Sportster Bobber Build Takes a Very Dark Approach

A more understated approach to building a custom Harley.

By Brett Foote - February 23, 2023
Sportster Bobber Build Takes a Very Dark Approach
Sportster Bobber Build Takes a Very Dark Approach
Sportster Bobber Build Takes a Very Dark Approach
Sportster Bobber Build Takes a Very Dark Approach
Sportster Bobber Build Takes a Very Dark Approach
Sportster Bobber Build Takes a Very Dark Approach
Sportster Bobber Build Takes a Very Dark Approach

Keeping It Simple

There are plenty of flashy, in-your-face Harleys rolling around these days, ones modified for one reason and one reason only - to garner attention. There's certainly nothing wrong with that, but we prefer simpler, more pared-down, and understated types of rides that typically come out of shops like Lord Drake Customs - bikes like this Sportster Bobber, to be specific.

Photos: Lord Drake Customs

Simple, yet Fitting

Hailing from Spain, Lord Drake has quickly become one of the more renowned custom bike builders in that particular country, and as such, is no stranger to creating show-winning bikes. This particular example is simply nicknamed "Sportster Black," which is a pretty quick and dirty way to describe it - yet also fitting.

Photos: Lord Drake Customs

Total Blackout

This build started life as a 2005 Sportster 883, which was then stripped of any shiny bits and transformed into a 100 percent blacked-out ride - everything, and we mean everything, is black. The result is a pretty sinister look, which is accented by features like Sportster R wheels, giving us a proper bobber that'll stand the test of time.

Photos: Lord Drake Customs

Slimming Appearance

Lord Drake lowered the bike so that it hugs the ground like it should, and also stripped it of any parts that aren't necessary in true bobber fashion. The stock seat is long gone, replaced by a single spring unit, while the builder also added an LED headlight and turn signals, as well as hand-made fenders to slim it up.

Photos: Lord Drake Customs

Mixture of Finishes

As far as the blacked-out elements of this motorcycle, they aren't all just finished in one way. In fact, the chassis, engine covers, and various other parts are powder-coated, mixing with the gloss black paint that covers the bodywork.

Photos: Lord Drake Customs

Parts Bin

Of course, Lord Drake also added some aftermarket upgrades to go along with the custom parts on Sportster Black, including a drag-style air filter, Burly shocks, and Koso instrumentation, complementing an array of stock/modified and one-off components perfectly.

Photos: Lord Drake Customs

Skillful Outcome

While that may sound like an easy process, as most of us are well aware, there's some skill involved in choosing the right combination of parts to conjure up a build that looks right, yet also like nothing else out there. And in that sense, Sportster Black is certainly a triumph in our book.

Photos: Lord Drake Customs

>>Join in the conversation about this Sportster Bobber right here in Harley-Davidson Forums.

For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.

NEXT
BACK
NEXT
BACK
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.