Daily Slideshow: RSD and Technics Collab for Perfect Project

A Themed Build

Roland Sands Design is known for its ability to produce some of the finest custom motorcycles around right now. Technics is an audio technology and DJ brand which has produced some of the most widely used decks in the world. So, what have they got in common? Well, nothing, until they teamed up to produce a themed custom motorcycle. Custom bike builders and large companies outside of the motorcycle industry have gotten together countless times to build themed motorcycles, but the results haven't always been great. So, not all themed bikes work out well, but this one certainly has. Technics' SL-1200 decks are one of the most well-known products the company sells and are what Roland Sands Design has modeled this build on.

>>Join the conversation about this RSD and Technics Sportster in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Sportster XL883

Sands chose a 2010 Iron Sportster XL883 for the base of this build. This model is part of Harley-Davidson's 'Dark Custom' range, which was originally meant to conjure images of dirt tracks and drag racing strips from the 1950s. Although that was Harley's intention for the XL883N, Sands had other ideas. This writer wonders if the thought of using a Sportster 1200 crossed Sands' mind, seeing as the product he was styling the build on is an SL-1200.

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A Sleeker Look

The first thing you'll notice about this Sportster XL883N is how sleek it is compared to the stock version. This is, partly, down to the heavily-modified gas tank which blends seamlessly into the new tail unit. To get further away from the upright style of the unmodified Sportster XL883N, Sands used 39mm clip-on bars, which give this build a low, almost café racer, look. 

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More Custom Parts

This bike is dripping with Roland Sands Design parts, like the inlet, exhaust, and ignition. But it doesn't stop there, the rocker box covers, and rear seats are from Roland Sands Design too. But not all the custom parts on this Sportster are from Sands. Things like the brake system, for example, are a mishmash between Roland Sands Design and Performance Machine, with Performance Machine providing the brake calipers which were then hooked up to Sand's 11.5" discs. And much of the cabling is from the Barnett Stealth Series. The Roland Sands Design custom parts look wonderful and are some of the best in the business, but it's great to see other manufacturers involved too.

>>Join the conversation about this RSD and Technics Sportster in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

Finishing Touches

One of the features that stands out most on this Softail are its wheels, where were custom fabricated. Both the front and back tires are 19" x 2.5". According to Sands, "The true link between the bike and the turntables came alive the first time we rotated the wheels... It was very cool to see the dots on the wheels shift direction as the wheels spun.". The dotted wheels weren't the only obvious link to Technics, the black and silver paint, with a satin and gloss finish, is also a nod to the brand which is owned by Panasonic Corporation. Although the paint job may look somewhat simple, it has been finished beautifully and is one of the nicest jobs we've seen in awhile. 

>>Join the conversation about this RSD and Technics Sportster in the Harley-Davidson Forum.

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