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Invoice Brosius shares a Harley road tracker construct together with his father…
Invoice Brosius grew up on the again of his father’s Harley-Davidson, as father and son adopted the flat observe races throughout California and the neighboring states, even cross-country. One of many mechanics from Modesto Harley-Davidson, Bob White, even taught younger Invoice the best way to assist in the pits, which allowed him to rub shoulders with legends of the game.
“I used to be about 13 years previous, and he taught me to groove the tires and alter the sprockets on the native races. A type of races on the Sacramento Mile I acquired to push the bike on my own out to the beginning line in entrance of the gang. We have been entrance row — I had Springsteen, Morehead to my left and Parker, Carr to my proper!”
Whereas Invoice by no means had fairly the pocketbook to assist a flat observe marketing campaign, he raced AFM (American Federation of Motorcyclists) for a number of years, rides hare scrambles together with his buddies, and is an teacher for Z2 Observe Days.
In 2021, we featured the 2001 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster road tracker that Invoice constructed to rejoice his father and their shared love of flat observe racing. It was an particularly transferring tribute, as Invoice’s father was identified with dementia and Parkinson’s, and their occasions collectively on the races have been among the reminiscences he retained. His father particularly cherished to take a seat and watch his son wrench on the machine every time he was on the town.
Quick ahead a bit, and Invoice’s mom had tasked him with promoting off his father’s bikes within the ultimate yr of his life. One was a 2003 one centesimal Anniversary Version 1200 Sportster, which gave Invoice an concept for an additional road tracker construct — and a brand new method to join together with his father.
“I assumed it will be cool to make 15-to-20-minute movies on YouTube in order that he might observe together with the construct. My mom would stream it to the TV and he might really feel like he was proper there with me as I used to be piecing it collectively! I despatched the primary video and it labored! My mom advised me that his eyes lit up seeing me and the construct occurring.”
It could be tough to think about a greater motive to construct one other road tracker, and Invoice went all out, ordering an arsenal of components to maintain the construct going week after week. Highlights embrace 19-inch wheels, Öhlins Black Collection forks and rear piggyback shocks, Brembo brakes, and components gleaned from varied Aprilia, Buell, Ducati, and Kawasaki fashions.
Invoice is not any stranger to the racetrack, and he builds his bikes to carry out in addition to they give the impression of being. This “Evil Twin” road tracker is not any exception:
“It has a easy switch from left to right-hand turns and it doesn’t thoughts in any respect to be sideways coming right into a nook…Passing liter bikes at Sonoma Raceway within the corners is without doubt one of the greatest issues this bike can do!”
Much more particular is the truth that Invoice completed the construct within the ultimate months of his father’s life — and his previous man was in a position to observe his son by means of each step of the method.
“For the final video I used to be in a position to fly right down to Arizona the place he lived and watch it facet by facet with him. The video was a recap of your complete construct and some laps across the observe at Thunderhill Raceway, CA. He couldn’t say very a lot however I acquired to see the enjoyment of the American thunder in his eyes. He had an ear to ear smile your complete time.”
What an unbelievable tribute. Thanks, Invoice, for sharing your story with us. You’ve completed your previous man proud — very rattling proud — and we’re honored to name you a good friend.
Sportster Avenue Tracker: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, mannequin, and yr of the donor bike?
This can be a 2003 Harley-Davidson 1200cc Sportster one centesimal Anniversary.
• Why was this bike constructed?
My father was identified with dementia and Parkinson’s, and within the ultimate yr of my father’s life, my mom had tasked me with promoting off his bikes and automobiles. This was a really exhausting process figuring out the long run we have been headed in direction of. The Sportster that was again east in Indiana wanted a brand new dwelling, so I rode it again to California and I had this nice concept to construct one other tracker, however this time I’d do extra!
His dementia was actually kicking in and he couldn’t maintain a dialog anymore over the cellphone. I had gotten a fairly large bonus at work, and I assumed it will be cool to make 15-to-20-minute movies on YouTube in order that he might observe together with the construct.
My mom would stream it to the TV and he might really feel like he was proper there with me as I used to be piecing it collectively! I despatched the primary video and it labored! My mom advised me that his eyes lit up seeing me and the construct occurring.
She continued to say that this was the one factor that he would pay any thoughts to on TV. I made some fairly poor monetary choices by ordering half after half so the movies might proceed and did a brand new video virtually each week till it was completed. I used to be in a position to full the bike throughout the final couple months of his life. He acquired to see and be part of this from begin to end.
For the final video I used to be in a position to fly right down to Arizona the place he lived and watch it facet by facet with him. The video was a recap of your complete construct and some laps across the observe at Thunderhill Raceway, CA. He couldn’t say very a lot however I acquired to see the enjoyment of the American thunder in his eyes. He had an ear to ear smile your complete time.
• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?
All through the years my father and I’d observe the flat observe circuit throughout the US, and I’d be touring with him on the again of his motorbike to look at the races. We might spend plenty of time within the pits trying on the completely different bikes and my father had a ardour for Harley-Davidson bikes. Flat observe was the game that Harley-Davidson dominated. This construct would resemble the first tracker that I constructed from a bunch of spare components, however it will be higher as a result of it will be all new components throughout the board.
• What {custom} work was completed to the bike?
This bike has the black collection Öhlins entrance finish with matching rear piggyback shocks. It has items from a bunch of various producers similar to Aprilia RS250, Kawasaki ZX10, Ducati Diavel, Aprilia RSV4, Buell Lightning, and different custom-made components. Each half took some fabrication to adapt. Customized triples, rear Brembo caliper mount, cables / strains, wiring for relocations, 19-inch wheel conversion, and brake system modifications.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
“The Evil Twin.”
• Any concept of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?
Sitting at simply over 400lbs. This Sportster has 67 horsepower at 70 ft-lb at 4000 rpm.
• Are you able to inform us what it’s wish to experience this bike?
This bike rides wonderful! I’m the man who will experience a bike and actually perceive each half that was chosen so as to add to a construct. It’s an artwork piece with horsepower! With the 13.5-inch shocks within the rear, it actually stabilizes the entrance finish. It has a easy switch from left to right-hand turns and it doesn’t thoughts in any respect to be sideways coming right into a nook.
The Brembo brakes together with the Öhlins make this machine an actual demon. You’ll be able to experience this bike with a ton of confidence till the circumstances hit! Passing liter bikes at Sonoma Raceway within the corners is without doubt one of the greatest issues this bike can do!
• Was there something completed throughout this construct that you’re significantly pleased with?
I’m pleased with the colour arrange together with the two:2 S&S pipes. This bike was constructed to be the “Evil Twin” of the primary tracker, and I believe I nailed it.
• Is there anybody you’d wish to thank?
I wish to thank my mom for serving to share the enjoyment to my father ever week. The video calls to see my father watching made each undertaking worthwhile.
• Components, Manufacturers, and Mentions:
Öhlins Racing, Saddlemen, Brembo, S&S Cycle, Progrip, Protaper, Supertrapp Industries, Movement Professional, Z2 Trackdays, Harley-Davidson
Observe the Builder @cleanedwithqtips
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