Rucker’s Predator series is Bill’s idea of a balls-out, pro street-style bike that delivers the ground pounding sensation of a top-fuel funnycar. Long and low, it replicates the look of the blown, big-block pro street cars with their fat rear tires and skinny fronts. “I wanted to do a bike you could set down into, that had a real low inseam height,” said Bill. “I wanted a bike that had lots and lots of horsepower. I also wanted a bike you were comfortable sitting in all day.” Providing that funnycar power is an S&S 124” engine with Rucker’s own version of drag car zoomie-style headers enhancing the high horsepower fun. “We build all our own motors here so we make sure all our motors are balanced. We don’t have real shakers,” said Bill. “We’re one of the only companies S&S still allows to build their motors.” The rest of the drivetrain consists of a classy Tauer 3” open belt primary churning a Rucker 6-speed RSD tranny with a Tauer clutch providing beltus-interuptus as needed. Final belt drive keeps things running smoothly and reliably.

Chassis design had to be a softail with Bill’s all-day riding intentions and the Progressive suspended rear does not disappoint. The -2” up, long 7” out frame angles the front end with a built-in 42-degree rake giving a nice 4.5” of trail. Even though straight-line performance was the first consideration, Bill said, “It’s made to move and work properly.” In other words, after clearing the lights at the drags, the turnaround back to the pits should not induce wheel flop and the Predator will drive great on the street. A set of conventional-style fork legs mounted in Accutronix Tribal triple-trees parallels the 21”Arlen Ness Evil wheel with choice Wilwood 4-piston dual-disc brakes onboard. Metzeler rubber covers that wheel and their wide-load 300mm ME 880 sits out back with another Wilwood 4-piston doing its part to halt the 124 when necessary.

Pro street bikes have a bodywork style that seems to require long, flowing lines and the Predator doesn’t veer from this formula with its Rucker fabricated gas tank arching easily rearward and appearing like it’s part of the seat/fender assembly. Real world fender coverage is provided by the Rucker/Milwaukee Iron fenders, which look great while doing what they’re supposed to. Extensive sheet metal and molding around the frame’s headstock and downtube makes the frame part of the bodywork and less of a Jungle-Jim affair cradling the motor in place. Custom touches also include the sleek, pointed swingarm which proves you can be stylish and on the job.

Our feature bike, Dragonwater, is actually privately owned and the owner has chosen a lot of options and features to suit his personal tastes. One of them is the extreme paint by Carl Tyndell, Rucker’s Creative Services Director, with its Dragons and Kabuki Warriors graphics layed over Rucker’s Toxic paint series Topaz Tribal with Candy Blue and Ice Pearl under a Dark Blue Wild. “Every bike we build is built to the customer’s specifications. I do all the design work and Carl does the drawings,” said Bill. “We’re trying to do everything to make each bike as individual as possible. We treat customers with an open mind.” Sweptback bars place the rider in a comfortable and commanding position and are painted body color to harmoniously blend in. Ness Rad II hand and foot controls do what they gotta do and do it well.

None of this is done randomly. Bill sits down with every customer and endlessly questions them to make sure they’re getting a bike that will be right for their intentions and then makes sure it properly fits them ensuring comfort, safety, and satisfaction in one fell swoop. “I want my customers to be able to ride the bike all the time,” said Bill. “I want them to be able to ride to the show, get off, clean it up, and win shows.” Quite a heady thing to be able to expect, but Bill says it happens to a lot of his customers. With some 60-80 hours of airbrush artwork in Dragonwater, that alone should grab the judge’s eye.

Summing it all up, Bill said, “I’ve always delivered something I wanted to ride. When I quit delivering bikes I want to ride, we’ll quit selling motorcycles.”