This bike was built by Hal’s Harley-Davidson in New Berlin, to pay homage to the dealership’s racing history. Avid Dirt Track enthusiasts, Hal and Kirk traveled the Midwest watching races since the mid ’70s. Like many dealers they turned a hobby into their livelihood when they acquired J&S Cycles in 1978.
Huge believers in giving back to the communities they ride in and the sport they serve; racing has been a part of the dealership legacy. Shortly after becoming dealers they fielded a Flat Track race efforts ultimately campaigning nationally with AMA Rider #77 Peter Hook out of Burnsville Minnesota. This 1978 Fat Tracker represents the beginning and the current state of the dealership’s 35-year history in racing, performance, customization and fabrication.
While it may be the inspiration of the story, the build actually came about because the damn winter was too long. The crew at Hal’s had seen enough attention paid to tall front wheel, raked baggers and wanted to go in another direction, to showcase the store’s talent. Starting with a 2009 FLHR Road King, the frame underwent multiple mods including removal of rear section and a handmade aluminum subsection for rear tail kit., Morris wheels and the Karoo 3 tires were procured from Metzeler. The team converted the stock belt final drive to chain, used a Baker “bully” outer primary cover with a converted H-D hydraulic clutch.
Swingarm tabs were removed, holes filled and smoothed and a mono-shock was adopted from an 1125R Buell. A 2013 V-Rod front end with custom machined fork guards was used to complete the suspension. Wheels are Roland Sands Design.
Dyna mid-controls with modified, and a reverse shifter and rear brake master cylinder were fitted for clean appearance.
Metal fabrication, though subtle is everywhere. An FLHX fuel tank was opened up with side panels inverted and mounts were moved forward 2 inches. Handmade louvered front splash guard, custom aluminum under tail section was fitted to a modified Vance & Hines XR1200 race tail.
Lighting is supplied by a handmade aluminum front number plate with custom mounted L.E.D. headlights and turn signals. Custom taillight and signals came from CPV.
Joker machine switch housings were used on 1-inch Flanders handlebars stepped down for 7/8-inch Accossato radial master cylinders. Gauge Face contains i-Pod speedometer interface.
Power is supplied by Hal’s 107ci engine (1750 cc). Silver Moon Crankshafts modified the flywheel, plus Revolution performance heads, CP pistons, 598 cams and a Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle cam plate. Hand fabricated stainless exhaust system were built by Hal’s with Supertrapp silencers optional.
To finish the look, all powder coating was handled by Hal’s technician and dyno guru Tom Fritz. The bike, with exception of paint by Custom Painted Vehicles (CPV), was entirely an in-house effort with design, fabrication, engine building, and bike assembly by Jon Shearer, Jim Kopydlowski, Tom Fritz and Wally Klock of Hal’s Harley Davidson. this past 4th of July. When not at Hal’s dealership watch for it hogging up the dirt (or ice if conditions don’t improve soon) at a track near you.
The motorcycle recently did a parade lap during the national anthem at the pro half-mile race at the Walworth County Fairgrounds. Not bad!
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