Leaning up against a scurvy bar in the Badlands I overheard one biker say to another, “Those rich fucks, like Arlen Ness…” I listened to his complaining, finished my Jack and ordered another one. I looked across the bar at the mirror behind the bottles of booze and wondered who that old fuck was in the reflection. I remember when Perry and Nancy Sands had a little bike shop in Long Beach. They were just a couple of bikers trying to make a living in this crummy little industry.
Arlen Ness started out delivering mail and building bikes in his garage. If it wasn't for his wife, Bev, he would have ran off, joined a Bay Area club, and gone to jail. It's the code of the west for a man to work hard, stick with his family and hopefully grow something good for his industry, family and community. Arlen stuck with the code and so did Perry and Nancy. Their shop opened in 1970 and I remember installing one of Perry's first disc brake systems on Kim Peterson's bike. He was just a cub reporter at Easyriders with a bobber/rat bike and we had to try out this new shit from Performance Machine.
Over the years, we tested and tried many Ness and Performance Machine components as both companies and families grew. While I ran from wife to wife, joined a club and partied with the best, Arlen and Perry stayed true to the code and passed solid family values on to their kids. Roland rode dirt bikes with Perry, stayed in school and ultimately came to Performance Machine to follow in his father's footsteps, designing custom components and building state-of-the-art bikes.
“I've been very fortunate to have the capabilities, a top-of-the-line machine shop, and all the PM resources at my back,” Roland said at his father's retirement party.
After spreading his wings and flying in lots of different custom directions, with many accolades at his back Roland shifted to reality-based products designed specifically for Softails, until recently the best selling Harley-Davidson.
“We wanted to build as bitchin a Softail as possible with high quality components at a good price,” said Roland. “We really tried to focus on the parts that mattered the most to make the thing look good. Not bolt-on pretty shit, but good shit.”
Over the last couple of years, Roland designed a sharp functional line of Softail-oriented components to add performance, style and individuality to a stock Softail. Once you roll through this feature, you'll find the entire product line at the end with descriptions. This way, you get to see the components in action and separately.
” RSD is constantly designing new products for not only Softails but full customs, baggers and everything else,” Roland added. “There really is no limit to what we build or what some of our products can be used for. Our handlebar line continues to grow, as well as some of our steel parts, fork braces, license plate brackets and more. Our new Ronin and Mission wheels will bolt on to just about any bike.”
This particular Softail was built by Jason, and engineer on the Roland Sands Design team. “Jason, my engineer wanted to build a bike out of our products for testing and because he could,” Roland said. “He's an engineer with a passion for design and motorcycles. He's got a good eye for simple design that lends itself to the way we build bikes. My whole crew is really involved in motorcycles, so it's not like we're a bunch of engineer types. We're really a bunch of enthusiasts who have found our way into bike building.”
There you have it. We have featured Roland's bikes in the past and I'm sure we will feature more innovative designs in the future.
“I'm just going in my own direction and doing what feels right. We are always building new stuff that's different.” Roland said. “You might see a Softail custom and CR 500 motocross bike turned into a café racer on the lift next to it. We have no category, we are our own category. My business model doesn't exist, so I really have no map laid out about what or how to do it. I just do it my way and hope it works. We've done all right so far.”
In the meantime RSD and Performance Machine are manufacturing some very classy components to help Softail owners build super-clean, tight looking customs.
Bike:
2005 Harley Davidson Night Train FXSTBI Fuel Injected (Love that black motor)
Front End:
Stock HD Triple Clamps Powder Coated Black
Stock HD Triple Clamps Powder Coated Black
Stock Showa Fork Lowers with fender mounts removed and powder coated black
Progressive Suspension 2″ lowering spring kit
New neck bearings and dust caps
Handlebars and Controls:
Stock Harley Davidson Brake Master, clutch levers, switch housings (all black)
Roland Sands Design Vintage Ape Hangers powder coated black and internally wired
Barnett Clutch Cable (New during build)
Barnett Throttle and Idle Cables (New during build)
Russel Stainless Steel Brake Line with midnight black coating
Performance Machine Contour Grips with Renthal Rubber
Engine and Intake:
Roland Sands Design Chrome Vintage Rocker Box Covers
Roland Sands Design Chrome Vintage Timing/Cam Cover
Roland Sands Design Venturi Air Cleaner (NEW RSD Product!!)
Wheels and Tires:
Roland Sands Design Domino Contrast Cut 21 X 3.5 Front Wheel
Metzeler ME880 120/70-21 Tire
Roland Sands Design Domino Contrast Cut 18 X 5.5 Rear Wheel
Metzeler ME880 200/55-18 Rear Tire
Pulley:
Roland Sands Design Domino Contrast Cut Pulley 20mm wide
Polished Stainless Steel 12point pulley bolts
Brakes:
Performance Machine 4 piston differential bore black anodized caliper front
Roland Sands Design 11.5″ Domino front Rotor contrast cut
Performance Machine 4 piston rear brake caliper black anodized
Roland Sands Design 11.5″ Domino Rear Rotor contrast cut
polished stainless steel 12 point rotor bolts
Exhaust:
Roland Sands Design/ Vance and Hines Tracker 2 into 1 pipe ceramic coated.
Sheet Metal:
Roland Sands Design Fuel Injected Fuel Tank and backbone cover
Roland Sands Design “Gas It” fuel injection kit (Relocates pump to bottom of the tank)
Roland Sands Design Springer seat kit with battery cover
Roland Sands Design Fender and Chrome Strut kit for 200mm softails
Rear Suspension:
Progressive Suspension Chrome Adjustable Softail shocks
Upper Motor Mount:
Roland Sands Design Vintage Upper Motor Mount (relocates coil and eliminates horn)
Lighting:
Harley Davidson Headlight powder coated black body
Performance Machine Taillight/Turn Signals/license bracket.
Battery:
Yuasa (New)
Paint:
Chris Wood at AirTrix Industries
Amazing silver metal flake with deep black base, hand laid Harley Davidson graphics and pin striping.
Chris is an awesome artist and is the painter for some of the best builders around, Roland Sands, Matt Hotch, etc…
www.airtrix.com
Seat/Leather:
RSD solo seat pan
Leather by Roberti Customs in Texas
hand tooled red leather top with alligator underside!
Amazing work!!
www.roberticustoms.com
To view Video, Click Link Below! http://s92.photobucket.com/albums/l7/tied0028/?action=view¤t=Softailridingphotos059.flv
CONTRAST CUT FORGED ALUMINUM PULLEYS– Just like the Roland Sands Design aluminum wheels, these forged aluminum pulleys feature RSD's exclusive Contrast Cut finish. The polished pulley has been black-anodized, then CNC-machined to a contrast cut. The precision-shaped tooth profile is designed to fit the belt perfectly, and teeth are now hard anodized for longer wear. Both the Domino and Judge pulleys are a perfect match to Roland Sands' Vintage Softail conversion parts. Diesel also comes in a chrome version.
All pulleys (except '00-'06 Softail pulleys) are interchangeable for all years and come with a special adapter, which allows the pulley to fit 1.95″, 2.22″ and 2.50″ o.d. hub flanges. All applications require mounting bolts to be purchased separately. Proudly made in the U.S.A. by Performance Machine.
GAS IT FUEL INJECTION KIT– This kit allows the use of wild custom fuel tanks on '01-'05 fuel-injected Delphi models. It relocates stock fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter and fuel level sending unit to the underside of fuel tank (not included). The kit includes steel weld-in plate, 3.75″ x 8″ aluminum manifold, all hardware and instructions. The tank bottom must be relatively flat to accommodate port installation. The kit requires vented tank or vented gas cap. Custom fabrication is required. Made in the U.S.A.
Designed for use with 2001-2005 Delphi Fuel Injection components specifically the fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter, fuel level sending unit, and main electrical connector. RSD “Gas It” kit is compatible with 2006-2007 Delphi Fuel Injection Systems with use of the 2005 and earlier fuel level sending unit and by converting the main connector plug to the 2005 and earlier plug (connector is supplied in the RSD kit). Installation on 2001-2005 Twin cam models is as easy as “plug and play.”
NOSTALGIA TOP MOTOR MOUNT– The polished stainless steel mount is a direct replacement for stock mounts. It relocates the stock coil to the top motor mount. The mount works with both carbureted and fuel-injected models. All mounting hardware is included. Made in the U.S.A.
NOTE: Horn must be relocated.
11.5″ AND 13″ TWO-PIECE BRAKE ROTORS– Featuring Contrast Cut, Chrome and Polished aluminum carriers with 420 stainless steel outer bands, these brake rotors are CNC-machined to complement Roland Sands Contrast Cut wheels. The rotors come with a spacer for use on 84-08 wheels, and the wide rear wheels require special rotors with a 2.50″ i.d. flange. 11.5” rotors available in Chrome and Contrast Cut finish. 13” rotors offered in Contrast Cut and Polished finish. Proudly made in the U.S.A. by Performance Machine.
NOTE: Will fit 84-99 applications if used in conjunction with PM calipers.
ONE-PIECE CONTRAST CUT ALUMINUM WHEELS– Roland Sands Designs Contrast Cut finish is unlike anything else on the market. It starts with a polished wheel, and then PM black anodizes it and re-cuts the wheel on the CNC machine to open up the design. The newly machined area is left raw for an aggressive, eye-catching style that's turning heads everywhere. Now available in three styles including the NEW Diesel and Diesel chrome that feature a contour lip design for a graceful arc from spoke to tire.. Available in both stock and wide sizes. Proudly made in the U.S.A. by Performance Machine.
NOTE: Custom rear wheels require the use of rotors and pulleys with a 2.50″ i.d. flange
NOTE: V-Rod wheels only work with Performance Machine calipers and RSD rotors.
NOSTALGIA ROCKER BOX COVERS– Like the timing cover, these rocker box covers have been CNC machined from a forged aluminum blank, then brilliantly chrome plated. Sold as a pair, the covers include all hardware.
NOSTALGIA TIMING COVER– This timing cover is CNC machined from a forged aluminum blank, then brilliantly chrome plated. Includes all mounting hardware.
VENTURI AIR CLEANER– This Venturi Air Cleaner features a five-spoke exposed filter design that enhances air flow for more power plus built-in internal crank case breathers. The backing plate also promotes smooth airflow into the carburetor/throttle body. Available in both chrome and Contrast Cut finishes. The Contrast Cut finish starts with a polished air cleaner that has been black anodized, then re-cut to open up the design. Includes high-volume K&N air filter and mounting hardware. Made in the U.S.A.
VINTAGE GAS TANK CONVERSION KITS– This steel tank rests on a clever tunnel that hides the OEM wiring and holds the stock ignition switch to deliver a clean look. Available for carbureted or fuel-injected models, these kits feature a steel backbone cover. The fuel-injection tank includes a RSD “Gas It” fuel injection kit that installs with simple hand tools and no fabrication is required. Gas tanks hold three gallons of fuel. Made in the U.S.A.
1″ VINTAGE AND VINTAGE SHORT STACK HANDLEBARS– Add period-style bobber ape-hanger handlebars to your ride. Inspired by the Roland Sands Design custom dubbed El Borracho, these handlebars are available with chrome, black powder-coat or raw finishes. The chrome and black powder-coated bars are knurled, slotted and drilled for internal wiring; the raw handlebars are knurled, but not drilled or slotted. Standard bars have 3 1/2″ on-center knurling; Springer bars have 4 3/4″ on-center knurling. All the handlebars feature removable chrome billet end caps. Made in the U.S.A.
VINTAGE REAR FENDER CONVERSION KITS– These kits are designed to be used on OEM frames over any rear wide swingarm kit. They include both billet fender struts and steel fender. All mounting hardware included. 200mm fender measures approximately 9″ W. 240mm fender measures approximately 10.5″ W. Made in the U.S.A.
NOTE: Requires the fender supports to be cut off of stock chassis.
VINTAGE SEAT CONVERSION KITS– Add a period-style bobber seat to your venerable Softail. These seat kits are inspired by the Softail conversion Roland Sands Design created and dubbed El Borracho. The seat kit includes fiberglass battery cover, billet seat pivot, steel seat supports, seat springs and steel seat pan. It is designed to seamlessly fit with the RSD gas tank kit and 200mm or 240mm fender kits. The seat pan kit and seat spring/mount kit are also available separately. All necessary mounting hardware included. Made in the U.S.A.
RSD 2-INTO-1 TRACKER EXHAUST SYSTEM BY VANCE & HINES–We’ve teamed up with industry pioneer Vance & Hines to introduce a stylized, black ceramic 2-into-1 exhaust system for Softail owners. The Tracker Exhaust fuses RSD styling and design with Vance & Hines performance and racing technology. The pipes feature a high temperature black ceramic coating that will not chip or flake. The detailed and drilled chrome heat shields feature the V&H logo and the RSD brand mark is CNC-machined into the billet exhaust tip. Black has never been so beautiful.
