After typing the headline of this bike feature, I wondered if I used the right word. Is it a Makeover – a term applied to changing appearance usually through cosmetic details? Or a Makeunder, based on the opposite principle consisting in removing enhancements to give a more ‘natural’ look? Probably both terms apply in successive procedures during this new build by UK Shaw Speed And Custom. In a style that you are now very familiar with if you read me since more than one year, the custom division of official Milwaukee dealer Shaw Harley-Davidson succeeds in turning a somewhat boring Softail into a very sexy piece to ride and show.
The building team – Neil Sefton builder/assembly and Dave Rollisons welder/fabricator – had fell in love with the Performance Machine Heathen wheel model and had ordered a set of 23” front and 18” rear in prevision of a future project. When a client showed up for a custom project without being able to make a final choice of style among all the different projects previously built by Shaw Speed, they decided to strip down a 2004 Harley FXST to bare frame, to attach to it a Springer front end and the 2 PM wheels they loved so much. They took a couple of pictures, emailed them to the client, and of course you know the end of this episode: the client fell in love with the naked bike, gave the green light and a big order deposit…
Because Shaw Speed And Custom is linked to Shaw Harley-Davidson, each custom bike designed and produced by the custom division must be rideable as any show floor motorcycle and of course road legal. An objective never easy to reach when your taste, and the one of your client, leans towards the minimalist side. This creation must be appreciated for the difficult-to-find and delicate balance between functionality and aesthetics. .
As always, Shaw & Speed relies on some of the best aftermarket custom part vendors and on their high end bolt-on Harley parts. In this case, like on several previous projects, parts from Performance Machine, Roland Sands Design, Paughco, Motogadget, Avon, etc. Then, the shop applied its talent of fabricator to massage some steel and weld the right shaped gas tank and fender and many other parts, the ones making a custom project going from the status of pretty good to excellent. On this project, notice the cool single sided swingarm and “floating” seat with the LED taillight installed under it. So is this custom Softail a Makeover or a Makeunder? Shaw Speed And Custom.
Bike 2004 FXST Softail Standard
Engine 1550 engine upgrade
Trans 5 speed HD
Front End Paughco
Headlight PM
Headlight relocator RSD
Front Wheel PM 23 Heathen
Rear Wheel PM 18 Heathen
Brake rotors PM
Brake calipers PM
Handlebars aftermarket 1940 style
Master cylinder and switchgear PM
Grips PM
Cables Goodridge
Speedo Motogadget
Tyres Avon
Tank Aftermarket
Seat SS&C
Rear fender SS&C
Open Primary PM
Forward controls PM
Engine covers RSD
Timer cover RSD
Rear sprocket PM
Oil lines Goodridge
Oil tank SS&C
Seat SS&C
Fuel Pump relocation RSD
Exhaust SS&C
Tuning Screamin Eagle
Air Breather PM
Custom Paint Image Design Custom UK
Powder coating SS&C
Fabrication Dave Rollison
Build Neil Sefton
Looks rideable…and something truly different for the exhaust. The John Player Norton color scheme isn’t my “cup of tea” but an interesting build, for sure…
Good Stuff…..
Two Thumbs Up…..
Steve Carr
Looks like the perfect bike for Donald Trump, if he were ever man enough to ride.
Stony Crane
Riding(with or without a helmet) would mess up his beloved hairdo!
Not a makeover, it’s a complete redo. Not my cup of coffee.
That “exhaust system” can’t be very efficient. Form over function personified. Can’t wait to see Nicker and Rodent’s comments.
Aint nothing wrong with this one . Though in truth I could do without all the ‘ gold ‘ plating . Copper would of been more subtle as well as much more appropriate to the overall build and its ‘ ridable ‘ intentions
Never have understood the gold plate treatment. Kind of makes the statement; I have lots of money to waste on gold plate that doesn’t add anything to the overall function. The floating seat is reminiscent of H-D’s Rocker”C” which we all know was a monumental failure and, in my opinion, because of that ugly seat.
Looks rideable, if you like to be seen.
Steampunk is still hip?
I dig it. For my personal ride I’d go less bling, but it does look like a bike that would be fun to ride every day. Two more thumbs up.
SHAW is mega talented. They, much like Rough Crafts, are able to combine bolt-ons and bespoke (one-off) parts in just the right amounts. And that uncanny ability to make less more (albeit this ride may not qualify overtly for such an award).
It shows that even bolt-ons are significantly better in the hands of professionals – in fact, in many ways, more so for bolt-ons that could easily turn your ride into a Twinkle Light Bicycle.
This is by no measure my kind of ride – it does however not take anything from the kind of work SHAW does – they are one of the best in the business – and probably the top shop in the UK.
They have done a lot for promoting RSD and PM bits this side of the pond.
PS – I am somewhat intrigued though by the ‘bracket’ on (top of) the rear fender…
The “gold plating” to me looks like anodizing or powder coating. No mention of gold plating in the spec. sheet.
That is not gold plating, it is gold anodizing, Shaw builds awesome bikes and I really like this one.
I have a strong bias against anything gold colored on a bike. Having said that i have to say that’s one great looking ride. Lotsa “stuff” but still looks uncluttered and not overstated. NICE!
It is very nice…..
Definitely with the European Flair
Not my cup of tea, ol’ chap, but a good looking bike all the same
Certainly a good looking scooter.
All the features seem to work well together esthetically.
Nicely finished.
-IMHO- anyway.
I’d say ell done Niel and thanks for the pics Cyril.
-nicker-
This looks like a parody of Rough Craft – bad photo shop session.
disproportionately distasteful disorder
That is perfect!
Very cool
Thanks to Stoney Crane the vision of Donald Trump with the wind in his “hair’ will now be forever burned in my brain !
Love it!
I love it reminds me of a classic timepiece , love the gold axcent and the wheels not sure about the seat but other wise, a work of art.