His latest creation really brings out the macho in a high-powered Street Fighter style. I had the pleasure of riding one of Harley’s first V-Rods and I felt the stock machine had more than enough power, but then I’m used to cruising down the Autobahn on an Ultra Glide at a comfortable 80 MPH. Most builders and riders are satisfied with the stock, slightly over a hundred horsepower engine. Not Holger, enough is never enough and too much horsepower is just right. I’m not a power hungry fiend like Holger, but in the crazed Street Fighter motorcycle world there are probably at least 1,000 riders for every one of me.
Obviously, his custom V-Rod, 24/7 KILL, wasn’t designed to carry a passenger unless that person has a bizarre anatomy as it features a nitrous tank mounted vertically that literally juts straight up from the sportbike-style tail section. With just a flick of a switch, which is conveniently located in the center of the faux tank, 24/7 KILL can go from the stock 105hp rating to a 160hp, ass kicking, asphalt shredder. For reference, the drag race only V-Rod Destroyer makes comparable power and turns low 9’s in the quarter. This bike will never be a street sleeper as that huge tank full of whipped cream propellant is beyond obvious.
24/7 KILL utilizes the stock frame and fork with minor modifications as it was plenty strong and works well. Where Holger deviated from stock was the NLC extended swingarm that is an example of the beautiful millwork his company is known for. Because of that extension, the rear shocks had to be replaced with possibly the longest suspenders ever seen on a street motorcycle. Ultimately though, the bike’s geometry was kept reasonable and provides both high speed stability on Germany’s speed limit-free sections of the Autobahn and the agility required on the winding roads through the Black Forest.
The muscular looking, multi-piece, tri-spoke wheels are NLC’s Tripple X design and mount Dunlop’s best with a 250mm rear and a stout 130mm up front. Massive NLC brakes, which look like they’re easily capable of stopping a landing jet, keep Holger from nailing the back of a slow, smoke spewing two-stroke East German Trabant absentmindedly pulling into the passing lane while going to the Loveparade in Berlin. Like horsepower, you can’t have enough brakes either. The NLC upswept exhaust looks to be painfully brutal and I can only imagine how loud it would echo through the Alps, I doubt it would ever pass the tough scrutiny of the German TUV inspectors. Another good reason for being able to go absurdly fast, you can’t get caught if they can’t catch you.
The bodywork’s tough, don’t screw with me look, is all NLC from the hump-back airbox cover, to the truncated Street Fighter tail, down to the redesigned radiator housing, while the “Honest officer, it’s legal” front fender and protruding Stealth bomber headlight finish it off. No feminine lines anywhere on this baby. Gerado Rico Suave feigns manliness, 24/7 KILL es muy macho. Finally, buying chrome polish would be a waste of time; it looks like the finished bike was just dipped in a giant vat of black paint and left to dry. Whether you’re a V-Rod fan or not, you gotta admit that this is one tough, kick-ass custom that would be a mind altering trip to ride.
This bike feature originally appeared in Barnett’s Magazine issue #50, September 2006.
SPECIFICATIONS | |
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Bike Name: | 24/7 KILL |
Owner: | Holger Schnell / No-Limit-Customs |
Year / Make: | 2005 Harley-Davidson VRSC |
Fabrication/ Assembly: | NLC |
Build time: | 3 Months |
Engine: | 2005 H-D VRSC |
Cases: | H-D / NLC |
Pistons: | H-D |
Cylinders: | H-D / NLC |
Heads: | H-D / NLC |
Carb: | H-D Fuel Injection |
Pipes: | NLC |
Air Cleaner: | NLC |
Transmission: | H-D 5-speed |
Primary: | Cover by NLC |
Frame: | H-D |
Rake: | Stock |
Stretch: | Stock |
Forks: | H-D Stock |
Rear Suspension: | Extremely long shocks |
Front Wheel: | 4.0 X 17 NLC Tripple X |
Rear Wheel: | 9.5 X 18 NLC Tripple X |
Front Tire: | 130/70 X 17 Dunlop |
Rear Tire: | 250/40 X 18 Dunlop |
Front Brakes: | NLC |
Rear Brakes: | NLC |
Fuel Tank: | NLC cover |
Fenders: | NLC |
Handlebars: | Fehling |
Headlight: | NLC |
Taillight: | NLC |
Hand Controls: | NLC |
Foot Controls: | NLC |
Painter: | NLC |
Color: | Black |
Seat: | NLC |