Bike Specs and Review: A Classic Feel Remodeled for the Riders Today

Harley-Davidson Seventy Two Returns a Thin Look

The Harley-Davidson Seventy Two motorcycle is your metallic flake fantasy, a Sportster on the way going back to the time when trendy young adults rode a Sting Ray and the big people parked custom motorcycles in a row down the street. Those motorcycles were long and trim; stylish red-tone and sparkling chrome shimmering in fuzzy sunlight. From its red flake shade and monkey bars to the lean white wall tires, the Seventy Two is a respectful nod to that period and to the influence of the custom bike heritage which still set trends even today across Whittier Boulevard, the famous driving street in East Los Angeles often known as route 72. A new trend of custom makers are making use of that era and brand new statement, not just in Los Angeles but in garages throughout the United States, even around the world.

The style of the Seventy Two was credited from the enthusiasm of the birth of custom motorcycles. At that time, motorcycles were colorful and glittery, but also thin and stripped right down to the necessities uncovering their skeleletal frames. If you'll take a peek at the humble origins of customized bikes, you'll be surprised how uncomplicated they are, just like bicycles. It’s a custom made model which is very particular in the states along with the California scene where there was not a single motorcycle superstore in the city where riders can pick up parts in one location. Pretty much everything was hand made to meet the custom biker's specification.

Metal flake, a trendy design of the nineteen seventies, showed up in everything from dune buggy gel coating to plastic diner seat covers for custom made motorcycles. Harley-Davidson presents the flicker back on the Seventy Two with red flake paint. This kind of finish is done by using a black first layer blended with a polyeutherane system which includes hexagon-shaped flakes that are about Seven times the size of metal flakes included in typical commercial paint. Each flake is covered with a thin aluminium layer and then colored red. Several layers of clear coat coupled with manual sanding, deliver a smooth finish over the flakes.

The last detail for the red flake is an emblem neatly over the fuel tank and pinstripe scallop designs on both fenders. Every style is hand made, and they have represented the art in sticker for commercial production, to ensure that they still have the look of manually applied artwork; each decal is placed by hand. The decal is then engrossed in one last clear layer. A solo seat and side-mounted license plate clump keep most of the trimmed back fender - and more of the paint - shown all over the Seventy Two. The power train is finished in gray powder coating with chrome covers plus a new round air cleaner with a dished case. A vintage Sportster 2.1 gallon peanut gas tank brings one final classic look towards the bike.

New Harley-Davidson Softail Slim is a Basic Vintage Customized Motorbike

Undress a Harley-Davidson Softail to the key components and you have the Slim. From its decreased front fender to the narrow rear end, Slim can be described as non-sense, back-to-basics motorbike. Name it naked. Coin it old-fashioned. Call it slim and mean. All that is left is an elemental Softail profile and a legendary Harley-Davidson style that recollects timeless personalized bobbers of the 50s.

To keep the back of the cycle simple and fresh, the Slim carries a combined stop-turn-tail signal lights as well as a side mounted license plate holder. The back fender struts rest exposed, featuring the strong steel and fasteners. A little leather strap hides the gas tank joint. The power train is painted with buffed covers instead of chrome with the black cylinders kept to look not highlighted. The top fender is cut down to reveal more of the wheel.

The Hollywood bar, recognized by its broad curve and cross brace, was first an add-on for Harley-Davidson bikes with springer forks. The concept may have been termed because motorbike fans of that time who used the cross brace to place lights and bags had gone Hollywood with excessive add-ons mounted on their motorcycles. For the Slim, the cross braced bar and louvered head lights nacelles are painted in polished black. Other classic styling cues include a shiny black cat’s eye tank unit with a retro speedometer, half-moon biker footboards, a round air purifier cover, and gloss black wheel rims and hubs. The cover over the seat is sewn in a tuck-and-roll design and style.

A counter-balanced Twin Cam 103B motor is strongly fixed inside the frame, making a solid connection between driver and the machine. The Softail case copies the clear lines of a retro hard tail body, but uses backside shock absorber control systems delivered by coil-over shocks fixed horizontally and hidden from the chassis rails. With the combination of a 23.8-inch seat height and motorbike footboards, the Slim comfortably suits a various bikers and provides a lightweight side-stand lift-off. A pull-back riser accessory is generally added to adjust the handlebar back 2 inches without modifying control cables and lines. Couple this on the top of a vintage motorcycle helmet and head to a motorcycle superstore to get your favorite all American made accessories to complete your flashback in time.