Redonda Motors is a workshop in Portugal building custom street bikes, race and off-road bikes, and even has a division dedicated to electric bike builds. Recently, we featured this incredible Yamaha XT600 street tracker.
Now the crew is back with another project. This time, it’s a 1985 Harley-Davidson Ironhead cafe racer. As you may know, the ironhead was the motor in the H-D Sportster before it was replaced by the Evolution engine in 1986. The ironhead motor — looking much like the big twin shovelhead of the era — is one mean-looking motor around which to build a bike.
Below, we get the full story from João Barranca of Redonda Motors on the build.
Ironhead Sportster Cafe Racer: In the Builder’s Words
(Words by João Barranca of Redonda Motors. Highlights by us.)
It’s a 1985 Harley Ironhead. The inspiration for this project was the 60’s. The bike has sleek and simple lines but has a lot of presence. It is a very simple but full of details.
To improve motorcycle braking and braking, the original suspension and braking system were replaced by a front suspension and braking system of a 1998 Suzuki GSXR. The original rims were retained in order to fit beautiful Maxxis Classic tires with white band.
On a motorcycle with the spirit of the 60’s could not miss the air horns and were placed two on the left side of the bike.
In the rear section, the suspension was replaced by Koni Racing shock absorbers adapted to have a look of the 60s and in the braking system was placed a 4-piston Konico caliper. The original brake and clutch pumps have been replaced by a more modern and efficient Brembo radial.
In the motorization the changes that were made were only intended to add reliability to the motorcycle. Thus, the original carburetor was replaced by an S&S and the ignition system was changed to an electronic system with a Dyna ignition coil. A Ducati Diavel pump was fitted to the clutch to make driving more enjoyable. For the air filter was created a piece in stainless steel with the symbol of Round Mortors.
The exhaust system is a beautiful piece of stainless steel that mixes the modern design with the classic design. If on the right side there is a huge amount of welds that shows its custom origin; on the left side the design invokes the original tips used at that time.
For the front optics and maintaining the straight and minimalist lines was used an optics of another mythical motorcycle of the 60’s, the Honda Dream. This optics contains a beautiful Koso speedometer, oil pressure lamp and side projector switch.
For painting and keeping the spirit of the 60’s could not miss the metal flake in a beautiful candy red.
The seat was designed for the motorcycle and used a very Portuguese material that is cork. This material is extremely resistant and waterproof. Formerly, cork was only used for wine bottle stoppers, cork is now used to make wallets, hats, raincoats, shoes, wallets and…motorbike seats.
The photographers are Joaquim Barranca and Helder Silva.
