All custom builders have a special custom bike parked in their mind. The one they would like a client to order or, if it doesn’t happen, that they would like to build for themselves. Of course one made to ride, demonstrating the builder’s best skills, and one he can also look at proudly every day in his shop while working on other clients’ projects.
Brothers Justin & Jarrod Del Prado at DP Customs shared the same frustration of seeing all their commissioned projects leave the shop as soon as tested… and paid in full. Although extremely busy, a time window became available for a very special project, theirs… What is remarkable is that not only they agree almost all the time when working for others but also shared the same vision when building this Ironhead beast for themselves.
The bros are joking that the turbo charger fitted on this project was used for years as a paperweight and that it was time to put it to its intended use on Justin’s personal 1979 1000 cc Ironhead. And since both share as much passion for custom cars as for custom motorcycles they agreed on hot-rodding the old Sporty. But of course not before rebuilding and muscling up the motor from top to bottom, adding forged pistons, new valves and springs, an aluminum intake and bolting on a jetted Mikuni. DP Customs conceived and fabricated the turbo brackets setup, and the short and very loud exhaust system. The duo acknowledge that the work consisting of tapping into the cam cover for the oil return was quite challenging. All plumbing, anodized fittings, auto-flex hoses and braided lines were sourced at racing expert Earl’s.
To mean racing business, a long (6” stretch) and low (4” drop”) hardtail frame was formed and welded at the shop. Fenders were forgotten and agressive stance comes from the bike rolling on a rear steel 15×5 car wheel adapted to work with a Harley hub and a DP Customs designed 19” front wheel machined by Thomason Performance. Braking duties are via a rear custom made chain rotor/sprocket setup, and in the front via a single 4-piston Brembo brake. Seat pan is as small as possible/necessary and leather covered by Unique Seats in Scottsdale. Oil tank is from Mooneyes and the battery is as discreet as possible thanks to a mini Lithium-ion unit from Ballistic. The clip-ons are from Chainsikle and use Biltwell Inc. grips. Gas tank features different artwork on each side, with agressive colors chosen to mean what the bike is all about. To ride fast and furiously with a wicked sound. DP Customs. (photography @DP)
Really sweet. Think a chain guard painted white would be a nice fill for the space behind motor and add to lines.
Nice, but for short spins…(seat)
Turbo is not for everybody!
Like the rear wheel
Like, but very uncomfortable.
Cool…!!!
But is that pumper Delorto going to be enough?
-nicker-
I like this thing!! peace
I am scratching my head a bit here. What is the purpose of blowing the snot out of a poor o’l Ironhead and then ballast it with a ten ton rear wheel?
Neat-O. I can dig it.
Good point, it’s not following any Sportster customization trend and I like the result.
whats with all these one off bikes running those same tail lights?
Fugly
I agree with SIGFREED. Does the turbocharger and motor enhancements make the bike powerful enough for that rear wheel? What’s the point of it anyway?
This bike just looks disjointed
Stock foot peg placement , lowered seat and clip ons ? is the rider double jointed ?
Wow !!!!
Turbo on a Sporty is a bit of overkill
But i think that somebody will end up buying it & be happy they did
especially when they pass me & leave my old butt in the dust !!!
BWHHAAAAHHAAAA !!!!