Harley-Davidson Rusty Rose plays the Bobber card, drop the chrome
The automotive world has these things we call sleepers, arriving on the Strip with downcast looks meant to hide the real monsters they are inside. There is no such correspondent in the motorcycle world, but shops all over the world are known for deliberately trying to give two-wheelers a used look because they are cool.
This meant that a number of visual improvements needed to be made to transform the bike into something that looks old, but is anything but.
The first thing that catches the eye is the use of brass components in key places on the bike to make it look old and rusty – after all, the name of the entire project is Rusty Rose. Then there are no more chrome parts on this thing, as all of them have been removed by means of powder coating, or just replacing them with black ones.
Next are the specially selected parts and parts that have been fitted here and there, starting with the store’s own-made handles, or the weathered air filter cover made by Harley-Davidson.
But the changes on the bike are a bit more extensive than that. First, a custom fuel tank was installed, “The largest Sportster tank.” Then the frame was shortened, a swivel fender and custom spacers were fitted, and a special seat was placed there for the comfort of the rider.
The bike now rides on 16-inch wheels wrapped in whitewall tires, and the entire build is closer to the ground thanks to the installation of shorter shock absorbers.
As far as the cost of construction goes, compared to what Thunderbike has been doing lately, this one is a real steal. The coins used are only worth around 3,400 euros ($ 4,100). We’re not told how much it cost to cover the Forty-Eight in the special shade of dark brown with gold accents.