Custom King Iron 883 Sportster By Rick‘s

1Rick8832Rick8833Rick883“Battle of the Kings”, Harley-Davidson’s custom bike competition is going on with a record number of dealers all over the world competing for the bragging right of “2016 King Of Custom.”

Dealerships were supplied with a Sportster Iron 883 Dark to see who can produce in a time frame of 6 weeks maximum the best-looking custom bike. Most parts and components must be from the official H-D catalog and customization budget is limited to prevent dealers from creating such radical machines that they would not be recognizable as Sportsters by the public at large.

The Sportster was selected for its almost ability to be transformed into “performance art” and its attainable pricing, which makes the bike a realistic goal for nearly any rider with a moderate budget.

6Rick8838Rick883Already expert in Harley kit conversions for different H-D models, this new project was for Rick’s crew a good canvas to design and fabricate new bolt-on parts that Sportster owners will want to buy to achieve their own 883 custom look. In this case, Rick’s went for a Scrambler/Super Moto crossover design, a style that may attract many youngsters who prefer to tear up the asphalt instead of washing paint and polishing chrome…

12Rick8839Rick883Rick’s avoided excessive sheet metal work, but still had to do some reshaping on the gas tank for a more streamlined appearance, and of course on the rear section where the Iron 883 gets a refreshed tail end intentionally raw and rough around the edges. It has to be noticed that this new rear section was fabricated out of fiberglas to lower production costs when it will be offered in the coming months as a bolt-on kit. Swingarm was reinforced with support struts, a modification that Rick’s already introduced as an option for the modern rubber mounted Sportsters. Stock oil reservoir and side panels were retained.

4Rick8835Rick883No modifications were made on the stock air-cooled Evolution 53.9 cu 883 cc motor, except some tweaking after a new Rick’s proprietary “Bandit” air cleaner and a new shop made “Scrambler” style high pipes exhaust system were installed. Because the 2016 factory Iron 883 is equipped with great suspension, 39 mm front forks featuring cartridge dampening technology and rear shocks with 50 mm range of pre-load adjustability, Rick’s left it intact.

7Rick88311Rick883To improve stance, factory setup 19” front and 16” rear wheel, Rick’s went for a 18 x 5” , both H-D cast wheels replaced by the shop proprietary aluminum “Mr Spoke” model. Street grip comes from Michelin Pilot Road Trail, 110/80 19” front, 160/60 18” rear. A CNC-machined speedo cup allows the headlight to be mounted 2” lower, contributing to a more aggressive look. Without extensive fabrication and with an unusual color combination paint job, the stock Iron 883 is more than ever ready to welcome you for some back roads fun and dirt track bruise. Rick’s Motorcycles. (photography @ Mathias Von Der Ahe for Cyril Huze)

10Rick883Tech Sheet
Name: Iron “King of Custom“
Owner: Rick’s Motorcycles / Harley-Davidson Baden-Baden
Model/Year: 2016 Harley Iron 883
Time: 6 weeks
Engine: Harley air-cooled, Evolution™, 883 cc
Transmission: Harley 5-speed
Air Cleaner: Rick’s Motorcycles “BANDIT”
Exhaust: Rick’s Motorcycles
Gas tank: Rick’s Motorcycles “Dirt Track”
Tailend: Rick’s Motorcycles
Swingarm: Rick’s Dirt Track
Shocks: H-D emulsion technology with 50 mm range of pre-load adjustability
Front End: H-D with Rick’s covers
Front wheel: Rick’s Motorcycles “Mr.Spoke” 19 x 2.5”
Rear wheel: Rick’s Motorcycles “Mr.Spoke” 18 x 5.5”
Front tire: Michelin Pilot Road Trail 110/80 19”
Rear tire: Michelin Pilot Road Trail 160/60 18”
Discs: Rick’s Motorcycles “Steve”
Pulley: H-D modified Rick’s Motorcycles
Risers: Rick’s
Bars: Rick’s
Grips: H-D
Headlight: H-D
Taillight: P&W
Turn signals: P&W
Tachometer gauge: Rick’s
Seat: Rick’s Motorcycles
Paint: Marcel Sinnwell

20 Responses to “Custom King Iron 883 Sportster By Rick‘s”


  1. 1 Brandon Apr 4th, 2016 at 8:08 am

    Unusual colors but pretty good.

  2. 2 P. Hamilton Apr 4th, 2016 at 8:10 am

    The Sportster has already been customized in 100’s of different styles. Difficult to be different. This one looks good but I could not live (ride) in green & red.

  3. 3 Sharkey Apr 4th, 2016 at 8:38 am

    That looks striking and ride-able; a custom motorcycle, not just rolling sculpture

  4. 4 Martin Schleck Apr 4th, 2016 at 9:30 am

    Interested by the kit. Will fit which years?

  5. 5 Henry Apr 4th, 2016 at 9:31 am

    It’s a nice piece, but don’t like the paint job colors.

  6. 6 Andre Apr 4th, 2016 at 10:02 am

    here you can go and vote for the Ricks Sportster Iron

    please give us your vote
    https://customkings.harley-davidson.com/de_DE?theBikeID=156

  7. 7 George Cornel Apr 4th, 2016 at 10:04 am

    Another good Sportster but nothing really new.

  8. 8 Sportman Apr 4th, 2016 at 11:14 am

    The original oem 883 looks better. Why mess up a good thing?

  9. 9 nicker Apr 4th, 2016 at 11:18 am

    Visually striking.
    Another way cool street tracker.

    -nicker-

  10. 10 B. Garner Apr 4th, 2016 at 12:35 pm

    I think it’s very sharp.

  11. 11 Clay Manson Apr 4th, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    Yep, in one year Dar will accuse his investor disappearing to justify work never delivered.

  12. 12 Jason Blair Apr 4th, 2016 at 12:44 pm

    What is BBC today. One guy, Dar Holdsworth and a guy lending some money now called CEO. The press release is pretentious, talking about BBC like it is a big corporation. You trust Dar Holdsworth or not. The fact that he now owes more money (a loan added to the money/parts/work already owed to his clients) makes him a riskier choice as a builder today than yesterday. Watch out.

  13. 13 Woody's Apr 4th, 2016 at 1:05 pm

    The shape of the bike is very nice but I do not understand the choice of paint. A great bike shouldn’t hurt your eyes. Would love to see it again after a new paint job.

  14. 14 Blackmax Apr 4th, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    I think some people got confused
    on which article to comment on ????
    I like what they done to this Sporty !!!!
    If you’re are into Sportsters

  15. 15 Catamini Apr 4th, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    I want it in silver and black.

  16. 16 Boots Apr 4th, 2016 at 7:31 pm

    It’s a great-looking sportster! I also don’t care for the colors. Looks like something you’d see in a circus parade!

  17. 17 Dave Blevins Apr 4th, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    I like it. Nice job!

  18. 18 garagedog Apr 4th, 2016 at 9:09 pm

    w/ M. Schleck, what years, also weight savings on swingarm? Looking to shave a few lbs. from a 1200 Roadster. Tough looking bike if you can get past the green – that grey on top of tank would look nice there.

  19. 19 Denny barto Apr 5th, 2016 at 11:52 am

    Good looking bike but I think they should have used a 1200?? Yes-no?

  20. 20 takehikes Apr 6th, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    wow is that wrong in a lot of different ways…different strokes I guess.

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Cyril Huze