Classic Clean | Custom 2009 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Custom 2009 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Photo: John Jackson
You can never go wrong when it comes to the classics. There is something about a black bike mixed with flames and a splash of chrome that stands the test of time longer than the array of oversize wheels, trendy colors, and overly used graphics.
Paul Tracy/Black Label Baggers Bags
Photo: John Jackson
Joe Martin of Martin Bros Custom out of Johnson City, Texas, is a builder of all things motor both on two and four wheels. When asked about this classic stance stallion, Joe explained how it came about: “I bought this bike with my buddy Gary Hopper at an auction. He owns a car dealership called Hopper Cycle Center in McKinney, Texas, and decided to open a small bike dealership as well. The goal was to have a few custom bikes to display in his new bike shop.” The team could have built anything to put in the show room but together decided on a building a bagger. “The Road Glide has always been a favorite bike for people looking for a custom bagger. This one ended up being built as if it was one I would keep for myself.”
Too often when someone is trying to build a window dresser, the route tends to go more toward outrageous and less toward timeless style. Luckily this bike leaned more on the side of classy and less on the trashy side. “I decided to stick with the 26-inch front wheel, instead of the more popular goofy-looking 30,” Joe explained. “I wanted the bike to have clean lines, such as the tank flowing into the side covers with a smooth transition.”
Roland Sands Air Cleaner
Photo: John Jackson
Joe could have easily ordered a set of pre-molded plastics and stamped out the bike quickly. Instead he let ingenuity and skill take the place of credit cards and shopping carts. “The rear fender was made from steel to complement the black label bags, Joe said. “I wanted the bike to appear like it’s sanitary and less like it has a bunch of bolt-on parts or covers. A lot of the baggers look like Sea-Doos with giant front wheels and a wedding dress dragging behind it.”
Custom 2009 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Photo: John Jackson
With the bones done and in order, it was time to move onto the mechanics and looks. “I wanted the customer to be able to jump on this bike and ride it hard with the focus being on dependability,” Joe said. “Black bikes are always a top choice of color for any riders. I decided to accent it with Candy Green flames layered on top of an old-school panel-style graphic. A one-off 2-into-1 exhaust system gives the bike the perfect sound to complement the rest of the package.”
House of Kolor Paint
Photo: John Jackson
Pickard USA 26 in. Wheel
Photo: John Jackson
Paint by Joe Martin
Photo: John Jackson
RELATED | MORE CUSTOM ROAD GLIDES
Paint by Joe Martin
Photo: John Jackson
Custom 2009 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Photo: John Jackson
Custom 2009 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Photo: John Jackson
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Owner | Joe Martin |
| Shop | Martin Bros Customs/Hopper Cycle Center |
| Shop Phone | (512) 766-0128 |
| Website | martinbroscustoms.com |
| Year/Make/Model | 2009/Harley-Davidson/Road Glide |
| Fabrication | Joe Martin |
| Build Time | 2 months |
| Engine | |
| Year/Type/Size | 96 in. |
| Builder | H-D |
| Cases | H-D |
| Cylinders | H-D |
| Heads | H-D |
| Rocker Boxes | H-D |
| Cams | H-D |
| Throttle Body | H-D |
| Air Cleaner | Roland Sands |
| EFI Controller | H-D |
| Exhaust | Joe Martin |
| Transmission | |
| Year/Type | H-D |
| Gears | 6-speed |
| Clutch | H-D |
| Primary Drive | H-D |
| Frame | |
| Year/Type | 2009/Joe Martin |
| Rake/Stretch | Joe Martin |
| Suspension | |
| Length | 2 over |
| Triple Trees | Pickard USA |
| Swingarm | Modified H-D by Joe Martin |
| Rear Shocks | Monroe Air Shocks/Air ride |
| Wheels, Tires, and Brakes | |
| Front | |
| Builder/Size | Pickard USA/26 in. |
| Tire/Size | Vee Rubber/26 in. |
| Calipers | H-D |
| Rotors | Pickard USA |
| Rear | |
| Builder/Size | Pickard USA/18 |
| Tire/Size | Metzler 200| |
| Caliper | H-D |
| Rotor | Pickard USA |
| Pulley | H-D |
| Finish/Paint | |
| Manufacturer | House of Kolor |
| Colors | Candy Green/black |
| Paint/Graphics | Joe Martin |
| Plating/Polishing | Victor’s Chrome Plating| |
| Powdercoating | High Point |
| Accessories | |
| Front Fender | RC Comp |
| Rear Fender | Steel Joe Martin |
| Gas Tank | H-D stretched by Joe Martin| |
| Dash | Klock Werks |
| Gauges | H-D |
| Handlebars | Paul Yaffe |
| Grips | Arlen Ness |
| Mirrors | Arlen Ness |
| Hand Controls | H-D |
| Foot Controls | Performance Machine |
| Floorboards | Eddie Trotta |
| Headlight | H-D |
| Taillight | Alloy Art |
| Turn Signals | Alloy Art |
| License Mount | Arlen Ness |
| Seat | Drag Specialties |
| Stereo | H-D |
| Amplifier | JL Audio |
| Speakers | JL Audio |
| Bags | Paul Tracy/Black Label Baggers |
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