I Ride My Own Motorcycle
“Why sit behind when you can ride your own,” says Sue, the owner of this very trick Harley-DavidsonSportster.
SUE IS NO stranger to riding two-wheeled machines. 25 years ago, she threw the leg over a Yamaha dirt bike and kicked up the dirt in the paddocks near home. When Sue got the itch for a road bike, she was smiling from cheek to cheek on her new ride, a Yamaha 650 cc.
“It was an alright bike,” she says. “A good learning curve. It gave me fun and I was gaining valuable experience to boot.”
But before Sue could say happy birthday, she got one hellcat surprise—parked out front was one eye-catching 883 Sportster, a birthday present from her hubby, Aaron. And not just any Sportster—it was tricked up to the hilt.
The 2007 V-twin engine stands out in the cradle of the frame, with plenty of chrome and silver parts. The 883 cc donk blends in with the peanut-style fuel tank too. The purplish tank with its grey marbling effect work well together, then slap bang on the tank face is some groovy artwork of Betty Boop, with just below that in stylish writing, the words, “I Ride My Own.”
The bright colours work well together as the theme follows down the front and rear guards to the oil tank and the left-side cover. This lavish paint job was done by Troy from Nightmare Designs here in South Oz. The full job had taken four weeks and apparently was done at night.
The Vance & Hines, two-into-one, staggered pipes give it that typical V-Twin rumble.
Jutting out from the right-side engine is a simple but effective Scream’ Eagle, heavy-performance, air cleaner kit; the more air the better.
The swanky forward controls are knurled; as are the handlebars grips. The braided lines look neat and tidy; they blend in with the style of the Sportster.
The single gauge on the 2007 model is multifunctional with an electronic speedo, an odometer, a dual tripmeter, a low–fuel warning light, and a low pressure indicator light.
The LePera seat,” says Sue, “is ever so comfortable on long rides, and when on tours through the hills with winding roads, my rear-end sits on the leather without swishing all over the place.”
Sue’s 883 comes with El Dorado wheels made in the USA. These fancy design wheels highlight the rest of the Harley-Davidson. For some extra fanciness, the valve stems are capped off with dice cap covers—is Sue on a roll or what.
When cruising or going into sweeping bends, the 883 does it effortlessly—the Progressive Suspension, front and rear, stands up well making riding a dream.
“I just love riding,” says Sue, “and I have the dream bike. It’s awesome. On the open road, the 883 just purrs along; and when I’m climbing through the hills with twisting curves, the 883 cruises on through effortlessly. The power and throttle response are smooth. It has enough grunt, and when overtaking, I knock it back a gear and it just steams off. My Sportster is the ultimate ride.”
When Sue went to the SMASA (Street Machine Association of SA) Bike Show at Regency Park, she won the Iron Maiden trophy for chick’s bike.
She would like to thank the guys at Pro Street for doing all the changes to the Sportster. The list is endless but, at day’s end, it’s a job well done.
Spill by Rags
