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:37 am

    Another quality custom bike from SS&C! These guys always seem to get it right.

  8. 8 BoneRyder Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:37 am

    Be still my beating heart!

    Wow this bike rocks, it gets me so hyped just looking at these pictures… SS&C Ownz!

  9. 9 FLATOUTR1 Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:42 am

    NICE! I WANT IT NOWWWWWW!

  10. 10 baddad Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:50 am

    I like the bike, but that big container of radiator is not ugly, but ugly as sin.
    It is even uglier than Vrod radiator and this is very hard to do it. And could easy live without that air brush. The rest is very nice.

  11. 11 Keith Stone Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:50 am

    SICK !!!!! Great job !!!

  12. 12 WATER BUFFALO Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:57 am

    These guys just keep blowing us away with their awesome bike builds………keep up the good work chaps,cant wait to see the next offering

  13. 13 luSca custom design Jun 6th, 2011 at 9:02 am

    it’s funny that in the jap custom everyone try to hide the radiator, also to be like an harley and now someone want a fake radiator in an harley…
    🙂

  14. 14 Mudluvva Jun 6th, 2011 at 9:05 am

    Awesome looking bike. Saw it at the Isle of Man, blew everyone away!!

  15. 15 HonkyTonk 69 Jun 6th, 2011 at 9:12 am

    Pulling up on this ride would defo turn some heads 😉

  16. 16 Luis Jun 6th, 2011 at 9:12 am

    The fake radiator is very confusing. is it trying to be a Diavel?

  17. 17 SPUNKMONKEY Jun 6th, 2011 at 9:14 am

    What radiator?!! One assumes that is where the battery and oil tank are housed. I think it’s a stroke of genius. Love the anodising, great colours. At last, someone breaking the mould in custom bike building!!!

  18. 18 CHAD1969 Jun 6th, 2011 at 9:20 am

    The said radiator is actually an airbox area that houses the oil tank and cools it the battery and electrics are also located in that area, i think with the Range Rover grille it looks RAD!!

  19. 19 Richard Jun 6th, 2011 at 9:31 am

    Whatever it does, that thing in the front is soooooo ugly. Otherwise, very nice!

  20. 20 Warrior Poet Jun 6th, 2011 at 9:59 am

    “Well, client got what he wanted and is happy.”

    There’s the key statement in the whole story. Most of us could look at any bike, and, “I woud have done this, or that doesn’t look right…” Actually, those are the polite versions of how things are usually worded on here.
    That said, I think the bike looks great. Are there design elements I think would be better done differently? Of course.
    I really dig the pipes – very reminiscent of Marcus Walz, whose style I like.

  21. 21 Jason Jun 6th, 2011 at 10:01 am

    Regarding exhaust, owner must be hot on his right leg.

  22. 22 Bruce Rogers Jun 6th, 2011 at 10:11 am

    Cool. But I would do without such a bulky front.

  23. 23 Chris Jun 6th, 2011 at 10:13 am

    Like it. Fake radiator a conversation piece. Because oil tank is relocated inside “grille”, more space and freedom to shape the exhaust.

  24. 24 Dan Jun 6th, 2011 at 10:13 am

    This is my bike… took ownership just in time for the TT races over here (Isle of Man), was a close call…! Loving all the comments, good and bad, the radiator element has been great for conversation, everything from absolutely hate it to truly love it – this is crucial when designing a bike, I think anyway, it has to evoke emotion… and its certainly doing that! Quick note on the skulls, these were scratched on with a scalpel, not an airbrush in site…

  25. 25 lonny Jun 6th, 2011 at 10:33 am

    Where’s the Rocker ? Nice Bike

  26. 26 Roswell Jun 6th, 2011 at 10:37 am

    So Dan I am guessing there is a jackshaft box somewhere in the swingarm under that front cover on the rear belt to move the belt out past the tire ? Yes ??

  27. 27 Duke Jun 6th, 2011 at 10:42 am

    To make a Rocker C look nice, you have to remove all the Rocker C elements from the bike. Proving another HD failure at designing new bikes.

  28. 28 maroco Jun 6th, 2011 at 10:57 am

    Love the bike, but i agree whit most of the comments, the “grille” it´s to big, maybe whit a litlle ajustment size, look better.(if possible)

  29. 29 TRexSG Jun 6th, 2011 at 11:25 am

    Just plain ugly!!

    Plus the fake radiator keeps the motor from getting cooling airflow! Don’t ride that across AZ in the summertime of it will be dead on the side of the road. And the leg burner pipes make it un-rideable as well.
    if you’re going to build a radiator you should start with a V-Rod.

  30. 30 Don geddit Jun 6th, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    Wow. You made an 8-ball Vegas. Coooool.

  31. 31 highrpm Jun 6th, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    i like the grill idea; if cars do it, why not bikes? they sure are a statement for brawn on the ford trucks.

  32. 32 jrod Jun 6th, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    Wow…. I did’t think anyone could make a Rocker C any uglier, but somehow these folks managed to waste all that money and make it worse. Nice Radiator. The rocker C should be put down just like its older “brother”? the Deuce.

  33. 33 John Botts Jun 6th, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    This is what the V-ROD should actually look like.
    Not sure why he started with a Rocker C, as the only things left are the frame & bottom end. I guess it saves a Rocker C as it looks better here than it did stock.
    I think if the grille was smaller it would improve the overall looks also, but to each his own.

  34. 34 Geno Jun 6th, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    ugh
    flat black, red, skulls, money symbol, v roid radiator look, oh how creative snore snore snore zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  35. 35 Dr. Dave Jun 6th, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    1st bike of any kind that I have seen that makes my Rune radiator look small…

  36. 36 nicker Jun 6th, 2011 at 8:27 pm

    If the customer liked it the builders business case is safe.

    But i gotta tell ya, hanging a radiator on an air-cooled scooter seems pointless.
    And counter productive if the air is blocked by a bunch of stuff hidden behind that thing.

    -nicker-

  37. 37 Woody Jun 6th, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    If Bugatti made a tractor…………………….

  38. 38 Rider2 Jun 7th, 2011 at 12:14 am

    Why did they put a BBQ grill in front of this bike…. and a rocker C without the rocker is really just a Softail.
    Nice bike though but that grill gotta go

  39. 39 nobody Jun 7th, 2011 at 3:16 am

    The radiator doesnt flow with the design. All the lines are smooth soft arcs, and the radiator is flat, bulky, and wedged shape. From a visual design perspective it gives the impression of being a last min idea or a poorly exicuited idea.

    Oh well, as i tell my boss when he tells me to do something pointless and counter productive

    “it’s your dime,waste it however you like.”

  40. 40 steveb Jun 7th, 2011 at 8:34 am

    its a fun bike to look at, obviously alot of skilled work went into putting it together

    thanks for sharing, nice job

  41. 41 Maggot Jun 7th, 2011 at 10:28 am

    Good Lord, the English . First the food and now this.

  42. 42 live2rideaglide Jun 7th, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    Hey Rider2 that barbq grill comment cracked me up. I almost spotted. I ilke the stance and flow except for that. Not against the idea of a fake radiator, but it so gigantic.

  43. 43 Delski Jun 7th, 2011 at 3:41 pm

    Solo seat wide tire flashy billett parts inverted front end yawn

    If you want that why don’t you buy a m109

  44. 44 1550tc Jun 7th, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    Good Lord, the English . First the food and now this……..what do expect from guys who still dont know what lane to drive in??

    the BBQ should be taken back to home depot

  45. 45 daitri Jun 8th, 2011 at 3:45 am

    it is one wicked bike .can not fault

  46. 46 bigalyts Jun 8th, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    Love the Bike and the extra 50 HP that the Radiator Fan brings to the Dyno, Yeah sure!

  47. 47 smitty Jun 11th, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    It needs a Lucas electrical system on it, so it can function as well as it looks.

  48. 48 Christopher McMinn Jun 16th, 2011 at 11:23 am

    Well, the rocker c was a gay looking bike to begin with so here we have a queer one. Why would anyone add a fake radiator ,or is it fake ,I’m very confused by this entire bike . It looks like the O.C.C. guys got back together and ate a box full of mushrooms and this is what came of it ! Is this another H-D Bad Boy marketing attempt . Forget it , sell us Elektra Glides and we’ll do the rest ,ok .

  49. 49 Christopher McMinn Jun 16th, 2011 at 11:32 am

    By the way , you Brits have some nice platforms to do some real cool custom stuff with .If it hasn’t come to you yet the big 900 something and the 1k plus engine air cooled motors are bad ass . I have yet to see one altered in any way , has the Queen got your shriveled nuggets in her grip !?!

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Cyril Huze