2007 Harley-Davidson Street Glide - It's Time To Ride!

Brad's 2007 H-D Street Glide
Brad Olshen is no stranger to the world of Baggers. His top-notch, high-ape, custom Road King was featured on these pages (May/June '07). With two decades of working experience in the American motorcycle industry Brad has an eye for emerging trends. Brad is also a long time rider, being notoriously hard on his machines. He likes to build show-looking bikes that actually get ridden; no trailer time for his rides.

Although the Road King was pimped out pretty well, Brad was looking to get more long distance comfort and protection. He decided on a Street Glide as the platform for his next build and set about finding one. He scoured the local classifieds and the internet to find a relatively stock, used SG.

Brad found a low-mile 'Glide on the East Coast and contacted the owner through e-mail. Being from California, Brad had no real chance to see the bike in person-only through small photos. Being the enterprising kind of person Brad is, he asked the FLHX owner to take the bike to the local H-D dealer to have a third party check the condition and verify the VIN number. When all checked out, Brad would have a cashier's check wired across the country.

Brad called the H-D dealer closest to the seller, asked for the General Manager and asked if they would handle this transaction. Brad offered the dealer $100 to take care of the inspection. Everything looked right, so the bike was his.

Brad called Keyboard Motorcycle Shipping and coordinated the transport. One week later the bike reached the left coast. The blue Street Glide looked great but Brad wanted a low maintenance bike with lots of black and flat paint. Brad called Randy at Rock & Roll Custom Paintworks and Big Chris from Orange County Powder Coating to start the transformation of the new bike. The idea was lots of black with a shade of gray and pewter mixed into the tribal graphics scheme.

Before heading into the paint booth both the front and rear fenders were pitched to the recycler. A Hogpro wide rear unit and wider swingarm were acquired to accommodate a wider rear wheel and 180 tire. This change makes the '07's rear more like the new '09s. Up front a RWD low profile skin attaches to the blacked out forks with FBI fender mounts.

The front fairing was removed not only for paint but to install frenched-in turn signals that would eventually be hidden by paint. Unless the signals are activated they are invisible to the eye. Even when you know they're there they are hard to spot. The rear fender received the same treatment, with the license plate, brake and turn signals integrated into the fender. After Randy molded the signals in they went off to the paint booth. Joining in the paint party were the fuel tank, dash, inner fairing, mirrors, side covers, and assorted smaller parts.

Rolling stock was handled with a set of Renegade wheels wrapped in Metzeler tires. The front, five-spoke Tahoe's were dressed up further with dual, Lyndall composite rotors grabbed by six-piston HHI calipers. To save some cash but add style, many of the stock and existing parts were matte powdercoated.

While Big Chris was blowing the powder, the guys at Triple Threat added a bit of power in the way of new Andrews 31H cams, a Zippers ThunderMax, and a 2-into-1 Bassani exhaust system. For better oiling and valvetrain control, a Fueling camplate, pushrods, and lifters were installed.

Rounding out the comfort package was a solo seat from Le Pera, which allows a perfect reach to the custom Todd's Cycle built bars and grips. Brad kept the stock H-D radio but added a pair of J & M speakers into the fairing for extra clarity at loud volumes.

In a nod to Brad's love and appreciation for Baggers and the amazing paintjob, he had Randy paint the magazine logo onto the windscreen. Not only will everyone see his latest bike right here, but everywhere Brad goes he proudly displays to the world which magazine is his favorite. Thanks Brad.

Spec Sheet