5 BIKES THAT REALLY MATTER THIS MONTH
[ NEW BIKES ]
Like the scrambler style but wish they looked psychotic and had 156bhp? This Pan America-based headcase is the answer
In a parallel universe where Harley-Davidson are surfing a wave of Pan America success, this brutal tracker wouldn’t exist because they’d already be making it – along with the Bronx naked bike, plus all manner of other spin-offs.
But in our realm, where Harley are fighting to keep their cylinder heads above water, it needs custom builders to push the boundaries.
‘This started around six months ago,’ explains Black Cycles boss Noel Muller from his Australian HQ. ‘A customer had bought his 2022 Pan America on the spur of the moment and wasn’t actually an adventure bike person. He asked if I could do anything cool with it.’
Naturally, Noel said he most definitely could, but didn’t know what until he stripped all the plastic off so he could see what surrounded the 1252cc 60° V-twin. ‘I found that the base bike is actually very compact so I suggested a modern scrambler style, as if Harley had made a dirt racing prototype.’
With the owner frothing enthusiastically, Noel then actually had to build it, which wasn’t easy. The immediate problem was the tank, which is 21 litres in standard form. ‘It’s massive,’ says Noel, ‘and wouldn’t work with the plan, so I built a concealed 8.5-litre tank from the neck [steering tube] to the rear wheel – it’s about a metre long. That meant making a shorter subframe to fit.’
The next challenge were the new panels, which Noel made from aluminium. ‘I had the shapes in my mind, but making them blend to the large multi-function screen – which I moved down from above the handlebars – was very challenging.’
As was the exhaust. ‘My first idea was to run a pipe upwards from the original low-down headers, but that looked ridiculous. So I chopped up the headers and built a new middle section to flow better into the Vance and Hines muffler.’ Because Noel had chopped out the original catalytic converter he had some space to play with, so filled it up with a 2.4-litre auxiliary tank. ‘It can be removed easily without tools to top up the fuel if necessary,’ says Noel.
‘The regulator was originally mounted down in front of the bash plate [an odd location at the best of times] so I relocated it up inside the left side wing and made a new, more compact bash plate. It’s built from two pieces of aluminium and I dimple died it [holes are punched through the material, leaving a lip which increases overall rigidity]. That helps aesthetics and cooling.
‘The test ride went great – it was my first time on one of these motors and I have to say that it absolutely hammers! It was hard to keep the front wheel down. The standard bike is 150bhp and the exhaust gives another six – it definitely feels like a genuine 156bhp.’
EXHAUST
The standard pipe went down to a catalyst under the engine, but with that gone Noel was free to route it upwards to the tail for a high-level exit.
TANK
New 8.5-litre handmade tank runs from the steering stem to the rear of the saddle. There’s an auxiliary tank under the engine.
ENGINE
Standard Harley 1252cc V-twin with variable valve timing and self-adjusting hydraulic lifters. Power is 156bhp with the Vance and Hines exhaust, torque is 94 lb.ft.
SEAT
Noel made the aluminium base. There’s minimal foam, but that doesn’t matter because you’ll be stopping for fuel all the time anyway.
PANELS
All handmade in aluminium by Noel to give a motocross vibe. Dash is incorporated in the tank cover.
HEADLIGHTS
Original letterbox-style main beam is ditched in favour of a Highsider Satellite.