This bike project sort of started out as a set of wheels. Covingtons has been sending me its projects for custom graphics/paint work for about seven or eight years now, and the folks there asked if I wanted to design a set of wheels. So after about a dozen drawings they decided on this set, and in return I was to get a discount on a set of wheels when the time came. Well it so happened a couple months later I ran across a good deal on a used Road King with super-low miles. I had in mind doing a Road Glide, so a conversion was the plan, and Covingtons was obviously the place to take it. They had a ton of projects coming up, so it worked out that for the next six months the barter system was in full effect!

The basic idea was to build something super clean with a “race feel” to its styling. I wanted a bagger that looks fast just sitting there. It also had to kind of be built around what the wheels looked like. After all the metal fab and mockup work was done, the parts were sent back to me for paint. Most of the stuff we do is super flashy and bright, which is cool, but I wanted to do the opposite on mine. When it comes to painting my own bikes, I really like stuff that is timeless and not super trendy. What better than a scalloped panel job with flat clear?

My friend James Carter hooked me up with a killer seat. He starts from scratch and builds the pans as well. I’ve had a lot of custom bikes over the years, but this one is by far the best. For once there was no compromising the looks or function! This thing is awesome to ride and handles perfectly. It’s so nice to have something that looks really radical but is practical and dependable. One thing is for sure: When you get the right team of people together, projects like this are a lot of fun to do as well as to own. I’ve been able to work on a lot of really cool projects over the years for people—and a ton of them for Covington. It was super gratifying the day I got to pick up the one done for me. Thanks to everyone involved in making it happen!