This weekend the clouds hang low in the Swiss sky above Dietikon/Switzerland, as if challenging the photoshoot. But the sun is just lurking from behind the clouds – and above Bäechli Harley-Heaven, the sun seems to shine all year round. Rainer Bäechli is one of the most active Harley-Davidson dealers in Switzerland, all ways beating the drum for his brand with excellent and extraordinary custom built motorcycles.
Somewhat beyond the more common custom trends, the Café Racer of Harley-Heaven is a crossover of New School Bobber, Cafè Racer, and the Dark Custom Look — which is currently promoted by Harley-Davidson in series production. A unique combination that works quite well. Custom parts made in Germany play an important role as do Performance Machine/Roland Sands components and custom parts made by Bäechli: A small but growing program, born from a long-term experience. The dimension and depth of the custom job becomes apparent when you realize that the basic motorcycle was in fact a FLSTSB Cross Bones. Other than frame, engine and gearbox nothing was left of the stock version that rolled off the assembly line in York, Pennsylvania. Among the most eyecatching changes are Big Spoke wheels by German spoke-wheel specialist TTS: Massive monster spokes are hinged in fragile looking, but solid TÜV-approved hubs, offering excellent stability and ridability. An important factor at the rear wheel and the torque to be transfered. The 21-incher in front is guided by a clean SJP fork – 2 inches shorter than in the stock configuration.
To assure that the rider of this Harley-Heaven Racer is closer to the tarmac than to the sky, Legend Air‘s pneumatic system lifts and lowers the bike with a push of the button. The swingarm is manufactured by Rick‘s Motorcycles at Rick‘s aus Baden-Baden, utilizing a jackshaft with its own short drive belt. Which is a system that dramatically reduces stress to the rear belt as the pivot is now directly in the center of the swingarm pivot. The belt is not stretched when suspension is working. The Fat Ass swingarm kit is designed to take tires up to size 300, which the 280 Metzeler does not use to its full extent. But the Kit allows a superb view onto the fat-spoke jungle of rear wheel: Rick‘s Drive Side Brake System unites pulley and brake disc on the left side of the wheel. The high-rising Old School exhaust by BSL ends well before the spoke wheel, converting the right side into a real eyecatcher, no matter if the steed it is parked or in motion.
Made in Switzerland is the complete sheet metal work, outsourced to a local specialist who is exclusively working for Rainer Bäechli‘s customizing projects: tank, front- and tailfender are one clean line, the tailend, mounted to the frame, also houses the stock oiltank. A small, almost invisible LED tail- and brakelight is sandwiched inside the fender. The handlebar was manufactured by the Bäechli team: In the lower floors of the building, located near the service and maintanance department, is a workshop where custom projects take shape. Fully equipped with all neccessary machines, the Bäechli staff can adapt or create, adapters, modifications or parts of their own. The clip-on style bars are mounted below the upper triple tree, offering (almost) the fitting Café Racer riding position — if you discount the forward mounted Performance Machine controls. Handlebar controls are PM as well as the grips, typical Bäechli. Details like the hydraulic lines routed out of the open handlebar ends. The origin of the headlight is hardly a secret.
As visible on the images, the Airride system does offer considerable ground clearance for riding despite all efforts to lower the bike. The narrow pass roads oustside Dietikon, and Switzerland’s scenic mountain routes in particular, don’t challenge the rider. This ain’t no show-racer from the garage to the next street cafè; you can push the envelope with this motorcycle.
The dark look combined from gloss stock black and matt bodyparts is highlighted by the pinstripes of Switzerland-based top-airbrushers Stingray who sketched, developed and then painted the lettering on tank, fender and frame, as well as the outline number. As you can see, the Born to Ride written on the frame tubing is not a hollow promise, and this Bäechli bike is certainly no cold coffee. This cup is strong, black, hot, and keeps you awake. Even at times when the clouds hang low over the Swiss mountainside. For more, visit www.Harley-Heaven.ch, but be patient as it takes a while to load.