This Custom Japanese Harley-Davidson Sportster Scrambler Is Just Begging for Dirt
This K&H 883 Scrambler is part Harley-Davidson Sportster, part dirt-eating off-roader, all awesome
Most people who build a custom Harley-Davidson Sportster likely want to keep things reasonably clean. Not Chikara Ueyama, the CEO of K&H Co. in Japan. Not by a long shot. Instead, Ueyama-san had dirtier plans for this custom Sportster build, namely a dirt-kicking, fully custom Scrambler.
Mind you, K&H Co. isn’t a strictly “Bar and Shield” affair. The company builds seats, parts, and works on road-going Yamahas and Buells. For Ueyama-san’s custom Sportster Scrambler build, however, dirt and trails are the name of the game.
He started with a 1998 Harley-Davidson XLH883, the smallest displacement H-D on the market at the time. After a complete teardown, Ueyama-san began adding performance parts and his own custom-made carbon fiber components to bring his vision to life. A set of inverted forks, a high-riding, dirtbike-inspired front fender, and a custom, engine-protecting CFRP skid plate are just part of the equation.
A glance at the Sportster Scrambler’s rear-end reveals what appears to be a tweaked OEM Harley-Davidson fender. However, it’s in actuality a custom carbon fiber part flanked by Ohlins TTX piggyback shocks for generous clearance. Though viewers on the right side of the bike might be too distracted by the exhaust system to pay mind to the shocks. It’s an Akrapovic-tipped custom 2-1 setup sure to produce an interesting soundtrack from the bone-stock 883-cubic-inch twin.
Below, the custom build rides on a set of D.I.D. off-road wheels. As for aesthetics, Ueyama-san retained the stock headlamp. Aside from the Akrapovic system, the Harley-Davidson-ness of the 883 Scrambler build shines through.
Built for adventure
Chikara told BikeBound that this bike was a three-year testament to his desire to get lost on a custom Sportster Scrambler. “This is my private machine,” Ueyama-san told interviewers. “I started making it because I wanted to enjoy off-road. It took me three years to reach completion. I love XLH883 of that time.”
It’s true, too. Chikara has another classic 883 in his garage, though it’s nearly stock compared to his custom, trail-seeking Sportster Scrambler build. “I wanted a dual-purpose machine — that’s why I made it,” he added. “I enjoy riding adventure machines like the BMW R1250GS, Africa Twin, KTM Adventure, and so on.”
Photos: BikeBound
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