Posted on 02/15/2023 7:32:13 AM PST by Red Badger
Built by Switzerland's Bundnerbike, this custom Road Glide comes wrapped in a dazzling tricolor livery
Customizing is a key part of the Harley-Davidson culture with thousands of shops worldwide that excel at it. But most of them stick to simpler Harley models - Evo-powered Sportsters, Street Bobs, Fat Boys - and only a few shops are gutsy enough to take on Harley-Davidson’s mammoth Grand American Touring cruisers. A prime example is Switzerland’s Bundnerbike which recently added some sporty flavor to the Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special, creating a staggering custom cruiser.
Called the Street Emperor by its makers, the custom motorcycle has shed its old-school charm in favor of a more swanky aesthetic. Chrome elements - engine bay, exhaust, suspension - have all been blacked out whereas the quaint OEM livery has made way for snazzy triple-tone graphics. This is complemented by red cylinder heads, calipers, clutch/brake levers, and most importantly, a set of trick-looking wheels with a custom fender up top. Meanwhile, extended custom saddlebags and a sleeker fuel tank cover round out the new appearance.
Diving deeper, the sportiness also extends to the underpinnings. Bundnerbike has swapped the OEM telescopic forks and swept-back handlebar with adjustable upside-down forks and a custom flat handlebar. These, along with the upgraded custom calipers and petal rotors, should allow higher speeds and more fun in the twisties.
Speaking of speed, the Road Glide Special’s 1,868cc, V-twin remains unchanged for the most part, barring the full free-flow exhaust system (that exits out of the saddlebags) and a custom air filter. Thanks to these, the power output should equate to more thump than the stock 93-HP output–likely around 100 ponies. Once on the go, you’ll also appreciate the repositioned analog instrument cluster, custom ribbed seat, and our favorite, the toothed floorboards color-matched to the livery. Talk about attention to detail!
Other nitty-gritty upgrades on the Street Emperor include Kellerman LEDs outback (with brake light and indicator functions), dual-tone handlebar grips, and crash protectors from Bundnerbike’s catalog. The fascia - front fairing, squarish headlights, windshield - remains bone stock, though.
The extended saddlebags house the exhaust cans to create a clean tail end
Bundnerbike’s website doesn’t list the Street Emperor for sale. However, we urge you to get in touch with the shop for a clearer answer, hopefully, a quote on the build too. Also, Bundnerbike is also open to new custom projects, in case you have a vision for your Harley-Davidson. The build will not be “affordable,” however, so keep a fat check ready. After all, even a stock Road Glide retails for $21,999.
Motorcycle ping!...................
Why not just buy a car?
They forgot to paint the brake discs flat black. /s
Wouldn’t stay that way very long.....................
That defeats the purpose of motorcycles...
Yep, and road bikes are like having a roadster with no top to put up when it rains.
With the deer strikes we have around Lewis County, TN, I wouldn’t go over 35 mph on a road bike.
NO real American wants the glorified rascal scooters.......or limited-range/limited charging stations for the EV's.
They’re like two wheeled cars...
I had a low rider back in 2000. It was a fun bike but the number of deaths in the city caused me to face reality and sell the damn thing.
Back when people read newspapers it was a weekly event to read of newly retired teachers, doctors, etc, getting killed on their motorcycle shortly after retiring.
It’s not IF you will have an accident on a motorcycle but WHEN you will have an accident on a motorcycle.
lol
horrible.
Fatsos have two choices, either go on a diet or buy a Harley.
Mileage definitely varies.
Not entirely true, as some get lucky and some have enough skills and luck to avoid going under the wheels.
Ride like you're invisible, pretend nobody in cars sees you because many don't see you because they're simply not paying attention. Pretend every intersection is a death trap, because most are. Every vehicle in the opposing lanes getting ready to make a left turn in front of you is a potential killer. No joke.
Hmm? I didn’t know that they could build electric motors in an 1,868cc, V-twin configuration?
A close friend used to ride with that outlook but it didn't do him any good when an oncoming pickup truck made a left turn in the intersection my friend was driving thru.
He slammed head on into the side of the truck and his wife who was with him flew over the truck and landed in the oncoming traffic and was killed immediately. Somehow, my friend survived but had multiple surgeries and is now blind in one eye.....
Best thing about my ‘65 XLCH was, it was a frame, engine, and wheels. It was light and fast.
Personally, I don’t care for baggers, dressers, etc. but to each his own. I like to see them all.
Nature Thinning the herds, only the strong survive.................
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