For me, this bike hits all the right notes of what a custom bagger could and should be. Ryan’s 2011 FLTR called Frosted Cash will never get lost in the proverbial parking lot full of Harleys, yet the basic DNA of a real tourer is not lost in the transition from stock to wow! Yup, it’s a looker that can hold its own in any crowd and you gotta give credit to Ryan and his crew for being able to pull off the best of both worlds on one platform.

 

   Building around a 21-inch 100-spoke Dayton Wire wheel negates cutting and re-welding York’s handiwork and that’s a huge plus when it comes to time, cost, and usefulness compared to a big wheel bagger. The radial-laced, black rimmed wheel with a whitewall tire has a look of its own and the single Dayton disc and stock H-D caliper lets the right side show itself totally unfettered to any potential admirer. The rolling stock out back is similarly smart mounting a reasonable 200mm tire on an 18-inch wheel. Nothing outrageous going on at either end and that’s important if you really want to ride your custom bagger and not just look at it parked.

 

   Now I should say that Ryan didn’t take the easy way out and call it a day with a couple of accessories, but he did leave a lot of H-D in his H-D and that’s a good thing. He did chose a bunch of bodywork from Bad Dad like the fenders and bags, but the fairing and tank are lightly tweaked Motor Company parts. The back end of the bike is surprising stark at first glance with nary a taillight or plate to be seen. Ryan cleverly integrated two long LED strips between the inevitable fender and bag space which are only seen when they need to be. Same goes for the plate that folds under the rear lip of the fender when you want it to and that’s another neat Bad Dad item called Hide A Plate.

 

   Engine-wise, Ryan pretty much left the 96-inch Twin Cam alone except for the usual intake and exhaust tricks. He topped off the in take with an S&S twin snorkel tuned- induction system and spit out its combusted remnants through a modified D&D 2-into-1 exhaust. A 96 ain’t bad as is, but it thrives on simple changes like this while making the bike even more enjoyable to ride. More power reliably and the sound of a nice 2-into1 is always music to my ears anyway.

 

  Like any custom bagger worth its salt, the audio system has been upgraded with a Hogtunes amp and bigger speakers plus the H-D bag lid speakers for Ryan’s version of useful surround sound through an iPod connection. Nice enough if you have to have your music, but not crazy overkill that anybody who parks near you hates. Surprisingly in the current change anything and everything custom bagger scene, the gauges are stock Harley and that’s fine by me. They do what they’re supposed to do, they’re easy to read, and parts and pieces are only the nearest Harley dealer away.

 

   But, what really sets this bike apart is the paintjob as far as I’m concerned and so far, anybody who’s seen the bike in person or in Jack Cofano’s lovely photos gives it both thumbs up. Paragon does its own paintwork from start to finish and this bike’s paintjob is as classy and subtly sassy as you’re ever gonna see. Ryan’s frost green metallic base and black scallop color scheme and design is close to perfect. There’s just enough of everything and the engine’s paintwork take sit right to the limit, but not one millimeter over. The Paragon Custom lettering on the tank is possibly the most elegant company logo I’ve ever seen and Ryan could sell that gorgeous stripe alone and make a fortune. It’s just so right in so many ways that a certain unnamed manufacturer of 45-degree pushrod V-twins could learn a lot from that stripe.

 

  So yeah, I’m a bit biased about Paragon Customs’ Road Glide as it pushes all my “I wish . . .” buttons in a realistic road worthy way. It’s cool, it’s practical, and you’re never going to be mistaken for another Road Glide. If that ain’t custom cool, I don’t know what is. Ryan, if you haven’t already, give yourself a pat on the back for a job really, really well done man.  

 

  Ryan’s work got your attention and your pulse racing a bit? Good, be sure to check out all of Paragon Customs offerings at http://www.paragoncustoms.com/home.html.