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.
Because it’s not a motorcycle?
I started riding dirt bikes and rode some street bikes. Don’t have a motorcycle now but can’t force myself to remove the motorcycle endorsement from my drivers license!
You never know!!🏍️
Btw, I always liked Sporters...I saw one in AZ 5 months ago, an early 90s all stock, and had 700 miles on it. It was like brand new and not too expensive. ☺ I had to stop myself from buying it.
OK, OK, half a car.
Btw, I never wore a helmet when I was younger. Helmets just weren’t cool. As I got older, looking down at the pavement going by, I started to see the pavement as a giant grinding wheel...lol. Helmets can be pretty cool after all.☺
Yeah, it’s pretty much only back roads for me now, too, maybe the less-traveled highways. The city (Tucson) is big enough that you pretty much have to use the major streets to go anywhere, and it gets crazier every day. I see people run intersections five seconds into the red every day, and stop signs are treated as mere suggestions. I’m not sharp enough for that kind of traffic now, and probably never was, just lucky.
I have to agree with you there.
Unless Harrison Ford is up there too.
I can kind of understand why people put stereos into their motorcycles... but it never really made sense for me. Too much road and engine/pipe noise to actually enjoy the music - and a disturbance to those around especially when you pull up to a stop. Several years ago I bought a helmet with bluetooth speakers and a microphone built in. It has touch controls on the outside left of the helmet for volume, or skip, or answer/hangup so your right hand stays on the throttle. I can stream music or radio from the phone and control the volume and even answer calls. I didn’t find it a distraction though actually holding a conversation while cruising was not a good idea for either party.
Being practically deaf, I don’t have that problem.
I have to turn off my hearing aides to keep them from squealing from the wind noise!......................
It’s why I now like the little dual sports, 250 class...For fun, I’ve driven 50 miles on a Saturday just cruising around residential neighborhoods and 30mph side streets. A local lake 4 miles away has a great 30mph scenic loop around the lake. It’s one of my ride targets. I’ve done the fast thing, now I like the slow thing.☺
During my teenage mini bike/enduro years I didn’t wear one. Finally bought the 450 in 91. During the following 4 1/2 year stretch, the longest it sat was an 11 day stretch in Jan 93(?). 31 mile round trip commute. Always wore a helmet off the farm. Coldest was -3F I think.
Switched steel fab shops in 95, which took me down about 9 miles of county road with some curves. One cold overcast morning I came around a curve and the bike came right out from under me. Not ice. It was pea gravel that blended in perfect with the asphalt. Bike and I slid right into a grassy ditch. Windshield and right muffler was trashed. My helmet was scatched up pretty good, but that was it.
That’s probably the direction I’m headed too. Any suggestions as to makes/models? I haven’t started researching smaller bikes yet.
I have a soft spot for Yamaha dual sports. The XT250 to be specific. They’ve been basically making the same engine for decades. Air cooled, nearly bullet proof and needs little maintenance. Electric start, 75 miles per gallon, fuel injection, real low seat, yet high engine clearance for off road trails. In my opinion, it’s the perfect fun bike. But it’s not a freeway/interstate commuter.
Thanks.
You’ll have to hold on, I didn’t take delivery yet. Its still at the House of Harley Davidson. As much as I want to, we’re expecting 8-10” of snow tomorrow.
I believe Panniers is French for butt ugly saddlebags.
IMO the V rod is the most beautiful bike ever.
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