When Ed Hennessey brought his 2008 Harley-Davidson Street Glide to Roaring Toyz all he wanted was a 26-inch front wheel conversion.
What Hennessey got was a fully customized bagger to match his stable of custom black vehicles.
Roaring Toyz boss Robert Fisher and well known v-twin builder Kory Souza –the resident Harley-Davidson expert at Roaring Toyz – began with a Performance Machine 26-inch Paramount Platinum Finish front wheel. The installation process involved cutting the neck of the frame and welding on a new one that had more rake. The neck was also stretched and raised two inches to make room for the wheel.
The triple clamps were replaced with a set of billet raked trees with calculated offset to ensure proper rake and trail on the Street Glide. Even the upper fairing was raked to aim the headlight properly. Finally, the fork internals on the 08 Harley-Davidson were changed to improve suspension with the new wheel.
With the wheel in place Fisher and Souza went to work on brakes. A single-disc Performance Machine Paramount rotor was complemented by a six-piston caliper for stopping power. Other improvements up front included a set of Black Anodized Billet Hidden Axle Single Disc Lower Fork Tubes topped with a set of Contrast Cut Billet Cow Bells. The new 26-inch wrap-style front fender, Vee Rubber tire and custom stainless steel braided brake line—coated in white with red ends—completed the massive front-end conversion on Hennessey’s Street Glide.
With a completely customized front it was impossible to leave the rest of the Harley-Davidson stock. The 08 Street Glide got a set of Milwaukee Bagger stretched saddlebags and a stretched rear fender with a countersunk license plate bracket. Thanks to the integrated taillight and turn signals in the bracket, the rear end looks a lot more clean and sleek.
Hennessey wanted his Street Glide to match his other vehicles, so it got a flat black paint job highlighted with white, red and black pinstripes. Subtle, but a head-turner nonetheless.
Anyone who knows Roaring Toyz also knows that cosmetic changes aren’t enough to qualify as a full custom. The Street Glide’s horsepower got a boost with a Performance Machine Super Gas Air Intake with a matching Paramount faceplate and a Rhinehart full exhaust. The fuel injection was also remapped with a Power Commander.
And what’s a custom bagger without ape hangers? The flat black Todd’s Cycles 14-inch strip handlebars on this build were customized with gloss black pinstripes to match the body. Handlebar switch wires were run inside the bars for a clean look, and the grips are custom contrast-cut billet and rubber beauties.
Other Roaring Toyz touches include powdercoating, gloss black pieces for contrast, a custom seat pan in suede with red stitching, and rear air ride. Performance Machine upgrades include the floorboards, a heel/toe shifter, and a rear brake pedal.
Anyone who sees this Roaring Toyz Harley-Davidson Street Glide on the road is going to take notice. But just in case, the custom Alpine deck with MB Quart component speakers and amplifiers will be happy to announce the bike’s arrival. For Roaring Toyz and this Street Glide, it’s all about looking good, riding hard, and letting everyone know it.