XR 1200 Build

Day 30

The day has finally arrived. The bike is finished!
Thank you to all who followed along so patiently. We think it looks pretty mean. Let us know what you think.











Day 23

Vance & Hines gave us this cool exhaust tip to work with so we fabbed up the rest of the exhaust using stainless tubing with a hand tweaked two into one and our own head pipes. One could consider this an updated cafe pipe. We also moved the oil cooler from the side of the bike to underneath the neck and installed crash sliders. Not that we plan on crashing or anything...but you never know!






Day 21
The frame & swing arm are back from Olympic Powder Coating after a layer of charcoal texture was applied. The Engine is back as well and the prototype Turbo Wheels with the Tuxedo finish is looking sharp.

Single sided swing arm with eccentric hub.

Ohlins forks, custom triples and clip-ons.

Day 17
The keys to looking elegant are simplicity and giving proper attention to details. This is what we strive for with the new Tuxedo finish on our Turbo wheel. With two distinct black surface finishes, this is taking black to the next level.
Enjoy.



Day 14-16
Money shot.



Day 12-13
Belly pan....Check!

Day 11
Tail section...Check!


Day 1-10
We decided to make things interesting with this XR1200 build. The RSD team is currently working hard on transforming this simple industrial motorcycle into a stylish high performance sportbike. Keep your eye on this build as our next challenge will be to design a custom aluminum tail section and belly-pan with an integrated oil tank.



• Single-sided swingarm with Ohlins shock and Ducati linkage.
• Ohlins GSX-R front fork


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Strength, Function and Form

Our new steel struts in this fender kit are the perfect example of reduction of cost without compromising quality. We lost the billet and went with a steel strut giving you a bitchin' vintage style steel part that matches our existing steel products and reduces cost while maintaining strength, function and form.

Features:
• Direct bolt-on to HD Softails (except Rocker) • Struts made from 3/8" thick 1018 Steel and available in chrome or black powdercoat finishes • Fender made from 1018 steel and available in raw finish only • Available with RSD 200mm rear fender or struts available separately for use with many other custom fenders • All Necessary Hardware Included • Quality Sheet Metal Work Requires Minimal Preparation For Paint
* Requires fender supports to be cutt off from stock chassis on 1990-2007 models
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Customer Highlight

We get tons of amazing images from customer's with RSD products on their bikes, but when we saw Johns bike we had to post it. Check out this killer bike and a word from the creator himself.

Roland & Crew,

Just wanted to thank you guys for your products. When converting my
"perfectly good" '07 R1 into a one-of-a-kind Street Fighter, I
installed your top triple clamp and bar risers. They look great and I
get lots of compliments on them. I'm no Roland Sands by any stretch
of the imagination, but my foray into motorcycle "building" and the
whacky world of fiberglass fabrication was an experience I'll not soon
forget -- and neither will my skin in which I burned more than a
couple holes with caustic resin!

Again, thanks...

John Woods




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RSD Helmet Giveaway

2 Days left!

A brand new helmet is hard to come by these days. We love to ride just as much as you do and we understand that your helmet can get pretty thrashed over time. We want to keep you safe and in style while you ride, so shoot us over a picture of YOU HOLDING your beat up/crashed/worn out helmet that you currently rock and we'll pick the lid that is most worthy of replacement.

Here's Rolands entry see if you can beat it!

Send your helmet picture to info@rolandsands.com or post it on our Facebook fanpage to enter. At the end of the raffle we'll pick the most deserving helmet to be replaced. The winner has the option of choosing any RSD signature helmet. See terms for details.

Check out the RSD Bell Helmets in this fancy video.

We have teamed up with Bell Helmets for another year with a pair of new helmets in addition to the C-Note Star and the Skulls Drifter which carry over from 2009. Check out the Grunt Drifter and the new Vortex in all its glory. Check out the 2010 Bell Catalog to see the entire line. Visit here for purchasing information.


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Blog-it of the month!

We've been receiving tons of links to our fanpage and other forums with pictures of your bikes with RSD product on it! Check out a few of these video posts and how to get your hands on a Free RSD Go Ride Tee below.


The owner of this bike will receive a $100.00 RSD Gift Certificate for accumulating over 10,000 views! Contact info@rolandsands.com for more information.



Dust off your camera and brush up on your photo skills cuz’ RSD has gone viral and we want you to join us. Take some pics/video of you, your RSD product and your bike then post it online somewhere (Blogspot, YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, etc). Hit us up at info@rolandsands.com with a link to your post and we will hit you back with a free, limited edition, RSD “Go Ride” T-shirt. It’s that easy.

Every month we will be picking the best of the best and posting them right here on the official RSD Blog, so make sure your pics/videos are super stylish. We want you to get creative, have some fun and show us how much you enjoy riding with your RSD product. Be one of the first 5 customers to get 10,000 video hits and we will hook you up with a $100 RSD gift certificate.

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MCN

Shaw HD has been rippin it up in the world custom scene - and now they have launched the Custom and Speed shop for you to build your own creation. Check out this article on MCN for more information!




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Victory Capone

Xtreme Bikes Magazine featured a kickass article on the Victory Capone! Well the pictures look pretty kickass but we can't read the article so we're just assuming it's good too. Check it out!

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Road Glide

Big props to Matt Risley and his 06 Road Glide. This beauty made it on the May issue cover of Hot Bike Baggers sporting our Diesel Wheels and Grips. Grab your copy and check out this great bike!





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Architects of Inspiration

If you haven’t heard, RSD partnered with Toyota and Upper Playground for last year’s IMS tour. As part of that, we’ve gathered some of the best artists in the world and put them in an airplane hanger at the Long Beach Airport over the week. They were busy preparing and painting huge gallery walls, which were on display at the IMS shows across the nation. Each artist’s piece will tell a unique story of an RSD bike, Toyota truck, or Bell Helmet. It is a really cool concept combining motors (trucks and Motorcycles) with Art work and has been a show-stopper. Check out this unique blend of motors, art and vision. Below is a list of the featured artists as well as a video from Socalactionsports.

Roland dealing with the Man

The builder, beauty, and the beast

Estevan Oriol

Jona Cerwinske

Sam Flores

Karl Drehsen

Saber

N8 Van Dyke

Roland Sands and the Smokin’ Seagulls crew (friends of RSD)

We want to extend a round of thanks to everyone that participated in this endeavor! You all know who you are and how inspiring your contributions are to the success of this show and our collaborations. We all had a hand in something that transcended genres of art, mechanics, function, and life. Thanks again for everything everyone of you are an Architect of Inspiration!

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Mickey Rourke's Bike

Day 10

Well with all the fab work complete on Mickey's bike it is time to dismantle it and get it ready for the new finishes. One key part to the finish work on anything is the paint. So before we paint our gas tanks we send them out for sealing. We take our tanks to "Gary's Radiator" in Fullerton CA. Every time you go see Bob Hornidge who owns Gary's Radiator it is a real treat. Apparently someone told the California fish and game department about Bob's pet alligator "Reggie II". They were there thirty minutes before I arrive to drop off the tank. I was super bummed to find out Reggie II and been abducted by the government. I've watched Reggie grow up from a 6inch gator to a menacing 3ft garbage disposal. I can only hope Reggie gets the same care at his new home as he received in the radiator shop. If you ever in Fullerton do yourself a favor and stop by to see Bob, he is one of the coolest cats I know. I always describe his shop as what I picture heaven looking and feeling like. Thank God for true Americans like Bob. When people talk about someone being a one of a kind they usually exaggerate, but Bob is no exaggeration in the one of a kind dept. Tell him Rodney sent you and he might give you a Budweiser and let you feed the huge totus that roams the yard. Plus if you need a gas tank sealed or a radiator fixed there is no one better.



Gary's Radiator
225 West Truslow Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832-2390
(714) 526-3367




Day 9

A few wise words from RSD,
When we successfully take the long way, we realize we would not have changed one single thing about the way we went, even if it took us much longer than expected. We realize there is a reason for everything and we appreciate all we have learned. Eventually, we even understand that we didn’t take the long way, but rather we took the only path we could.
That was deep. Enjoy the raw bike!

Day 8

Have you ever been in a race? Everyone has even if they don't even know it. The trash man might be racing the car that is trying to exit it's driveway, the secretary might be racing to finish the 1084 form early in order to have an extra 5 minutes for a smoke break, it doesn't really matter what you are racing but we all are racing in one way or another. Well the race consists of a few parts, the start, the main body and the finish. All parts of the race are important in their own way but if you don't finish with a little pizzazz no one will remember you. You may have started well and been really consistent throughout the middle of the race but if you don't have a strong finish you will be forgotten. I relate this to bike building or art in general; it is the finish work that really makes the piece memorable. Here are a few examples of finish you might enjoy.

-Rodney-

Day 7:

I asked Aaron to mount the battery, make sure it is secured properly and to make sure it is visually pleasant to look at. I was impressed when I came over at the end of the day and he had built a full containment unit complete with stainless mesh panels on all sides. Well their isn't any chance of the battery moving let alone escaping this prison like environment Aaron created. After examining and thinking about what he did I believe I'm going to invite him over this weekend to build a containment unit to catch the wild rabbit that terrorizes my yard. I spent countless hours nurturing my sweet peas and once they bloomed that damn rabbit had his way with them real savage like. Looking at the quality work Aaron did on the battery I would have to say the rabbit has no chance and my flowers will flourish just as the bike is beginning to bloom right before my eyes. It's nice to be surrounded by talented people.

-Rodney-

Day 6:

The time has come to get back to work on Mickey's bike. We all know the story of the St Bernard saving the stuck hikers in the snow. He comes with whisky in a barrel strapped to his neck and the people are saved, drunk and happy. Well this isn't anything like that. When this oil bag supplies it's slick content to the motor all hell might brake loose. Mothers grab your babies and hide your daughters, Mickey will be ripping through the streets thanks to the 2 quarts of oil supplied by this mini barrel of lubrication.

-Rodney-

Day 5:

Today I watched as Rodney bitched at Jeff and shouted orders across the shop while “working”. The oil bag sat lonely under the bike awaiting tubing and mounting devices as Rodney rambled on about things pertaining to the ever increasing price of orange juice and flour. Jeff idled slowly by as Rod’s continued dissertations flowed through the shop in and out of the ears of compatriots as they passed by. I could tell his patience was running short and the relationship stressed by flying sparks and shards of metal was at a crucial moment. Things proved more fruitful towards the later part of the day. The oil bag mounted and the gas tank nearly finished provided evidence the relationship was still operational.
RS

Day 4:

With the frame and swingarm done it is time to tackle the tank. With a little wrestling and a few select words, a tunnel, tank halves and knee pockets have appeared. Now that we have the structure of our tank we will look to the rear of the bike and apply some love to the tail section. I can only hope the tail section accepts the affection I’m prepared to give it. Many tail sections and I have failed to make a connection which leaves them laying in the scrap bin and me alone wondering where I went wrong in the relationship. In these lonely times we learn about ourselves and gather up the strength to move on. Often through heartache beauty is born, I just hope we go all the way on the first date.

-Rodney-

Day 3:

Well we are back at the fixturing table and the swingarm is speaking sweet nothing to Jeff and myself. Each tube is falling into place like soldiers on parade. The shock mount is positioned on the demmeler table and there is no escape in sight. It will concede just as the rest of the tubes have done. Tonight Jeff and I will be drinking cold Budweisers knowing we won the battle of 4130 street.

-Rodney-

Day 2:

With the help of a whip, I’ve managed to get Jeff to roll the backbone and the two rear legs on Mickey’s new frame. Pain seems to be inspiration for him. When we start the swingarm I might need a small bat to extract the desired results from Jeff.

-Rodney-

Day 1:

Well not exactly day one, the first day was spent taking apart a complete 05 softail. We used the neck and frame cradle to start our build. The remainder of the bike will be put to sleep in our stock Harley graveyard next door. May all those unwanted parts RIP. Tomorrow we will begin the rebuild of the chassis, make her better, stronger and faster. Stay tuned for updates.

-Rodney-

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