Robert explained how this all came to be saying, “Cory wanted a hot rod FXR with a very street rod-ish look, lots of detail and style. We started with a whole bike, disassembled it, and stretched the frame two-inches, dropped the neck two-inches, widened the rear section one-inch, and extended the swingarm two-inches. With a final neck rake of 36-degrees, I used 2000 FXR4 lower legs with two-inch-under tubes and 11.5” Progressive shocks on the rear to get the proper stance. The custom-made pro-street swingarm gives it the aggressive look we were after.” What he ended up with in a nutshell is just like Detroit’s old new-car tag line of Longer, Lower, and Wider that you used to hear at each new model year’s introduction back when the only high-tech electronics on a car was the newfangled transistor radio. Hey, the style worked back then and is still worshipped today by a lot of us, so why not go with it? Well Robert sure did, but in a modern way that should be as good long term as a tri-tone 1957 DeSoto Adventurer convertible does today.

When it came engine time, Robert kinda combined the old with new again as he updated the then-new 80” Evo engine. “I installed a set of 89” S&S flywheels, H-beam rods, 10:1 compression pistons, ported Screamin’ Eagle heads with Woods springs and Ness rocker boxes, a.610-lift V-Thunder camshaft with JIMS roller lifters and rocker arms , and a Crane Hi 4 ignition. I sent the new cylinders to S&H Chrome Plating and Powder Coating (www.s-hchrome.com) in Madison, Tennessee, to be hexed and diamond cut and then decided on a dual Edelbrock carb setup to build large numbers out of the old horse. I got 102hp and 100lb-ft of torque to be exact, not bad for a revitalized Evo.”

Handling all this newfound power with the old stock 4-speed crash box just might have ended up with someone crying, so Robert took a cool route out of that potential or eventual problem. Stuffing a ‘90s transmission case with a JIMS 6-speed gearset and shafts took care of that potential/eventual problem and a Barnett Scorpion clutch makes sure things stay on the up and up between the engine and tranny. And, Cory got a wide choice of gears with a great highway cruising gear to top it off and a hell of a lot of peace of mind knowing that the rest of the drivetrain was up to handling the Evo’s new power.

It ain’t a pro street without long flowing bodywork and bodywork is one of Robert’s fortes. “The original gas tank was cut apart, stretched five-inches, and I dropped the tunnel. Next I custom hand- fabricated the front and rear fenders while the front air dam and side panels are hand-formed aluminum,” said Robert. “After the fabrication and final mockup, the bike was torn down and sent to my painter, Tim Hines, in Columbus, Ohio, and man what a painter! PPG Celery stalk was chosen to give that street-rod look. Another one of my finishing touches is that I install every bolt in the bike to match, hand-wire them, and color match all piping and wiring, To some it may be a bit much. Not for me, I like top notch workmanship like what this country was built on.”

With everything done and done, the finished ride hit the show circuit and what a hit it was. With a win at the 2010 Rat’s Hole Show in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a Best of Show at Easyriders Charlotte and a third place at the Easyriders Invitational, first place at Rat’s Hole Sturgis, fifth at the AMD World Championship, first place at the Biketoberfest Rat’s Hole, and winner of the Donnie Smith Bike Show in St. Paul, Minnesota. Phew! Time to build a new trophy cabinet Mr. Edwards.

As for the future, Robert said, “Now that the shows are over for this bike, it’s time to ride the wheels off of it. The most special thing about this bike is to see people looking at us going down the highway going ‘WOW!’ They can’t believe we actually ride these machines. And, this bike rides and handles like a dream, one of the best FXRs you could ever ride.” And don’t forget, it’s easy on the eyes too.

For more info on Gilliland Customs and what they can do for you whether it’s a custom build or a killer engine, give Robert a call at 740-384-8170.