Craziest, Sexiest, Coolest Motorcycles of SEMA 2018
Custom built cycles showcase new and classic style with ingenuity and attitude at SEMA.
The annual SEMA show in Vegas brings out the best and the brightest in the automotive world. But among all the cars and trucks are some truly kickass motorcycles that have no problem stealing the show.
Harley Davidson Forums found some of the most interesting and just plain cool bikes at the Sherwin-Williams Automotive booth on the floor of SEMA 2018, proving that some of the best builds were those on two wheels.
Slammed Savage
The first Harley we happened upon at the Sherwin-Williams booth is this 2018 Road King customized by Nichols Paint & Fab of Watseka, Illinois, located 75 miles south of Chicago.
Founder Justin Nichols and his crew transformed this Road King into a slammed road warrior, using everything from the headlight pod of an old Ford and a big wheel from SMT Machining, to an intercooler from Icebox Performance and a Procharger supercharger to bring more power to the V-Twin.
The custom Road King was then draped in Destroyer Gray from Matrix System Automotive Finishes (which Nichols tweaked a bit), and trimmed with gold inlays on the tank, fenders and saddlebags.
Shell Shock
This steampunk-inspired Honda Shadow is truly a work of art. Owned by Kano Williams, the bike is named “Shell Shock 22.” The inspiration was taken from Williams’ time in the military, and as a tribute to his father.
The details on this custom Shadow are powerful and full of character. Outlawz Customs did outstanding fabrication work, and Hanro Studios added the custom engraving.
The weathered metal work with copper and chrome details truly makes this Honda a rare, raging machine. No detail was ignored on this masterpiece. It’s a bike with a message as well as a badass aesthetic. We really love the use of words in the artwork.
Without a doubt, this Honda Shadow custom is sure to stand out as a SEMA favorite, especially among those who have either served in the military, or know someone who has.
Airbrushed Agitator
This sweet ride shows off how the airbrushing can add extra swagger to an already rockin’ ride. Big Al’s Cycles of Rohnert Park, California (a little over 43 miles northwest of San Francisco) customized this slick FXR with the help of painter Taylor Schultz of Windsor, California’s Schultz Designz.
Every custom piece on the FXR was made in-house by Big Al’s Cycles, as company founder Al Raposo believes “‘replica’ and ‘made in China'” aren’t his style. This includes bits like the eight-inch riser kit and chromed low-bend bar, as well as the FXR chain kit.
We dig the baby blue and butterscotch paint Schultz used on this FXR. The detailing on the airbrushed designs are astounding, too, a skill Schultz applies to everything from Harleys and helmets to skateboard decks and electric guitars.
Banana Cream
This grizzly bear, also done by Big Al’s Cycles, started off life as a ho-hum 2001 FXDX-T Sport Dyna Glide before becoming Raposo’s daily rider.
The custom FXDX-T Sport (also painted by Schultz Designz) serves as both a showcase of what Raposo’s shop can do for your Harley, and proof that even if you’re missing a leg or two (in Raposo’s case, his lower left leg), you can still ride like the wind.
The rolling cigar humidor tribute rolled up to Sturgis with 500 cigarellos a couple of years ago, all carried in the American-made custom saddlebags. The FXDX-T Sport also turned up at the X-Games, and a few other regional and local motorcycle gatherings.
Craziest, Sexiest, Coolest Motorcycles of SEMA 2018 continued…
