Constructed with elements from bikes spanning six a long time, this tribute to the may XR750 is a testomony to the Sportster’s prowess as a platform for personalization.
Simply yesterday, we lauded the Harley Sportster as one of many most customizable bikes on the planet, citing its easy structure and an enormous aftermarket as causes. At the moment, we’re a classic Sportster that illustrates that time with nostalgic aptitude (as if we wanted convincing).
You are not one, however two traditional Sportsters: a 1966 Harley-Davidson XLCH Ironhead motor paired with a closely modified 1979 XLS 1000 Roadster body, supported by a various array of recycled Harley, KTM, and Ducati elements.
This superb Sportster bitsa is the work of Michael Middeldorff, who operates out of Munich, Germany, as Motonaut—a cheeky reference to the Argonauts in Greek mythology. Nicknamed ‘Iron Maiden,’ this bike is his private tribute to the legendary Harley XR750 flat track racer, reinterpreted with a handful of distinctive particulars.
At first look, the Iron Maiden appears to be like like a fastidiously restored manufacturing unit race bike from yesteryear. However do not let its delightfully minimalist vibe idiot you—there’s so much happening right here.
The mission began with the XLS body, which was de-tabbed, truncated on the rear, and handled to a brand new spine and steering neck. A set of 35 mm Ceriani GP duplicate forks sits up entrance, fitted with a cartridge package that provides full adjustability, whereas custom-order YSS shocks prop up the rear. The forks got here from CR-Suspension, who additionally equipped a set of ultra-wide yokes.
The wheels are a combined bag, with 2.5×19” Harley Hydra-Glide hoop up entrance and a 3.0×19” V-Rod entrance rim on the again. The entrance hub is a 1974-spec Harley half, the entrance brake caliper was lifted from a 2018-model Harley-Davidson Avenue 750, and the grasp cylinder and lever got here from an outdated KTM quad. A Nineties KTM LC4 Brembo caliper does responsibility out again, triggered by a Ducati 916 grasp cylinder and pedal on {custom} mounts.
When it got here to the engine, Michael opted for reliability over outright efficiency. The 59-year-old XLCH energy plant was rebuilt and upgraded with an digital ignition and a Lithium battery. A NOS Screamin’ Eagle carb from the 80s was put in, together with a pair of easy drag pipes; the air cleaner cowl, major cowl, and exhaust pipes had been all ceramic coated.
The Sportster’s bodywork is traditional Harley flat tracker fare. Michael snagged a fiberglass and tail part, splashing them in a timeless orange livery. The oil tank and strap had been comprised of scratch, with a buddy lending a hand on the welding.
The cockpit options LSL handlebars, period-correct H-D grips, Motogadget micro-switches, and a digital Motogadget motoscope mini speedo. Michael has the whole lot he must run the Sportster on the road, too—together with a clip-on headlight and Kellermann LED taillights and switch alerts.
Michael buttoned the Iron Maiden up in time to debut it at a really particular occasion—the tenth Flat Observe Invitational at Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Motor Ranch in Tavullia, Italy, within the presence of American flat observe legends Scott Parker and Invoice Werner.
“It was a brief premiere, as a result of I misplaced spark after simply a few laps,” he remembers, “nevertheless it was the absolute best technique to trip the bike for the primary time.”
Motonaut Instagram | Pictures by, and with due to, Marc Holstein
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