The “Bolt On and Ride” is a program by Custom Chrome Europe to promote the custom parts the company is distributing.
Each year, 5 very reputable builders are chosen to build custom motorcycles featuring, in addition of modified factory parts, those found in the CCE catalog.
To be commissioned is a great honor and each builder is being rewarded with his creation touring with CCE in all major shows all over Europe.
One of the 5 elected to produce a 2015 “Bolt On And Ride” CCE custom bike is world-class customizer Tobias Guckel from TGS Cycles, a multi-time European Champion, who became famous for his legendary series of ”Seppsters” I to III. (the II is an Ice Chopper Racer!)
Although Tobias Guckel has a weakness for the Cafe Racer style, during all his career he has shown great talent building both old school and high tech bikes, even succeeding mixing both styles. As a platform for his project, Tobias received a 2006 Sportster 883-R, an entry level bike and not exactly a racer, although the Sportster is born on the gritty dirt tracks and drag strips of the 1950’s. No hesitation about the way to muscle up a 883 XL. Tobias went to the evident best choice, a 1986-2014 S&S Cycle 1200 cc kit (3 1/2” bore cylinders & pistons) ready to assemble out of the box, a bolt-on job for because it doesn’t require to remove the motor from the frame. For old school appearance, Panhead style X-Zotic rocker boxes and a Vulcan Cam Cover were installed. A Keihin carb, a Joker Machine air cleaner and a wrapped BSL Drager Drag exhaust complete the motor makeover.
For body work, Tobias rebuilt the XL peanut gas tank, forming a 2 1/2” deep tunnel to lower its position on the backbone. In the rear, a “Cafe Racer” Burly tailend/seat was slightly modified to achieve a racing stance and reinforced to be ready to any street abuse. It required the license plate frame to be relocated on the bike left side. Tobias picked a license frame with integrated taillight sourced at Cult Werk. The stock front fender was fully altered and resized to a minimum The “883 to 1200” Sportster then received pre-load, ride-height, and rebound adjustable shocks from Öhlins. Headlight is from CCE, hand controls from Custom Tech, turn signals and mini gauge from Motogadget.
For paint Tobias Guckel wanted a retro “Castrol Oil” theme and colors. It was executed by Michael Starzengruber at STM design. A livery stating loudly what this XL 883-R conversion is all about. Racing the streets or the twisted narrow roads of the Alps. Now, I have to warn you if you are tempted to rebuild an XL with modifications as described above. On the most recent models, stock wiring harness may be a nightmare to relocate and modify. For a simple solution, there is a Black Box 2 available from Custom Chrome. The SpeddFreak will be available for sale from CCE at the end of December when the 2015 show tour ends. TGS Cycles. (Photography @ Horst Roesler for Cyril Huze. Model, Veronica)
Name. Speedfreak
Owner. Custom Chrome Europe
Builder. TGS Cycles
Build time. 4 Months
Model. Harley XL 883R
Value: Make an offer after the 2015 season
Motor.
Bottom end, Carter stock HD, Vulcan Custom Cam Cover
Crankshaft Stock HD
Cylinder. S&S 883 to 1200 cc Cylinder conversion Kit, 3-1/2″ Bore, 4.650″, 3-13 16″ Stroke
Pistons. S&S Cycle
Rocker Boxes. X-Zotic Pan Style Rocker Cover, adapted to 2004-up Sportster
Carburator Keihin CV
Air Filter. Joker Machines
Ignition. Vulcan.
Exhaust BSL Drager Drag, Sportster 2004-up, modified by TGS
Accel Ignition Wire Kit
Transmission. 5-Speed HD
Primary. Stock HD
Shocks. Öhlins S36PL
Front end. Stock HD XL, Showa 39 mm Fork Lowering Kit
Triple tree. Müller
Front wheel. 3.00 x 19” RevTech “Velocity” Design
Rear wheel. 5.50 x 18” RevTech “Velocity” Design
Rotors. Rev Tech
Tires: Front Dunlop Sportmax 120/70-19. Rear DunlopSportmax 180/55-18
Brakes. Front 4-caliper Rev Tech
Risers. Biltwell “Thunder”
Bars. Clubman Bar
Mirrors. Iron Cross
Hand brakes. Beringer “Aerotec” controls with Biltwell rubber grips & K-Tech switches
Pegs. LSL Superbike
Gas tank. Sportster modified TGS Motorcycles
Oil tank. Stock HD.
Tail Section. Burly.
Indicators. Kellermann’s Micro
Taillight. Kurt Werk
Electrical. TGS Cycles
Gauge. Motogadget
Paint. Michael Starzengruber at STM-Design
Paint job is distracting. Except this I like it. In black.
Pretty good for a bolt-on.
I will never understand Öhlins on a Sportster, perhaps something from Progressive Suspension, but Öhlins on a frame that is about as stiff as a wire coat hanger – well long as someone else is paying…
While on matters stiff, I can certainly see myself burning serious rubber riding such a pretty thing.., oh yes and the bike looks like a pretty fun piece of kit as well…
Seriously though, apart from the silly rear suspension and “Speed Freak” (not quite – perhaps “Freaked Out” as little old ladies on shopping trolleys whisk past you in the twisties), there is a lot to like here. Eg the tank suddenly looks just right, the bolt-ons come together nicely, the stance looks very good and I happen to like the paint yob. Well done.
I want to see more pics of the blond. 😀
Brutus. the lady is distracting too.
A chain kit would finish off the whole thing very nicely. I like it.
Nice !!!
For bolt-on it’s really nice !!!
Drop the bike and more of the broad
I think a pre 2004 bike done up like the old CCS Twin Sports racers would be a nice alternative to the quasi-cafe bikes that are all the current rage. They use to make those 883 based bikes turn quite well.
Ditch the rubber band and ya got something…… 🙂
-nicker-
Nice bike, apart from the fake 3D paint job. Makes the whole bike look somewhat, well, fake. Like the Öhlins though.