The craftsmanship behind many radical baggers is often incredible, for the best … or the worst final result. And I don’t fear stating that this new creation from German builder Fred Kodlin is probably at the top of the most beautiful examples of what can be done when using a Harley-Davidson touring chassis. A custom job performed in only 7 weeks!
Fred has always built extreme motorcycles, most often mixing swooping lines with a touch of aggressive components, making all his builds elegant while still keeping the tough personality that all motorcycles should keep. And “Blue 40 Two is a new great example of a style which is now his trademark.
It helps all custom builders to have a client who trust you 100%. Berliner Thomas Ney already owned 2 Kodlin creations when he ordered this radical Bagger based on 2013 Road Glide Custom. The amazing fact regarding this project is that Ney could agree in advance on the most essential body components because they are high end bolt-on parts available to all from the Kodlin catalog… Kodlin’s magic make them looking as one-off parts on which he would have spent hundred of hours.
The 2013 factory Road Glide® Custom, the low version of the shark-nose Harley-Davidson Classic, is based on a single-spar, rigid backbone frame with a stout swingarm developed to withstand the demands of long-haul touring riders and today’s powerful engines. So, the only alteration Fred Kodlin thought necessary, and the one from which “Blue 40 Two began to acquire its stance, was to rake the factory 29.2° neck to 38°. A task accomplished with his own proprietary weld-in frame piece (TUV approved.) To the frame is now attached a superb 2” longer inverted front end from Italian ODC and holding a 30” 5-spoke wheel from Metalsport. Braking is via dual discs, each equipped with a 6-piston caliper from Performance Machine.
In the back, the rear wheel being invisible, the HD 18” factory model was kept, as was the stock 4-piston caliper. Overall braking setup is powerful enough to slow the 103” bagger to a stop, although the motor went for some extra muscle to G&R Racing where it went from stock 1690 cc to 1800 cc. One of Kodlin air filters was bolted on it. Motor and HD factory 6-speed cruise drive tranny, front end and front wheel were powdercoated in glossy black.
Regarding body parts, extended for drop seat gas tank is from Paul Yaffee. Steel 30” front fender is from Kodlin, as are the spectacular “Long Baller” saddlebags and matching rear fender. And to go from a plush ride to show demo and back on the road, Blue 40 Two uses adjustable Air Legend suspension shocks. A very Germanic style front fairing was hand fabricated at the shop to welcome a pair of LED lights. Rider feet now rest on a set of Kodlin “F32” floorboards. Fred Kodlin applied himself the striking solid matte blue pearl, an awesome visual contrast to all the black powder coated engine, tranny and custom parts. Kodlin Motorcycles. (photos courtesy Kodlin for C. Huze)
Tech Sheet
Name. Blue 40 Two
Owner. Thomas Ney
City. Berlin
Builder. Kodlin Motorcycles
Time Of Build. 7 weeks
Completed. June 2016
Model. Custom FLTRX
Motor. 113” Harley/G&R RACING Powdercoated
Carburator. EFI
Air cleaner. Kodlin
Exhaust. S&S
Mufflers. Jekill & Hyde
Transmission. 6-speed HD Powdercoated
Driveline. HD
Frame. HD modified neck by Fred Kodlin (with European TÜV Certificate)
Rake. 38°
Drop seat kit
Swingarm. HD
Front end. Inverted by ODC
Hersteller/Type/Constructeur/merk/Marca/Constructor: ODC
Wheels.Metalsport
Front. 4 x 30” with 140/40.30 tire
Rear. 5.5 x 18” with 200/45-18 tire
Brakes. 6-piston front Performance Machine, Harley stock rear.
Bars. Kodlin Motorcycles
Mirrors. Ness
Grips/hand Controls. Performance Machine Hydraulic Clutch
Floorboards. Kodlin “F32” floorboards
Kennzeichenhalter/Number-Plate Holder:
Gas Tank. Yaffee extended for drop seat
Seat. Maik X
Front fender. Steel by Kodlin Motorcycles
Rear End/Saddlebags. Kodlin Motorcycles
Headlight. LED Kodlin Motorcycles
Taillight. LED Kodlin Motorcycles
Turn Signals. LED Kodlin Motorcycles./Verniciature/Pintura:
Painter. Fred Kodlin.
Color. Matte Blue Pearl
Contact. Borken / Hessen, Germany Tel. 05682-70710
Website. Kodlin Motorcycles
This bagger is gorgeous, shape and color.
It’s beautiful, but the bags are so close to the ground. Impractical. Nice to look at though.
Bagger chic!
Like everything except the headlight fairing. Too angular.
Saw a Porsche 911 painted in same blue. Beautiful.
Can’t stand the big wheel. Looks like it is going uphill.
The gas mileage will suffer for sure.
I suppose it marginally functions as a motorcycle as long as you don’t have to make any turns. That, or just have a big ole jar of blue touch up paint for the bottom of your hard bags.
Did you guys realized that the bike is shot in position lowered to the ground? Cyril wrote that it is equipped with an adjustable rear suspension to “go from road to show and back”
There is no such thing as a gorgeous bagger. The question is, Why?
Not a Big Wheel bagger fan but this is a good looking machine.
Agree with Kroeter
More of a caricature than a style……
-nicker-
It’s a hd bagger style!
Love this matte blue pearl.
Kodlin should sell quite a few of this saddlebags/rear fender combo.
Fred’s always beeen a “techy” builder for sure…
I’d never personally consider a big wheel bike, but this is a nice clean, interesting build with a great saddlebags treatment.
Love FK bikes……….less is more ………they bikes look better slammed and then do raised up !!
@nicker,
More of a caricature than a style ah for my child memories for my first 3 wheel trike. a red and white flexy flyer. big wheel permanently imprinted.
anyway, love the blue paint. and nice proportions.
-yes- Big-wheel does come to mind……
And certainly, as a design exercise one could say its successful.
In the final analysis, i guess its a matter of personal preference…..
-nicker-
For a traditional biker, that thing is butt ugly.
If you wear skinny jeans and a man bun, it is probably listed after.
Like the color, cool stance, not practical to ride. Show bike for sure !
Brent. And what exactly is a traditional biker? What it has to do with skinny jeans?? I like this bagger very much.
Well said Brent, spot on.
Brent – If they’re only for skinny jean man bun dudes then why is this the dominant style of custom at old man events like Daytona, Sturgis etc….lol That said, it looks well built, but this style is just inherently ugly to me.
I guess those who hate skinny jeans are those who will never fit in them! Overweight America?
Don’t usually like baggers and at first look, not this one either. But, have to admit the color is beautiful and the overall lines are worth a second look. But, no self-respecting skinny jean type would be on this. They’re into Triumphs, Guizzis and BMWs.
Kodlin is a respected builder. I couldn’t even think of this. I suck. However it’s disappointing this trend has remanded some of the innovators to stay profitable. It’s gone from sublime to rediculous. Time to move on.
Not a fan fo the Big Wheel thing
But certainly a work of art as is everything Mr, Kodlin seems to touch.
Contemporaries with Ness, I would venture to say so !!!
I wonder how much better it would look with a bat wing fairing?
Nice paint but thats about it…..
Angles of bag bottom and rear fender are all wrong.
Looking at that would drive me nuts.
Beautiful bike. Custom baggers weren’t the flash in the pan stype many predicted. Because when properly built, they ride better than stock, and look good too.
This bagger shape is beautiful but the bags are so close to the ground.