2006 Harley-Davidson MGS - Excess Baggage

To accommodate the massive 300mm rear, baker drivetrain threw in one of their right-side-drive transmissions for bagger models-a very niche component.

"We knew we'd have a goodlooking bike, but we wanted it to stand out. Little Mike just planted himself on a stool with the motor in pieces in front of him and began the painstaking task. After many hours of serious work with continual interruption, the motor was complete. It still has a little bit of the Harley look, but with a high-performance twist," Paula said.

With time running out before the Artistry in Iron event, final assembly was accomplished with more long hours, help from friends, and support from major players in the industry. Mike and Little Mike worked more long hours but had help from their good friend and electronics wizard Steve Bridgers. While Steve was "hooking" everything up, the Mike and Mike tag team was installing parts supplied from some of the leaders in the industry. It was one of those TV biker build off scenarios, where the last few bolts were tightened down in the final minutes. And while the bike didn't roll away with the Artistry in Iron title, it did help the MGS shop turn a new corner.

Typically known for their radical ground-up customs, this project has been a major influence in MGS taking on a new direction at the shop. Realizing they can no longer strictly focus on custom builds, they have now become a full service shop. But most importantly, this project has shown the MGS crew that there is a core group of aftermarket parts manufacturers that believe in everything they do, and are willing to support them through thick and thin. Paula, Big Mike, Little Mike, and the rest of the MGS crew would like to offer a big thank you to everyone who supported them through this project; without these friends in the industry, this project would have never come to fruition.