Photo: Black Cycles
Brisbane-based Black Cycles may not be as popular as some of Australia’s other custom bike shops, but they certainly know what they’re doing! Frontman Noel Muller isn’t the sort of guy to ever be satisfied with mediocrity, so he simply won’t stop until a project is knocked straight out of the ballpark. As you can tell, the stunning bobber pictured above was no different.
This build was commissioned last year by a client named Jacob, who sought to give his brother a Christmas present he’ll never forget. He provided Black Cycles with a Harley-Davidson Street 500 as a starting point, and the motorcycle came with a mere 350 kilometers (217 miles) on the odo. Working with such a fresh donor bike meant that Noel could focus mostly on the cosmetic and structural aspects.
After taking the XG500 apart, he began by converting its frame to a hardtail with some intricate fabrication work at the back. The following step involved sourcing a gorgeous pair of aftermarket wheels, tubeless and considerably lighter than the stock footwear. Although the rear hoop was fitted without too much hassle, the front unit was a lot more demanding.
Its width meant that Black Cycles had to rework the triple clamps and wheel hub, but they’ve also upgraded the front brake with some Brembo paraphernalia while they were at it. The original forks from Harley were retained, yet they’ve been shortened by 120 millimeters (4.7 inches) to level out the creature’s stance. In terms of bodywork, the centerpiece is a repurposed Sportster fuel tank topped with a flush-mounted filler cap.
The tank’s underside was heavily revised to fit its new host, and so was the XG500 fuel pump. Noel shaped the bike’s front fender out of the original part, while replacing the rear mudguard with an aftermarket alternative. A sprung bobber-style saddle makes an appearance, as well, featuring black leather upholstery and just enough padding for comfort.
Below the seat, you will find what looks like a cylindrical oil tank. It is in fact a storage unit for the Street 500’s electronics, built with the help of Justin Holmes over at PopBang Classics. On the other hand, the cockpit is now home to clip-on handlebars and digital Motogadget instrumentation, among other goodies. The way ahead is lit up by a stylish aftermarket headlamp, while the rear end carries multi-function LEDs from Kellermann.
Black Cycles’ engine-related mods are limited to the breathing equipment, with a premium S&S intake module and a two-into-one exhaust supplied by Two Brothers Racing. Justin lent a helping hand with the paint job, too, applying a white base to the frame and bodywork, then topping it off with red and blue graphics. The livery is a clear nod to Evel Knievel, and it looks absolutely superb from front to back.
After taking the XG500 apart, he began by converting its frame to a hardtail with some intricate fabrication work at the back. The following step involved sourcing a gorgeous pair of aftermarket wheels, tubeless and considerably lighter than the stock footwear. Although the rear hoop was fitted without too much hassle, the front unit was a lot more demanding.
Its width meant that Black Cycles had to rework the triple clamps and wheel hub, but they’ve also upgraded the front brake with some Brembo paraphernalia while they were at it. The original forks from Harley were retained, yet they’ve been shortened by 120 millimeters (4.7 inches) to level out the creature’s stance. In terms of bodywork, the centerpiece is a repurposed Sportster fuel tank topped with a flush-mounted filler cap.
The tank’s underside was heavily revised to fit its new host, and so was the XG500 fuel pump. Noel shaped the bike’s front fender out of the original part, while replacing the rear mudguard with an aftermarket alternative. A sprung bobber-style saddle makes an appearance, as well, featuring black leather upholstery and just enough padding for comfort.
Below the seat, you will find what looks like a cylindrical oil tank. It is in fact a storage unit for the Street 500’s electronics, built with the help of Justin Holmes over at PopBang Classics. On the other hand, the cockpit is now home to clip-on handlebars and digital Motogadget instrumentation, among other goodies. The way ahead is lit up by a stylish aftermarket headlamp, while the rear end carries multi-function LEDs from Kellermann.
Black Cycles’ engine-related mods are limited to the breathing equipment, with a premium S&S intake module and a two-into-one exhaust supplied by Two Brothers Racing. Justin lent a helping hand with the paint job, too, applying a white base to the frame and bodywork, then topping it off with red and blue graphics. The livery is a clear nod to Evel Knievel, and it looks absolutely superb from front to back.
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