Daily Slideshow: No Grey Areas Here: DP Customs' Sportster 1200

DP Custom Cycles

DP Custom Cycles are renowned for their Harley-Davidson builds. With this build, they looked to the future and used a 2000-model Harley Sportster 1200. An 18-year old bike may not sound too futuristic but, when you consider most of the DP Custom Cycles builds are based on Ironheads, a 2000-model Sportster is certainly a leap forward. Unfortunately for all of us, this is a commissioned build, so we won't be able to get our hands on it. But, if you like the style, be sure to get in contact with DP.

>>Join the conversation about this DP Customs Sportster 1200 in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Black and White

The custom Sportster 1200 has been dubbed 'Black & White' for obvious reasons. Not only is the paint scheme minimal, but so is the whole bike, with a clear stripped back look to it. But the minimal design definitely isn't a bad thing, there's a beauty in its simplicity. According to DP's Jarrod Del Prado, the customer's "only requirements were that the bike rode well and we stuck with black and white with the paint scheme... the customer for this build was really cool to work with.". Cool customers deserve cool bikes!

>>Join the conversation about this DP Customs Sportster 1200 in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Edgy Paint

Although the paintwork looks relatively simple, DP Customs did a fantastic job of making it crisp and edgy, suiting the overall look of the bike. The primary/cam covers, forks, battery box and rocker boxes, which were all once pseudo-chrome, have been covered in a semi-gloss powder coat. After this, asymmetrical black stripes were applied to the paint, something which was inspired by the 'Le Mans' stripes on Shelby Mustangs from the mid-1960s. The paint job may not be overly complicated, but it definitely has a notable impact on the overall look of the bike.

>>Join the conversation about this DP Customs Sportster 1200 in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Evo Engine

This Sportster has the performance to match its menacing looks. DP gave its Evo engine some extra poke, starting with a Single-Fire Ignition and Coil from Crane Cams FireBall. Then you have the beautiful 2-into-1 chambered exhaust system which runs into a collector underneath the engine. Speaking about the exhaust, Del Prado said, "It has a higher pitch than stock and it's not overly loud,". It isn't too often you see exhaust systems finishing up in a collector under the bike, and it's definitely something this writer would like to hear running. 

>>Join the conversation about this DP Customs Sportster 1200 in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

A Nice Ride

As mentioned earlier, the customers only requirements for this build were that the bike "rode well" and stuck to the black and white paint scheme. Well, the guys at DP Custom Cycles certainly stuck to the black and white scheme but does the bike ride well? In short, yes. At the rear, there's a pair of Progressive Suspension 970 shocks and, and at the front, the forks have been lowered and stiffened. Stopping power has improved too with the installation of high-performance EBC brake pads. For rubber, DP decided to go with Dunlop GT501s. And the tires aren't the only things providing serious grip, the anodized rearsets, which were built by Shane at Chainsikle, "have a super-precise action and the pegs grip just right.". The customer certainly got the paint scheme he/she wanted and, by the sounds of it, it'll ride like they want too.

>>Join the conversation about this DP Customs Sportster 1200 in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

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