You can’t reinvent the wheel, but you can re-imagine it. Performance Machine knows that all too well; just take a look at its extensive product line of wheels. Drag Specialties knows a thing or two about custom parts as well, as evidenced by its huge yearly catalog. Between the two of them the companies have more than 80 years of experience in the custom motorcycle industry. You might say they’ve seen a trend or two come and go.
In 2002, that trend was choppers. Long, blinged-out, overpriced choppers. Customers couldn’t wait to go into debt while showing off their “individuality” with variations on the same theme. This might be why Drag Specialties went the opposite direction. Dave Perewitz customized an ’02 Road King for them that year.
PM offers the ability to match up your wheels with its air cleaner line. Seen here is an Element Air cleaner to go with the wheels of the same name.
PM offers the ability to match up your wheels with its air cleaner line. Seen here is an Element Air cleaner to go with the wheels of the same name.
Come 2006, the guard had changed. Choppers were no longer the apple of the public eye. Industry focus slowly began to shift to baggers and with that came a plethora of new products. Harley even re-imagined its bagger line with a new frame in 2009 and aftermarket companies scrambled to make parts that fit it.
At the back of the V&H and RSD exhaust setup, a pair of PM Sweeper exhaust tips peek our from the Klock Werks Double Cut saddlebag extensions.
At the back of the V&H and RSD exhaust setup, a pair of PM Sweeper exhaust tips peek our f
Some might think that pre-2009 touring rigs were left in the proverbial cold. Drag Specialties and Performance Machine would disagree. The two parts giants joined up to re-imagine that ’02 Road King as you see here. Trend dictated an industry shift away from choppers but the economic downturn steered riders toward tweaking what they had. For many, that means either buying a used bike or changing what they already own, versus laying down new debt on new iron. These are the reasons the two parts companies decided to show off what was possible with their new products on an old Road King.
While the ’02 RK still utilizes the gas tank that was originally stretched by Cycle Fabrications, the top of the tank features RSD’s Tech gas caps.
While the ’02 RK still utilizes the gas tank that was originally stretched by Cycle Fabric
The monarch was reborn at Performance Machine’s headquarters in Southern California. As you might expect, PM didn’t skimp on the changes with the wheels, brakes, and controls. It seized the chance to show off its Element Platinum Cut line of wheels and rotors. The calipers are a contrast-cut perfect match to them. Likewise, the hand controls on the Burly Brand beach handlebars were done in the same finish. Their foot level cousins, though, were finished in black to offset some of the silver frame.