Angry Bitch. A Fun-Ready Single Sided Swingarm FXR.

Since launched in 1981 as an 1982 model, the FXR represents the Harley to do more than cruising around; a H-D for having more fun thanks to a three rubber- mounted engine limiting vibrations to the rider, and with a higher seat and foot pegs to authorize a leaner angle. Some former and current owners still claim, and I mostly agree, that the FXR is probably the best Harley for fun that it ever produced.

The reputation of the FXR resurfaced again during these last years with more of them getting a second or third life in motorcycle shops across the country. Consequently, the now inevitable FXR only bike shows or at least major FXR classes in Daytona and Sturgis. A phenomenum attracting good Custom Builders, in priority those specialized in custom, high performance builds with rebuilt and boosted motors, like builder Mike Beland of A1 Cycles.

Mike Beland reasoning is that FXR’s “Best Harley Ever” reputation deserves the best of of his expertise without constraint of time. So he spent one year on this project instead the usual 10-12 weeks of building a customer bike and getting it out of the door. Priority? After rebuilding many FXR’s, to be the first creating a powerful working single sided swingarm FXR with a front end offering handling to match..

Building platform is a 1993 FXR whose motor is fully rebuilt personally by Mike Beland, including all of the machining and finish work. Motor is 117″ custom Twin Cam 135 hp. Chassis now uses a Triumph 1050 Sprint Single Sided Swingarm (40 hours of work). Rear shock is from A BMW GS1200. Front forks come from a 2003 GSRX 750. Full tech sheet is below.

“Mike told me The bike rides fast and stops well. I spent time exploring the lines and balance of the overall look. I am very proud of this bike and wouldn’t change a thing…” Offered at $35,000.

A 1 Cycles .Mike Beland 704-307-8422.  (Photography @ Horst Roesler for Cyril Huze)

Name  Angry Bitch
Owner Mike Beland
Location Maiden, North Carolina
Assembly A 1 cycles inc.
Year 1993
Time 1 year to build
Completed march 2018
Model harley davidson fxr
Value 35,000 usd. For sale.
Chassis triumph 1050 sprint single Sided swingarm (40 hours of work)
Rear shock bmw gs1200
Front forks 2003 gsxr 750
Triple clamps custom triple clamps by A 1 cycles
Pro taper handle bars with hydraulic controls from nissen
Grips renthal
Master cylinder reservoirs by yanashiki
hand built tail section with lithium ion battery in trunk
seat by high rollers butch watson
gas tank custom chrome stretched with jap bike cap
paint by lemon
motor 117″ custom twin cam 135 hp
block harley cases jims crank with carrillo rods
cylinders jims big bore cylinder
heads screaming eagle heads heavily modified
cams gear driven cutom grind
air cleaner ss air cleaner with brass balls carbon cover
carb s&s g carb modified
ignition thunder heart stand alone crank trigger custom map
pipes bassani rr3 big bore stepped header, cone engineering megaphone muffler
headlight v rod headlight custom clamps
transmission 2000  harley twin cam back cut 5 speed

26 Responses to “Angry Bitch. A Fun-Ready Single Sided Swingarm FXR.”


  1. 1 Hadley Apr 2nd, 2018 at 8:17 am

    Kool

  2. 2 Brett Asoulay Apr 2nd, 2018 at 8:31 am

    I like it, but why do builders forget to adapt the kickstand to the lean angle. Bike looks like a “wounded” bird.

  3. 3 P. .Hamilton Apr 2nd, 2018 at 8:32 am

    Must be fun.

  4. 4 hark Apr 2nd, 2018 at 8:56 am

    Produce this bike and forget about electric for awhile.

  5. 5 shopdawg Apr 2nd, 2018 at 10:00 am

    Do I see an unfinished weld on the frt cyl exhaust tube??

  6. 6 Tom Keefer Apr 2nd, 2018 at 11:22 am

    I had the pleasure of meeting Mike at Faytona and work side by side with him at Sons Of speed. What a great guy and extremely knowledgeable! This bike is very well done and looks even better in person.

  7. 7 Stefen Apr 2nd, 2018 at 12:06 pm

    Pretty good.

  8. 8 SoCalPhun Apr 2nd, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    Awesome. A custom showpiece bike that can also be a daily driver.

  9. 9 Paul Apr 2nd, 2018 at 2:24 pm

    Sweet ride from a talented guy. Saw the bike at the Charlotte Easyriders show

  10. 10 kevinboylekustoms Apr 2nd, 2018 at 4:12 pm

    Mike is a classy dude and talented
    glad to call him LONGtime friend
    CIONGRATS !!!!!

  11. 11 Woody's Apr 2nd, 2018 at 4:29 pm

    That’s a nice clean bike. Simple concepts can be the hardest to build. If it were mine, I’d convert it to a belt, but that’s certainly not a complaint.

  12. 12 Boomer Apr 2nd, 2018 at 4:48 pm

    Looks like a fun bike to ride. One trick (high tech) pony.

  13. 13 Warnerman Apr 2nd, 2018 at 5:23 pm

    The flood gates have been opened. Good!

  14. 14 bean're Apr 2nd, 2018 at 6:42 pm

    Super great bike build but then Mike is a super great bike builder, even more talented rider and my favorite, a Marine Corps Veteran!

  15. 15 Xenu Apr 2nd, 2018 at 7:52 pm

    Fine build that screams “ride me” but it needs a kickstand that says”park me.”

  16. 16 ozzie21 Apr 2nd, 2018 at 9:34 pm

    Shades of Ducati XDiavel……..LOL.

  17. 17 coma Apr 3rd, 2018 at 2:05 am

    “authorize a leaner angle”? I want a leaner angle too! 🙂

  18. 18 Johnny O Apr 3rd, 2018 at 5:08 am

    No stones left unturned with that build and anyone that knows mike probably not surprised he build a bike that is meant to ride unlike the sea of Big wheels at Daytona that quickly went on the trailer after they got done riding up and down Main Street.

  19. 19 Antonio Blanco Apr 3rd, 2018 at 5:58 am

    beautiful ride, well done Mike!

  20. 20 Paparay Apr 3rd, 2018 at 7:42 am

    Great job Mike Mike put a turbo on my crossbow and did a unbelievable job still ride it Back and forth to Jersey every year he’s a great guy and that’s great work sorry to see him leave Florida but good luck bro the bike ithe bike is unbelievable and every aspect and find nothing I don’t like about that bikei unbelievable and every aspect can’t find nothing I don’t like about that bike please send me some A1 stinke rs the haters keep peeling off my bike

  21. 21 takehikes Apr 3rd, 2018 at 8:57 am

    Well its rideable……proportions are terrible and as usual with these bikes its a mashup of stuff….”hey lets stick this one…..” mentality. I honestly believe many of these machines showcased are not thought through nor drawn up ahead of time. Vision is one thing but it has to have symmetry and flow or it looks like this. Nice job on the tank/seat/tailpiece flowing well together but rest of it is choppy.

  22. 22 Dar Apr 3rd, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    Great job Mike! It’s an honor to have our parts on your bike! Continued success to you.

  23. 23 Knuckle Saver Apr 3rd, 2018 at 10:03 pm

    Nice work. I like the swingarm.

  24. 24 burnout Apr 4th, 2018 at 12:42 am

    Cool! peace

  25. 25 nicker Apr 4th, 2018 at 10:15 pm

    So Cool,,, !!!

    -nicker-

  26. 26 Hucker Sep 8th, 2018 at 4:32 pm

    So basically you start out with an FXR and end up with just an FXR frame and gas tank in order to get a good bike? FXR’s are the scariest bike I have ever ridden… terrible handling, close enough to 700lbs to never be a good twisties candidate, terrible power to weight ratio, no brakes, wicked bad high-speed weave, vibrate like an earthquake… no wonder Indian is stompin’ H-D to pieces
    Worst bike to wrench on as well…

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Cyril Huze