50 years in business (1967-2017) in Switzerland for the same Harley company, a milestone needing to be celebrated. Father Felix Bächli (born in 1940) started in 1967 as a Harley and US bike seller, then became in 1978 an authorized official dealer. Son Rainer took over in 2002, and is now managing Harley-Davidson Heaven biggest dealership in the Switzerland, selling yearly about 15% of all Harley models in a country where the Milwaukee brand owns more than 26% of the heavyweight motorcycle market share.
A tribute in the form of a custom Harley V-Rod Muscle, although after 15 years of production the V-Rod is going to fade away in 2017. So, why Bächli did decide to pick up a V-Rod model to produce an Anniversary Limited Edition? Simply because it’s one of the preferred Harley models for neighboring Germans and Swiss riders. And not only because the V-rod has a well documented engine connection with Porsche Engineering, but also because the Harley power/cruiser seems conceived specifically for what German and Swiss riders – who are well known for their passion for advanced technology – like to ride. A motorcycle desirable because it’s of American origin, but also one quite revolutionary, not buried in a past era for silhouette and performance… So, an Adieu to the V-Rod 60-degree V-Twin, but with one done with a BiG Bang, Bächli producing several 50 Years Anniversary limited edition models, variations coming from different paint jobs and of a few accessories.
For Zurich based Baechli’s Harley Heaven the V-Rod Muscle or VRSC model has always added a cool new twist to the Harley-Davison traditional theme. When you are an official dealer, there are things you don’t want to change: of course the frame, the superb Revolution engine thrust and the very comfortable and maybe the best Harley upside down front forks suspension. So, how do you go from stock to the radical custom status? By adding more muscle to the bike, in incorporating and modifying accessories from the great V-Rod and Buell Specialist in Germany R&R Customizing (RRC). Then adorne the bike all over with a very flashy paint job meaning dramatic power and strength.
With the “Hard Muscle”, Rainer Bächli didn’t try to reinvent the wheel, most aftermarket parts being available close by in Germany. He just modified, adapted most of the RRC custom components. It includes the complete sporty tail end changing the rider position for a more aggressive stance, the swingarm extension, the kit to re-space the driveline to accept the wider 9.5” rear wheel wrapped in a massive 280 mm Metzeler rubber, the headlight mask, etc. To match the great Harley upside down front suspension a set of Hyperpro HD 11-7 Special rear shocks were installed. The stock mufflers were swapped for a Jekill & Hyde exhaust system where both pipe ends are adjustable for sound (in case you want to play with neighbors and cops…) Siggie‘s Customp Pinstriping performed the eye catching paint job which includes wheels and all body parts up to the RRC headlight fairing. The way it looks and sounds, the “Hard Muscle” seems ready to scratch some tarmac. And there are thousands of V-Rods out there waiting to be customized. Harley Heaven/Felix Bächli AG. (photos @ H. Roesler for C. Huze)
Tech Sheet
Name. Hard Muscle
Owner. Harley Heaven/Felix Bächli AG
Ort/Location/Ville/Stad/Citta/Cidade: Dietikon / Switzerland
Year. 2016
Time. 3 Months
Model. V-Rod Muscle VRSCF
Value. On request
Motor. Stock Harley Revolution 60° V-Twin, 2016
Size. 1250 cc, 76”
Exhaust. Adjustable Jekyll & Hyde Exhaust System
Transmission. H-D
Baujahr/Year/Année/bouwjaar/Anno/Ano: 2015
Primary. H-D VRCF
Secondary. Belt Drive Ltd.
Brakes. H-D VRCF
Swingarm. H-D modified R&R Customs
Rear suspension. Hyperpro HD11-7
Front suspension. Stock HD Upside-Down
Vorne/Front/avant/voor/anteriore/Frente:
Front wheel. H-D 19’ painted, air brushed.
Front tire. 120/70ZR19 Michelin
Rear wheel. 18 x 9.5“ by R&R Customizing, painted and air brushed
Rear Tire.280/35VR18 Metzeler ME880
Front & rear discs. H-D Stock
Risers. H-D stock Stock Harley Davidson
Bars. H-D Stock
Rear View Mirrors. R&R Customizing
Grips. H-D stock
Stock Harley Davidson Fußrasten/Pegs/Repose-pieds/voetsteunen/Pedaliera/Pousa Pés:
Seat. R&R Customs
Oil Tank. H-D stock
Front And Rear fenders. GFK R&R Customizing
Headlight. R&R Customizing
Taillight. H-D stock
Turn signals. Kellermann LED Rhombus Black
Paint. Idea and paint by Siggi Zimmer (Experience-Colours/Siggi‘s Custom painting)
Colors.
Silver gray./Black base, Harley colors and metal flake accents
with pin-up girl on tank.
So why leave the motor stock — seems like more “show” with the same “go”. If you’re going to call it “hard muscle” then you should put more muscle (hp) into it.
Cool V-Rod! As a matter of fact, last night I was also checking out the great V-Rod custom parts and bikes from No-Limit Custom from Germany. If anyone is really into V-Rods, you may want to see the wild V-Rods from NLC. You’ll also find tons of nice pics on their FB page.
Cool bike. I think Harley missed a golden opportunity by not offering this platform with better ergonomics.
Vrod is a great platform to build all kinds of cool bikes………..too bad the market just dont buy them and buyers accept a hightech and liquid cooled HD
Guy at the hotel in sturgis has a vrod/road rod with a kit on it and its a great all round bike.
http://www.cyclevisions.com/index.php/cvstore/cv-products/road-rod-conversion-kit.html
If you’re looking for the ultimate in V- Rod customs with more go than show look no further than Dr Mechanik over Stuttgart Germany way
As for the V-Rod itself . A plethora of missed opportunities abound with the V-Rod just waiting for the company to get with the potentiality of the program
I agree the motor is the inconsistent issue I have with the Muscle. Wait till you see what we’re doing Amy GR Customs!
AA
ergonomics,def…i sat on a couple,rode one,just never felt right…but i do like what some of these German dudes are doing with them
Harley should keep selling the V-rod in Europe or sell the tooling to someone who can keep it alive. That is a great looking V rod and congrats on the 50 years.
H-D management has been consistently short sighted. Europeans and Aussies prefer real performance bikes (as do I). The preferred the V-Rod as the did Buells over the antique air-cooled or the new bikes with their water-cooled heads and air-cooled jugs (just a silly setup).
But Americans buy what they buy and obviously H-D prefers to limit what it offers – this boosts profits for the short term but turns away customers like me (although I still have my Buell).
When the V-Rod first came out, I thought that this sweet engine was going to power several new models and I kept waiting for one without that stupid drag bike look – more of a sport-tourer. Of course, it never appeared and instead, like the Buell performance bikes, they killed them off.
Hey, it’s their company and if they want to drive guys like European riders and performance guys like me away, they’ve succeeded. Nothing they offer now interests me in the least bit.