Harley-Davidson made the new Sportster Iron 883 intentionally raw and rough around the edges. But not enough for most custom builders, especially if the builder is a Harley dealer competing against other dealers for the bragging rights of being the King in the factory-organized “Battle Of The Kings”
This Iron 883 makeover is an excellent example of an affordable custom with superb look and that will not require going through any administrative hurdles to make it road legal. Thunderbike Customs achieved these 3 objectives using a mix of of their own proprietary custom parts and of those found in the official Harley catalog or web store. Factory frame, 883 cc engine and 5-speed tranny remain untouched to preserve the standard factory 24-month unlimited mileage warranty.
This Iron King gets its more agressive stance, first from a new Thunderbike proprietary rear fender, then from a 48-gas tank sourced at Motorcycle Store House that has been raised using a Thunderbike Customs Lift-Kit. Overall bike geometry was improved with extended forks, with new longer CCE rear shocks, and thanks to Drag Bars also sourced at CCE. Under these bars the custom shop installed their own very discreet “Stripe Turn Signals”, their most popular item sold in the US. Driveline went belt to chain with a bolt-on CCE kit. The Sportster rolls on a 19” front and 16 rear wheels shod in Baja Tires (130/90-16TL front, 100/90-19TL rear)
For more rumble and beauty treatment, Thunderbike installed a new ECE Zard exhaust, aftermarket H-D grips and air cleaner, a custom seat, their own coil bracket and a set of Rizoma 3 into 1 (run/brake/turn) rear signals. To complete the project, a simple silver and black paint job with gold IRON lettering. An excellent blueprint for millennials of both sexes, this customized Sporty 883 was internet voted “H-D King” in Germany and 2nd overall King for all the region Europe / Middle East & Africa. Thunderbike Customs. (all photos Ben Hott for Cyril Huze)
Both look very nice. The Sporty & the model.
The model is the builder of the bike 😉
Martin. Serious?
My type of bike and lady.
Without minimizing the work of Thunderbike, it’s the kind of Sporty you can do in your garage, maybe with some help from friends. I guess it was the objective. Building a Sporty making millennials want to do one and ride it. Budget of parts without labor?
If you like custom choppers, Thunderbike’s new ‘Outerlimit’ bike is really super nice! They have a great newsletter and lots of pics on the build and a video on their site too.
@P Haminlton: Yes, absolutly (with some help ^^) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7q4OZOMRZU
@Greeko: Yes, it had to be affordable by the rules of the competition. The overall limit was 16666 € incl. bike, parts & work. We sold some of the stock parts, so we were able to reach this limit (without the custom paint). Seems like Cyril has to allow YouTube links in the comments first, but you´ll find a Making-Of Video there.
Cyril. more customs like this one, that we can ride…
Like the wheels. Kind of new version of the Invader wheels.
Why the factory doesn’t offer this as a stock bike in its lineup?
That is a sharp looking Sporty. If that model gal built it, props to her too. I like the whole idea of the contest, keeping warranty while keeping the price reasonable.
Hey Martin, nice bike, and great way to showcase some of your products …
……………………………… Domino Dave ………………………………..
p.s. So nice to have a “real” girl as a model …
2Martin, good-looking bike and thanks for sharing the video. One small request-hand out some safety glasses for the shop, it’s hard to build bikes if blinded, and harder to ride afterwards ☺
Must really love that helmet to have it in most of the pics blocking the view of the bike!