Usually when we get a spec sheet back with the bike's info and story from the owner, we have to try and decode exactly what it is they are trying to say. This was not the case with Frank Clark of Longview, Texas, and his '06 Night Rod. Frank did such a good job telling the story of his build that it just made sense to let you hear it straight from him.
In 2004 I purchased my first Harley-Davidson, which was a new '03 VRSCA V-Rod. Like so many others, I too was bit by the customizing bug and began to add chrome accessories, and changed the seat and exhaust among other things. About that time I joined an online community of fellow V-Rod enthusiasts called 1130CC.com (which is about 20,000 members strong now) and really had my eyes opened up to just how great the VRSC platform could be as a base for a custom bike. Before long I wanted to do much more customizing that would really change the appearance of the bike, but I could not bring myself to cut into the 100-year anniversary model in ways that would permanently alter its original style. At that time I decided that I would purchase a second V-Rod and customize it while I kept the '03 to ride during the process. After searching the various used motorcycle sources, I decided that I could purchase a brand-new '05 VRSCB model for nearly the cost of a good used one, so that is what I did. To make a long story short, I stripped that new bike before I rode it and had it completely apart and the motor in a crate within a few days. The success of that project (which was known as BAD V-R) only served to drive my desire to even further customize a V-Rod.
In September of '05, I decided to sell my '03 V-Rod (now that the '05 was done and getting lots of attention) and purchase an '06 VRSCD Night Rod as a platform. During the next several months I gathered components and ideas, and I began the actual disassembly in February of '06. Since part of the plan was to have the heads diamond cut and the entire frame painted, I removed the motor and disassembled it, and then sent the heads to Las Vegas.
I knew my biggest challenge was to create a rear suspension system that would support a 300mm rear tire, yet not have the shocks on the side. I considered something like those used on the Softails, but that did not lend itself very well to the motor and tank layout of the V-Rod. After a great deal of Internet searching, I decided that I would attempt a monoshock configuration with an air shock mounted behind the tank in front of the rear tire. Since there was very little room in that area, I kicked around a number of ideas that would allow me enough room to mount the required shock. In the end, I found a tank that Zeel Design makes for a kit they offer that gave me over an inch more room, but that was still not enough. I was really only left with one more option-extend the swingarm. Of course, that had its own problems since the V-Rod belt was already one of the longest made (150 tooth). Once again I was able to get some support from Zeel when they offered to have Gates create a 1-inch, 156-tooth version, which would give me nearly an additional 2 inches in length. That additional length along with the space the new tank provided gave me enough room to house an air shock I found that was built by Biker Buddy Pro for the Victory line of motorcycles.
 Custom linked mid and forward...  Custom linked mid and forward control break pedals. |  |  That's not just for looks,...  That's not just for looks, frank added resin and carbon fiber to the custom swingarm to help it be more structurally sound. |