Instagram has opened a new world for the motorcycle enthusiasts in us all. Our days used to start with a run through the forums and check out ever-popular blogs. Now everyone's on their phones getting thumb injuries hitting that damn like button. As most of you know, we cross promote with our advertisers through our social media outlets. I was instantly intrigued with Dave Richardson's 73 Sportster when Bison Motorsports showcased it on their Instagram account. Dave and Eric Konetzny, co-owner of Bison Motorsports, are very good friends, and Eric helped Dave with the fabrication along the way. I love the end results!

Photos by Dave Richards

Owner name, location: Dave Richards, Redondo Beach, CA

Engine, year and make, model, modifications:  1973 Harley Davidson XLH Ironhead Sportster

Frame: Stock frame with custom built hardtail

Fork: Shaved, polished and lowered with progressive springs

Chassis mods: Custom one-off hardtail, 2” stretch

Tire/wheel size and style: 21” front with Avon Speedmaster, 18” rear with repop Pirelli MT53

Favorite thing about this bike: The stance and the sound

Next modification will be:  Maybe lengthen the forks, change the bars, new seat.  I like to change things up every once in a while.

Other mods, accessories, cool parts, etc: Stock sportster tank narrowed and tunneled Frisco style with relocated petcock and billet screw in gas cap, shaved and polished upper triple tree, custom fabbed front brake stay hidden behind fork leg, custom sissy bar, custom pipes, S&S Super E carb, antigravity mini lithium battery, narrowed Biltwell H bars, Cycle Electrics generator, all vintage style cloth wiring throughout, clear oil lines, lots of chromed and polished parts.  All work was done by Eric at Bison Motorsports.  Paint by Dale Richards

Thanks to:  Eric at Bison Motorsports, www.bisonmotorsports.com, for taking my vision and making it come to fruition, my brother Dale for the custom paint job and always being there to help me, my wife Sandy for putting up with my never-ending obsession with vintage motorcycles, and of course ChopCult for the feature!

-Dave