Vintage Patina Sportster Custom
What could a German shop know about reinventing an American icon? Some things just don't need any translation.
Well that's an interesting name
This 1987 Sportster, nicknamed El Cochino (that's filthy pig for those who no Habla Espanol), is everything that German workshop Altes Eisen is all about. Taking the classic bike and adding raw sheet metal that has been phosphated and clear varnished is quite the testament to how far these guys will go to preserve that hand-fashioned handcrafted appearance.
>>Join the conversation about the El Cochino Sportster right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
Making things super old school
“Old iron is what we build, and prefer,” says co-founder Dirk. “Our bikes are far away from the modern generation—no fuel injection, engine remapping or ABS.” Like many of the best builders, they strive for simplicity and would rather hammer metal than mold plastic. “It’s a conscious mixture of different styles,” says Dirk. “A little bit bobber, a little bit café racer. It’s a rustic looking but rideable bike.”
>>Join the conversation about the El Cochino Sportster right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
Very nicely done
Looking at this bike section by section really lets you appreciate the craftsmanship that went into building this machine. The wheels are a 16-inch Sanremo rim in front, while at the back is an Akront. The midnight black shocks are from Progressive Suspension, and that chain turns an SS Cycle sprocket brake on the rear wheel. The system works like ones found on go-karts and is quite smart in that it not only works as the disc brake rotor, but also functions as the rear chain sprocket.
>>Join the conversation about the El Cochino Sportster right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
Retro has never looked better
The scalloped tank has been hand-beaten and is inspired by an old moped design that the guys ran across. That fuel tank is plumbed with copper lines, as is the oil tank. The seat is wrapped in antique style leather and is attached using snap fasteners. Everything on this bike that is new has been made to look old, like your great-grandaddy rode it in an alternate Mad Max timeline old.
>>Join the conversation about the El Cochino Sportster right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
A few adjustments were, of course, needed
The internals of the 883 EVO engine was left stock, but the shop did upgrade the stock carburetor with an S&S Super E. The custom pipes sit up high, scrambler style, with headder wrap to keep heat away from the rider's right thigh. For the sake of those around you, there is a SuperTrapp muffler to keep the noise at a (only just) tolerated tone. The air cleaner is a modified Lambretta horn cover and the points cover is an old school "peephole" door viewer.
>>Join the conversation about the El Cochino Sportster right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
From Germany with love
The structural changes that the bike has gone through are extensive, to say the least. The frame is now shorter and fitted with a springer fork from Zero Engineering. The headlight has a beautiful vintage brass surround. Custom-made handlebars use an internal throttle cable that is a perfect complement to the rest of the motorcycle.
>>Join the conversation about the El Cochino Sportster right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!
For help with service of your bike, check out the how to section of HDForums.com
