Taiwanese bespoke bike builder Alex Gao has a knack for transforming unconventional donor vehicles into stunning cafe racers. So far, he has revamped efficiency bikes akin to the Ducati Hypermotard and a Kawasaki Z1000, yielding fascinating results. As we converse, he has dispatched a prototype built around one of the world’s most iconic customized bikes – the Harley-Davidson Sportster. Alex’s sleek XR1200 cafe racer demonstrates the surprising agility of Harley-Davidson’s enduring V-twin foundation when streamlined into a Sportster cafe conversion.
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Taiwan’s renowned breakdancer commissioned this XR1200 cafe racer as a four-month passion project, requiring unwavering focus and dedication from start to finish. With an unwavering passion for customization, Alex has meticulously crafted a sleek, blacked-out, low-slung Harley-Davidson cafe racer that is sure to turn heads on the open road.
Aesthetically-driven design led the way as a retro-futuristic vibe was cultivated through judicious application of matte black finishes, vintage-inspired decals, and an unapologetic nod to classic café racers.
According to Cowboy’s Choppers consultant Jimmy Chang, the discerning shopper sought out a restaurant-style car with a bold and assertive posture. Together, we worked to develop its fundamental structure. The design aimed to redistribute most of the perceivable mass towards the entrance, while also accommodating a concise tailpiece.
Alex’s revised design has further refined the Sportster’s silhouette by significantly streamlining its proportions. The sleek and compact new design boasts a significantly reduced size. The exposed V-twin cylinders create a striking silhouette when viewed from above, underscoring the motorcycle’s performance-oriented design as a café racer.
Were there any specific anxieties expressed during the creation of the vehicle’s exterior?
“To reduce the burden, Alex decided to utilize aluminum for all steel fabrication work,” says Jimmy. The sleek, precision-crafted components – including the fairing, gas tank, fender, and tailpiece – are meticulously crafted from high-quality aluminum by skilled artisans. With a background in working with alloys still being refined, Alex required multiple attempts to achieve the precise forms now on display. Despite challenges related to working with aluminum, the completion of this bike was delayed by approximately four months, amidst various other tasks.
What’s beneath the surface of this gritty build? A closer look at the Cowboy’s Chopper XR1200 Cafe Racer deconstruction…
After refurbishing the bodywork, Alex has implemented numerous customizations to transform this XR1200 into a distinctive cafe racer. The motorcycle’s revamped aesthetic is complemented by a comprehensive overhaul of its v-twin engine, which now boasts a 1250cc capacity, delivering an incremental boost in performance capabilities. To optimize fuel efficiency and performance, he has installed a stainless steel intake system that features a high-quality aftermarket air filter. The exhaust system features a fully stainless steel construction, fabricated entirely within the confines of the garage.
The Harley’s latest upgrade features a pair of clip-on handlebars and rear-set footpegs designed to enhance its performance when riding with a sense of excitement and enthusiasm. The distinctive design of bar-end mirrors ensures adequate steering clearance, carefully integrated with the vehicle’s unique entrance cowl features. Located on the tank’s aspect, the gauges have been repositioned to maintain a clutter-free cockpit. The low-profile LED lighting has been discreetly installed to transform the factory-fresh components into a sleek, no-frills cafe racer aesthetic.
While sportsters often adopt a more upright cruising position, cafe racers typically opt for a lower, more aggressive posture. Without extensive reconstruction of the rear section, straightening a Spoosters’ body appears virtually impossible. To reduce production costs, Alex has opted to shorten the Sportsters’ manufacturing facility forks. To achieve the optimal setting for his bike’s sitting stage, he has removed four inches from the original entrance finish and paired these revised components with new internal mechanisms to prevent them from scraping against each other. By incorporating this approach, the customers’ ‘low-slung’ requirement was effortlessly met without necessitating any intrusive or prohibitively expensive structural modifications.
The most daunting challenge in developing this framework was undoubtedly integrating disparate components into a cohesive whole.
According to Jimmy, the most challenging aspect of his project was actually dealing with aluminum. However, café racers must accelerate quickly! To minimize his workload, Alex decided to tackle a fabric he was unfamiliar with. The freedom to explore a fresh skill and acquire novel fabrication capabilities proved to be his most treasured aspect of the assignment.
“So far as the completed bike is concerned, we’re impressed by its bold and aggressive design.” Alex’s garage specializes in building custom chopper motorcycles. Riding with one’s chin on the tank of a Harley, an experience that transcends the norm for many enthusiasts, offers a uniquely intimate connection with the machine.
COWBOY’S CHOPPER
Particular because of Jimmy Chang
