Harley-Davidson 100" FXRXR Build

Rewind to born-free 2019

Built on a 1982 Harley-Davidson FXR, this bike was originally created for a special FXR build-off at the 2019 Born-Free Show in California, where it earned high praise from the judges.

Despite taking top honors, the bike never fully felt finished. It won the show, but honestly, I wasn’t completely happy with it.

The paint was different back then, and a few other details just didn’t land for me. After the show, the bike was rolled back into the shop, lifted onto the stand, and left there untouched until last summer. Seven years later.

The previous build (shown in photo)

When I finally came back to it, the goal was simple: finish the bike the way I always intended. Every part was reconsidered, refined, or remade. Chrome became a unifying element, the was reworked in/out, and countless custom details were added by hand.

Check out the new build overview below with photos and a video overview.

Build Overview (current)

Frame: 1983 FXR frame, with every factory weld cleaned up. Boxed-in motor mounts and chromed.

Engine: 100 cubic-inch four-inch bore Ultima Case, S&S Cycle four-inch crank, Arlen Ness/Patrick Racing Round Cylinders (shortened), STD XR Heads for Sportsters (heavily modified). These are not two front heads!

Custom Four-inch pistons machined to fit chamber of the head. Rockerbox top has spiked "meat-tenderizer" pattern, done by hand (and in a lot of different parts of the bike)

Transmission: Baker N1 OD six-speed in a Delkron case with sand-casted top meat-tenderizer cover

Paint: Done in 1998 by Jim's Cycle Shop in Axtell, Texas. Found this paint set over 10 years ago with chips/scratches. Had it all redone

Gas Cap: Custom-made, with same meat-tenderizer pattern

Carburetor: Pair of Ultima Super-E style Carbs on custom intake manifolds

Exhaust: Custom 2-2 High Pipe Exhaust System, using Bub mufflers replicating the XR Flat Track exhaust system

Derby Cover: Arlen Ness "A" San Leandro Cover

Ignition: Morris Magneto

Wheels: Custom one-off, spun aluminum 21 x 18" wheels, the final look as an adaptation of a classic three-spoke "Chicane"

Rotors: Custom Lyndall rotors, cut to match the wheels

Calipers: Performance Machine Differential Bore Calipers

Front End: Modified H-D Triple Trees, 4-over 39mm, 2000+ lowers

Rear Suspension: Custom Works Tracker Shocks