Nowadays I’m not out to score, so to speak, but I do love my semi-hooligan time on my Sportster. It’s all about attitude and nothing’s more fun than a good looking Sporty that’s got the beans and the sound to back it up burning around being respectfully obnoxious. This striking Sportster photographed at the Smoke Out all of a sudden makes mine look pretty tame. I guess I wish I had the imagination, talent and skills to produce something that is in your face and not the least bit annoying at the same time like this unexpectedly purple framed Harley-Davidson powered hot rod.

 

   Obviously that’s no Motor Company frame with its stretched-out dimensions both front and rear and the simple, but beautiful curved lines of the frame. The frame lines swoop around wit so much activity it almost appears as if the bike wants to get aggressive and quickly. To me, it’s very pleasing to look at and being so exposed only adds to the frame drama. Especially in that electric matte purple finish. You don’t miss a tube-swoosh in purple.

 

    Up front a short set of cleaned-up forks with bright purple lower legs and billet-style triple trees sit at a very moderate rake. This builder shows you can make it cool and still be fun to ride. Although I’d prefer a brake up front, the choice of the wheels for this bike was a damn good one. There’s an element of hot rods and laced wheels all in one that really looks the biz to me. The wheel and tire size says performance with the murdered out look making it look even tougher. Luckily the many spokes are not lost in the dark and show their light and airy style through any murdering.

 

    The only brake on board is hefty setup across from the chain final drive sprocket. Thankfully no one thought a sprocket brake of any sort would be acceptable especially with a chain. The wheels are covered up in what appears to be adventure bike blocky tread rubber that’s made for the road first. The gnarly look is always appreciated on a Saturday night special especially when it doesn’t interfere with how the bike rides and handles. They do look a bit mean and for no apparent reason.

 

   Using a Harley-Davidson Sportster engine for this build simplifies things tremendously as the unit-construction Evolution engine is not only tight and right for fitting. It provides ample power with relatively few changes for a relatively light bike along with good reliability and that legendary Harley sound. Maybe I just prefer my Saturday night bikes to be light, agile and quick, but the XL engine is a perfect choice for me. Or maybe it’s because I’ve never been prejudiced against Sportsters like a lot of so-called Harley freaks are. That could be because I came of motorcycle age when Ironhead Sportsters ruled the roost and it was the first Harley I soloed on. Maybe I’m the one who’s prejudiced?

 

    What we’ve got here is the very essence of an engine, one that looks ready to put out some serious BTUs. The big velocity stack on the carb seems to say so and so does the nicely wrapped headers that end in billet gun barrels. I love they way the builder has them floating in space like they didn’t have a care in the world other than making horsepower and noise. The engine finish is simple yet inspired with the raw aluminum block, the black cylinders with polished edges and the Hammerite finish of the engine covers all blending elegantly together.

 

   There are not a lot of controls or so it seems until you find that tiny jockey shifter and realize a foot clutch resides where the shifter once did. Clean foot controls with knurled foot pegs also help clean up the decidedly different under-bars of wayward levers. Just a set of really good looking knurled hand grips contribute to the handlebar landscape. I do like how they’ve been mounted a lot and the whole setup is incredibly clean and good looking. Although the reach is fine to both sets of controls, the sprung seat could stand to gain a bit more padding the way I see it. But, I’m the not the owner so it’s none of my business. If he’s happy, I’m happy. I bet his ass isn’t happy, though.

 

    A nicely mounted Sporty tank is always a good choice that honestly never gets old to me. It’s just such a beautiful and iconic shape that’s become motorcycle timeless. The vertical oil tank under the seat looks purposeful and different although I wouldn’t be surprised if you had to remove the seat to fill it. The rear fender is far from a surprise and that’s because it’s just the right shape for a build like this. Sometimes it just isn’t worth fighting a tradition with something that doesn’t look as good. On the other hand, the beautifully crazy headlight does and it wins just with its audacity. There’s also another bit of trickery in the under-chain guard that isn’t a chain guard but a stealthy rear light. That is a first!

 

   The overall look of this bike says artist to me as it’s a shocking, yet satisfying blend of colors, material and detailing that says art student or maybe ex-art student. The laid back finish of the engine, wheels and bodywork is complimented and contrasted by the sun-catching matte purple frame that’s shockingly pure color bright. Here, the color not the clear coat shines in the sun. What you see is what you get and the builder had to be pretty sure of his gut feeling to take such a chance. Luckily it really worked out well, really well. Phew!

 

 

 

   And then there’s those really cool black and white bandana panels on the tank and fender. Instead of just being painted on, they’re on their own 3D panels with curved rod framing for a whole other dimension of graphics. Parked on the satin gray bodywork, they really add a lot to the aesthetic appeal of the whole build. Could it just because they are all such unusual choices for finishes or do they really seem to work together like it was planned that way before it ever started. Either way, the end result I think is outstanding. Not just for being different, but for being special. Just the way I want my own Saturday night special to be and that would be special. Purple has never looked so good.