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Friday, March 16, 2012

A Vintage Feel Redesigned for the Riders of Today

By Darnell Austria


Harley-Davidson Seventy Two Brings Back a Thin Look

The Harley-Davidson Seventy Two motorcycle could be your metallic flake fantasy, a Sportster on the highway going back to time when cool kids rode a Sting Ray and the huge-players left custom motorcycles one after the other down the street. Those bikes were actually extended and trim; stylish red-tone and sparkling chrome shimmering in blurry sunlight.

From its red flake shade and ape bars for the thin white wall wheels, the Motorcycle is a respectful nod to that period and to the influence of the customized motorcycle heritage which still set scenes today around Whittier Boulevard, the famous motoring route in East Los Angeles generally known as route 72. A new trend of customized makers are making use of that era and brand new statement, not just in Los Angeles but in garages across the United States even across the world.

The style of the Seventy Two was attributed from the inspiration of the birth of customized motor bikes. At that period of time, motorbikes were decorative and glittery, but also thin and stripped down to the essentials uncovering their skeleletal support frames.

Looking back at the early roots of custom motorbikes, you'll be amazed how uncomplicated they are, just like bicycles. It's a custom style that is very particular in America along with the California scene where there was not a single motorcycle superstore in the city where motorcyclists can buy parts in one stop. Everything was hand crafted to meet the custom biker's specifications.

Metal flake, a known design of the 1970's, appeared in everything from dune buggy gel coating to plastic diner seat covers for customized motorcycles. Harley-Davidson presents the sparkle back on the Seventy Two with red flake paint. This kind of layer is produced by using a black first layer mixed with a polyeutherane system that includes hexagon-shaped flakes that are at least Seven times the diameter of metal flakes found in common commercial paint. Each flake is protected with a thin aluminium film and then colored red. Several applications of clear coat combined with hand sanding, deliver a clean finish over the flakes.

The last detail for the red flake is an emblem on the fuel tank and pinstripe scallop designs on both fenders. Every single style is hand drawn, and they have symbolized the craft in decal for commercial production, to make sure they still have the look of manually placed layouts; each decal is placed by hand. The sharp graphics is then covered with a final clear coating. A solo seat and side-mounted license plate clump keep most of the chopped rear fender - and more of the paint - displayed around the Seventy Two. The power train is finished in gray powder coat with chrome covers plus a new round air filter with a dished cover. A classic Sportster 2.1 gallon peanut fuel tank adds a final vintage look to the motorcycle.

New Harley-Davidson Softail Slim is an Basic Vintage Custom Motorcycle

Undress a Harley-Davidson Softail to its basic parts and you've got the Slim. From its decreased top fender to its small back end, Slim can be described as non-sense, back-to-basics motorbike. Name it bare. Coin it old school. Call it lean and rude. All that's kept is an elemental Softail profile and a legendary Harley-Davidson model that recaptures classic customized bobbers of the fifties.

To keep the rear of the cycle basic and clean, the Slim carries a combined stop-turn-tail lights and a side installed license plate rack. The rear fender struts remain uncovered, showcasing the sturdy steel and fasteners. A little leather strap covers the gas tank seam. The power train is finished with buffed covers instead of chrome with the black cylinders maintained to look not highlighted. The top fender is diminished to show more of the wheel.

The Hollywood bar, recognized by its wide bend and cross brace, was initially an add-on for Harley-Davidson motor bikes with springer forks. The concept may have been termed because motorbike riders of that period of time who used the cross brace to include lights and packs had gone Hollywood with unneeded extras along with their motorbikes. For the Slim, the cross braced bar and louvered front lights nacelles are coated in gloss black. Other vintage styling cues include a glossy black cat's eye tank unit with a old school speedometer, half-moon biker footboards, a round air purifier cover, and highly polished black wheel rims and hubs. The cover on the seat is stitched in a tuck-and-roll design and style.

A counter-balanced Twin Cam 103B motor is tightly equipped around the frame, making a strong link between driver and the machine. The Softail chassis imitates the clear lines of a retro hard tail body, but uses back end shock absorber control systems supplied by coil-over shocks installed horizontally and hidden from the frame rails. With the combination of a 23.8-inch seat height and motor biker footboards, the Slim easily satisfies a variety of riders and offers a lightweight side-stand lift-off. A pull-back riser add-on can be installed to adjust the handlebar back 2 inches without modifying control cables and lines. Combine this on the top of an old school motorcycle helmet and head to a motorcycle superstore to get your preferred all American fabricated accessories to complete your journey back in time.




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