A new Harley Sportster “Soulbreaker” from Lord Drake Kustoms…
Back in 2021, we featured a pair of “Soulbreaker” Sportsters from mountaineer-turned-builder Fran Manen of Lord Drake Kustoms, who has workshops both in Miami and Málaga, Spain. Fran spent most of his 20s participating in climbing expeditions all over the world — Nepal, Tibet, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Morocco, and Europe — and becoming a pioneer in “vertical works” conducted on high-rise buildings.
While training for a Himalayan expedition in 2000, Fran suffered a fall that broke his pelvis. Though Fran recovered to complete the climb in Nepal, he decided it was time to start a new chapter in life:
“It was time to dedicate himself to his other great dream: to paint and customize motorcycles.”
Since then, Fran has been the champion builder at Daytona Bike Week, the European H.O.G. Rally, and the prestigious Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show. He’s a builder who’s unafraid of bold themes, wild colors, and a little bling. Of the original Soulbreaker builds, he said:
“We were tired of always seeing the same custom bikes, and especially the same Harley-Davidson scrambler.”
The builds proved popular here on BikeBound, and among LDK’s existing customers and fans. In fact, the Finnish client who commissioned the build you see here had been following the shop’s work for seven years, hoping to one day an LDK build:
“He wanted a scrambler close to the original “Soulbreaker” without copying it — along with a very peculiar color scheme. He wanted us to use the cream color and some light blue. There are people who think that these colors are inspired by a surfer or beach style, but in reality, the client wanted these colors because they are used on many classic Harley motorcycles, which he loves.”
The result is one of the most attention-grabbing Sportsters we’ve seen, a “street scrambler” that’s sure to turn heads in Finland and beyond. Below, the LDK team gives us the details of the build.
Soulbreaker Sportster: In the Builder’s Words…
Our client (from Finland) was in love with the work we do at Lord Drake Kustoms and has been a fan for almost 7 years. And finally, as he told Francisco Manen (LDK owner):
“My dream of having a customized Lord Drake motorcycle has come true.”
He’d fallen in love with our first Harley Davidson Scrambler, the “Soulbreaker,” and now he has one of his own: the “Soulbreaker 47.”
This client, he was very clear about the motorcycle he wanted. He didn’t want a cafe racer, bobber, or brat; he wanted a scrambler close to the original “Soulbreaker” without copying it — along with a very peculiar color scheme. He wanted us to use the cream color and some light blue.
There are people who think that these colors are inspired by a surfer or beach style, but in reality, the client wanted these colors because they are colors used on many classic Harley motorcycles, which he loves.
Building the Bike…
At first, spoke wheels were going to be used, but as the project took shape, Fran decided that to take the motorcycle to another level, it would be better to use Fat Daddy rims and add some details such as the side number plates.
Build Sheet
• Motorcycle: Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 R
• Year: 2005
• Displacement: 883cc
• Exhaust: RSD 2:1
• Air Filter: RSD
• Shock Absorber: LDK air suspension with artisanal trims.
• Fork: Original modified + top covers
• Odometer: Digital Motogadget
• Hand controls: Handlebars, grips, front brake pump, etc.
• Foot controls: modified by LDK
• Wheels: Custom Fat Daddy
• Tires: Continental
• Fuel tank: original modified
• Seat: handcrafted seat LDK
• Front fender: handmade LDK
• Rear fender: handmade LDK
• Number plate: handmade LDK
• Chassis: License plate holderSubframe modified by LDK
• Lighting: turn signals front cuffs, pilot and rear turn signals LEDs, witnesses, etc.
• Paint, graphics and powder coating.
Follow Lord Drake Kustoms
Website: www.lorddrakekustoms.com
Instagram: @lorddrakekustoms
Facebook: @lorddrakekustoms
Youtube: LDK TV
Excuse me, but this bike looks horrendous to me.
Yeesh!!!
Definitely the right name though, as it broke the soul of that Sportster.
I think it is cool. I would love to put my 70 Year old butt on it . it’s got 1/2 mile flat track written all over it.