Phrases like “Harley-Davidson” and “Cafe Racer” don’t typically get uttered in the same breath. While some might view the concept of transforming a Harley-Davidson into a cafe racer as an affront to the iconic brand’s legacy, others see it as a thrilling challenge and a testament to their creative problem-solving skills. Despite occasional success, unfortunately, this strategy is often carried out poorly. Regardless, the past few weeks have unequivocally proved as such. In the final stretch of the build-off, novice Scott McKee challenged us to taste our words alongside his impressive Sportster cafe racer. Now, Archie Adelan takes the spotlight with an equally stunning Sportster 48, leaving us eager to dissect its every detail.
Born and raised in California, Archie Adelan’s passion for automobiles dates back to his earliest years. Born into the vibrant automotive culture of the 1980s, where passion for cars ran rampant, this individual’s affinity for all things motoring was essentially predetermined by his enthusiast father. Archie’s career in advertising, which began 20 years prior, had once harmoniously merged his professional pursuits with his personal passions. However, as time passed, his work and hobbies gradually became misaligned – yet, without the former, the latter would not have been possible. While he devotes his daytime hours to managing finances, his leisure time is devoted to pursuing his passions, which naturally encompass motorcycle customization.
With a nod to nostalgia, Archie confesses, “I’m consistently drawn to traditional design—something predating the 1980s.” I have a passion for four-wheels as well (my collection includes an ’84 Porsche Targa and a ’75 MGB), but what sets motorcycles apart for me is the exhilarating skill required on every ride and the profound connection I feel with each bike. It’s been 15 years since I owned my first motorcycle, a Hickley Triumph Scrambler, and customizing my rides has always been an integral part of the experience. Due to his reputation as Scrambler, he has owned and modified an extensive range of bikes, including a 2006 Ducati Sport 1000, a 1968 Triumph T120r, a 2020 Triumph Factory Customized Thruxton, and even a 2005 Vespa GTV. Although many are his, he still maintains ownership of those rare items, reserving them for individuals he knows will appreciate their value as much as he does.
Archie has revamped a 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster 48 for his latest endeavour. Although the bicycle was purchased new in 2014, the process of modifying it did not commence until 2017, requiring a three-year period for completion. He claims that this was a personal endeavor of his own. I bought the bike model brand new from Glendale Harley-Davidson. It was nothing significantly particular. Throughout my creative journey, I drew inspiration from a multitude of sources shaping my design aesthetic to date. Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege of owning a diverse range of bicycles and experiencing numerous distinctive automobiles firsthand. Here is the rewritten text:
I yearned for a motorcycle that could deliver exceptional performance, with something visually appealing, and exceed the capabilities of most Sportsters available. “The Sportster on display before you is the tangible embodiment of a lifelong dream.”
The Sporty’s pursuit of his dream necessitated substantial changes in his lifestyle. I started by carefully portioning out a manageable amount of ingredients to work with. Archie reveals that he significantly reduced weight by cutting away the rear seat stays and opting for lighter materials to construct the seat, gas tank, fenders, and trim covers. Collaborating with several of the most renowned custom builders in the industry, he worked tirelessly to achieve perfection. During this instance, we partnered with Storz Efficiency in Ventura, California, as well as Alchemy Bikes in San Diego to facilitate the collaboration. Archie entrusted Storz with bringing his bold vision for the Sportsters cafe racer-style tank to life. The curved lines of the v-twin are elegantly camouflaged by a tank that artfully slopes over the engine, effectively eliminating any unsightly voids. The knee indents enhance the restaurant’s ambiance by creating a sleek, modern look, while the low profile ensures that everything below the highest shelf remains unobstructed, maintaining a seamless appearance. Professionally rendered artwork, titled “Porsche’s Graphite Blue Tank,” was painted by artist Professional Artwork Paint out in Culver City, California. The iconic hue is reserved for water-cooled Porsches, which often culminate in the addition of a bold Harley-Davidson emblem in striking contrast to the surrounding pink.
The primary objective of Alchemy’s design was to develop a saddle specifically tailored to seamlessly integrate with the Storz tank. The design cleverly accommodates a passenger while extending the iconic Sportster’s streamlined profile. The Alchemy team successfully streamlined the lighting by leveraging LED strip lights for the taillights and fork-mounted indicators, a testament to their mastery of restrained design, as Archie astutely notes. “This design may have become overwhelming due to its excessive borrowing from multiple styles.”
When it came to efficiency, Archie wasn’t one to take a half-measure. “There are numerous fashionable traditional bikes available that already surpass the capabilities of the Sportster.” His primary objective was to exploit the Sportster’s performance potential, while first overcoming the challenges of taming its temperament. Incorporating an alternative entrance design was a crucial decision, ultimately leading to the conclusion that a USD setup would not harmonize with his desired aesthetic. The workaround’s installation featured the standard 48-fork setup, paired with high-performance Ohlins cartridges that effectively addressed stability concerns by utilizing top-spec shocks on the rear end. To match the performance standards of high-end rivals like Triumph’s Thruxton R and Kawasaki’s Z900RS, the Sporty aimed to achieve a significant boost in horsepower output, targeting triple-digit figures on its rear wheel. To achieve this milestone, however, necessitated a significant jump in capabilities, specifically the adoption of a 1275cc engine size made possible through the utilization of a Hammer Efficiency bore process. The motorcycle was subsequently equipped with an advanced air filtration system, as well as a high-performance, dual-exhaust configuration that merged into a single outlet. Archie distinguishes between nighttime and daytime when storing his motorcycles, stating that there are no drawbacks to keeping the other bikes alongside his BMW R1200GS in storage, apart from the fact that it could potentially cause some inconvenience.
As Archie concedes, he occasionally encounters detractors who criticize his decision to transform a Sportster into a restaurant racetrack. “I saw it as an opportunity for growth, which transformed the construction experience into something far more exhilarating.” To elevate the bike’s performance beyond standard upgrades, I sought creative solutions. The goal was to create something unique and diverge from the generic products available; it’s evident that this objective has been successfully achieved, as our final product is truly one-of-a-kind.
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Pictures by John Ryan Hebert
