The US decade-long trend of big cruisers and touring bikes for baby boomers with disposable income is not over yet. But it’s only recently that the same trend is really perceptible in Europe. Not that the old continent is younger, but probably because of cost and because the roads and streets infrastructure is less appropriate to riding massive bikes. Exposed to what American builders are creating since several years from stock Harley Baggers, and thanks to some European after-market vendors who created their own custom touring body kits and parts, bikers from the other side of the Atlantic are discovering the joy of touring is style. And when you are a major distributor – in this case of both American & European born custom parts – you want to pre-empt this market as fast as possible.
After dropping it from the 2014 lineup, in August of the same year the Harley Road Glide and Road Glide Special were unveiled and roared back into the 2015 lineup with the same DNA to which was added a customer-led product development effort called Project RUSHMORE. It’s worth remembering that the “Tour Glide” was born 35 years ago (see pictures at end of this feature) and evolved through different motors to the current rubber-mounted air-cooled, high output Twin Cam 103TM with integrated oil cooler and 6-Speed Cruise Drive®. Today, the Harley Road glide has a passionate following by those who wants to make a statement as they chase the freedom of the highways. And it’s of course the model that Custom Chrome Europe has chosen to build a “Bolt-On And Ride” Tourer to showcase the custom parts it distributes from the best Bagger vendors of both sides of the ocean.
The Custom Chrome “Bolt-On And Ride” Road Glide was unveiled in January at the Verona Bike Expo, Italy by CCE’s General Manager Andreas Scholz. But still with no name for this custom project! (suggest one in comments) Because you can bolt on, even the chassis kit tail end, all the custom parts featured on this Road Glide, the tech sheet below is sufficient to help you customize yours. For more details. Dive into a 2015 Custom Chrome Catalog at your preferred dealer or download one at CCE Catalog. The bike will be for sale at the end of the show tour season. (Photography @ Horst Roesler for Cyril Huze. Thanks to Model Georgia)
Owner: Custom Chrome Europe Location: Grolsheim / Germany Rebuilder: Alex Sluyter, Frankfurt Customs (HD-Factory) www.hd-kortegruppe.de Year: 2013/2014 Time: 6 weeks Model: Harley-Davidson 2015 FLTRXS „Road Glide“ Engine: Lower end: Stock HD. S&S 107 Cubic Inch Big Bore Kit, Thunder Max with integrated Autotune Air cleaner: Arlen Ness „Beveled“ Ignition: Thunder Max
Transmission: Stock H-D 6-speed overdrive Exhaust: Küryakyn „Crusher“ Miscelleneous: Base Cover, Arlen Ness „Deep Cut“ oil filter housing, Arlen Ness „Beveled“ Derby & Point Cover. Stock HD „Road Glide“ Küryakyn rods and links Primary: Küryakyn one-piece inner belt. Frame: FLTRXS with Thunderbike 2014-up Touring conversion Rake: 40° Swinging arm: Stock HD Front End: Thunderbike with Arlen Ness Deep Cut Fork Boots, Smooth Chrome Dual Disc Hot Leg
Triple Tree: Thunderbike
Front wheel: 3.5 x 26’’ „T5“ RevTech Design Wheel
Rear Wheel: 5.0 x 16’’ „T5“ RevTech Design Wheel
Front tire: Vee Rubber 120/50-26
Rear tire: Dunlop 180/65-16
Handlebars:Arlen Ness 10” Apehangers
Mirrors: Arlen Ness Rad III Teardrop
Front fender: Arlen Ness 26-Inch carbon front fender
Tail End: Rick’s Motorcycles including side fillers.
Saddlebags: Rick’s Motorcycles
Floorboards, driver and passenger: Küryakyn
Taillight: Integrated in Rick’s body tail end
Painter: Bernhard Richte at Fancy Air Brush Paint: House Of Kolor
Although it’s not my color, it’s a very well done bagger. The lady too.
Like!
Not extreme. A very nice bolt-on Bagger you can ride like a Bagger.
Great bagger feature. Would have liked a fancier paint job.
Can you actually “tour” with one of those front wheels? Otherwise, good looking…
The model in black (2nd pic), looks far more sure-footed in stiletto’s, than the other model with 26″ and Vee Rubber.
I cannot imagine for one moment spending a single dollar, or a single mile, on the 26″ model. However I can effortlessly see myself, spending copious dollars and even more miles, on the other model…
I would like to see in detail the two Tour Glide pages. They are too small to read. Anyone know where to see these in full size?
“Steal Your Face” In all internet browsers there is a function to zoom in. Try it.
After all these years, the fairing still looks sad to me. The lady, well that’s another story.
The girl is great, pass on the bagger
Have to agree with the overall feeling here….bike, no…model, yes…
Im just not seeing that bike getting slammed thru the curves up un the mountains just outside of town…
Is t it time for the next “Thing” as far as bike building goes ? In other words….whats new/next ?
Those wheels look sketchy to me! Not sure I would trust them with my life. One pothole filled road at night would likely cause structural damage IMO. The rest of the bike looks pretty good. Ultimately, the model wins this one.
I should probably specify, that “front” wheel looks sketchy.
Beats the heck out out of the company’s CVO !
I echo the sentiments of those before
The bike not so much (i’d be more excited without the “Big Wheel”)
The Model, got a pass for her for Space Mountain, All Day & All Night Long !!!!!
Whoooo !!!! (Thanks to “Slick” Rick Flair !!!!)
LOL !!!!!
In thinking about some of the potholes i’ve fallen into and the load of stuff i’ve schlepped out on the road……. that skinny-tire front wheel probably only works for touring from bar to bar.
So “form” in this case follows a very “limited function.”
IMHO anyway.
-nicker-