Each 5 years, Harley-Davidson releases a contemporary slew of particular anniversary editions. They’re normally current fashions, upgraded with fancy liveries and, in some instances, numbered plaques. However the truth that they arrive out twice a decade (and in robust numbers) type of diminishes their attract.
It’s little surprise, then, that the proprietor of this one centesimal Anniversary Harley Springer Softail had no qualms about handing it over to our man in Taiwan, Winston Yeh, for a Rough Crafts makeover.
As implied, the 2003-model Harley-Davidson Springer Softail adopted The Motor Co.’s typical Softail components, with a vintage-style springer entrance finish added to the combo. This explicit instance had already been wearing a handful of aftermarket components, so Winston’s consumer had no illusions about holding it inventory.
The temporary was to show it right into a no-holds-barred Tough Crafts particular, with one explicit word. “He’s clearly into that old fashioned vibe,” explains Winston, “so the one request he had was to maintain it a ‘springer’ Softail.”
Winston sought to retain the classic aesthetic of the entrance finish—however enhance its efficiency. So he ditched the OEM Harley springer fork in favor of a surprising billet aluminum setup from Rebuffini. The black-anodized fork makes use of a pair of Öhlins shocks.
Subsequent, Winston specced the remainder of the Harley’s working gear to excellent its stance. “I made a decision to go together with that old fashioned chopper vibe,” he tells us, “however, as standard, with out altering the body.”
The Softail now rolls on carbon fiber wheels from BST, with a thin 21” hoop up entrance and a much less skinny 17” unit on the again. They’re wrapped in Pirelli rubber, with Tough Crafts-branded Beringer Aerotec brake calipers to gradual them down. Tough Crafts brake carriers and Beringer discs full the setup.
A Progressive Suspension shock is connected to the inventory swingarm, bettering the rear-end trip really feel. The Softail not solely appears completely balanced now, nevertheless it ought to carry out a complete lot higher too. The brand new elements additionally go an extended option to shedding visible weight, giving the machine a lithe look that’s echoed in its svelte bodywork.
As we’ve come to count on from Tough Crafts, each half is pixel-perfect. A bolt-on Tough Crafts ‘Guerilla’ gasoline tank perches atop the Softail body, mounted excessive and much again so as to add a bit Frisco model. A bespoke solo seat sits behind it, adopted by a decent rear fender that has simply the slightest kick in its tail.
There’s no entrance fender—only a small headlight coated in a vertical grill; an indicator of Tough Crafts’ bikes since day one.
The cockpit wears a set of mini-ape bars, held in place by Tough Crafts risers. The grips are RC x Arlen Ness gadgets, and the controls and switches are from Rebuffini. A tiny Motogadget speedo sits in the midst of the bars.
Koso LED flip alerts cling from the handlebars, with three-in-one Koso LEDs hooked up to the swingarm to behave as taillights and rear flip alerts. The mid-mounted foot controls are from Well-known Fabricator, whereas the precise pegs are, as soon as once more, from the RC x Arlen Ness catalog.
The engine internals are inventory, however the exterior boasts a handful of tasty upgrades. An open belt drive from Belt Drives Ltd dominates the left-hand aspect, Roland Sands rocker field covers sit up high, and a Tough Crafts consumption pokes out on the suitable. The Harley’s been transformed from a belt to a series drive too, with an RK Takasago chain and Supersprox sprockets.
A sublime two-into-one exhaust provides a of completion, sporting a pseudo-fishtail muffler. It’s a method that Winston’s been enjoying with recently, and it’s a welcomed break from the backyard selection exhaust programs you sometimes see on previous Softails.
Nicknamed ‘Imperium Talon,’ Tough Crafts’ Harley Springer Softail was put collectively by Winston’s standard coterie of collaborators. CT-Storage dealt with the heavy lifting, SFC Simon Fiber Craft added the luxurious carbon fiber accents, and Rover Works Customized Paint and Rebirth Signal Painter teamed as much as execute the livery.
Lastly, 2 Irregular Sides created a pair of Tough Crafts tank badges, plus collars to mount on the customized brass pushrod tubes. With even handed chrome and brass particulars shining in opposition to the mostly-black finishes, this Softail is Tough Crafts at its greatest.
Rough Crafts | Facebook | Instagram | Photos by Daryl Chung Imaging Studio
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