TU Bruiser – A custom 1985 Harley-Davidson FXRP
My name is Marcos Ybarra, and I’m an active US Navy SEAL with 22 years of Honorable Service and an avid Harley enthusiast/biker. I guess the FXRP venture started when my partner in crime alluded to the fact that you don’t see many FXRPs in San Diego. So we talked about it as I pondered the thought of building one from the ground up. Well before I knew it my phone rang with my buddy saying, “I bought two bikes in Long Beach. Let’s do it.”
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“I bought two bikes in Long Beach. Let’s do it.”
So the journey began.
I picked up the bike at my buddy’s and rode it straight home. First thing I did was put it up on the lift, took some pictures, and immediately started tearing it apart. I decided I was going to take it down to the frame for a total restore. With this bike being such a piece of Americana, plus having matching frame/motor VINs, I wanted to try to maintain the original look as a real police-model FXRP. I wanted to keep the color Police Black and White. I don’t believe in an overelaborate paint job. I think it takes away from the bike and does nothing for performance and drivability. All the upgrades I did were for performance and to make the bike handle better.
Chip Kastelnik, owner of San Diego Customs (SDC), was building his FXR at the time I began to restore mine. He had great insight on my build and was able to answer a lot of questions. Dan Himes, also from SDC, did the paint. Dan and Chip (not to forget my ol’ lady) talked me out my original idea on the tank symbol, which was going to be a “187,” which would have also probably brought me undue attention from the local po-po. So I put some thought into it and went with something more meaningful and work-related.
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During my 2008 Iraq deployment my troop used the “Punisher” logo, and my unit was called “Task Unit Bruiser,”
During my 2008 Iraq deployment my troop used the “Punisher” logo, and my unit was called “Task Unit Bruiser,” so it was a perfect fit for the center of the FLH wing and a good way to remember my brothers from “TU Bruiser.”
I’ve owned a lot of different bikes over the years, and I have to say the FXRP is by far the best-handling bike hands down. The journey was a learning experience and the end result a success. My beliefs are that with any success we don’t get there alone. With that said, I’d like to give thanks to those who helped make this happen. In no particular order, I’d like to give thanks to Chip Kastelnik and Dan Himes from SDC, Randy and Davin from Cycle Visions, Dr. Jim from Head Hoggers, my brother Jake, and lastly my wife for putting up with my shit.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Owner | Marcos Ybarra |
| Shop | Home garage |
| Year/Make/Model | 1985/H-D/FXRP Police Defender |
| Fabrication | SD Customs |
| Build Time | 8 months |
| Engine | |
| Year/Type/Size | 1985/H-D/80ci |
| Builder | Dr. Jim at Head Hoggers |
| Cases | H-D |
| Cylinders | H-D 3.520 over with 10.5-1 Wiseco pistons |
| Stroke | 4.250 |
| Heads | H-D, Stage 2 by Dr. Jim |
| Rocker Boxes | H-D |
| Cams | TW8 Woods |
| Intake | S&S |
| Air Cleaner | Ness |
| Carb | Mikuni 42mm |
| Exhaust | SDC/SPF High Pipe |
| Transmission | |
| Year/Type | 1993/H-D |
| Gears | Later-model Stock 5-speed |
| Clutch | 2006 SE Twin-cam |
| Primary Drive | 2006 H-D Twin-cam |
| Frame | |
| Year/Type | 1985/ H-D FXR |
| Rake/Stretch | Stock/2 over |
| Suspension | | |
| Front end | 2000 FXDX |
| Length | Stock 39mm |
| Triple Trees | Top GPR/lower HD 39mm |
| Swingarm | H-D stock |
| Rear Shocks | Progressive 13-in. 444 |
| Wheels, Tires, and Brakes | |
| Front | |
| Builder/Size | H-D/19 in. |
| Tire/Size | Dunlop/19 in. |
| Calipers | Brembo H-D |
| Rotors | Lyndall Racing |
| Rear | |
| Builder/Size | H-D/16 in. |
| Tire/Size | Dunlop/16 in. |
| Front Caliper | GMA Engineering by BDL |
| Rear Caliper | 1984–’94 FXR GMA 103 SA |
| Rotor | DNA |
| Pulley | 52-tooth chain |
| Finish/Paint | |
| Painter | Dan Himes from SD Customs |
| Colors | Police Black and White |
| Paint/Graphics | 81/82 FLH HD wing with The Punisher logo |
| Powdercoating | SD Customs |
| Accessories | |
| Front Fender | H-D |
| Rear Fender | H-D |
| Gas Tank | H-D |
| Dash | H-D Police Dash |
| Gauges | Stock |
| Handlebars | 12-in. Westcoast MX |
| Grips | Avon |
| Mirrors | H-D |
| Hand Controls | H-D Later model 1996–up |
| Foot Controls | Mids SDC Pigs |
| Headlight | H-D |
| Taillight | Cycle Visions Eliminator |
| Turn Signals | Mini 39mm tube LED |
| License Mount | Cycle Visions |
| Seat | La Pera gel |
