Harley-Davidson Carlo’s Wild Bobber Kin: A Love-It-or-Hate-It Transformation

The Harley-Davidson Street Bob is a popular entry point for those who wish to experience the world of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The latest incarnation of the model features the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, priced at $16,999. This particular bike has been well-received by riders, offering a perfect balance of performance, design, and value. However, the story of this model doesn’t end with its factory production, especially in markets outside the United States, like Europe, where customization is often preferred.

In Europe, many Street Bob owners seek out custom garages to modify their bikes, resulting in stunning transformations that can make the bikes virtually unrecognizable. One such transformation belongs to a bike called Carlo’s Unique, a customized Street Bob built by Thunderbike, a renowned German custom motorcycle workshop. This article takes a deep dive into the evolution of the Street Bob into its highly personalized form and examines the modifications that set Carlo’s Unique apart from the factory version.

The Standard Harley-Davidson Street Bob

Before diving into the customization process, it’s essential to understand the baseline model—the Harley-Davidson Street Bob. As of its latest release, the Street Bob is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, offering a robust 114 cubic inches of power. This engine provides the Street Bob with ample torque, making it ideal for both city rides and long highway stretches. The price of $16,999 makes it a relatively affordable option in Harley-Davidson’s cruiser lineup.

In terms of design, the Harley-Davidson Street Bob stays true to the traditional bobber style. The bobber design is a minimalist approach to motorcycles, often stripped of unnecessary parts like fenders and bodywork. The original bobbers were known for their sleek look and lightweight build, often featuring front and rear wheels of equal size, with springer forks providing a distinctive vintage touch. The Street Bob is a contemporary take on this classic design, combining modern performance with the minimalist appeal of a traditional bobber.

However, in Europe, the standard Harley-Davidson Street Bob didn’t quite hit the mark for some riders. The bike, while attractive and functional, wasn’t unique enough for some custom enthusiasts, prompting them to turn to custom garages to modify their bikes to their tastes.

The Customization Process: Carlo’s Unique

One such rider, likely named Carlo, enlisted the expertise of Thunderbike, a well-known custom garage in Germany, to transform his Street Bob into a one-of-a-kind motorcycle. Carlo’s Unique is the result of Thunderbike’s craftsmanship and ingenuity. While the bike still retains its Harley-Davidson DNA, it has undergone significant modifications to push the limits of traditional bobber aesthetics and performance.

Key Modifications:

Thunderbike made several changes to Harley-Davidson Carlo’s Street Bob to create a bike that is visually striking and uniquely functional. Below are the most notable modifications made to the motorcycle:

1. Suspension System:
   • The stock Street Bob is equipped with a traditional suspension system, but Carlo’s Unique features a more advanced setup.
   • The rear suspension is lowered by 30 mm, providing a more aggressive stance and better handling. This is complemented by an air-ride suspension system that adjusts the bike’s height for a more customizable and smooth ride.
   • The front suspension features a Thunderbike Radical springer fork, which adds both a retro and functional element to the design.
2. Wheels and Tires:
   • One of the first noticeable changes is the wheel configuration. The standard Street Bob comes with 19-inch wheels front and rear. In contrast, Carlo’s Unique features a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel.
   • The disparity in wheel size is part of the customization, as it enhances the bike’s aesthetics and gives it a more dynamic stance. Both wheels are larger than those offered on the stock model, adding to the bike’s commanding presence.
3. Fenders:
   • Unlike traditional bobbers that often omit fenders altogether, Carlo’s Unique features front and rear fenders. This change offers both practical and aesthetic benefits, providing protection from road debris while maintaining a sleek design.
4. Exhaust System:
   • While the engine remains the stock Milwaukee-Eight 114, the exhaust system has been upgraded with Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde hardware. This exhaust system is known for its high-quality craftsmanship and its ability to produce an engaging, customizable sound that can be adjusted based on the rider’s preference.
5. Handlebars and Mirrors:
   • The handlebars have been swapped out for custom units that contribute to a more aggressive riding position. The mirrors are also reworked, adding to the bike’s modern yet retro feel.
6. Seat and Footpegs:
   • The seat has been replaced with a custom unit designed for comfort and style, while the footpegs are adjusted to suit the rider’s new ergonomics and preferences.
7. Swingarm Modification:
   • One of the most significant visual modifications is the swingarm adjustment at the rear. Thunderbike reworked the swingarm, leaving the right side of the rear wheel fully exposed while the left side is partially covered by a side license plate holder. This change highlights the bike’s minimalist nature while adding to its visual appeal.
8. Clutch:
   • The standard clutch on the Street Bob is a traditional mechanical clutch. However, Carlo’s Unique features a hydraulic clutch, which offers a smoother and more responsive feel, improving the overall riding experience.

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Mechanical Specifications of Harley-Davidson Carlo’s Unique

Although the bike has undergone extensive modifications, the core mechanical components of Carlo’s Unique remain largely unchanged from the stock Street Bob. Here are the key mechanical specifications:

Despite these modifications, the performance remains consistent with the stock model, which features the robust Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. This engine delivers ample power, making the customizations even more thrilling for riders.

The Price of Customization

While the base price of the Harley-Davidson Street Bob is $16,999, the cost of transforming the bike into Carlo’s Unique was significantly higher. The parts and labor involved in the custom build alone amounted to approximately $17,200, making the total cost of Carlo’s Unique more than double the price of the stock Street Bob.

This customization is a testament to the passion and dedication of both the rider and the custom garage, Thunderbike. It also demonstrates how a seemingly simple bike can be turned into an art piece that reflects the owner’s unique tastes and preferences.

Conclusion

The Harley-Davidson Street Bob, in its standard form, offers an excellent blend of performance, style, and affordability. However, for some riders, the desire for a more personalized motorcycle leads them to explore the world of custom modifications. Carlo’s Unique, built by Thunderbike, is an example of how a factory-produced bike can be transformed into a truly one-of-a-kind machine. Through modifications to the suspension, wheels, exhaust, and various other components, Carlo’s Unique has become a remarkable reinterpretation of the classic bobber theme.

While customization comes at a significant cost, it’s clear that for those who value individuality and craftsmanship, the investment is well worth it. The result is a bike that is not only visually stunning but also uniquely suited to the rider’s personal style and preferences.

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