Hawg Halters' Personal Ride
Start with the best, stop with the best" is the catchy ad slogan that Hawg Halters Inc. (HHI) uses to both market and back up its product line. Although the company is best known for its four- and six-piston brake calipers, they manufacture and distribute frontends, forward controls, wide-tire kits and wheels with matching pulleys and rotors. Way before a product sees the road, it's designed, computer-modeled and tested in a state-of-the-art Georgia facility employing high-speed CNC machines. Starting with only the best materials, like aircraft-grade 6061-T6 billet aluminum and stainless steel alloys best suited for the application, they strive to produce the best-performing products available. Prototypes are tested until right.
Every part that's made goes through a rigorous computer-aided inspection process that provides precise quality control. Each part is then processed to show-quality finishing standards, which includes polishing, chroming and anodizing. Assembly and bench-testing are carried out by experienced craftsmen using HHI custom-made fixtures and jigs. All that's left is packaging to ensure your part arrives in perfect condition. It's an effective, efficient in-house operation.
Mark Thompson is the face of HHI. He can be found at the HHI booth at just about every motorcycle event you've heard of. He usually hauls his own personal frame-off '04 Road Glide, which is naturally outfitted with many HHI parts, as both transportation and a great sales tool. However, this bike is extremely far from a bolt-on princess-it's got a big-bore secret hidden under its skirt.
At the heart of the tire-shredding motor is a Zipper's 107ci kit that required the stock H-D cases to be bored to accept the big, new jugs. Huge cylinders are plugged with Zipper's pistons and support high-flow Zipper's heads. A larger throttle body and air cleaner assembly handle getting all the air and fuel the motor can breathe. A two-into-one D&D exhaust replaced the stockers. Johnson Engineering gears reside in the H-D five-speed tranny case that sends its power to the rear HHI pulley via belt drive.
Stopping duties are equally impressive thanks to a single 13-inch-diameter floating front rotor being gripped by a six-piston caliper. The HHI rotor matches the 21-inch Renegade wheel that's shod in Avon rubber. Although not very noticeable on a bagger, a 17-inch Renegade wheel sits out back with 200mm worth of tire sandwiched between a Fat Baggers (FBI) wide swingarm. FBI was also sourced for their front and rear fenders, seat, taillight, turn signals and license plate mount. Parts from the custom bin didn't stop there, as Mark added a Russ Wernimont Designs gas tank and dash. But wait, why stop there? Mark next ditched the stock H-D saddlebags for a stock-length rear opening set from Gator Bags complete with remote control motor control to open and close. All of the bodywork was painted root beer brown with some beige and flamed.
Being in the forward control business, Mark isn't the biggest fan of floorboards. He replaced the H-D units with sleek HHI forward controls and passenger pegs. Both the shifter and brake pivot assembly incorporate dual-sealed ball bearings that give a smooth, positive feel and long-term reliability. Similarly, the stock hand controls were put on eBay in favor of the hidden-hardware HHI versions bolted onto Chubby bars. Flanking the controls are HHI microswitches to control blinkers, high beam, start, etc. Rounding out the cockpit amenities are a Sony stereo and J&M high-power speakers.
This bike just plain rips and does it in understated style. The brown finish is more a nod to the past than to flash. But the more you look at this bike, the more you see. Or don't, such as the hidden electrical components and completely molded frame. Check out the HHI website for upcoming events they'll be attending. Make sure you tell Mark that Hot Bike Baggers sent you and says hi.