DIY Sucker Punch Custom Harley-Davidson

I’VE ALWAYS worked on bikes and cars, but nothing serious until now. I can MIG-weld, panel-beat and paint, and will give most things a try; nothing ventured, nothing gained! I reckon you have a different sense of pride when you build something yourself, rather than getting someone else to do it for you or just going out and buying it. 

I’ve been self-taught with everything I do, so I just do it until I’m happy with it and hopefully it looks okay in the end. 

This is the first full bike build I’ve done. I wanted something that was different to everyone else’s bike and looked good at the same time. I liked the long, low and fat style. It was built on a ‘kind’ of a budget — that meant I had to wait a bit longer for what I wanted, it didn’t mean I had to sacrifice quality, performance or style.

After a back operation which left me in pain after rides, I decided to build my own style of bike to suit my needs. It’s a comfortable bike to ride and the sprung seat was not my first, but I can’t imagine it any other way now. 

The jockey shift was another need of mine as my left leg doesn’t always work the way I want it to. It took a bit to get used to especially when I take off in a bit quick and need to hang on at the same time. 

I spent many hours in the garage working on it. I’d go to do one thing thinking, ‘Yeah, a couple of hours in the shed,’ and end up having to altar half a dozen things and taking all day. 

It was a great learning curve. I reckon it would be an excellent life building bikes for a living, but that’s when the help and knowledge of my good mate Picko was priceless. 

I made the exhaust out of four x two-inch stockyard railing while Les from Fat Pipes finished off the primaries. 

Picko spaced up the rear wheel and gave tech support when needed. Nick did the electrics and Chris at ACE Fabrications did any TIG welding I needed. A mate at work makes skulls so I got him to do the brass ones on the front guard and sissybar for me. The rest I did myself. 

I designed the brakes using a clutch slave cylinder so you only use one foot. It goes into a T-piece and a proportioned valve; this leaves the bars nice and clean and simple, free of any levers. 

The paint was an idea I had. I wanted that kind of old school look, so I chose dark colours with silver scallops and trimmed with red pinstripe. After I’d done that I gave them to Little Mick to do the airbrushing before he passed them back to me to seal with clear. 

I decided to make a brown leather seat and tank strap to help break up the dark colours, plus it helps with with the older look I was after. 

The oil tank was replaced with one from Sucker Punch Sally and now the old one only holds the battery and electrics. 

The EFM Auto Clutch hub turns it into a big ‘Step Through’. You still have to change gears manually, but you don’t have to use the clutch anymore even when you stop. It’s an excellent idea and well worth the cost. 

Tony at Pacific Plating did all the chroming, while Birds Bitz supplied all the parts I needed. 

I made the sissybar, front guard, oil cooler and lines, rear pegs, metal carvings, rear guard struts, handlebars, exhaust and heat shield, seat and tool box, because I couldn’t find one that I liked. 

I wanted to dedicate it to my old man who rode Harleys in the army back in the 60’s and he always said, “You don’t have to spend a fortune to look half decent.” 

I’d like to thank Picko, Bird, Little Mick, Nick, Les, Tony and Jason, and a special thanks to the missus for putting up with it for 2 ½ years. 

BIKE SPECS:

• Frame: Prowler Pro Street, 5-inch stretch.
• Motor: 96 ci, Delcron cases, S&S flywheels, Carillo rods, JE Flycut pistons, Axtel barrels, Crane cam, Mukini carb, Dyna Ignition, balanced bottom-end, built by Mitch at SCC.
• Gearbox: Prowler RSD 6-speed with suicide shift.
• Primary: 3 inch BDL.
• Clutch: EFM auto clutch.
• Exhaust: straight through (LOUD!)
• Front end: DNA 6-inch-over springer
• Wheels: Front 26 x 4.75 Dragway, 120 tyre; Rear 18 x 10 Ultama, 250 tyre.
• Fuel tank: stretched 4 inches.
• Front guard: FLH widened and custom mounted.
• Rear guard: 10 inch wide custom cut blank.
• Brakes: Willwood proportional valve.
• Extras: Home-made leather-work, custom paint, hand-made alloy and brass parts, Sucker Punch Sally oil tank, my designed handlebars.
• Build time: 2 ½ years.
• Cost: Didn’t keep a record.

 Pics by Jo; words by Darryl