Sportster

“Racing is Life” a Cafe Racer inspired by Le Mans and Steve McQueen.

20 November, 2019 by caferacer Leave a Comment

"Racing is Life" a Cafe Racer tribute to Steve McQueen customized by Lord Drake Kustoms

If you have seen the great Steve McQueen movie “Le Mans” of 1971, surely you know the phrase: “Racing is life … anything that happens before or after is just waiting”. Hence the name of this Harley Sportster Cafe Racer customized by Lord Drake Kustoms.

Inspired and dedicated to this movie and its protagonist, this custom motorcycle reference to one of the great cars in the history of the competition, specifically the Porsche 917 “GULF”. Steve McQueen drove this car, with the number 20, in the aforementioned film “Le Mans”.

“Racing is life … anything that happens before or after is just waiting”
Steve McQueen

In this way Fran Manen (owner of LDK) shows us that he is passionate about Steve Mcqueen, the colors “GULF” and the mythical Porsche. So it was clear when creating what has been the first unit of a limited series of Cafe Racer inspired by cars and mythical motorcycles in the world of competition … This first motorcycle is called “Racing is Life”.

The manufacturing process of this Cafe Racer.

“It should be noted that the rear of this motorcycle is made of metal by hand from an iron plate, including the two curves of the top of the tail.” As Fran Manen tells us and continues to tell us; “The original deposit of a Sportster Custom, the 4.5-gallon, has also been cut on the sides and the walls have been inverted to create the interior tears of the entire tear.”

This is a very effective solution to recreate the space that, in vintage sports, was left with the intention of the pilot supporting the knees, looking for the most integrated position possible in order to improve aerodynamics.

And all this has a lot to do with the inspiration that leads Fran Manen to paint it with these colors, so characteristic of the competition, but that, upon receiving demand from equal models, has decided to paint them differently, always with a common denominator, the competition.

Le Mans 66

Finally, we wanted to recommend a movie currently in theaters that is also a tribute in some way to this classic Steve McQueen movie. This is “Le Mans 66”, based on a true story and starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. This time you can enjoy the races and disputes between Ford and Ferrari.

Technical data

Name: Racing is Life
Unit: 1/5 (limited edition of 5 units)
Style: Cafe Racer
Brand: Harley-Davidson
Model: Sportster 883
Engine: 883 cc
Transmission: converted to chain by LDK
Foot Controls: advanced, modified by LDK
Brakes: DNA brake discs.
Front Wheel: 19 ” custom-made tires “Fat Daddy”
Rear Wheel: 18″ custom-made tires “Fat Daddy”
Fuel tank: manufactured by LDK
Front suspension: modified by LDK
Rear suspension: rise +3″ Air cushions
Front mudguard: manufactured by LDK
Colín: manufactured by LDK in metal
Seat: manufactured by LDK
Exhaust: 2: 1 Vance & Hines
Air filter: S&S
Mileage: digital with RSD supportholder
License plate: manufactured by LDK
Lighting: front light (HD dome), rear light incorporated into fenders, front and rear LED indicators on seatposts and dampers
Other modifications: semi-handlebars, cuffs, levers, gas cap, footrest, spark plug wires, spark plug covers, mirrors …

Bultracker 47, the most desired Harley Scrambler

18 November, 2019 by caferacer Leave a Comment

Text: Cafe Racer World, Photos: Álvaro Manén

Bultracker 47, a Harley Scrambler by Lord Drake Kustoms

If you take a look at the Lord Drake Kustoms motorcycle collection, you can see that they have a large Harley Scrambler collection. This is a custom motorcycle style with which they have done very well in recent years.

Here at Cafe Racer World we have already reviewed some of them. Such is the case of “Bultacker Ring 13”, “Daredevil”, “Bultracker 04 Siebla” or “Soulbreaker”. Precisely the latter, was the one that fell in love from the beginning to Teddi, a client and fan of the Fran Manen brand.

The client knew very well what he wanted: a light blue and cream scrambler

Fran tells us that the first meeting was very fast, since the client knew very precisely what he wanted. Teddi was so clear about the “Soulbreaker” in his head, that he knew perfectly well that he didn’t want a Cafe Racer, a Bobber or any other style that wasn’t a Scrambler.

Another factor that was clear were the colors, since the client was in love with the classic Harley-Davidsons. That is why he chose the cream color and light blue, since they are typical of these motorcycles.

Creating the Harley Scrambler

With these guidelines, Fran Manen and the LDK team decided to get down to work. One of the striking aspects that decided to change were the tires. Instead of using the typical normal-spoke tires, they decided to use the “Fat Daddy” They also included other artisanal details such as the side number holders.

As for painting, they decided to trust as many other times in Metal Colors, which is a pioneer in powder coating. With this they achieved greater durability with the application of electrostatic painting.

More Scramblers like this in the future

We hope and we will be glad to see more models like this Bultracker 47 in the future, because we love it and it will surely not be the last.

Technical datasheet

Base: Harley Davidson Sportster 883 R
Year: 2005
Displacement: 883 cc
Exhaust: RSD 2: 1
Air filter: RSD
Shock absorbers: LDK air suspension with artisanal trims.
Fork: Original modified + top covers
Odometer: Digital Motogadget
Hand controls: Handlebars, grips, front brake pump, etc.
Foot controls: modified by LDK
Tires: Custom Fat Daddy
Tires: Continental
Fuel tank: Original modified by LDK.
Seat: handcrafted seat LDK
Front fender: handmade LDK
Rear fender: handmade LDK
License plate: handmade LDK
Chassis: Subframe modified by LDK
Lighting: turn signals front cuffs, pilot and rear turn signals LEDs, witnesses, etc.
Paint, graphics and powder coating.

Soulbreaker, the scrambler that will break your heart…

5 November, 2019 by caferacer Leave a Comment

As the name says, this scrambler motorcycle is “the souls breaker”, the one that will break your heart … and why this name?

Soulbreaker is a Scrambler by Lord Drake Kustoms

As Lord Drake Kustoms owner Fran Manen tells us, the answer is very easy: many told me that it was impossible to make a country Harley or a Scrambler, something so radical! and I knew that when they saw more than one they were going to break their soul; And here you have the answer to your ¡it’s impossible!, the “Soulbreaker”.

Fran Manen, who has been living in the United States for long periods, has some maxims that he tries to respect and as he tells us: “There are two rules in Lord Drake Kustoms to which we remain faithful, the first: try to always do different motorcycles and the second: there is nothing impossible.” And this motorcycle is the evidence.

We are tired of always seeing the same bikes in the world of customization and especially with the Harleys, the same style of a lifetime and are even copies of each other. Many tell me that I am a “transgressor” in a world of purists … I simply believe that there is life beyond what we see with our eyes … the world of customization is expanding as never before. You can keep looking back or discover new paths! And what better way to discover new roads, than to put a wheel of tacos on a Harley and enter a dirt road or just go cross country.

The Soulbreaker was the first of a series of off road / scrambler type motorcycles that I made. All were different, but focusing on the first one, we wanted to make a motorcycle to open our branch in Europe (more specifically in Malaga, Spain); jobs that speak, and this Sportster has succeeded.

And so much that he has had to speak, he was in third position in the Sportster category, in the Harley-Davidson European bike show held in St. Tropez, France, and soon we had two orders to do more of this style. What if! It’s style, that’s what it’s about, to create styles and trends not to copy, copy and repeat.

Technical data

Name: “Soulbreaker”
Style: Street Tracker
Brand: Harley-Davidson
Model: 2006 Sportster 1200 C
Engine: 1200 cc V-Twin
Transmission: converted to chain by LDK
Foot controls: media, modified by LDK
Brakes: discs DNA brake
Front wheel: 19 ”
Rear wheel: Fat Daddy custom tires 18 ” Fat Daddy custom tires
Fuel tank: Peanut
Front suspension: modified by LDK
Rear suspension: raised +3” air absorbers
Mudguards: manufactured by LDK
Seat: manufactured by LDK
Escapes: 2 in 1 Vance and Hines
Air filter: RSD
Mileometer: digital builtin handlebar support
Plate holder: manufactured by LDK
Lighting: headlight, taillight joined fender, front turn signals handlebar, rear indicators led in shock absorbers
Other modifications: handlebar, electrical wiring inside the handlebar, cuffs, handles, gas cap, horn cover, footrest, cabl it’s spark plugs, spark plug caps, mirrors …

Bultracker 04 Siebla, a new scrambler tradition

4 November, 2019 by caferacer Leave a Comment

Some years ago, Lord Drake Kustoms, presented a new line of scrambler motorcycles called “Bultracker”. With this new line we wanted to offer another scrambler, something different and with a “more retro look” to the previous range (the “Sportracker”, which offered a more street and modern look).

Right view of Bultracker 04 Siebla, a scrambler by Lord Drake Kustoms

The first of these was the “Bultracker 13”, which before being finished had already been acquired by a Belgian HD dealership, so Fran Manen, owner of LDK, decided to make another immediately. This second unit called “Bultracker 17”, also found owner in Central Europe as soon as it was finished; and it would be the unit that aroused the interest of the owner of the Harley-Davidson Siebla dealership in Malaga.

Some details of this “Bultracker” scrambler

The owners of the two companies (Lord Drake Kustoms and Harley-Davidson Siebla), after meeting each other, reached a joint work agreement. A few months later, the Malaga dealership orders LDK two units with Sportster 883 base (one cafe racer) and a scrambler: the “Bultracker 04 Siebla”.

Bultracker 04 Siebla, a scrambler by Lord Drake Kustoms. Details of the handlebars.

Bultracker 04 Siebla, a scrambler by Lord Drake Kustoms. Details of the speedometer and tank.

Bultracker 04 Siebla, a scrambler by Lord Drake Kustoms. Details of the seat.

Bultracker 04 Siebla, a scrambler by Lord Drake Kustoms. Details of the front wheel.

This new Scrambler, reminiscent of older off-road models, stands out for its 21 ”front wheel, greater height, more retro-looking tank and more classic and elegant colors (in this case red wine candy and silver). The number “04”, is for the 4th anniversary of the company Siebla as owner of the Harley brand in Malaga.

Bultracker 04 Siebla, a scrambler by Lord Drake Kustoms. Details of scapes, engine and side number.

Bultracker 04 Siebla, a scrambler by Lord Drake Kustoms. Details of the engine.

About Lord Drake Kustoms

For a few years Lord Drake Kustoms is the company responsible for modifying and making custom motorcycles for several dealers around the world of the American brand. Two of these dealers are in Florida (USA) where LDK has had its facilities for almost eight years. And since the opening of the new branch in Spain (Malaga), almost two years ago, they made custom motorcycles for two Triumph dealers (one in England and one in Belgium) and Harley-Davidson dealers in Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg.

Left view of Bultracker 04 Siebla, a scrambler by Lord Drake Kustoms.

The owner of LDK (Fran Manen) is currently closing an agreement with another concessionaire in the United Arab Emirates. LDK has facilities in Malaga, from where it offers service of transformation and modification of motorcycles for all of Spain and the rest of Europe … regardless of the style or brand of the motorcycle and of course with budgets for all budgets!

TECHNICAL DATA

Name: “Bultracker 04 Siebla”
Base: HD Sportster 883 Custom
Original motorcycle year: 2005
Engine: 883 cc carburetion
Chassis: original modified
Tank: made of metal
Air filter: Drag classic
Escapes: 2: 1 V&HTracker
Handlebar: BMX 1 ”
Transmission: converted to chain
Rear fender: made of metal
Side numbers: made of metal
Front fender: made of metal
Seat: manufactured and upholstered
Front suspension: modified
Rear suspension: air cushions +3”
Wheels: 21 ”wheels and 18 ”with off road tires.
Others: license plate holder, odometer, lower headlight, fists, footrests, intermittent fists, etc.

“Urbantracker” the Scrambler that hits the World Stage

28 October, 2019 by caferacer Leave a Comment

The scrambler “Urban Tracker” was a hit at the 2018 AMD World Championships

"Urbantracker" by Lord Drake Kustoms — There’s a Sportster Xl883R lurking under this offroad-ready custom.

Giving Harley’s iconic streetbike off-road chops is a thing, and a good one in our book. The movement even reached the world stage at the AMD World Championships this year when Fran Manen of Lord Drake Kustoms (LDK) entered this dirt-minded Sportster and Scrambler, called “Urban Tracker,” in the Modified Harley class.

How it was made

Lord Drake Kustoms started with a 2010 Sportster XL883R and made it off-road capable by ditching the stock suspension for a WP inverted fork and sturdy set of Öhlins piggybacks on the rear. The longer Öhlins shocks not only provide more travel, they also free up space between the tidy steel tailsection and back tire.

While we generally consider rippin’ around back roads on a Sportster a solitary experience, Urban Tracker’s tailsection includes a small pillion pad if you want to share the insanity with a friend. The bike’s fold-out passenger pegs are even still in place!

While the motorcycle started out with 883cc of displacement, it now delivers an even bigger 1,200cc punch. Custom pipes are routed nice and high and bellow with SuperTrapp’s bass-filled exhaust note. That cutout tank will come in handy for leg placement when it’s time to stand up on the mid-controls during adventures in the dirt. An ever-so-brief steel fender, fabbed in-house, should deflect some of the debris kicked up by the front 19-inch Metzeler Karoo 3 tire.

The slick front number plate that serves as a housing for the twin offset headlights was also made in-house. The bike even has an LED strip doing turn signal duty and brake lights beneath the tailsection. And, yes, that’s a license plate mount back there too. Slap on a set of mirrors and you could ride to your favorite fire road without fear of getting pulled over by the local constabulary. Then it’d be time to test the tackiness of the Karoo 3s.

Several clues on the bike hint at Manen’s personality. The popular saying, “Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul,” is painted on the sides of the gas tank. On the bottom panel of the tailsection is another popular quote, with a twist—“Although I walk through the valley of death, I will never fear evil. Because you are with me and I also have a good horse.” Then there’s his race number, 69, which needs no further elucidation. Seems like Manen is quite the character.

While scramblin’ Sportsters have been a thing for a while here in the States, it seems like the international scene is getting word how much fun it is to rip off road on a properly dialed V-twin.