Harley-Davidson’s Softail line is well-known for its showy, chrome cruisers, but nestled within the family is a rogue that does things a little differently: the Night Train.
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RIDING STYLEHelmet: New Max Demi Jet
Eyewear: Tag Heuer Physics
Jacket: Schott Perfecto
Pants: Hugo Boss Low-Rise
Gloves: Joe Rocket Sonic
Boots: Red Wing 969. (Click image to enlarge)
The Harley-Davidson Night Train—not to be confused with the high-alcohol-content wine favored by derelicts—is a retro-modern motorcycle distinguished by its blacked out details, bobtail fender, and narrow, raked front end. Not quite an authentic “bobber”—a 1940s-style custom with fenders rebelliously bobbed off—the Night Train’s appearance suggests lithe, relaxed cruising. Its long and low geometry makes it surprisingly easy to turn, and high, forward-placed footpegs avoid the grinding that is commonly experienced with floorboard-model Harleys. A forward-reaching posture and wide handlebars aid the Night Train’s maneuverability, making relatively high lean angles possible in spite of the rear weight bias and skinny front tire.
While off-the-rack Night Trains subtly hint at custom styling, the light work performed on this bike by Mad Dog Custom Cycles yields exponential results. Staggered Screamin’ Eagle exhaust pipes powder coated black by Extreme Performance Coating further the factory’s blacked-out theme and give the illusion that they are smaller than their stock, chrome counterparts. Darkening the pipes subdues the flash of their horizontal sweep, drawing the eye to the Night Train’s 88 cu in V-twin. Available with a carburetor or Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection, the engine produces a hefty 85 ft lbs of torque at only 3,000 rpm, accelerating the bike’s considerable weight with ease.
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Being seated so low and close to the engine imparts a feeling of
oneness with the bike’s mechanicals, and that bond is made more luxurious thanks
to Conejo Upholstery’s custom seat. With reformed foam that offers greater
comfort for long rides, the suede inserts add texture to the black leather,
while the smoothed-out form delivers a more sculptural, streamlined alternative
to the stock seat. Though the added comfort is a welcome addition to the rider,
passengers may find riding pillion uncomfortable on long journeys. (Click image to enlarge)Also lightening the visual load is the replacement of the solid aluminum rear wheel with a larger, spoked 18-inch stainless steel wheel clad with an aggressive 200mm Metzeler tire. Black powder coated rims and hubs highlight the spokes, and a larger, similarly powder coated 21-inch front wheel enhances the bike’s road presence. The mostly chrome front end of the stock version may balance the Night Train’s black components, but Mad Dog’s Greg Langford contributed to this bike’s blacked-out details by powder coating the Drag Specialties bars, Pro One triple trees, and Küryakyn headlight and turn signals. Black fork sliders and a black air cleaner complement the bike’s muted tones. While this Night Train’s burgundy paint prevents black from completely dominating the bike’s form, the overall visual impression is one of clean lines and a smooth, restrained elegance.
“What we can do,” explains Mad Dog Custom Cycles owner Marty Davis, “is only limited by what [the owner’s] pocket can bear.” Davis’ Agoura Hills, California shop is capable of custom fabricating fenders, tanks, and even motors, specializing in Harleys, as well as virtually any brand of custom chopper, including Big Dog and Iron Horse. In the case of this Night Train, modifications totaled about $4,500—a little under a third of the stock bike’s MSRP. “We’ve got Harleys on the floor with $20,000 of work on them,” Davis says, reemphasizing that “it’s up to the customer.”
Riding this particular Night Train is a classic Harley experience. The balanced Twin Cam 88 B engine, whose low-frequency vibrations are in keeping with the bike’s laid-back, pleasant demeanor, is reassuringly low to the ground and creates a center of gravity that makes handling manageable. Fatter-than-stock pullback bars enhance the Night Train’s out-of-the-box ergonomic friendliness and augment the already relaxed riding position.
Gear shifts are long and slow, but engagement is solid and
the ratios allow for responsive, but not blazingly fast, acceleration. A new
clutch mechanism features a 25-percent reduction in lever effort, allowing for
smoother take-offs and less fatigue. Tank mounted gauges free the triple tree of
visual clutter, and their clean look and legibility make them thematically
consistent with the bike’s silhouette. The absence of a tachometer underlines
the Night Train’s easy-going personality, allowing the rider to focus on the
engine’s audible clues to rpm and shift points rather than a numerical
representation of engine speed.
The Night Train’s ride is more comfortable
than sporting, and while suspension is soft and compliant, road irregularities
can sometimes jar the front forks. Brakes feel solid and work quite well, and,
in typical cruiser style, the rear weight bias allows for heavy activation of
the rear brakes without lockup.
While rough roads and emergency stops are an
inescapable part of the real world, this Harley-Davidson combats urban chaos
with an individualistic attitude and nostalgic modifications. Its spare lines,
mechanical simplicity, and subdued use of chrome offer a stylistic alternative
to the archetypal Softail. Free from components that might muddy the original
intention of the bike, this lightly modified Harley exemplifies the result of a
factory theme that has been tastefully extended by aftermarket work.
Through
the collaboration between its owner and Mad Dog Custom cycles, this
Harley-Davidson Night Train has become more than a carefully modulated
combination of powder coating, painting, and parts; it has become a personalized
expression of an American theme.
www.maddogcustomcruisers.com | 818.706.3641
www.h-d.com