2013 Road Glide Custom, Rockin the War Wagon on the Road to Sturgis

2013 Road Glide Custom, aka War Wagon

A new 2013 Road Glide Custom, some friends, eight days to burn, the Sturgis Rally, and a little Rocky Mountain detour, what’s not to love? Not much, I can tell you that. For those of you that have been keeping up on current events here at the Asylum, you know that my beloved Paint Shaker (aka 2006 FLHRCI, Road King Classic) and sick CVO Springer (2007 FLXTSSE) are no more, traded in to make way for a shiny, well not so much, as it’s black denim, new 2013 Road Glide Custom. Always wanted one of the shark nosed beasts, and given that the Motor Company had deemed it time to put the vaunted Glide on ice for a couple of years, I figured now was as good a time to score one.

Blacker than a Banker's Heart

The War Wagon is fairly trick; complete black-out treatment, Progressive Suspension front and rear (Monotube fork springs and 944’s out back), Klockwerks windscreen, Agitator wheels in black ice, braided brake lines, fully floating rotors up front, HD’s “DayMaker” LED lights with Custom Dynamics LED running/brake/turn lights, Vance and Hines True Dual headers with four inch round mufflers out back, and Screamin’ Eagle air cleaner and tuner. Le Pera seat is coming, and we’ll wait until the warranty is done before we start really working over the stock 103. All in all, it’s a pretty tidy rig. 

Lunch at Orlando's in Taos, yummy!

Our shakedown cruise began in the steaming cauldron of the Fort Worth Metroplex, when you think Texas in the summertime, think oven on self-clean mode and you get the idea. The sooner we could get to the high desert of New Mexico, the better. The three of us, Dan (my boss), Joaquin (e-com guru) and myself droned along the interstate just as quickly as John Law would allow. Staying overnight in Amarillo, we got a late start from work, have to pay the bills, right? Our goal at the end of the second day was Durango Colorado where we would meet up with renown bike builder/designer Jesse Rooke and a couple of his buddies. From there it was on through the Rockies for some great two lane tango.

I’ve gotta say the Glide is such the better bike than the old Paint Shaker, and it really pains me to admit it, but truth is truth. Obviously being a post ’09 FLH model, it benefits greatly from the new frame and swing arm. For the most part the hinge in the middle of the frame is gone. Sure at really high speeds in long sweepers, if you hit a bump you’ll experience a little shimmy-shake, but nothing too dramatic. And if you have the good sense to install Progressive bits on both ends, you’ll be amazed at how well the beast will handle. The brakes are outstanding, to the degree that I doubt I’ll throw on aftermarket calipers, they are that strong. I gotta say I love the frame mounted fairing, not just for the sinister profile, but the wind protection is outstanding, as is the stability. Having grown up riding sportbikes, I prefer the frame affixed units to anything mounted on handlebars.

From Durango to Sturgis was a blur, Jesse and Doug set a blistering pace over one mountain pass to another, whether  it a goat trail or a four lane road, we were hauling the mail. And trust me, the weather never cooperated with our “optimistic” route schedule. But that’s the adventure of the open road, right?

 One turn it’s a  herd of mountain goats, the next it’s a black and white, or maybe Jesse’s Street Glide saying, I’m not gonna start at during a thunderstorm at over 12,000 feet. Its always something, and that’s what’s so great. Over Loveland Pass, through Trail Ridge Park and the wilds of Wyoming our little wolfpack was never passed by a single vehicle of any type; car, truck, motorcycle…..nothing. That includes sportbikes of every stripe. We were making some pace, and having a blast.

The Biker's Choice Big Rig on Lasalle

Once in Sturgis, it was the usual scene; Main St., Black Hills HD, the drags, flat track, Deadwood. We took it all in, while dodging (mostly unsuccessfully) some of the worst weather I’ve ever ridden in. As a matter of fact, it rained some part of the day for six of the eight days we were on the road……that’s a lot for this Cali transplant!! But as they say, there’s no bad weather, only bad gear. I’m not sure I fully buy into that, but my Firstgear rain gear did keep me dry, and the Road Glide was steady as a stone as we punched through some pretty gnarly precep.

For three days we met with industry folks, looked at bikes, ate food, lots of food, and were more or less chill. We didn’t do a lot of local riding, but we did cut through Rushmore (how appropriate given the new 2014 HD’s huh?) and Custer Park on our way back to Tejas. Given time constraints we pretty much took a straight shot south, two lane when we could, interstate the rest of the way. And oh, yes, the rain continued to the last day, with the worst of it as a matter of fact in Kansas. By that time we were all done with the wet stuff.

All in all, I’ve got to say I’m loving me the War Wagon, it’s smooth, reasonably quick (we’ll work on that later) and stops better than any Harley I’ve ever owned. But I have to say, without a doubt, it’s the badass stance of the machine that puts it over the top. It’s got class and style in spades……..ace of spades, as in blacker than a bankers heart. This is the start of something good…….

Texas Tales.....Riding the Lone Star State

As most of you know I relocated to the Republic of Texas nearly two years ago, and while I’m moving steadily on a path to citizenship (figured it’ll take about a decade to get naturalized) it’s still an almost daily adjustment when it comes to acclimating to the day to day in the Lone Star State. This is doubly true when it comes to riding out among ‘em in a state where the unofficial motto is; ”….hey honey hold my beer and watch this”.

But before we get into last weekend’s two lane escapades; a major announcement.  We’re rolling a new sled, sinister black denim 2013 FLTRX, the last of its kind as a matter of fact, at least for now. No doubt the Motor Company will bring the Glide back at some future date; it sells to damn well to kill it off for good……shareholders wouldn’t stand for that, no way. The machine is really trick with lots of Chrome Asylum touches, which ironically include a total black-out treatment, and very little, if any actual chrome. Expect a complete review of the War Wagon, including the not so pleasant purchase experience at one of HD’s Platinum Bar and Shield “stealerships”, along with tons of pics in the near future. 

A tasty tease...........War Wagon, my new '13 FLTRX

Sadly the only way to score the Road Glide was to sell my beloved Paint Shaker (’06 FLHRCI) and the Springer (’07 FXSTSSE). Very bummed to see them go, but the fact is I don’t get much time to ride one bike, let alone two, and with the daughter at one of those over-priced palaces of “higher” learning, it was the right time to downsize. One thing I know is there are a couple of Texans out there that scored some choice tricked out Milwaukee iron……….best treat ‘em right gents!

So yea, that whole riding thing. Yo Texas, can we get some lane splitting (ah, “sharing”) down heh!? What’s the deal, you’ve got traffic jams that would make five o’clock in Beijing seem like a spin in the country, surface of the sun heat for six months of the year, and NASCAR wannabe morons in their pick-ups tailgating (sorry, my bad, “drafting”) about an inch and a half of my fender. We need an “out” people. If they can allow the great unwashed the privilege of lane splitting in the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia, let’s show them what a free state can do. It’s time.

 I’ve heard that legislation has been introduced a couple of times in Austin over the last few years, so what’s the hold up?………I say get ‘er done dammit!! Of course as one wise local cop told me, he said, “son (which shows you how damn ancient he was) I wouldn’t advise you doing any of that lane spitting stuff around here, you’re liable to get a knee full of fender or a face full of Skoal”. Wise words indeed, maybe Tejas isn’t quite ready after all.

The stereotype is that nearly everyone in Texas drives a pick-up truck, maybe not entirely accurate. What is true is that every twisted, demented, Shiner swilling, road raging cowboy freak in Texas drives a pick-up truck. There’s a difference. Here’s what the chamber of commerce won’t tell you, every other one of these bozos is towing some sort of grapes of wrath flatbed trailer (which by the way slows them down not a single mph) stacked to the moon with all manner of mowers, blowers, grills, couches, lawn chairs, coolers, ladders, duck blinds, kiddie pools, and the occasional recently deceased white tale. All of which means when Bubba/Pedro slams into one of Texas’ famous, and numerous pot holes (these babies are deep and steep, they can taco a motorcycle rim faster than you can say “Red State”) at beer thirty qualifying speeds, it’s gonna be raining yard sale……….right in front of you and your machine. You best be on your game, constant “object avoidance” skill building is a must.  Don’t say you haven’t been warned.

Lastly, enough with the artificially low speed limits on rural roads. I doubt Texas invented the speed trap, but I think it’s fair to say they’ve perfected it. It’s such a joke that when I was recently caught on radar doing 52 in a 30 (I was) the cop let me go. He was understanding about the natural tendency to twist the throttle a little harder on two lane twisties (a rare find indeed in God’s Country….ah, that of course would be Tejas, right!?), and all but admitted the speed limits were not “appropriate” for boondocks nature of the road. It’s kind of a drag having to constantly keep one eye on the speedo, and the other scanning for John Law when cruising through the countryside. No doubt I see a hefty ticket in my future…….I’m pretty sure I burned my get out of jail free card with Officer Rider (I swear, that was his name!).

That about wraps it for now, stay tuned for more, assuming I survive Death Race Texas………where it’s not just a ride, it’s blacktop ops survival school.

Project XR1200x, The Tupperware Torpedo

It’s been over a year now that the murdered out 2012 XR1200x found its way to the Asylum from the swamps of north-central Florida, Sanford to be exact. Our goal was to take a fresh, bone stock XR, right off the Kansas City line, as God intended, and morph it into a “just this side of the track” weekend fun machine. No engine mods allowed (at least not yet), and John Law approved……..no undo attention from Texas’ finest, thank you very much.

The stainless V&H system and wheels are the definition of dope

I’m gonna confess right from the jump, the Harley XR is one of the funnest (it’s a word) bikes you can throw a boot over. There’s simply no way to spend time on one and not walk away grinning from lobe to lobe. Fast? Puhleeze, my old PE-125 could probably beat it in a drag race. Lightweight? Oh sure, for a middle displacement touring bike. So it must handle like a scalpel in the hands of a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon? Well sort of, if by “surgeon” you mean the nineteen year old med-tech at Dr. Tattoff. It’ll get around the twisty bits good enough, but you’re gonna sweat, a lot. Here’s the deal, it’s not what the XR doesn’t have in comparison to other more “modern” sport bikes (say anything north of an ’82 Honda 900F), it’s the combination of the qualities, uniquely Harley we might add, that it does have which make it a pretty special machine.

It’s fast enough, with that extra helping of Milwaukee v-twin torque coming off the bottom, much like that Briggs and Stratton go-cart you hustled around the local raceway, the XR feels a lot speedier than it really is. It’ll move, just don’t challenge a 600……any 600, ever!! To even the odds a bit, and keep the lead footed soccer moms honest, we raided the Vance & Hines race shop and threw on their super sexy Widow stainless exhaust system (we ditched the quiet baffle of course). Not only does it look ultra-trick, but it also shaves off a whopping 18.6 lbs, nearly a 50% reduction! On the intake side we installed the V&H Performance air filter and the FuelPak Special Edition (street version). The result is a smooth revving to redline growl that cuts to the bone but is never obnoxious. While we haven’t put the beast on a dyno yet, the seat of the pants test says this badboy picked up some ponies.

The Tail Tidy is so very sano, note the LED taillight all tucked up and almost out of sigh

Which brings us to getting the pile whoa’d up. The stock brakes are some of the best ever fitted to an Harley, Nissin four piston jobs, that are more than adequate. That said we couldn’t resist an upgrade, after all that’s what this whole project was about right? So we fitted up some uber sano Brake Tech Axis Series full-floater oversize stainless rotors, mated with a set of Ferodo Platinum organic pads. The resulting performance is nothing short of incredible. The lever feel is progressive and sure (the stock brake and clutch levers were replaced with adjustable units from Oberon Performance, works of art) with no surprises. The harder you squeeze, the faster you stop, simple as that. In our opinion this is an absolute “must” upgrade. And the bonus? As the full-floater rotors get broken in they develop that oh so melodious rattle when sitting at idle (fingers off the lever)…….think Ducati dry clutch. Cool. Of course all the stock brake lines were replaced with braided ones, that goes without saying, right??

With brakes this bitchin we rounded out the tire and wheel selection with a set of V&H Assault wheels front and rear fitted up with a set of Dunlop’s finest sticky hoops, Q2’s. The wheels not only look a ton better than the stock three spoke units, but they tip the Toledo’s at only around 15lbs, spacers and all, which in the case of the rear wheel alone saves about 20lbs. On the front, the Assault wheel lets you go from an 18” hoop to a much more common 17” (needless to say that opens up a whole bunch of tire choices that simply don’t exist if you’re stuck with an 18”) The Assault wheels are not cheap, but if you’re serious about weight loss and good looks (and who isn’t!?) these 10 spoke beauties are a must. The handling is noticeably better, especially the turn in and transition in medium to slow corners. You might even mistake the XR for a current sportbike……maybe, just for a second.

Progessive 970's and massive Brake Tech rotors guarantee sweet handling

While we’re on the subject of handling, we dumped the stock rear shocks for a set of Progressive Suspension 970’s. The new 970 Series features top shelf quality and adjustability, just what you’d expect from the folks at Progressive. With their high pressure gas monotube design and deflective disc damping these shocks offer a level of tuning that’s impossible to achieve with the stockers. If you’re really serious about your canyon carving the 970’s are available in 15” and 16” inch versions so you can jack up the XR’s tail for additional clearance. Up front we left the stock Showa upside-down forks in play, settings dialed into the “middle” for the most part. Just for fun we also bolted up an Ohlins SD004 steering damper. I’m not gonna lie, no need for it on the street, but it doesn’t add much weight, and it just looks sick. Dial it out to the softest setting and forget about it.

In our efforts to lighten up the Tupperware Torpedo (tell me the side panels are not made out of the same stuff your mom served up mac and cheese in when you were a kid) we tore out all the ugly plastic license plate mounting crap the factory deemed necessary and replaced it with a Tail Tidy kit from Twisted Throttle (the Twisted Throttle people are tops by the way, they know their stuff and are super helpful, check them out). The kit gives you a slick LED brake light and bracket for the plate, throw on the optional micro turn signals, and the transformation is amazing…….who knew the XR had such a svelte derriere?? 

Speaking of butts, the stock seat went bye-bye, replaced by a Corbin unit with “Carbon-Fiber” leather seating inserts and Asphalt vinyl sides to give just the right contrast. As with all Corbin seats the quality is unsurpassed, and the comfort level is about a hundred times better than the OE buckboard. Worth the investment.

Inspiration, we're getting there, just stay tuned

Other bits and pieces we couldn’t resist were the H-D pillion cover, a “Day Maker” high intensity LED headlight from the Motor Company (you really have to try a bike fitted up with one at night to appreciate the difference…..unreal!), V&H’s carbon-fiber front fender, and H-D’s combination mirrors and integrated LED turn signals. For a final touch we chose a Dark Custom skull derby cover, a little sinister goes a long way.

Bone stock the XR1200x is one hell of a fun ride. And if more of us would have bought one, it might actually still be in the line-up (they built it, not enough of us showed up). Put a little effort into it, and it’s a one-of-a-kind “grin gin”. Massive torque, great brakes, and decent acceleration (not to mention surprisingly competent handling) all add up to one of the great under-appreciated bikes of the last decade. No doubt the nearly 50 pounds we shaved off contributed to the XR’s nimble (bet you never thought you’d see nimble in the same zip code as a Harley-Davidson) feel. Next up, after the warranty is history, we’re going to see what we can do with the motor…….stay tuned folks, plenty more mac and cheese coming up.

Special thanks to Fort Worth Harley-Davidson for doing all the mechanical heavy lifting, and Seminole Harley-Davidson for the smoking deal on the machine, without you guys this project would still be just a beer induced dream........and all the damn XR's would be gone.

Dead in Five Heartbeats, The Movie

Something very cool is happening in the Arizona desert fellow Chromies, and it's happening right the f#@k now; Sonny Barger's seminal biker tome "Dead in Five Heartbeats" is being crafted into a full length feature film! If you haven't read the book (available at http://www.sonnybarger.com/) you're truly missing out on a first rate action novel. Anyone that knows of Sonny's legend will find way more "fact" than "fiction" in "Dead in Five Heartbeats", as this is unquestionably one of the most authentic "club genre" books ever written. Get the book, it's the real deal, just like the man that wrote it. Screw Chuck Norris, Sonny kicked his ass before he could grow a beard.......so you're gonna read the book, right!?

Sharpfinger Films in conjunction with Sonny Barger productions are the driving force behind the flick, while Jeff Santo will be handling the director chores. As of now most of the principle filming is taking place in Arizona. In keeping with the films relentless pursuit of authenticity, wherever possible real club members and locations are being utilized. As for the cast, check out IMDB for details, but fans of the cult classic Boondock Saints are gonna be stoked, that's all I'm saying about that.

OK, gotta be honest here, I've got another reason to be stoked about "Dead", a couple of my companies brands are official product sponsors to the flick; namely River Road (http://www.riverroadgear.com/) and Speed and Strength (http://www.ssgear.com/). We'll be supplying clothing and footwear for key lead characters. So keep your eyes peeled for some really cool bikerwear, especially some outrageous "tactical style" vests, badass doesn't begin to describe them. Many thanks to Amy and her people, they are the hardest working crew in the wardrobe racket, you've been a blast to work with.

Jeff Santo, the legend Sonny Barger, Fritz Clapp

So you're reading the book, that's good, but as a hardcore biker and fellow Chromie, you want more, and you want it now. No problem, Sonny's crew's got you covered. All you have to do is go to http://www.youtube.com/ and type in "Dead in Five Heartbeats day one" and go from there, check the right side nav bar for additional daily updates (day four and six are really choice) as they're posting new stuff all the time.

Could it be that we'll finally have a flick that does justice to the outlaw biker way of life, that iconic aspect of American pop culture that we're all so passionate about? We'll know the answer to that question when we see the finished product, but you have to believe that with Sonny Barger behind it there's no way "Dead in Five Heartbeats" is just another "cheesy biker flick"......not a chance.

Steel Ponies 2012

A beautiful '36 HD, born the same year as my mother, sorry mom!

If, like me, you managed to find a way to miss the now world famous “Art of the Motorcycle” exhibit at the Guggenheim, or its various traveling incarnations, take heart fellow Chromies and culture vultures of all things two wheels, your historically significant motorcycle fix is on the way. Or more accurately it’s waiting for you at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, in the form of its Steel Ponies 2012 exhibition.

Well thought out displays make it easy to take it all in

While nowhere near the breadth and scope of the original “Art of the Motorcycle” offering (at least I got the book!) what makes Steel Ponies uniquely special is its focus on motorcycles and motorcyclists that were significant to the West and Western Native American culture. The creative and innovative manner by which the folks at the Eiteljorg chronicle the spread of the influence of these American made motorcycles throughout the West is truly inspiring. Obviously a great deal of thought and effort went into the assembling of the collection. It’s well worth the hour or so it would take to soak in all the machines on display. And I can guarantee you’ll see some bikes you’ve never viewed personally anywhere.

One of the oldest production motorcycles in the US, courtesy of the Smithsonian

From board track racing Harleys (how is it that machines from the teens and 20’s still look so purposeful, aggressive and just flat cool today?!) to one of Evel’s (you do know that the spelling of Mr. Knievel’s first name is by design, gotta stay at least arms length from true “evil” right???) original XR’s you’ll discover an amazing array of historically innovative machines. There’s even an Indian on loan from the Smithsonian Museum, not to mention bikes from some of the coolest, and yes, cheesiest biker movies ever put to celluloid.

Captain America.....or at least pretty damn close

As a native Californian I was especially stoked to find Arlen Ness featured in the section highlighting famous custom builders of the West. Arlen was, and is, an institution in the bay area, and one of the truly most genuine and humble people you’ll find in the industry. Ness was cool before folks knew the difference between OCC and ADD (one’s a condition, and one is a company that builds custom…….ah, hell, they’re both a disease). Good job.

Evel's XR, the man put the "X" in extreme!

So here’s the deal, if you’re in the area, get your butt down to the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, and do it fast, because like a great motorcycle, this exhibition isn’t going to hang around for long……….there’s open road to be ridden dammit.

Racing machines don't get any prettier