Photo: South Garage
Here, at autoevolution, we love a good throwback article showcasing the great custom motorcycles of the past. Such projects are just as alluring today as they were at the time of their completion, so it makes perfect sense for them to continue getting all the attention. Take, for instance, this incredible Harley cafe racer from Italy, which was put together by South Garage over in Milan.
The transformation took place a few years ago, with the starting point being a Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster from the model-year 2006. With 79 pound-feet (107 Nm) of torque produced by its beefy Evolution V-twin motor, the bike was a very sound donor from a mechanical standpoint. Its suspension and brakes wouldn’t make the cut, though, so they were promptly ditched during the initial teardown.
Items like the bodywork and exhaust system followed suit, but so did the wheels and much of the motorcycle’s cockpit equipment. South Garage was then left with a blank canvas awaiting customization, and the first thing that catches our eye is the new handmade attire shaped out of aluminum. A stunning fuel tank can be seen center-stage, gracefully arching over the V-twin engine and sporting a Monza-style filler cap.
Behind it lies a cafe racer tail topped with a stylish leather saddle. The seat is flanked by custom side covers, and a plain front fender rounds out the Sportster’s new attire. For the suspension package, the project’s authors went with a full suite of Ohlins goodies, including premium forks up front and dual shocks with piggyback reservoirs at the back. The rear suspension items connect to a bespoke swingarm and a modified subframe.
On the other hand, the replacement forks are held in place via tailor-made billet aluminum triple clamps fabricated in-house. For a healthy dose of extra stopping power, the XL1200C also gained some potent Brembo brakes on both ends. Its front and rear lighting equipment may look retro, but all the parts are modern just like the running gear.
The ergonomics are a matter of bespoke CNC-machined foot pegs and a one-piece handlebar positioned in a similar manner to clip-ons. It bears aftermarket controls and a pair of Biltwell grips color-matched to the seat upholstery, but you will also notice a single Motogadget dial acting as the motorcycle’s instrumentation. Then there are the snazzy intake and exhaust mods.
Air flows into the engine through a massive, forward-facing pod filter, and combustion by-products are expelled via custom two-into-one pipework. Lastly, the specimen’s livery is an elegant mixture of glossy burgundy and brushed alloy finishes, but the wheels and frame were painted black to keep one’s attention on the bodywork. Upon completion, this ravishing cafe racer from South Garage was nicknamed Kimera.
Items like the bodywork and exhaust system followed suit, but so did the wheels and much of the motorcycle’s cockpit equipment. South Garage was then left with a blank canvas awaiting customization, and the first thing that catches our eye is the new handmade attire shaped out of aluminum. A stunning fuel tank can be seen center-stage, gracefully arching over the V-twin engine and sporting a Monza-style filler cap.
Behind it lies a cafe racer tail topped with a stylish leather saddle. The seat is flanked by custom side covers, and a plain front fender rounds out the Sportster’s new attire. For the suspension package, the project’s authors went with a full suite of Ohlins goodies, including premium forks up front and dual shocks with piggyback reservoirs at the back. The rear suspension items connect to a bespoke swingarm and a modified subframe.
On the other hand, the replacement forks are held in place via tailor-made billet aluminum triple clamps fabricated in-house. For a healthy dose of extra stopping power, the XL1200C also gained some potent Brembo brakes on both ends. Its front and rear lighting equipment may look retro, but all the parts are modern just like the running gear.
The ergonomics are a matter of bespoke CNC-machined foot pegs and a one-piece handlebar positioned in a similar manner to clip-ons. It bears aftermarket controls and a pair of Biltwell grips color-matched to the seat upholstery, but you will also notice a single Motogadget dial acting as the motorcycle’s instrumentation. Then there are the snazzy intake and exhaust mods.
Air flows into the engine through a massive, forward-facing pod filter, and combustion by-products are expelled via custom two-into-one pipework. Lastly, the specimen’s livery is an elegant mixture of glossy burgundy and brushed alloy finishes, but the wheels and frame were painted black to keep one’s attention on the bodywork. Upon completion, this ravishing cafe racer from South Garage was nicknamed Kimera.
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