Paul Binford of Binford’s Custom Cycles in Manteca, California, is one of those guys. He makes his money building choppers, bobbers and baggers, but he’s always got an eye out for something different. His thoroughly wicked dual sport/supermoto Sportster with a hint of hill climber called Captain Bad Ass shows he’s still got wild stuff going on in his head that will probably never make him a dime, but he had to build it anyway. In case you’re not familiar with his work, here’s a Barnett’s Magazine Online article showcasing a Binford Harley Panhead custom that couldn’t be more different in concept and style if he tried. All it means is that Paul keeps his mind open to keep those artistic juices flowing.

   Over the years there’s been a steady, but very quiet underground of off-road Sportster freaks who build them to go motocrossing, scrambling, desert riding and any other off-road venue deemed impossible by the masses. And, I’m not talking street trackers as they seem to be strictly for the street and not some dirt oval like they pretend to be. Seriously, there’s a sizeable contingent of riders who spend time off road on their Sportys and if you don’t believe me, just click on this link to see a bunch more. It’s worth it. Paul seems to have picked up this vibe with is take on what was once just a stock 2013 Harley-Davidson XL that’s turned into a wild and crazy Sporty for dirt lovers with a taste for the eclectic.

   Although I don’t think Binford’s Sportster will see a touch of dirt other than road grime, it’s an interesting take on making an off-road Sportster, but taking it to a different level. I mean, seriously, who’s going to want to ding up that Binford paintjob that’s got it all going on. I’d be trying to throw my body under the bike if I was taking a dive on it as I somehow don’t think touch-ups were part of the plan. Or maybe those teeth-eating bars topped by a giant Auto Meter tach might not be the best off-road safety feature, but it sure gives a bit of bad ass dirt bike attitude on the street. Pulling up on that bike to a local pub is sure going to start minds wondering “What the hell?” and I think that’s exactly what Paul was after. No, not at a bar, but at a show and maybe a bar after the show. Bars can be fun too.

   The rubber-mount XL main frame seems to be to be pretty stock even if every thing isn’t. I’m not sure what supermoto bike lost its long travel inverted forks, but I know no Harley part was harmed in the making of this bike. Out back, Paul lengthened the stock swingarm by about eight-inches and added a bunch of curved gusseting to keep it strong and straight while adding some custom dressing to the change. Works Performance in Canoga Park, California, provided those l-o-n-g dual shocks that almost rival a set of stock forks for length. That extra length provides eight-inches of travel and when you compare that to a stocker’s under two-inches, you see why all the length is needed. All I know is my feet wouldn’t ever come near the ground unless I got off the bike. Paul’s a big lad and fits this bike very well so he’d just think I was some kind of whiner for saying that, but I can’t imagine what the seat height really is other than way too high for me.

    So, Paul didn’t kid around on the suspension, but maybe he took some liberty with his off-road Harley wheel choice. Instead of the expected laced wheels with aluminum rims for lightness and off-road abuse, he went with a pair of seven-spoke mags with the spoke’s center cut out. Looks good on the bike and looks good for its intended use. If somebody ever calls Paul to task for building a show dirt bike, at least the knobby tires he mounted on those mags should kick up enough dirt to cover any naysayer in gravel and mud. Paul did chuck on a set of wavy style discs front and rear along with the requisite calipers needed to pull this thing to a stop. No chance at a strictly custom bike single-only setup if it ever was to go in the dirt for real although you would have a ton of backpressure with a downshift or two from the Sporty engine.

     Speaking of that engine, I’m not sure what it started out as, but I think it was probably an 883 now punched out to 1250cc with some serious high compression added. With a stock ratio of 9.7:1 not kicking out enough oomph for a big guy, Paul jacked it right up to 13:1 which is quite a jump. Remember, this bike is Captain Bad Ass so it’s gotta have some bad ass power too. Other engine mods made use of that newfound compression before its remnants are dumped out of those lovely and short twin header pipes that I don’t think are very EPA compliant. Don’t go looking for an open belt drive either as that’s a big no-no on a dirt bike if there ever was one. A slim, safe and wet primary is just what the off-road doctor ordered and that’s what we’ve got here.

    Bodywork consists of the usual things found on a motorcycle, but still quite different for this application. The fuel tank is a peach built by Cole Foster of Salinas Boys and not some piece of plastic off-road equipment although I think the fenders, mini-fairing, hand guards and fork guards are. Hey, it’s an off roader and sometimes you can’t do better. Lightening anything you can is a must off road and I wouldn’t be surprised if this was all from somebody like Acerbis or something. Anyway, it all looks the part and that’s what counts. From the looks of it, this bike is still wearing its stock oil tank and if it works, who cares?

   Where Paul really took it up a notch or two or three was the paintjob of paintjobs for a dirt bike. From the translucent atomic green on the engine bits to the swingarm to the forks and bars contrasted by the blue, gold and orange fish scale metal flake panels with white pinstriping, it’s a retina burner. Even though there’s a ton going on everywhere, it’s still holds together well overall without looking nutty. Chuck on a few brass knuckle graphics and the really über-cool Team Binford #1 graphics slightly reminiscent of AMF days and you’ve got a looker. Paul made sure to include those bits like the hand guards and fork pieces to keep things show bike cohesive. Top it off with that blue diamond stitch seat cover with orange piping and he had a show stopper wherever he stopped.

    Even though this bike was built three or four years ago, it still looks fresh and exciting today. Last I knew it was for sale for $25K so if this off-road Sporty tickles your fancy for reasons you don’t feel like you have to explain to anybody, just contact Binford’s Custom Cycles at http://binfords.com/ or find ‘em on Facebook and Instagram. You’ll definitely have the prettiest dual sport Sporty in town or the state or perhaps even the nation.