Thunderous American V-twins and sportbike handling don’t usually go hand-in-hand, but that hasn’t stopped people from trying over the years. Andrew Marsden from Bristol, England is one of those people. He dreamed of riding a V-twin café racer that handled like a race bike and looked incredible—so he built one around a stonking S&S Cycle power train. “I started thinking about building this bike in 2008 after I finished 17 years of racing on short circuits and the Isle of Man,” says ...| Bike EXIF
There’s a lot to like about the Royal Enfield Continental GT. The styling is ace, it’s a doddle to ride, and running costs are minimal. It’s also a bargain—with extremely low pricing in most markets. If the Continental GT has any kind of downside, it’s engine power. The parallel twin is smooth and easy to manage, but it’s also a little low on output—sending just 48 hp to the crank. That’s enough for some owners, but there are others who would love more oomph. The French worksh...| Bike EXIF
Unless your internet's been down for the past year, you probably know about the phenomenon that is bagger racing. MotoAmerica's King of the Baggers is a six-race series for big race-prepped American V-twins, complete with fairings and panniers. It sounds ridiculous, but it's produced some gnarly racing—and some pretty wild machines. Roland Sands Design are trackside regulars. They're fielding two Indian Challengers this season, piloted by Frankie Garcia (#14) and Bobby Fong (#50). We're tak...| Bike EXIF
Our friends at ICON Motosports in Portland have a unique way of promoting their motorcycle gear. They're known for producing off-the-wall videos filled with tire smoke and wheelies, and for building bonkers custom bikes that complement the aggressive styling of their goods. 'Homemade Sin' is their latest masterpiece; an S&S Cycle-powered Dyna, with Honda bodywork and a bad attitude. “As ugly as Homemade Sin and twice as fast, she, like most ICON builds, is an acquired taste,” quips ICON's...| Bike EXIF
Harley-Davidson has discontinued the Evolution Sportster, but it's going to be a very long time before the venerable V-twin fades into the rearview. Secondhand Sportsters are easy enough to find, work on, source parts for, and modify in every way imaginable. That's why the Sporty has been a darling of the custom scene for as far back as we can remember, and why it'll surely maintain that status far into the future. David Zemla is not only a big fan of the Harley-Davidson Sportster, but he kno...| Bike EXIF
There are literally dozens of companies making tuning parts for Harley-Davidson engines. But not many have the experience of S&S Cycle, the outfit set up in the 1950s by George Smith and Stanley Stankos. S&S are still at the forefront of the Harley tuner scene half a century on. And when they build a custom, they go balls-out. This Sportster, for example, has a 100 cubic inch motor, vestigial racing bodywork and a name to match: ‘Death Tracker.’ “This story begins with a dilapidated 199...| Bike EXIF
There's not much reality in reality TV these days. But there are still shows out there that are more interested in their source material than they are in hype. The German program, Handwerkskunst!, is a prime example. Handwerkskunst! (which translates to 'craftsmanship') is dedicated to craftspeople of varying vocations and backgrounds. Each episode focuses on an object, whether it be a cabinet or a carnival float, and the process of building it from beginning to end. There's no fancy title se...| Bike EXIF
S&S Cycle: Find the latest photos, reviews and profiles.| Bike EXIF
Given how long the chopper scene has been around, builders are spoilt for choice when sourcing parts for their projects. But finding the right engine, frame, and running gear for a custom chopper is only half the struggle. You need to know exactly which parts to pick—and you need to know how to combine them to create a cohesive machine. Martin Becker at MB Cycles excels at this. The German custom bike builder is a matchmaker of sorts, combining bits from wildly different sources to create j...| Bike EXIF