They said it couldn't be done. A 180 section rear tyre will definitely not fit into an Evo, period. And if you're thinking of fitting a Deuce rear wheel into your Evo Softail, forget it. So said everyone who should know about these things, including one of the UK's top custom bike mags. Now when someone tells an engineer of Steve Mortlocks ability that something cannot be done, he takes it as a challenge. Steve had bought his FXSTB Night Train brand new in '98 and, like most of us, had made a few sensible modifications to Milwaukee's raw product to tune it more to his tastes. When the time came to accommodate more serious rubber in the back Steve turned first to the aftermarket catalogues to see what they could offer. And there were wide wheels a-plenty, but none of which took his fancy and some of which retailed at almost twice Harleys own. Taking a long, hard look at a Softail Deuce at Eddies Motorcycles, where he works, Steve decided that with a little creative engineering the H.D. wheel could be persuaded into his Evo, and the project was born.
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With some careful engineering and
a 1 1/4" belt conversion Steve persuaded everything to fit before turning his
attention to the rest of the bike. A set of upside down Storz Ceriani forks
were fitted into Zodiac Yokes to hold up the front wheel, rebuilt on a 21" rim
to contrast nicely with the rear. Next in line for attention was the motor,
which received an EV27 cam, an S&S Super E carb and filter and single fire ignition
and coil by Screamin' Eagle. Steve now reckons the bike makes around 80-88 BHP,
and has seen the speedo needle nudging 130. Paintwork by Skelly and a Corbin
Hollywood seat finished the bike off, and incredibly Steve built the whole bike
in under two weeks, working day and night in his kitchen and still managing
to turn in for work every day.
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When Steves mate Nigel saw the result
of the rear end conversion he insisted on something similar for his own bike
which was undergoing a rebuild. Nigel bought his '99 Heritage Softail new from
Eddies, but reckons it was stock for about ten minutes before it began to mutate
into the bike you see here. Keeping the Softail frame, Nigel fitted a polished
set of FXST forks into those amazing yokes, specially milled from billet on
14 1/2" centres, the whole plot supporting a Fatboy front wheel with a W&F fender.
To wrap around the super fat rear wheel he ordered a Jesse James rear fender
with recessed license plate mounting, which reputedly cost just short of an
arm and a leg. Looks smart though. The 5 gallon Fatbobs were stretched 3" by
Fabtech of Pudsey and paintwork by N & B Coatings of Pontefract finished off
the cosmetics. After taking a run up the road on Steves Night Train, Nigel was
so impressed with the power he went for similar treatment for his own engine.
An EV27 cam went in, followed by a 44mm carb and Samson swan-off pipes, and
a Screamin' Eagle single fire ignition with selectable curve advance. Nigel
now reckons the bike is "bloody quick" and it certainly sounds brilliant.
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Martin has owned his bike for eight years and has covered more than 36,000 trouble free miles on it. Starting life as a 1990 FXSTC, the bike has again undergone a series of transmutations into its current format, the big apehanger bars reflecting Martins chopper heritage. Now in its fourth major incarnation, Martin wanted a modern day custom, and the Deuce rear wheel and understated celtic design paint bring the bike right up to date. Apart from the rear wheel conversion by Steve, Martin carried out all his own building and fabrication. The frame and motor are stock with the exception of an EV3 cam and Screamin' Eagle carb breathing through a Kuryakin Hypercharger. 2 1/4" Porker pipes let the gasses out and the ignition system is stock, though after a run on Steve's bike Martin has now ordered a Screamin' Eagle single fire ignition. 1 1/4" apehangers sit on Pro 1 billet yokes, and the front wheel is another 21" item, this time built with twisted spokes which glitter as the wheel turns. A Sumax Dagger front fender keeps the road spray off the engine, matched to a Groundpounder rear.
Martin finished off the bike with Custom Chrome Regency stretched fatbob tanks and a Tony Archer seat, and chose Roadhouse of Pudsey to apply the celtic-on-red themed paint. The bike shares garage space with a twin-cam Road King, giving Martin a choice of rides each morning.
All three of these bikes are testament to their owners creativity and engineering skills, and prove between them that you don't have to spend mega bucks to create a really tasty custom H.D. No corners have been cut with these bikes, they are the result of careful planning and combining the best parts for the job, not merely wheeling a stock bike into a dealer and throwing lorry loads of cash at it. Three superb examples of the custom builders craft.
To see/hear the bikes in action click here to download a short MPEG movie.
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Steve's FXSTB Night Train
"Razorhead".
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Nigel's FLSTC "Bad To
The Bone".
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Martins's FXSTC. Motor: 1990 80 cu in Harley Evo, Screamin' Eagle carb with Kuryakin Hypercharger, EV3 cam, 2 1/4" Porker pipes. Ignition: Screamin' Eagle single fire ignition and coil with selectable curve advance, high performance leads & plugs. Forks: stock FXST fork legs in Pro 1 billet yokes. Frame: stock H.D. Wheels: Front: 21" with twisted spokes.Rear: 180 section tyre on Harley Davidson Softail Deuce wheel re-engineered by Steve Mortlock. Brakes: stock Harley Davidson. Fuel tanks: Custom Chrome Regency stretched fatbobs, 6 gallon. Fenders: Sumax Dagger front, Groundpounder rear. Bars: 10" rise apehangers. Lights: Custom Chrome front, CCI Diamond Eye tail. Paint: Roadhouse, Pudsey. Seat: Tony Archer. Thanks to: Steve Mortlock for the rear wheel conversion, Eddie Wright Harley Davidson, Bill at the Harley Trading Post. All other engineering work and wiring by owner. |
Dr.Rod.
