Enquiries Monday-Friday 10.00am -4.00pm 0115 9635837

Looking for inspiration for your Sportster project???

Justin & Jarrod Del Prado are becoming one of the USA choice teams for a precision re-built Sportster with great class and extra OMPH. No big crew at DP Customs, just the 2 of them doing what they love to do.

 No corporate BS to deal with and no risk of interference with their creativity. Just keeping it root and building with passion and pride. A philosophy attracting many clients bringing them tired and/or already badly customized Sportsters for a power plant refresh job and a full design makeover. Between the walls of their small shop, only one rule: keep the Sportster a Sportster to the core…

Specs:

The C88 (last letter of client’s name and his preferred number) got started from a 2001 1200cc Sporty immediately stripped down to its bare frame. After cleaning it of its factory welds and unnecessary brackets, the Del Prado’s chopped it just behind the rear motor mounts and re-built it as a new hard-tail drop seat frame. For this purpose they formed and welded a “roll-hoop” style tube forming the solo seat cradle. Result is an “in the frame” riding position well suited to mean speed even when the bike still stands still.

Then, the H-D 1200 cc engine was disassembled and the shop sourced a Revolution Performance 1250cc kit (cylinders, heads and forged pistons) to size it up to 88”. Cam and sprocket covers were cut and reshaped and before reassembly all main motor parts were sent for a black powder coating beauty treatment. The ignition switch was relocated to a custom box off the top motor mount, DP Customs also fabbed a 2 into 1 custom exhaust coated in black cerakote. For a muscular/drag touch, a wider than stock 190 mm tire/wheel and a final drive chain conversion were decided. Of course it implied the re-spacing and re-aligning of the complete driveline. A 51-tooth PBR rear sprocket was bolted-on for improved omph out of the hole

Wheels were designed by the Del Prado’s, then sent for machining and cutting to New Hampshire’s Thomason Performance. They are dressed with Continental Attack 2 tires, a high performance/light/precise Supersport  series for street usage with excellent reputation for outstanding grip and curve stability. Triple clamps from Chainsikle were bolted to the frame to install the high end performance Öhlins forks  On top, the clip-ons were also sourced at Chainsikle. Custom alloy brackets were made to mount the carbon fiber front fender. Front & rear brakes are from Brembo, the rear one requiring the fabrication of a custom bracket.

A skinny rear fender attached to the frame via a pair of rods sacrifices functionality to aesthetics. Not always understood or even appreciated by clients, even apparent simple assembly tasks made on a custom  require lots of time. For example the speedo demanding a new housing that had to be water jetted and the new headlight also requiring custom made brackets. Hand controls are by Swedish ISR.

Ultra lightweight battery is from Ballistic Performance. Frame and oil tank were powder coated in deep low-gloss black. With orange wheels in contrast and a stripe paint job By walkers Way in traditional Harley color scheme, the C88 looks like an ultra exclusive custom street racer produced by the mother Factory. A compliment. The C88 is a beautiful and spirited Sportster with hard-edged attitude.


Leave a comment