A modern body, a mechanical aesthetic, a definite lack of plastic and a number of polished steel. This Harley-Davidson Ironhead Sportster café racer have to be from Craig Rodsmith. Based mostly simply north of Chicago, the Australian ex-pat’s mastery over the darkish artwork of steel shaping is clear in the whole lot he builds.
Just a few years in the past, Craig was approached by a buyer, Reto, who favored one in every of his earlier Harley builds a lot that he wished a reproduction. Craig was understandably hesitant to repeat one other bike, however he had no qualms taking inspiration from it and becoming it to the brand new proprietor. That turned out to be a great choice, as a result of Reto is 6’6”.
I’m undecided what number of Sportster café racers you’ve stood subsequent to, however I can guarantee you that more often than not, they’re fairly low-slung. So with Reto’s top in thoughts, all of it kicked off with a 1973 Sportster body. As soon as it was rid of all of the pointless bracketry by care of an angle grinder, the pinnacle stem was modified and a brand new set of 35 mm forks have been fitted.
For the wheels, Craig began with the entrance hub from an previous Moto Guzzi and the rear hub from an early Sportster. Then, in typical Rodsmith type, he tweaked the twin-leading entrance shoe brake, including a vent to the vanguard. Each hubs have been laced with stainless spokes to new 18” Borrani wheels, and wrapped in Avon Roadrunner tires.
The engine is from a 1979 XLCH Sportster and is comparatively inventory. It has cut up rocker containers and nickel plated cylinders and heads. A Dynatek ignition ensures a robust spark whereas an S&S Tremendous E carb boosts clear gas into the freshly rebuilt engine.
Not one to draw back from a little bit of noise, Craig constructed a particular exhaust for the Sportster. “I made a chrome steel two-into-one exhaust that exits on left as a substitute of the standard proper aspect,” he says. “I’ve been informed it’s one of many sweetest sounding Harleys!”
One of many issues I like about Rodsmith builds, is that you could immediately inform that the whole lot was made by hand. On this venture, Craig fabricated the entrance fender, gas tank, seat and rear subframe. The juxtaposition of the polished steel in opposition to the charcoal leather-based tank pads and seat is particularly tasteful.
Dane Utech at plzbeseated in Chicago dealt with the upholstery. The primary a part of the body was powder-coated in a darkish denim blue, set off completely by matching pin striping from Jim Brando, additionally in Chicago.
The battery is hidden below the tank whereas the oil tank is included into the rear subframe, which was nickel plated to match the engine. There’s a brand new set of rear shocks holding the whole lot up, specced longer than inventory to accommodate Reto’s top.
The entrance finish wears clip-ons fitted with new grips, customized buttons and a single bar-end mirror (not pictured). The headlight’s capped off with the Sportster’s distinction shroud, which additionally hosts a pair of LED warning lights. Out again, the taillight’s been blended into the seat hump.
For such a stripped-down cafe racer there actually is lots to absorb. You can spend hours poring over each little element—similar to Craig spent hours crafting them.
“Reto turned out to be a terrific man,” he says, “as he realized I used to be additionally constructing a number of different commissioned bikes for my good friend, Bobby Haas, and the Haas Moto museum. So he reassured me he was in no rush.”
“After I accomplished my final construct for Bobby Haas, I made a decision it was time to deal with Reto and his Harley. Sadly, not lengthy after that, we misplaced Bobby, which was clearly a little bit of a blow to me and slowed down the progress much more.”
“Reto was nonetheless very understanding. That being mentioned, I felt he deserved one thing slightly extra particular—so I went additional on this construct than we had initially agreed to.”
The outcomes of Craig’s dedication converse for themselves. Having the ability to completely preserve basic café racer proportions, all whereas giving Reto the ergonomics he wanted, is additional proof that Rodsmith bikes are the work of a real grasp.
Rodsmith Bikes | Fb | Instagram | Photos by Grant Schwingle
