If you are wondering why the Harley-Davidson Blackline model is becoming a favorite for customization by both professional custom builders and individuals, the reason is twofold: 1- it’s the cheapest and most pared to the bone new Softail offered by the factory. Less parts (that you already paid) to throw away… 2- of course, its Bobber look heritage. The Blackline, even in its showroom dress, already combines visual elements of the raw, hand-hewn style embraced by the young generation. And it doesn’t take many stock parts to be removed and not too many after-market parts to add to create a beautiful and extremely rideable custom bike that you can easily insure, because still a “legal” titled Harley-Davidson.
With this project, Thunderbike Harley Germany is offering a very good example of what can be done to merge today’s technology and power request (Twin Cam 103/1680 cc, 6-speed cruise drive, fuel Injection, electronic sequential port, etc) with the cool vintage lines of the past. The Blackline is already low with a 24-inch seat height? Make it lower and add a low profile seat. The Blackline already got a “dark” look. Make it “darker”, whatever the paint job color, by adding black anodized accessories. Then replace many stock parts by a plethora of new vintage inspired ones, and finally complete with a color theme and graphics you could have seen in the 60’s (this one produced by Ingo Kruse)
Almost all custom parts are bolt-on parts, letting you decide, step by step, how far you want to go with your project. I list below the main components. You can buy them individually directly from the vendors or in the Custom Chrome catalog (US/Europe.) This bike is currently in Europe on a Custom Chrome Europe promotion tour.
Salinas Boys Bobber style gas tank by Cole Foster. ZCB rear fender available through Custom Chrome. BDL 2″ Open Belt Drive. Rev-Tech wheels. Muller Motorcycle AG lowering kit for Softail. Cobra Avon tires. Speed-Point fender brackets for Springer. West Eagle Slimline Solo Seat with Thunderbike Customs seat bracket. Jammer Dog Bone Inline Triple Clamp. Jammer bars. Performance Machine Contour controls, switch housings and master cylinder. Internal throttle assembly. Thunderbike License plate, plate light and bracket, Bates style LED taillight. Led Pen Head turn signals. BSL Top Chop staggered exhaust. Moto Gadget Tiny Series gauge. RevTech Stealth DFO tuner and digital fuel optimizer. ZCB stainless steel upper belt guard. Thunderbike Harley Germany.
Nice lines, spoiled by the sprung seat on a swingarm bike.
Beautiful custom. Just wish those ” springer ” front forks were more stable.
Definitely a cool model to customize ……The bike looks slick…Id still like to see apes and all internally wired bars
Englishman, I completely agree.
i dig it ,and i like the spring seat ,they took out most of the suspension with the drop so why not have a bit more comfort if you an get it in a retro style .
cool bike ,simple and effective
I like it.
Oldude ……… I know where you can get a perfect springer for it!!!!
I bet you do Sugar. Always been a fan.
Yeah, Sugar Bear; you’d know a little something about Springer front ends. Of course your contribution to the build would undoubtedly extend the forks out a couple of feet. Heh, heh.
I had the good fortune to have been assigned to cover the reveal of the Sportster “72” by the publication to which I’m a frequent contributor. These vintage eye-balls fairly popped when the covering came off revealing an abundance of chrome and metal-flake bright work. As far as I was concerned the bike didn’t need further embellishment or modification. Knowing my sensibilities, you can imagine how underwhelmed I was with the Blackline’s image. I get that the bike was designed to appeal to a younger demographic but… Who knew the platform would support such an imaginative, stunning mod! Kudos Thunder Bike Harley!
Keep the good stuff comin’
Put the rear tire on the correct way, taller bars and some mids and I’d ride it.
Rear tyre on the correct way?
Doc, Its on backwards.
I don’t what your bitch about springers is, I have a 2007 cvo with a springer and a warmed over 110. This machine gets ridden hard and put away wet a lot, and she just begs for more. Maybe you can’t ride worth a shit…………………………….ya think!
The article is about using the base model as a platform. If you change everything you might as well just start with a one off roller. I like it , especially the seat and springer. It’s always interesting for me to see what can be done with a factory model and a little imagination.
Nice Bike. The Bike is Sick. The Springer Seat might look different in person.