Obviously this is no right-off-the-line MotorCo FXR if you take a close look at the pics. The frame is a custom-built FXR prototype by the legendary frame builder Sandy Kosman of Kosman Specialties (http://kosmanspecialties.com) and the only one in existence according to Robert. Kosman also supplied the lightweight race wheels, the almost-not-there rotors, a boxed-and-braced titanium swing arm (gives a 70” wheelbase), aluminum gas tank, side panels, front fender, and air dam. The inverted front end is a Trac Dynamics piece, perfect for drag use as it weighs only 6.5 lbs. and then polished to within an inch of its part-time show-bike life. With those basic pieces to start with, Robert set about building a mother of a Harley engine that’s more than worthy to sit in a one-off Kosman frame and it’s no FXR 80” EVO.

The 2002 88” Twin Cam engine might originally be a product of Milwaukee, but it ended up being a Gilliland Customs’ one-off just like the frame when Robert got through tinkering with it internally and externally (“tinkering” might not be the exact term to use, a little too quaint perhaps, but let’s go with it anyway). “The engine starts with Harley cases featuring Timken bearings, a custom-built billet crankshaft with Carrillo H-beam rods, 14.8:1 compression pistons by JE Pistons and fully ported to be sure to hold the compression, a Feuling race cam plate holding custom-ground .746-lift cams, Feuling lifters with special .120-wall pushrods, and a Feuling oil pump,” said Robert taking a breath before continuing. “The cylinders are Axtell ductile iron-sleeved cylinders with aluminum fins. The dual-plug heads started as custom STD blanks and were machined for 2.088” stainless intake valves and 1.066” exhaust valves with Woods custom springs. Custom-ground Harley rocker boxes hold it all in place with Doherty Machine air/ oil separators installed in the rocker boxes. Revolution Performance dynamically balanced the whole lot at a mid-bending [for a street-driven Harley] 7500rpm. A Dyna S 2000 ignition is used for programming and to put fire in the monster.” The whole kit and caboodle build ending up at 117” capacity–wise and producing a monster-like 174hp on 110-octane fuel. Yup, 174hp in a bike weighing only 505lbs ready-to-rip is how you begin to hit low nine’s in the quarter. Robert didn’t hit that low weight mark by resorting to starting rollers instead of a regular push-button electric starter either, remember this bike is ridden on the street too. I wouldn’t have blamed him if he did as turning over a 14.8:1 compression engine is no easy thing on electric starters. “I called Keith Terry of Terry Components to custom build a starter to roll over the beast as no one else’s starters would even start to turn it over,” said Robert. This is one engine where it would be appropriate that someone should probably yell “Fire in the hole!” before Robert punches the starter button and some unfortunate soul ends up soiling their pants from the mechanical cacophony of serious, really serious, horsepower being made.

Now for those eagle-eyed readers who might have noticed what appears to be a nitrous bottle mounted in the swing arm just forward of the rear wheel, and remember the “no power adders” remark earlier, it’s not what you think. “People think it’s nitrous, but that bottle is the state-of-the-art Pingel CO2 shift system,” said Robert. “That’s why it says ALL THROTTLE NO BOTTLE on the rear fender.” Speaking of that rear fender, that’s not a lightweight body piece like everything else as Robert wanted to keep some weight over the rear wheel for traction or maybe it’s just piece of mind. And, speaking of traction, that only-a-180 tire is a pretty-hip new Shinko Hook Up drag radial that Robert says requires no burnout. That may be good for ET’s and his race budget, but where’s the fun in that for lowly spectators Robert? I say “Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.” Do it for the little people Mr. Gilliland.

For a bike built to run very low nines, the style and finish is not an afterthought. One look at the Tim Hines light blue with dark blue flames paint job elevates it from the usual drag bike’s good-enough-for –track-use to an “I’m ready for my closeup” show-ready appearance. The only gauge is a shift light mounted right in Robert’s line of vision and that should tell you something if you thought this was just a show-carpet queen. Nope, you’d never ever dare call this bike queen in any way. Maybe king, though, like King of the Harley-powered FXRs and Robert’s got the time slips to prove its proper royal heritage.

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.