Daily Slideshow: Danmoto Harley Sportster Build Focuses on Sport
Most think of Harley motorcycles as cruisers, but you'd never peg this slick custom Sportster as one.
Built for Speed
Danmoto has been building high performance and shiny upgraded parts for two-wheelers for years. But until now, they'd never built an actual, entire custom motorcycle. So they knew that if they wanted to stand out in a crowded field, they'd have to build something truly different and truly special. And they did exactly that, turning a 2006 Harley Sportster into something that looks like it came from an alternate universe.
More Than a Parts Maker
It took a mere four months to transform what was once a normal cruiser into the race-ready ride you see before you. According to Danmoto owner Wei Liya, the goal was simple and crystal clear from the start. "We wanted to show that we can do much more than just build high-performance exhaust systems."
>>Join the conversation about Danmoto's Harley Sportster build right here in HDForums.
V-Twin Art
It all started with the frame, which was constructed from bare aluminum tubes. The Sportster's unmistakeable V-Twin serves as the center point, with custom mounts and a one-off oil tank framing it. It creates an almost surreal look, seeing that old school motor suspended in something that it clearly doesn't belong in.
>>Join the conversation about Danmoto's Harley Sportster build right here in HDForums.
Keeping it Light
This unique Sportster takes a major departure from the norm with its focus on lightweight construction, too. The swingarm is fashioned from aluminum, and the tank, bench, fenders, and various other bits are hand-formed from carbon fiber.
>>Join the conversation about Danmoto's Harley Sportster build right here in HDForums.
Be My Frankenstein
Danmoto incorporated a host of parts from other bikes as well, using their own handmade parts to tie it all together. The suspension struts are from a GSX-R 1000, held together with custom triple trees. Out back, the suspension was lifted from a Ducati Monster.
>>Join the conversation about Danmoto's Harley Sportster build right here in HDForums.
Aggressive yet Beautiful
Despite all this, the Sportster's Harley heart was left mostly untouched saved for a set of Mikuni carburetors with custom intake funnels. And since Danmoto is most famous for their exhausts, you know this bike has to have a special one. The 2-in-1 setup here is aggressive yet beautiful, perfectly complementing the bike's construction.
>>Join the conversation about Danmoto's Harley Sportster build right here in HDForums.
Keeping it Simple (and Light)
Save for the V-Twin, the stripped-down look of this incredible build would never make you think of anything Harley-Davidson related. There's quite literally nothing here that doesn't need to be, and even the headlight is what one might call minimalist.
>>Join the conversation about Danmoto's Harley Sportster build right here in HDForums.
Clear Focus
Throw on an equally simple red and black, two-tone paint job, and you've got a piece of beautiful, basic machinery. Albeit one that focuses on what's important - speed, accomplished through true American power!
>>Join the conversation about Danmoto's Harley Sportster build right here in HDForums.
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