Sounds Like Thunder: Harley Dyna Street Bob

Custom Street Bob

Le Motographe builds a 40/50s-inspired Dyna… 

The Street Bob is a stripped-down ground-pounder inspired by the H-D bobbers of yesteryear.  The 2015 Twin Cam 103″ V-twin was rated at 98.8 foot-pounds of torque, and despite the old-school looks, the Street Bob boasted Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), six-speed “Cruise Drive” transmission, and optional ABS and smart security system.

Custom Street Bob

Our friends Jerome and Yvan of France’s Le Motographe have a long history as off-road riders, but they enjoy building and customizing a wide range of machines:

“We are riders above all and enduro riders in particular. But we have grown up with many dream bikes in mind and are happy to celebrate motorcycle culture by creating iconic bikes based on famous and historic bases.”

Custom Street Bob

We have seen them modify everything from cutting-edge four-stroke enduro machines, such as their Yamaha WR450 Skeleton and LMTG 450 Rally builds, to the BMW R nineT and new Royal Enfield twins. Many of their builds aren’t just custom commissions, they serve as test beds for the duo to use their industrial design and fabrication skills to prototype new ranges of components:

“Now more than ever, we are focusing on designing and manufacturing premium motorcycle parts, allowing people to enjoy building their own dream bike easily with the best quality products.”

Custom Street Bob

The client for this build wanted a modern and unique Harley Dyna with a classic, elegant style. Jerome says a single vintage item served as the centerpiece of the build:

“The project started with an incredible original Norton gas tank from 1952 we had in the workshop, which gave an all new line to the bike. We also wanted more flat lines in general, making the front end larger and lower, and the tail a bit higher.”

Custom Street Bob

They adapted the ’52 Norton tank to fit the frame, complete with a custom fuel pump to work with the bike’s EFI system. Many of the parts they custom-machined in house, including the fork yokes (with integrated gauges), rider/passenger pegs, and our favorite part: a custom luggage rack with removable pillion seat and sissy bar.

Harley Street Bob Custom

Suspension was upgraded at both ends, and Sparrow Kustom handled the custom engraving of the engine covers, complemented with a bespoke exhaust and S&S intake. All in all, this is a Dyna quite unlike we’ve seen before — a unique creation with plenty of inspiration for other Dyna owners. We love how much it resembles the bobbers of the post-WWII era, with big fenders, wide tires, and plenty of luggage space.

Below, we talk to Jerome for the full details on the build. Photos courtesy of Damien Lorrai, brightened slightly on our end.

Custom Street Bob: Builder Questionnaire

 

Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

I guess you know a lot about us, but we are industrial designers and metal workers, passionate about motorcycles since childhood. We are riders above all and enduro riders in particular. But we have grown up with many dream bikes in mind and are happy to celebrate motorcycle culture by creating iconic bikes based on famous and historic bases.

STREET BOB CUSTOM

Now more than ever, we are focusing on designing and manufacturing premium motorcycle parts, allowing people to enjoy building their own dream bike easily with the best quality products.

STREET BOB CUSTOM

What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

2015 H-D Dyna Streetbob, 103ci.

STREET BOB CUSTOM

Why was this bike built?

For a customer who wanted a unique H-D with classic and elegant style.

STREET BOB CUSTOM

What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

Inspired by 40’s / 50’s bikes, from an American donor with a pinch of European motorcycle history, for an elegant mix with modern comfort and reliability.

The project started with an incredible original Norton gas tank from 1952 we had in the workshop, which gave an all new line to the bike. We also wanted more flat lines in general, making the front end larger and lower, and the tail a bit higher.

The point of it was to create an Harley customized as we have never seen, and knowing how often these bikes have been customized it was a real challenge! And as you know, we love being challenged.

We of course used our design skills to create special parts such as fork clamps, footpegs, and also the modular luggage rack. A lot of work with curvy lines and balanced shapes.

STREET BOB CUSTOM

What custom work was done to the bike?
  • Suspension upgraded
  • 16’’ wheels with Excel rims
  • Coker American tires
  • Custom old-school fenders
  • Custom aluminium machined fork clamps, integrating the stock gauges to make a larger front end, complementing the front fender and wheel.
  • Special handlebar without risers
  • Kustom Tech levers
  • Performance Machine buttons and grips
  • Custom alcantara and leather seats based on H-D old-school bases
  • Custom luggage rack with removable passenger seat and sissy bar
  • Custom aluminium machined driver pegs
  • Custom aluminium machined pillion pegs
  • Engraved engine covers by Sparrow Kustom
  • The whole project started with that awesome Norton gas tank from 1952, which we adapted to the frame, creating a custom fuel pump.
  • Full paint job
  • S&S air filter
  • Custom pipes with removable DB killers
  • Headlight + headlight bracket
  • Kellermann LED brake/taillight + indicators
Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

Riding the bike is pretty nice, really comfortable, and it sounds like thunder! The slim gas tank and the riding position are perfect to cruise for hours, enjoying a pure view of the road and bike itself.

STREET BOB CUSTOM

Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

Probably our machined parts, the exhaust system, and the gas tank job we had to do. But we think that what makes the bike unique is the balance of how we did put it all together.

Follow the Builder

2 Comments

  1. Street Bob is a Dyna not Softail

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*