Additionally, you will hear why this mission feels acquainted but recent, and why that alternative is smart. I concentrate on how cautious measuring and easy adjustments form a robust consequence. You get a transparent take a look at how a daring thought turns right into a clear, usable bike.
Key Takeaways
- You see how a transparent imaginative and prescient shapes a daring bike.
- You be taught why design work issues greater than costly components.
- You perceive how this construct influences trendy cafe racers.
When a Sportster Takes a Café Racer Form
You not often count on a Harley Sportster to hold true café racer traces, but this construct proves it may work. From each angle, you see clear proportions and a low, degree stance that feels exact and intentional.
You could recall the same bike I confirmed earlier than. Each builds share the identical design thoughts, Kevan Cahyadi Alam from Indonesia, a founding father of Solace Bike. You see the identical strategy utilized to very completely different machines, which reveals a transparent design methodology slightly than imitation.
What makes this bike stand out is the concentrate on measurement, not costly components. You get a café racer stance by planning, testing, and adjusting earlier than chopping or shopping for something.
Key design priorities you possibly can see
- Cautious management of scale and size
- Tight gaps between components
- Straight visible traces from entrance to rear
- A degree driving place with out body alternative
Principal mechanical adjustments
- Rear wheel elevated from 16 to 18 inches
- Entrance forks lowered by 15 cm
- Swingarm adjusted to boost the rear and degree the bike
- Belt drive changed with a chain for tuning gear ratios
| Customized Elements | Goal |
|---|---|
| Gas tank | Correct dimension for the Sportster’s physique |
| Seat and rear cowl | Match the café racer profile |
| Exhaust system | Clear routing and balanced look |
| Triple tree | Right front-end alignment |
You solely see one body change, and it sits on the rear. That alternative retains the construction easy whereas nonetheless permitting the stance to work.
The entrance suspension limits journey, which impacts operate. Shorter sliders may assist, however inverted forks would conflict with the classic really feel you see right here.
It’s best to know the mission continues to be in progress. Deliberate updates embody a bigger headlight, a refined tank curve, and a rear wheel change to suit a 17-inch flat drag tire.
Venture Origins and Builder
Kevan Cahyadi Alam and the Solace Bike Crew
You’re looking at a construct created by Kevan Cahyadi Alam, a founding father of the Indonesian motorbike group often known as Solace Bike. I’ve proven you one other bike with practically the identical stance earlier than, and this one comes from the identical fingers.
You could discover shut similarities between the 2 machines. That isn’t copying. Kevan utilized the identical design pondering from his earlier 250 cc mission to a Harley-Davidson Sportster, which makes this consequence stand out.
Key details you must know:
| Element | Data |
|---|---|
| Builder | Kevan Cahyadi Alam |
| Group | Solace Bike |
| Location | Indonesia |
| Method | Identical stance philosophy, completely different base bike |
What Drove the Concept
You see this mission as a result of I’ve waited years to discover a Harley Sportster with a real café racer stance. That second arrived when Kevan selected to push this concept additional than most builders dare.
You aren’t seeing a fancy rebuild pushed by costly components. Kevan spent most of his effort on design work, measurements, and testing concepts on paper earlier than touching the bike.
The core thought behind the construct:
- You begin with cautious measurements of the inventory Sportster
- You take a look at proportions via design, not guesswork
- You goal for exact alignment, steadiness, and scale
- You repeat the method till the stance feels proper
You find yourself with a Harley that reveals traces and steadiness you don’t count on, whereas staying easy and managed in its execution.
Design Course of and Philosophy
You concentrate on stance first, not components. You spend time finding out the bottom bike till the proper form turns into clear.
Actual Stance and Balanced Form
You goal for a clear café racer posture that appears proper from each angle. You examine scale, size, angles, and gaps so every half suits the entire.
| Space you regulate | What you goal |
|---|---|
| Wheel sizes | Balanced entrance and rear look |
| Fork peak | Decrease entrance for a flat line |
| Rear peak | Stage bike stance |
| Physique gaps | Tight and even spacing |
You select customized components solely when inventory choices break the proportions. You construct a gas tank, seat, and cowl to match your drawings and the bike’s dimension.
Construct, Check, and Refine
You depend on testing concepts earlier than spending cash. You measure the inventory body intimately, th en strive many choices on paper and in mockups.
- You evaluate adjustments earlier than chopping metallic
- You regulate small particulars till the stance feels proper
- You modify solely what wants change, primarily the rear body part
You deal with this bike as a refined step out of your earlier work. You retain the classic really feel whereas bettering match, steadiness, and energy supply via cautious decisions, like switching from belt to chain.
Key Construct Modifications
Body and Geometry Modifications
You saved many of the inventory body and solely reworked the rear part. You raised the again by adjusting the swingarm so the bike sits degree.
Geometry updates you made:
| Space | Change |
|---|---|
| Rear wheel | Elevated dimension from 16 in to 18 in |
| Entrance finish | Lowered forks by 15 cm |
| Swingarm | Modified to elevate the rear and degree the bike |
You measured the inventory Sportster intimately to manage scale, angles, and gaps earlier than chopping something.
One-Off Elements
You constructed a number of components from scratch to match the dimensions of the bike. Off-the-shelf items didn’t match the proportions you wished.
- Customized gas tank sized for the Sportster
- Handmade seat and rear cowl
- Full customized exhaust system
- Customized triple tree
You examined many tank choices and rejected them till the form matched your drawings.
Suspension Setup Modifications
You shortened the entrance forks to decrease the bike. Even with the cuts, the entrance journey stays restricted.
You selected to not use inverted forks as a result of they conflict with the classic look you wished. Shorter sliders may enhance operate with out altering the fashion.
Ultimate Drive Change
You changed the belt drive with a series. This setup sends energy to the wheel extra immediately.
The chain additionally permits you to change gear ratios extra simply for tuning.
What Makes This Construct Stand Out
Cafe Racer Type and Stance
You see a real café racer posture from each angle. The bike sits degree as a result of the rear rises barely and the entrance forks drop 15 cm.
Key adjustments that form the look:
- 18-inch rear wheel replaces the inventory 16-inch dimension
- Modified swing arm to maintain the bike flat
- Customized gas tank sized to match the Harley body
- Hand-built seat and rear cowl
These decisions provide you with clear traces and balanced proportions that you don’t count on from a Sportster.
Precision within the Small Particulars
You discover cautious planning in each measurement. As an alternative of pricey components, the design depends on time, testing, and actual match.
Areas the place this focus reveals:
- Physique size, angles, and gaps match on either side
- Customized exhaust and triple tree match the body with out litter
- Rear body adjustments keep restricted to what the stance wants
You additionally get sensible upgrades, like switching from a belt to a chain drive for smoother energy and simpler gear adjustments.
Venture Evolution and Deliberate Enhancements
You see this construct as a transparent step ahead from my earlier work. I handled this Harley cafe racer as a refined model of my first mission, utilizing the identical stance concepts on a really completely different bike. You possibly can spot the shared traces, steadiness, and posture, regardless that the engines and platforms differ.
You additionally see how the mission developed via cautious planning, not costly components. I spent most of my effort on design and measurement earlier than chopping or shopping for something. This strategy allow you to take a look at concepts on paper till the proportions felt proper.
Key adjustments that formed the present type:
- Rear wheel elevated from 16 inches to 18 inches
- Entrance forks lowered by 15 cm
- Swing arm adjusted to elevate the rear and degree the bike
- Totally customized gas tank, seat, and rear cowl
- Customized exhaust system and triple tree
- Rear body part modified; the remainder stays inventory
- Belt drive changed with a chain for higher tuning choices
You also needs to know this bike is just not completed but. I already see areas the place I plan to enhance operate and element.
Deliberate updates you possibly can count on:
| Space | Deliberate Change |
|---|---|
| Entrance suspension | Shorter journey to enhance operate |
| Headlight | Bigger unit for higher steadiness |
| Gas tank | Smoother curve refinement |
| Rear wheel | Swap to 17-inch wheel with flat drag tire |
You could discover the entrance suspension nonetheless feels restricted. I consider decreasing fork size additional would assist, whereas holding the traditional look by avoiding inverted forks.
Influence on the Cafe Racer Group
You see this construct problem lengthy‑held doubts about mixing a Harley Sportster with cafe racer fashion. I present you that cautious design and measurement can ship clear traces and a real stance with out excessive spending.
You additionally see how this mission units a transparent instance for Harley followers. It reveals that time spent on design can matter greater than pricey components, and {that a} traditional model can match cafe racer values.
What this mission pushes you to rethink:
- Design work earlier than shopping for components
- Utilizing measurements to information adjustments
- Retaining the body largely inventory
- Respecting classic fashion whereas refining stance
| Group Impact | What You Study |
|---|---|
| Larger requirements | Proportions and alignment matter |
| New inspiration | A Sportster can work as a restaurant racer |
| Sensible strategy | Trial and error saves cash |
You possibly can take this as proof that sturdy cafe racer traces come from persistence and planning. I count on this construct to affect the way you strategy future Harley tasks.
Conclusion
You possibly can see how this construct proves that cautious planning issues greater than costly components. You discover the clear stance as a result of I targeted on measurements, alignment, and proportion, not shortcuts.
What defines this mission for you:
- Exact scale and steadiness throughout the entire bike
- Customized components made solely when wanted
- Minimal body adjustments with clear function
I see this motorbike as a sturdy instance of how design work shapes outcomes. You don’t get this consequence accidentally, and also you don’t get it by copying components lists.
Even with a number of deliberate adjustments forward, you’re already a Sportster that units a excessive bar. For you as a viewer and builder, this reveals how far self-discipline and imaginative and prescient can actually take a Harley.
