Anytime I see something named The Destroyer it’s usually not a Harley-Davidson but a movie character, invariably a barbarian or a demon or some such. That said, you might remember that in 2006 Harley-Davidson gave the world the very non-street-legal VRXSC—better known as the V-Rod Destroyer. It was a dedicated drag racer that pulled eight-second runs at the strip. Although the Destroyer rocked the same engine as its street-legal cousins, there were some not-so-subtle differences. Larger valves, a long-stroke flywheel, dyno-tuned velocity stacks, big-bore high-compression forged pistons, high-lift cams, multi-stage lock-up clutch, programmable shift light, pneumatic shifter, larger throttle bodies, and more made the VRXSC a true beast unfit for general public consumption. A bike like this was never meant to be a one-size-fits-all motorcycle anyway.

Nor are most customs. You don’t throw all kinds of blood and treasure into tailoring a vehicle to your own tastes so you can be just like someone who only rides their stocker out for coffee and waffles on the weekends. I’m guessing neither is Joe Glaze, who owns this sweet personalized V-Rod Destroyer you see before you.

In total, 625 Destroyers made it to dealer showroom floors back in ’06. Not only was the dragger the inspiration for Joe, it was also the catalyst for the awesome Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines V-Rod that ran in NHRA Pro Stock motorcycle drag racing, where it, ahem, destroyed the competition.

“And you will know him as The Destroyer.” Joe Glaze’s V-Rod Destroyer looks as good as it runs.

Michael Lichter Photography

Adam Lucier laid down the red and black colors with blue flames.

Michael Lichter Photography

Gauges? He don’t need no stinking gauges. The shift light, on the other hand, is a good thing for strip runs.

Michael Lichter Photography

Adam’s paint flows perfectly with the airbox cover.

Michael Lichter Photography

Shifter air bottle close up, all snug on the pipe-side frame rail under the seat.

Michael Lichter Photography

Joe Glaze’s asphalt slayer minus the drag bars. I’m not saying he runs this beast on the street, but if he did, this is how it would look

Michael Lichter Photography

Minimal weight and optimal power are the goals of any serious drag racer. They don’t have time for big cushy saddles.

Michael Lichter Photography

Vreeland’s Harley-Davidson and Front Range Cycle really killed it with the work that went into personalizing Joe Glaze’s V-Rod.

Michael Lichter Photography

That Pingel air shift kit means business.

Michael Lichter Photography

Competitor’s-eye view of Joe’s Destroyer.

Michael Lichter Photography