Cyril Huze Blog – World's Number One Source For Custom Motorcycle News

In 1903, four young men in Milwaukee put a motor in a bicycle frame, One hundred and fifteen years later, Harley-Davidson and bikers all over the world are celebrating. In 2018, expect more flat-track racing, hill climbs, beach racing, drag racing, street parties, events in Harley hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and other locations around the world.

Of course, Harley built 115th Anniversary metal. Two limited-edition, serialised designs with a 115th Anniversary Eagle and special anniversary paints are available on nine models for those who want to do the anniversary big. Two Limited Edition 115th Anniversary paint schemes will be available on select 2018 models. The divergent styles will appeal to a broader audience of customers and, to add exclusivity to each model, all paint sets will be serialized.

115th Anniversary Two-Tone. Available only on Tri-Glide®, Ultra Limited, Street Glide®, Fat Boy® 114, and Heritage Classic 114 models.

• Exclusive Legend Blue/Vivid Black two-tone paint scheme
• Triple pinstripe
• 115th Anniversary multi-metal tank cloisonné
◦ Eagle holding the Bar and Shield in its talons
• Perforated seat with blue stitching and embossed “HDMC”
• 115th Anniversary script on console, timer cover and air cleaner
• Serialization on trim

115th Anniversary Denim. Available only on Street Glide® Special, Fat Boy®114, Breakout® 114, and Forty-Eight® models.

• Exclusive Legend Blue Denim paint
• 115th Anniversary tattoo-inspired graphic
◦ Eagle holding the Bar and Shield in its talons
◦ Harley-Davidson script varies by model
• Perforated seat with blue stitching and embossed “HDMC”
• Serialization hand-applied at the factory

As I explained 2 weeks ago, for each new motorcycle model there is a rush from dealers and from independent shops to become the first to customize it and to make it known by the largest number of bikers. This year, the rush to customize is amplified by Eight all-new Softail® models featuring a reinvented frame with easily adjustable mono shock rear suspension conceived to harness the massive power of the Milwaukee-Eight® 107 and 114 engines.

We already know that the 2018 Fat Boy with its muscular stance (a 160 mm front and 240 mm rear solid-disc wheels) is going to be one of the most sought-after Softails.

Official German Harley-Davidson Wuerzburg Village  was the first to customize one on time to display it September 5 to 10 at the 20th European Bike Week. But it was a very simple and partial bolt-on job. Rick’s Motorcycles aka Harley-Davidson Baden-Baden was not far behind with this bolt-on creation featuring Rick’s existing or adapted or brand new 2018 after-market parts.

The Milwaukee-Eight® 107 and 114 engines, the most powerful Harley engines has ever put in a Softail® frame, were already “customized” with Rick’s parts on numerous of his touring bike conversions. So, no extra work was necessary. But with their R&D and CAD departments on standby since the US Dealer show, Rick’s crew was ready to redesign and adapt, first their proprietary “Rodder” wheels to the new Softail swingarm. Then it was time to CAD redesign all sheet metal bodywork, from tail end (a short and long version will be available) to front fender.

Gas tank was “visually” extended using a small cheap part invented by Rick’s for the Twin Cam “Breakout”: a metal cover neatly joining the Rick’s tail end/seat assembly with the factory tank. Of course you have the option to have the steel tank stretched at a later custom stage, a more costly proposition because of the labor time involved and the necessity to repaint the gas tank.

A Rick’s “Good Guys” air filter (now available with a CNC cut that matches the wheel design), grips and adjustable hand controls complete the bolt-on job.

In less than a month after the introduction of a completely new model line by Harley, the Rick’s team has adapted the entire line of Rick’s custom parts not only to the 2018 Fat Boy but also to the other all-new 7 Softails of the line-up. Quite an achievement!

Rick’s Motorcycles . Harley From Baden Baden. (photos @ Peter Schulz for Cyril Huze)