Harley-Davidson Glatzzomobil Stands Tall and Proud on Huge Riser and Large Wheels

Thunderbike is one of the oldest and most prolific custom motorcycle garages in Germany. With three years of experience behind them, these guys have grown into something of an international phenomenon, partnering with Harley itself on several projects, but generally breaking the norm for what it means to make a custom bike.

Thunderbike generally builds bikes for outside customers, and occasionally sells in-house-made motorcycle parts to other garages around the world, but from time to time it does take a break and builds bikes for its own people.

The Glatzzomobil is just the latest example of how customizers build their own bikes for personal use. Originally a Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST, the bike was put through all the trials and tribulations that turned it into the proud mechanical stallion sitting before us now.

With a heavy look caused by the black and copper color scheme and the many decorations on the fuel tank, fairing, and elsewhere, the bike was transformed into a vehicle you're bound to notice when it passes by.

The build was centered on the bike's wheels. In its new, stock form the bike is equipped with a 19-inch wheel at the front and a 16-inch one at the rear. We all know those are the first to go in any conversion, and that's exactly what happened here.

The new ones come from Thunderbike's Digger series, and come in 21 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear. For this application they were painted in gold, a choice that complements the copper used elsewhere quite nicely, and wrapped in Metzeler tires.

To make sure the Low Rider gets a more club style stance, 9-inch risers were fitted up front, making the bike not only look taller, but somewhat extreme, at least when you look at this piece of hardware from over the fuel tank or from the side.

The seat of the Glatzzomobil is another element that immediately catches the eye, a stepped piece of equipment wrapped in leather that more than ensures rider comfort.

An assortment of smaller but important pieces of hardware have been added elsewhere: we get new turn signals, new grips at the end of a new handlebar, and various covers in the places they're most needed, among others.

Thunderbike does not list more than 17 distinct custom parts used on the Glatzzomobil project, but they are worth a total of around $6,600. That of course does not include the intricate paint job and man hours, so the final tally for the Thunderbike crewman might have been higher. Or maybe there was some employee discount thrown in there…