GB1200R British-Style Custom Sportster
June 2nd, 2008 by Walt Greenwood - Contributor to The Kneeslider
Brian Laine loved the idea of a low-vibration, long-distance Harley Sportster, so when the rubber-mount model appeared in 2004, he bought one. But Laine decided a few styling cues drawn from his collection of British bikes would set his XR1200R apart from the crowd. The result is a subtle custom the Arlington, Wash. native calls the GB1200R.
Mechanics are all stock, but Laine replaced the standard tank with a slightly larger piece from a mid-seventies Honda CB500T he found in a breaker’s yard. The seat came from a Wankel-powered Hercules. Laine wanted a color close to British Racing Green, but with more sparkle, and found a suitable color from Subaru. The frame still wears the original Harley black.
Front fender is a British stainless steel reproduction that rides on brackets Laine fabricated in the style of a Triumph Bonneville from the late sixties. He built the rear package rack as well. A vintage-style air cleaner Laine built allowed a lot of induction noise through, so he usually rides with the stock Harley unit.
The big chrome headlight is a generic Brit-style reproduction that rides in Kawasaki ears. Harley gaiters add to the vintage look. The two-into-one exhaust is a Paughco bend. It wasn’t designed for the rubber-mount Harley, but Laine built a custom mounting bracket to make it work. One of the original pair of mufflers, drilled out for better tone and breathing, completes the exhaust. The bike also looks good with the stock two-into-two pipes (photo two).
The bike won a third place trophy in the Mild Custom class at the May 18, 2008 Old Snohomish Motorcycle Show in Washington.
(Kneeslider’s note: This is a really nice, subtle modification of a stock Sportster. Great post, Walt!)
Link: Brian Laine’s website
Posted in Motorcycle Builders, Motorcycle Design, Walt Greenwood
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16 Responses to “GB1200R British-Style Custom Sportster”
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June 2nd, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I like it! Amazing what an inspiration some original thinking can be…..kudos to Brian!
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I saw that at the Snohomish show. I like it a lot, Brian & Walt.
I bet there is a market for a kit.
The bench seat bikes are a great alternative to the existing 2-up bikes styles available (too big luxo tourers, feet-forward cruisers, & sport tourers don’t always cut it for all riders & their passengers)
The only other bench seat bike I know of is the Bonneville and that is down on power for all day, cross-state riding with 2 and full saddlebags.
Saddlebags would round out a kit perfectly
other Snohomish show notables:
1. uber-stylish BMW sidecar rig
2. Garelli single cylinder cafe with high mount pipe
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I like it. Nice job, Brian!
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I really like it! Subtle mods, but it is extremely good looking.
June 2nd, 2008 at 9:44 pm
That is a really nice bike ! Spoke wheels would really set it off .
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Looks like it belongs together. So why doesn’t the factory (ANY factory) do this? Either Triumph, or Harley, maybe Buell? I want something around 500cc, a twin if possible. Paint it Ferrari red, please.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:42 pm
nice job. This is such an obvious styling direction, especially for back to basic bikes like the sportster (and Bonnie). I too wonder why there aren’t more of these available new.
My only change would be to have 18″ rims front and back, a better looking rear fender, and lower handle bars.
-todd
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:05 am
Tinker, haven’t you heard of the Triumph Bonneville, Scrambler, Thruxton etc?
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:02 am
I’m selling my 83 Moto Guzzi LM III just finished total rebuild(medical reasons) and buying a Sportster and wanted just what he did, WOW. Same color to-will have to find pipes so please send info on them to my email muscle_mac_gyver@yahoo.com thank you for doing what I was thinking but didn’t know where or how to do it. Had BSA’s in the past but want a Sportster for torque and sound medium power,low seating,very solid engine.
John
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:13 am
Great look, but yes 18″ wire wheels.
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Now that’s a Sportster I would ride!
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Put on a chrome rear fender, a different taillight, euro-style hard panniers, and switch the exhaust to a 1 per side style and youd have the best of the euro, jap and american bikes!
Great job, I think we’re going to see more of this style conversion now!
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Nice. It just needs an 18″ rear wheel to be perfect!
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:58 pm
I have the cash waiting if Brian comes out with a kit for my 05-883. I love that BRG paint.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:21 am
OMG that is beautiful in so many ways. Well done.
June 4th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Beautiful work, but I can’t help wondering why he didn’t just buy a Triumph Bonneville and do a few performance mods to the engine…