Harley Street Scrambler by Little Horse Cycles

In 2014, Harley-Davidson introduced their first lightweight series of motorcycles since the 70s: the Harley Street series, comprising the Street 500 and Street 750. The bikes are powered by a 60-degree, water-cooled V-twin dubbed the “Revolution X.” The Street 500 replaced the Buell Blast in the company’s rider training program, and the bikes are priced to attract younger riders.

All that being said, we’ve seen less than expected from the custom scene. Then Anthony, the freelance journalist behind Enginethusiast, reached out about this Harley Street scrambler built by Portland’s Little Horse Cycles. Here’s what he had to say.

Harley-Davidson Street 750 Scrambler

By Enginethusiast:

Since the release of the Harley Davidson Street, many of us in the motorcycle community have been waiting with held breath to witness what builders around the world would create.

We waited, and we waited, but I will be the first to admit disappointment in the builders here in the USA. I assumed many would take this opportunity to spread the good word of Harley Davidson. Instead we found more and more beautiful builds being taken on in lands far far away.

That was until I went by Little Horse Cycles to snap pictures of a new Harley Davidson 750 Street they had just finished wrapping up. I will be the first to admit other than some 60’s and 70’s dinosaurs I was surprised to find out the build was a street scrambler. It sounded weird coming off the tongue, Harley Davidson scrambler? Yes, Andrew Cornelisson replied. I couldn’t help but feel excited.

Harley-Davidson took a chance when it launched its Street models and truthfully it has paid off. I’m starting to see more and more each day rolling around the west coast. No longer is it a hit just internationally, but seems to have finally found its footing here domestically with the younger crowd.

Upon arrival at Little Horse Cycles I am surprised to find a Harley Davidson Street that I would love to hop on and ride away like a thief in the night. Andrew and the Little Horse team–Jordan Green, Lee Kinney and Chedda–have built a very stylish machine indeed. Unofficial workshop manager Chedda has spent many of his days riding the Oregon dunes and used to be a ATV mechanic, so he knew what was needed to give it the aggressive look they aimed for.

The modifications are well chosen for maximum impact. Fitting a custom triple tree up front has increased the visual weight of the forks, while still maintain rubber gaiters for a vintage look. Andrew decided rather than lower the forks, they should proceed with a wheel swap from a donor KZ650 to give the bike a more utilitarian feel as well as quickly get away from the 16inch rear wheel. The wheels were powdercoated a dark bronze color and matted to a set of Conti TKC-80’s.

With the speedometer sitting snuggling in place a set of dirtbike bars were grafted onto the handlebar mounts which finished off the overall lines of the bike. The one issue that hadn’t quite been resolved after completing the wheel swap was how they would replace the final drive. The answer to their woes? Chain swap using a Ducati Miltistrada front sprocket.

After a little drilling and re-arrangement, the Street 750 pulley was able to fit. A new rear subframe was created with a custom fender to match. A mint set of discreet Joker Machine LED blinkers were also fitted for lighting. There’s a custom saddle on top of the custom handmade seat pan. The black Nappa leather was hand sewn by Shelby Shaffer and stretched over the seat pan adorned with brass buttons. The ignition lock and horn have been moved to clean up the overall look. The wiring harness, traditionally a headache of lower-cost bikes, has been hidden.

The exhaust headers are standard, but the look of the system has been transformed by Andrews fantastic welding to now incorporate a Werks muffler to richen the low end grunt that the 750 street seems to have by the boatload. Fitting a stubby, can muffler was a modest touch in my eyes, says Andrew.

It shows what can be done with a little ingenuity, and not too much cash. And if this is the future of Harley-Davidson customizing, I’m all for it.