Photo: Melk
There is not doubt the Harley-Davidson Breakout family is back in the news, including in the U.S., thanks to the introduction at the beginning of the year of the new model of the breed. The highlight of the bike is of course the new engine it hides in its frame, the 117ci Milwaukee-Eight.
But even with a new engine in the frame the new Breakout is still not a good enough match for past iterations of the model in the world of custom builders. Powered by the 114ci unit, the older Breakout still is one of the center pieces of custom work being conducted all over the world.
The latest example of that is the model year 2018 Breakout we have here, a 114 put together recently by a French garage we know as Melk. It's a brand new build, released at the end of July, and rapidly sold to a new owner for 45,000 euros. That is almost $50,000 in American currency, which is more than what Dodge is asking for a Challenger of the R/T Scat Pack variety.
What's on this bike to make it worth this much? In a nutshell, a lot, both in terms of the parts that went into making it and in terms of the care with which it was put together.
As usual when it comes to Melk creations, the Breakout was dressed in a combination of just three hues, in this case Vivid Black, Pale Gold, and Satin. The colors have been generously and carefully spread all over the bike's component parts – from afar, that makes it look not unlike many other custom Breakouts we've seen, but from up close the attention to detail is stunning.
The changes made to the ride are what we usually see on custom Harleys. We get new wheels (of Harley's own design) placed under custom fenders, a modified fuel tank for effect, aftermarket covers where they were needed, and a larger, 260 mm wide tire at the rear.
The bike was propped on an air suspension system, and its wheels get their spin from the stock engine. The powerplant was however enhanced with the addition of a Stage II kit from S&S, an aftermarket exhaust system supplied by Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde, and an air filter wearing the markings of Vance & Hines.
The unnamed Harley-Davidson Breakout is bike number 38 in Melk's portfolio, and even if it's no longer available for sale, it can be replicated on other Breakouts as well should their owners desire that. And probably many will, and together with what other shops are doing, that'll probably keep the 114 iteration of the bike around for a while longer still.
The latest example of that is the model year 2018 Breakout we have here, a 114 put together recently by a French garage we know as Melk. It's a brand new build, released at the end of July, and rapidly sold to a new owner for 45,000 euros. That is almost $50,000 in American currency, which is more than what Dodge is asking for a Challenger of the R/T Scat Pack variety.
What's on this bike to make it worth this much? In a nutshell, a lot, both in terms of the parts that went into making it and in terms of the care with which it was put together.
As usual when it comes to Melk creations, the Breakout was dressed in a combination of just three hues, in this case Vivid Black, Pale Gold, and Satin. The colors have been generously and carefully spread all over the bike's component parts – from afar, that makes it look not unlike many other custom Breakouts we've seen, but from up close the attention to detail is stunning.
The changes made to the ride are what we usually see on custom Harleys. We get new wheels (of Harley's own design) placed under custom fenders, a modified fuel tank for effect, aftermarket covers where they were needed, and a larger, 260 mm wide tire at the rear.
The bike was propped on an air suspension system, and its wheels get their spin from the stock engine. The powerplant was however enhanced with the addition of a Stage II kit from S&S, an aftermarket exhaust system supplied by Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde, and an air filter wearing the markings of Vance & Hines.
The unnamed Harley-Davidson Breakout is bike number 38 in Melk's portfolio, and even if it's no longer available for sale, it can be replicated on other Breakouts as well should their owners desire that. And probably many will, and together with what other shops are doing, that'll probably keep the 114 iteration of the bike around for a while longer still.
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