2017 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider S Custom Build

Pretty Nice

Owner of the California-based company, The Speed Merchant, Brandon Holstein is no stranger to the wrenches. As a 2018 Hot Bike Tour Invited builder, Holstein spared no expense in customizing a brand new 2017 Dyna Low Rider S. Unlike his personal builds, the Low Rider does not get ridden hard. Holstein stated, “Given that it's not my bike, and I can't afford to fix, we'll just leave it nice and pretty.”

Photos courtesy of Hot Bike.

Joes and Pros

Launched by Hot Bike Magazine in 2012, the Hot Bike Tour is like no other motorcycle rally. Since its inception, the tour has brought builders and enthusiasts together for five days of fun. Sometimes called the 'traveling circus,' the tour offers “some of the most epic riding America has to offer, and some of the best partying and entertainment each community can throw at the attendees.”

>>Join the conversation about this custom Dyna Low Rider S right here in HDForums.

Painted Power

Holstein's build is miles away from the original brooding 'Dark Custom' Low Rider S that the factory released. Powering Holstein's build is a dressed-up, Candy Red 110 cubic-inch Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam with diamond-cut fins. The air cleaner is a Speed Merchant unit, and the exhaust is a stainless 2-into-1 header with a slip-on carbon fiber muffler.

>>Join the conversation about this custom Dyna Low Rider S right here in HDForums.

Take Apart

Holstein's entry for the 2018 Hot Bike Tour is a departure from The Speed Merchant's usual builds. Starting with a teardown, the entire Low Rider was disassembled and the perfectly good stock parts were replaced, painted, polished, or chromed. Dual Performance Machine brakes on a chrome inverted frontend take care of the front suspension and stopping requirements.

>>Join the conversation about this custom Dyna Low Rider S right here in HDForums.

Home Grown

The Speed Merchant parts are featured throughout the build. The skid plate covering the front downtubes might be all show — but Holstein is not. A dedicated rider, Holstein started The Speed Merchant from the ground up with a few handcrafted products. The company, that prides itself on keeping one-hundred percent of their manufacturing in Southern California, has grown beyond his expectations.

>>Join the conversation about this custom Dyna Low Rider S right here in HDForums.

Chrome Performance

Keeping the show-bike theme alive is a chromed swingarm. A set of Öhlins STX36 Monotube Piggyback shocks take care of the suspension needs out back. With the paint and chromed details, there is no doubt that even the shocks were taken apart. Same as the front, a matching Performance Machine brake performs the stopping duties in the rear on a drilled rotor. Both front and rear custom rims roll on Metzeler rubber.

>>Join the conversation about this custom Dyna Low Rider S right here in HDForums.

Detail Oriented

The gas tank is the focal point, and this one is loaded with details. It comes as no surprise as Holstein pays careful attention to detail. His work has been described as “meticulous — almost to a fault.” Most noticeable are the windows cut into the dash panel, which reveal machined-turned silver leaf. The flush-mounted gas caps and custom gauges work in concert with the scalloped paint scheme.

>>Join the conversation about this custom Dyna Low Rider S right here in HDForums.

Studded Form

The gas tank might be the centerpiece, but the seat is a conversation starter — or ender. Holding true to Low Rider S solo seat design, the alligator-skinned Saddlemen seat appears to also be a single rider unit. The lack of passenger pegs confirms this thought, and the Conchos covering the pillion reinforce the idea. The seat is definitely a case of form over function.

>>Join the conversation about this custom Dyna Low Rider S right here in HDForums.

Ruby Eyes

On closer inspection, it is true, the devil really is in the details — or at least a close facsimile. Holstein said that were some two-hundred rubies hand-set in the little cast skulls. How the idea came about to cover the rear seat with devil skulls is probably a closely guarded shop secret — as no doubt were the ensuing jokes.

>>Join the conversation about this custom Dyna Low Rider S right here in HDForums.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our How-to section in the forum.