With so many cookie cutter hard tailed evo Sportsters on the road these days its nice to see one done up as a Café bike. I’ve always had affection for this style of ride and I have often wondered why so few take this approach with the Sporty platform.

I think one of the issues for many has been has been very little support from the aftermarket. That’s where Burly Brand comes in. While at first it may seem like a departure a company known for its ape hanger kits and slammer shocks. Once you meet David Zelma the brand manager for this innovative company it all makes sense. He and his team love all things motorcycle and he rides everything from vintage Honda’s to the well-known Plaidster a Burly Sportster with apes.

Burly Brand was one of the first to come aboard as a Greasy Dozen sponsor supporting Randy Horseman with parts for this tight little package below. I heard from Randy that David and the Burly guys were a great support by phone and email and Burly Brand provided the tail section, a signature piece to create Randy’s build in the Café category.

I saw the bike first hand at shoot at the Snake Hole Chopper loft in NYC and it wasn’t long before Randy was doing wheelies up and down the alley.  The bike just screamed of something that wanted to be bashed through intercity traffic and even seemed to have a bit of BMX style to it. Randy really pulled off the build with class and a stylish take on an American Café Racer.

I hope Randy’s efforts and the Burly Brands tail section inspire more of you to mix it up and try the Café Racer style on a build. I can say first hand the aggressive riding style of a Café Racer sure is a great way to burn of some stress at the end of the day. I figure everyone needs a chopper and a Café bike in the garage… a different tool for different moods. Here’s to tearing it up.

-Bear

Owner and Location: Randy Horseman, Baltimore, MD.

Engine, year and make, model, modifications:  1992 1200 Sportster 

Frame:  Stock Frame, Hacked fender struts

Fork:  Burly 2" Lowering Springs

Tire/wheel size and style: Stock 16, 19 Mags, Firestone Tires

Favorite thing about this bike:  Super Fun to Rip on, can’t hurt it.

Next modification will be:  It changes a lot.

Other mods, accessories, cool parts, etc:  Burly Seat, Shocks, Bars, Pegs.  TCBros Risers, Biltwell Throttle, Custom Exhaust and Rewire

Any building or riding story or info you'd like to include:  Can’t beat a sportster for a cool looking, reliable Daily Rider. Almost 4000 miles on this build since it was completed in June.

Thanks to: BURLY Brand! Old Bike Barn, The Greasy Dozen, TCBros, Biltwell, Lowbrow, Lowside Mag, 

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