The 24-spokes burst from the hub dramatically upward creating an illusion of being taller than the actually are and accentuating their skinniness. It’s a busy design that doesn’t look busy. Accommodating those big hoops was a bit of work, though, including some major (for me anyway) frame mods like the raked-out stock XL frame and extended swingarm. Those two changes alone take this bike instantly out of the bolt-on custom category. The cleanliness of how this was done along with correct proportions almost make this look like it could be a factory prototype that never made it into production. In its own way, it just looks right. 

   A part of this build that really appeals to me is that the builder made sure that all the mechanical guts needed to make those wheels move is all tightly contained within the engine triangle. With the rear shocks in essentially the stock position on the extended swingarm the rear wheel just floats free in space mimicking the front wheel. Yup, those two wheels even with fenders just stick out loud and proud. Even though the Vance & Hines exhaust is an off-the-shelf item, its dimensions and look of movement doesn’t short change the custom style. The forward facing intake and the extremely pointy air cleaner are the complete juxtaposition to the exhaust and balance it nicely with its forward flow. Oh, and those two bits also bring on some power as well as a strong 45-degree V-twin aria in Harley major. 

  .A big part of the look here is that nothing was left out or added later. It’s smooth and harmonious from the extended tear drop headlight to the fuel tank flowing front to back like the smoothest cake frosting ever to the solo saddle that’s simple yet stylish with its own ducktail upturn at the back. What look like wrought iron fender stays (but probably are twisted steel) do their best to accomplish their job while staying out of immediate sight. One more piece of fine detailing that you have to look for to find in this bike. Same goes for the metal-worked square-tube one-off bars. The milling on the edges is just enough to keep the bars interesting and loses any hard edge affect of square tubing. And, most of all, they look pretty damn comfortable reaching high enough and back to the rider. 

  The three, not overly large, pieces of bodywork on this build have been treated to an absolutely lovely triple blue paintjob. The use of light metallic, high gloss darker blue against the heavy metal flake lighter blue creates a lot going on in a relatively small area. There’s even a nice bit of “engine turning” or maybe some kind of leafing I don’t know about as I’m no painter that gives a bit more subtle pizzazz with the other techniques going on. It’s fun to see when you get up close and makes you check out the paint for even more surprises, Overall, the combo of paint with some good use of chrome makes this thing shine like the jewel of a Sporty it is.

   What makes this build so interesting for me, though, is the somewhat towering height of this Sportster. No attempt was made to lower it other than the short-as-you-can-get shocks that could have been on there in the first place anyway. I’m just amazed seeing an XL1200 engine sitting so high up in the air. It’s a whole new idea of stance that looks like it could be wicked fun to spin around the neighborhood on. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Sportster other than an off-road build with so much ground clearance, lean angle, and presence. It might be a strange presence to some, but I think I’d enjoy careening around for a day on this unusually attractive take on a custom Sporty. How about you?