Built Once. Built Right. | 2002 Harley-Davidson FXDX
2002 Harley-Davidson FXDX
Photo: Mikey
Hot Bike: So what was your goal when you built this bike?
Louis Bowlmang: I bought my first FXDX in 1999. I ended up selling it and missed it so much. I found this bike in 2002. It sat for a long time while I thought about all the stuff I wanted to do to it. I had a list of a few builders I wanted to talk to. I wanted it to be fast and not something that comes off the shelf. When I walked into San Diego Customs I knew I had met my builder.
SDC Speedline wheel
Photo: Mikey
HB: What was so special about San Diego Customs (SDC)?
LB: Here in St. Louis they like a different type of bike than the California style. I just wanted a Harley that handled great. Every time I talk to someone about working on the FXDX, they’d pull out a big catalog. I said, “No. You missed the point. I know how to open a catalog.” When I met Chip he talked a lot about how I wanted the bike and how I liked to ride. It was a great connection. He went at it from a completely different direction than any other builder I talked to.
HB: Did SDC do what they wanted or were you involved?
LB: We kind of did it together. He ran things past me and he made me feel as much a part of the process as a builder could. Chip is really into taking things to the next level. There were a lot of things that were newer or people in the Midwest don’t necessarily use. I didn’t want to do a build and then upgrade two years later. I wanted to do it once and do it right. That was the main thing.
Rifle Fairing
Photo: Mikey
HB: Seems like you went all out on the motor?
LB: You can make a big motor, but it’s only going to perform as its weakest link is going to allow. It will eventually find the weak part of the entire build. We really wanted to avoid that. The motor work that Chip did was unbelievable. He was like a conductor leading an orchestra. He brought a lot of great parts together from a lot of great companies to work perfectly, and that’s saying a lot. The other thing I loved is as great as builders as they are, they are pretty low on ego. They have no problems calling another shop and asking how did that work for you. The best people know the best people. It was a tremendous collaboration. It makes 54 pound-feet of torque and somewhere in the 130s for horsepower. I never run out of throttle on it. Not once.
HB: There was no skimping on the suspension either, I see.
LB: I’ve been a huge fan of Kraus for a while. When he started that front end, I knew that was the way to go. I know a lot of people that ride metric and racebikes, and as far as forks go you’re not going to do any better than Öhlins. It’s really a dream come true. For having that much power, it’s very easy to ride. But if you twist on it you’re going to know about it. It’s a manageable bike to ride.
Paint Pete “ Hot Dog” Finlan
Photo: Mikey
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2002 Harley-Davidson FXDX
Photo: Mikey
2002 Harley-Davidson FXDX
Photo: Mikey
HB: How is that SoCal style being accepted in St. Louis?
LB: It’s hard to take it to a bike night because Hot Dog’s paint attracts a crowd. I really can’t walk away from the bike. The more tech-savvy guy ends up looking a lot longer at the swingarm, brakes, suspension, motor, and details inside. What I always tell people is the paint job is a work of art, but it distracts most people from how badass the motor is and how well it runs.
HB: So what do you think now that it’s all said and done?
LB: I hear a lot of people always talk about bikes they had built and wish they would have done this or that. I look at my Dyna and say, “If I didn’t have a Dyna that’s the Dyna I want.” There’s no better feeling than ending up with what you really wanted.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Owner | Louis Bowlmang |
| Shop | San Diego Customs |
| Shop Phone | (619) 234-6666 |
| Website | sandiegocustoms.com |
| Year/Make/Model | 2002/Harley-Davidson/FXDX| |
| Fabrication | SDC/Tatro Machine |
| Build Time | 6 months |
| Engine | H-D 120R upgraded to 124 in. |
| Year/Type/Size | 2013/H-D/120R crate motor |
| Builder | Chip Kastelnik/SDC |
| Cases | H-D 120R Darkhorse Crankworks modified |
| Cylinders | T-Man Performance 124 in.| |
| Heads | H-D 120R Mackie modified |
| Pistons | T-Man Performance 124 in. |
| Rocker Boxes | H-D Screamin’ Eagle |
| Cam Plate | H-D Screamin’ Eagle/Baisley Performance |
| Oil Pump | H-D Screamin’ Eagle |
| Cams | Dave Mackie Engineering |
| Manifold | S&S custom modified |
| Carb | Mikuni (modified)/T-man race back |
| Air Cleaner | Horsepower Inc. for SDC| |
| Ignition | Twintec |
| Exhaust | SDC x SPFabrication “High Pipe”| |
| Transmission | |
| Year/Type | 2013 |
| Gears | JIMS FAT5 gear set |
| Clutch | H-D Screamin’ Eagle/AIM |
| Primary Drive | H-D Screamin’ Eagle| |
| Frame | |
| Year/Type | 2002/H-D FXDX| |
| Rake/Stretch | 28º |
| Suspension | |
| Front End | Öhlins/Kraus |
| Triple Trees | Kraus |
| Swingarm | Trac Dynamics |
| Rear Shocks | Works Performance |
| Stabilizer | GPR Stabilizer + Sputhe Positrac |
| Wheels, Tires, and Brakes | |
| Front | SDC Speedline wheel |
| Builder/Size | SDC/19 in. |
| Tire/Size | Michelin 19/110| |
| Calipers | Performance Machine radial | |
| Rotors | SDC Speedline by Lyndall Racing Brakes |
| Rear | SDC Speedline wheel |
| Builder/Size | SDC/18 in. |
| Tire/Size | Michelin 18/150 |
| Caliper | Performance Machine |
| Rotor | SDC Speedline by Lyndall Racing Brakes |
| Pulley | SDC Speedline 51-tooth |
| Finish/Paint | |
| Manufacturer | House of Kolor |
| Colors | Many |
| Paint/Graphics | Pete “ Hot Dog” Finlan| |
| Plating/Polishing | SDC| |
| Powdercoating | SDC |
| Accessories | |
| Front Fender | Kraus carbon fiber| |
| Rear Fender | Stock H-D |
| Gas Tank | H-D modified |
| Dash | H-D modified |
| Gauges | H-D OEM |
| Handlebars | West Coast T-bars |
| Grips | Performance Machine |
| Mirrors | Arlen Ness |
| Hand Controls | Oberon levers / H-D OEM| |
| Foot Controls | SDC Gnurlies footpegs | |
| Headlight | H-D Daymaker |
| Taillight | Küryakyn Panacea |
| License Mount | Küryakyn |
| Seat | Duane Ballard custom |
| Fairing | Rifle |
| Oil Cooler | Feuling |
| Chain | RK |
| Saddlebags | Leatherpros FXDXT replicas |
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