Photo: Mean Machines
Though rather accustomed to adding their "mean factor" to Triumph bikes, Oz-based Mean Machines workshop will not hesitate to turn a Harley-Davidson Sportster into an evil bike. Wenley Andrews, Director and Machine Creator, as he introduces himself, seems to feel very at large with Sportsters, and his Black Flame is a great way to show this to the world.
Wenley went for a very aggressive set of modifications and wanted to turn this Sportster into a means dragster. We simply admire the way some bike builders manage to reach their goals without using hacking and sawing excessively - and it's the case of the Black Flame, too.
Having established the final shape in mind seems to be the key element when changing the very character of a bike is the main goal. With retro aggression as the main dish for “mean machining” the H-D, Wenley first needed to lower the stance of the bike, and decided to bring it closer to the ground a hefty 3” (7.6 cm) in the rear and 2” (5 cm) in the front.
The tail section of the Black Flame was also changed, with the fender being extended and pushed in for a more compact, robust look. The drag bars made the speedo look awkward, so it went down on the left side of the bike, in a way balancing the air intake on the other side.
A 4.5” Bates headlight was installed low on the fork, and integrated brake/ turn signals were mounted for a cleaner look. Custom foot controls and ultra-aggressive, short and wrapped pipes were manufactured. Judging by the ergonomics, we dare believe that the Black Flame is not extremely uncomfortable, despite its flat-track racing attire. Nice, sleek job: a real Mean Machine.
Having established the final shape in mind seems to be the key element when changing the very character of a bike is the main goal. With retro aggression as the main dish for “mean machining” the H-D, Wenley first needed to lower the stance of the bike, and decided to bring it closer to the ground a hefty 3” (7.6 cm) in the rear and 2” (5 cm) in the front.
The tail section of the Black Flame was also changed, with the fender being extended and pushed in for a more compact, robust look. The drag bars made the speedo look awkward, so it went down on the left side of the bike, in a way balancing the air intake on the other side.
A 4.5” Bates headlight was installed low on the fork, and integrated brake/ turn signals were mounted for a cleaner look. Custom foot controls and ultra-aggressive, short and wrapped pipes were manufactured. Judging by the ergonomics, we dare believe that the Black Flame is not extremely uncomfortable, despite its flat-track racing attire. Nice, sleek job: a real Mean Machine.
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