Thunderbike Katara • Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage

She stands there in all her splendour!

A Chicano must shine and stand out in all its splendour. We have succeeded in this.

For reasons of discretion, we won’t reveal anything about the owner of this Chicano. In any case, the destination is Qatar – which is exciting enough when a German-made Mexican-style bike ends up in the Middle East. This time, we had the name and flake paint job applied by Chiko’s Pinstriping. Chiko is the man to call when it comes to maximising effects, and a Chicano without effects would be like a Harley without a V2 engine.

In all modesty, we have succeeded with the effects. We have so much of it that the basis of the conversion is barely recognisable. But there’s more to it than meets the eye with all the bling-bling. It was a 22 Heritage that we chose, and the tank, headlights and engine have remained.

But if we now list what has not remained, it will be a little longer. It starts with our GRP headlight cover, which gives the Katara a completely different look. The name of the handlebars says it all for a Chicano. We call it “El Toxico”, and because it is so toxic, we have converted the clutch to hydraulics. The hose required for the hydraulics can simply be routed closer to the handlebars than a Bowden cable, which for God’s sake must not be kinked. That way, El Toxico doesn’t lose its aesthetic momentum.

New Digger

We had to install a new triple clamp for the 23-inch “New Digger” front wheel. We have this in our programme, it’s called “El Dorado”, so it also fits the Chicano style, as do the matching GRP fenders of the same name. In general, we were able to draw from the full range for the chassis. The “El Dorado” fenders are supposed to be close-fitting in order to fully emphasise their legendary lines. So Air Ride in, front and rear. A point of honour!

Parts

Thunderbike Rear Fender El Dorado
Thunderbike Front fender El Dorado 23''
Thunderbike New Digger wheel
Thunderbike License Plate Frame Inside Plate
Thunderbike Brake Disc Spoke Floated 300mm
Thunderbike Brake Disc Spoke Floated 292mm
Thunderbike Pulley Spoke polished
Thunderbike Pulley Brake Kit
Thunderbike License Plate Lighting
Thunderbike Extra Charge Pulley Powdercoating black
Rizoma Club Series LED Turn Signal Set
Thunderbike Timer Cover New Custom
Thunderbike Ignition Coil Relocation Kit black
Thunderbike Rear Axle Cover Set
Thunderbike Front Axle Cover-Set
Thunderbike Brake caliper cover
Thunderbike Air Ride Suspension Kit
Thunderbike Seat Plate
Thunderbike Airbox Cover Oval Grand Classic
Thunderbike Headlamp Cover GFK
Thunderbike Turn Signals Stripe LED with Housing
Harley-Davidson Screamin Eagle Stage II Torque Kit
Thunderbike Swingarm Modification El Toxico
Thunderbike Grips Base Satin black cut
Thunderbike Riser Kit Old Style with wireholes
Thunderbike Axle Cover Swingarm right
Thunderbike Tank Mount black
Thunderbike Triple Tree El Dorado 23''
Thunderbike Handlebar El Toxico 1.25'' Stainless Steel
Thunderbike Stainless Steel Line Bracket
Thunderbike Adapter Fittings
Goodridge Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Thunderbike Hydraulic clutch Conversion Kit black
Thunderbike Turn Signal Load Equalizer
Thunderbike Turn Signal Load Equalizer 3in1 rear
Harley-Davidson Flush-Mount Fuel Cap Kit black
Thunderbike Toppers Base
Coleman Fyrelite stove
Thunderbike Side Stand Modification 140mm

The view of the end

The “Toxico” swingarm conversion for our pulley brake was not only a question of honour, but also a question of aesthetics and technology. The rear “New Digger” wheel should also be shown to its best advantage.

With its 18-inch diameter, nothing has changed compared to the standard dimensions, but our “New Digger” wheel is one and a half inches wider than the standard Heritage wheel at 4.5 inches. Hence the swingarm conversion including the “Spoke” pulley and “Spoke” brake discs, so that everything matches the wheels perfectly.

Chicanos like it longer

Wait, we’re not finished yet. The pipes make us particularly proud. For a change, they’re not Jekill & Hyde’s, especially not shorties, because a Chicano likes it a bit longer. This time it’s Freedom Performance silencers, which we have joined to Bassani manifolds. What does “joined” mean? It was more of a high standard of craftsmanship, which we did justice to.

Are you getting fed up? Well, “having enough” is not acceptable for a Chicano. He has to lay it on thick, and in that respect we’ve done our job. That’s no longer a secret.