Nightrod

Well, sometimes you just want a little more power. The customer that we built this bike for is used to a LOT more power, NHRA power. So, we decided we would step this V-rod’s game with a Trask Turbo and a full-body makeover. The bolt-on 160HP turbo system with Zipper’s Performance auto-tune computer, brought the V-rod from a road rumbler to a road ripper. The rear of the bike was cut and corrective fabrication was applied. We built a single-sided swingarm, new sub-frame, topped that with a handcrafted tail section while flanking the sides with aluminum panels that blend into a carbon fiber front cowling. Fuel was relocated to the belly pan for low CG. Custom made billet triple clamps and Ohlins Road & Track forks and TTX shock with linkage keep her Dunlop tires planted at speed. As mentioned before, we utilized our new digital iPhone gauge which comes included with the free RSD App. It has a GPS speedometer mode but we opted to link the iPhone to the bike’s computer using an interface from Gaugeface. We secured the phone to the bike using a Rokform case and RSD-modified Rokform mount. Custom seat by Bitchin Seat Company. We can now see all the necessary engine vitals and stay charged at the same time. This bike is equally at home on a drag strip as it is on the sunset strip.

Sometimes the right decision is the simple one. As simple as the finished product looks on our custom Vrod it was far from simple getting there. So in this case the right decision was perhaps the difficult one, made to obtain a simple outcome. The single sided swingarm, Ducati Ohlins TTX shock and linkage as well as the under swinger fuel cell were all wedged into a suitcase sized area. Electronics have been carefully tucked away and hidden in every nook and cranny. Paint is here and being bolted on as we speak, so well have another update as soon as spark, fuel and air mix to spin up the turbo. We are also installing an iphone as a gauge utilizing the GaugeFace® RSD app. and interface. Check out the app at the app store!

This custom gray ops version of our RSD Black Ops wheels will match nicely to our steel gray powdercoated frame from Olympic Powder Coating. Whatchyou think?

Many a tale has been told about the peg-legged pirate. There’s something just so mystical about these single-appendage legends. After much research, we’ve determined that these stories have been passed down through the ages for one simple reason; one-leg just looks so much more intimidating than two. I’m not saying we should all start chopping off one of our good legs but… a custom single-sided swingarm on a motorcycle kind of does the same thing.

We got our turbo in from Trask and hand fab'd a custom exhaust for it using components from Burn's Stainless. This turbo, in conjunction with Zippers Thundermax self tuner, should make 160+ HP. Now we just have to find the right K&N filter to clear the bodywork.

As you can also see, K&N was able to help us find an air filter to fit just right.

We got our turbo in from Trask and hand fab'd a custom exhaust for it using components from Burn's Stainless. This turbo, in conjunction with Zippers Thundermax self tuner, should make 160+ HP. Now we just have to find the right K&N filter to clear the bodywork.

The last Vrod we did was circa 2005, so it’s been a while since we’ve attacked Harley’s Porsche designed stepchild. Our Vrod will be a little different than most. Single sided swingarm, 1098 suspension linkage with TTX shock and Ohlins FGR Radial Mount Busa Forks with custom RSD designed triple clamps and stem Clip ons. Hand built bodywork all the way around. Custom fuel cell, Rear sets with custom mounts and linkage. Trask Turbo with custom Stainless exit. RSD wheels and brakes and tons of other shit we haven’t thought up yet. In short, Vrod madness.

by joe@rolandsands.com BigCommerce