The 2016-model Dyna Low Rider S was the final hurrah for Harley-Davidson’s beloved Dyna. The Motor Co. was on the cusp of absorbing the Dyna vary into their new Milwaukee-Eight Softail line, and had time to cram in a single final variant. So that they restyled the long-lasting Low Rider, bumped it from 103 to 110 ci, dropped in a warmer cam and tacked an ‘S’ onto the identify.
The ensuing bike was a complete hoot to trip—noodley Dyna body and all. And whereas the newer Softail Low Rider S is a rad bike in its personal proper, there’s nonetheless one thing particular concerning the authentic Low Rider S that will get Dyna bros all scorching beneath their Carhartt collars.
Most Low Rider S customs get the Californian ‘membership model’ therapy, however these two tire shredders from MB Cycles in Heidelberg, Germany stroll a special path. Dubbed ‘Cross’ [below left] and ‘Racer’ [below right] for apparent causes, they really feel like two sides of the identical coin—however had been really constructed for 2 totally different clients.
Each bikes stand taller than the slammed bobbers and choppers we often see from MB Cycles, and each characteristic an unconventional mash-up of kinds. However that’s precisely what builder Martin Becker loved a lot about these initiatives. “It’s cool to combine totally different kinds in a motorbike,” he says, “like a chopper with excessive efficiency components.”
The Low Rider S Cross was the primary of the 2 Harleys to go onto the bench. “My shopper knew he wished a Harley, however didn’t know precisely what model,” says Martin. “He was once an expert grime bike rider, so I proposed the thought of creating one thing with a little bit of off-road character—and sufficient energy to have enjoyable.”
Martin sourced an appropriate donor for the ‘scrambler‘ and acquired cracking. However every week into the mission a special shopper walked in to gather his customized Harley Highway King, and freaked out concerning the Low Rider S. Inside three days he’d discovered his personal donor bike and dropped it off at Martin’s workshop, with directions to “construct a cool racer.”
Constructing each bikes concurrently meant that Martin might order all of the components he wanted without delay. And wholesome budgets meant these components might come from the very high of the highest shelf. “It’s at all times cool to order stuff like this with out caring about what it prices,” he quips.
Consequently, the 2 builds share quite a lot of key components. Each put on full entrance ends from Rebuffini; an Indianapolis Particular setup with a Scott steering damper on the Cross, and a Nexo 4.0 system with Öhlins forks on the Racer. And each sport Öhlins shocks on the again, completed in gold and black respectively.
Martin additionally handled every Low Rider S to an prolonged swingarm from Krüger & Junginger in Germany. The bikes roll on their inventory wheels, however there are plans to swap the Cross wheels out for a pair of spoked hoops from Kineo (they’re at present on backorder). The knobblies are Bridgestone AX41s, whereas the road tires are Avon Cobra Chromes.
The brake setups are an identical too: twin four-piston calipers up entrance, with a single four-piston caliper on the rear. The calipers are from Rebuffini, whereas the discs come from Galfer.
The inventory bike’s 110 ci Twin Cam mill is loads enjoyable out the field, so Martin didn’t get too fancy there. He merely dropped an Andrews cam into every engine for good measure, and transformed every bike’s remaining drive from a belt to a series.
The 2-into-one exhausts are from MCJ in Italy; each setups embody a valve that may be opened or closed through a lever, to regulate the amount. The air cleaners are commonplace Screamin’ Eagle fare.
Transferring to the chassis, Martin trimmed somewhat off the again of each bikes. However every has been dressed up in another way.
The Cross bike incorporates a customized subframe that cradles the customized two-up seat, ending in a tidy rear loop. There’s a customized fender out again, with a pair of built-in Kellermann LEDs appearing as flip indicators and taillights. A modified Cult Werk fender does obligation up entrance, with an aftermarket fly display screen mounted increased up.
The Racer wears a tail part from R&R Customizing, styled after the basic Storz designs on classic flat trackers. There’s an LED taillight out again, together with a pair of tiny LED flip indicators from Kellermann.
Up entrance are a carbon fender and a carbon sump guard, each from Rebuffini. A Thunderbike fairing, modified with a pink windshield, wraps round an upgraded LED headlight.
Different Rebuffini goodies embody each bikes’ foot pegs, handlebar risers, grips, levers, and backlit switches which might be made to plug proper into the Harley’s CAN bus system. Each units of handlebars come from Biltwell Inc., whereas the mesh-covered gas caps and gas stage gauges are Kuryakyn components.
Cross is completed off with Highsider mirrors and a Cultwerk license plate bracket, whereas Racer wears a glassless Motogadget mirror and a Heinz Bikes plate holder.
Prime marks to Martin for exhibiting restraint on every bike’s finishes. The most effective issues concerning the Low Rider S is its manufacturing facility paint scheme: a lot of black, with matte gold wheels. Martin’s left that every one alone (together with the inventory speedo and tach association on high of the gas tank), and easily added an accent coloration to every model.
Chiko’s Pinstriping dealt with some detailing on the Racer construct, whereas Metallic Pores and skin Works tackled all of the powder coating work.
Does it make sense to place knobbly tires or a flat monitor tail piece on a hooligan cruiser? Most likely not, however will we care? Additionally no.
Like all of Martin’s bikes, these two Low Rider S customs are lean, imply and completely judged. We’ll take one in black, please.
MB Cycles | Fb | Instagram | Photos by Riders Eyes Pictures
