June 2007
Baggers Rule!
Not Your Father's Garbage Wagon
by KIT MAIRA / V-Twin
Back in 2000 when Bill Rucker was the CEO of American IronHorse they built a little bagger. It didn't do all that well, so Bill did his own analysis and concluded that for the money, it didn't give the long distance riders what they needed. If these riders wanted to ride to Sturgis or cross-country, they'd buy a dresser from Harley that already came fully equipped for the task. Still, he thought there were riders out there like himself who ride a lot, but wanted something that also looks cool.
The first bike he bought after leaving AIH to start Rucker Performance (a high-end motorcycle performance think tank) was an Electra Glide. He spent a lot of time on it, customized it to his liking and got to know what made it tick. He started looking at the dresser market and asked himself how to make something happen. He hooked up with Bruce Rossmeyer, a big Harley dealer in Florida, and told him that he needed some product to play with. Bruce had some slightly used police bikes in his stable and Bill started going over the pluses of the platform. Two things stuck out: these bikes were hotter performers and equipped with ABS brakes, so they stopped better. Bruce said, "I need a bike to ride to Sturgis. I'm going to send you a bike, see what you can do in a month and half."
Bill and his crew from Rucker Performance went to work. He modified the swingarm to allow for a 200-series (18-inch) Metzeler rear tire. This meant widening the fender and manufacturing fender filler panels. He wanted to bike to have close to the same footprint as stock, so he figured out how to mount both the bags using the stock mounts without widening their stance, while hiding the brackets. The ABS hardware behind the bags had to be hidden, so they stole a little space in the right saddlebag. He also lowered the bike fore and aft 1 1/2 inches.
Six-inch extended panels were added to the gas tank, stretching it for a "nice custom look." They came up with a system to rebuild the wiring harness so it enters through the front of the console instead of through the rear. Overall, they looked to the Screamin' Eagle Street Glide for the design they wanted to emulate, then came up with ideas of their own. The goal was to keep the bike as Harley mechanic-friendly as possible, while giving the bagger a clean custom look.
The bike really wouldn't be a custom without a wild custom paintjob, so Rucker Performance poured on a Candy Apple Red and black design, with silver pinstriping to put the icing on the cake. They painted the lower legs, cowbells and nacelle to match the rest of the bike. Bill ran into a challenge adapting the 18-inch billet Ness wheels to the ABS sensor, which they overcame. A Russ Wernamont fender was fitted to fit the new profile of the front tire. Beach bars were also added to make it more comfortable for the rider.
The Police motors are hotter out of the factory than the civilian models, but since they needed freshening up, they built them up to 96.6 inches. Keith Black pistons and a performance chip from Harley brought the horsepower up from the stock 73 horses to nearly 90, with 98 foot-pounds of torque. They retained the crossover header pipes and fitted them with D&D stainless steel Enforcer mufflers with a slash cut to clear the curbs. It resulted in a sweet sounding exhaust that wasn't to loud for highway cruising.
Rucker Performance wanted to create a cool custom bagger that is still functional and they did just that. The bike has a comfortable seat, ample carrying capacity and is still able to run a windshield if the rider wants to. The bikes also accept the Harley Tour Pak or passenger backrest. Bill says it's like "having your cake and eating it too."
Rucker Performance has now built 40 custom dressers based on this platform and they are strong sellers in the market. Priced at just around 30 grand, these bikes meet the demands of an upscale rider that wants Harley dependability and comfort with a smart custom look.
Rucker Performance
5518 E Belknap Street
Fort Worth TX 76117
817-838-3200
www.ruckerperformance.com
Owner: Bruce Rossmeyer
City: Dayton, Florida
General
Model: Road King
Design: Rucker Performance
Fabrication: Rucker Performance
Chroming: North Texas Quality Chrome
Engine
Model: Harley-Davidson
Displacement: 96.6 cubic inches
Modifications: S&S .510 cam, Kith Black pistons
Carb: Fuel Injected
Exhaust: D&D
Frame
Builder: Harley-Davidson
Type: Rubber-mount
Rake: stock
Front End
Type: Road King
Builder: Harley-Davidson
Paint
Painter: Rucker Performance
Type/color: House of Kolor/Candy Apple Red/Black
Special Paint: Silver pinstripe
Accessories
Bars: Beach bars
Grips: Screamin' Eagle
Mirrors: Screamin' Eagle
Headlight Harley-Davidson
Taillight: Harley-Davidson
Fenders: Rucker Performance
Electrics: Heavy Duty Electrical
Wheels
Make: Ness
Size: 18-inch with 200-series rear
Brakes: Harley-Davidson
Tires: Metzeler
Photos: Darryl Briggs
June 26, 2007 9:40 AM | send page | Press Releases