'Distressed' Harley Road King Custom

Distressing chrome and paintwork has been popular in the custom car world for some time but this is the first time we’ve seen it applied to a Bagger Harley.

Chris from Fox Custom Paint and Ric Greene from Southeast Custom Cycles (both based in Carolina USA) began working on the 2005 Road King custom when they noticed how much attention the rat rods at a custom show were getting versus the glossy, show winning hot rods and bikes.

The thought of taking all of the chrome and scuffing it down to unfinished metal was heartbreaking, Ric explained, “most people would shoot me for doing that to their bike.” Ric was also thinking that he has to be able to sell the bike as a finished product.

He wondered if the idea was going to work out or if the bike he was defiling would turn into his ‘personal’ bike when it wouldn’t sell.

During the painting Chris sprayed $400 worth of paint on the bike and ended up sanding $300 of it off. The paint process implemented several layers of basecoats and different colour primers.

To get the optimal rust effect, a spray bottle of different colour base was squirted onto the bike. The spots ended up adding texture to the paint that enhances the patina look.

Chris and Ric’s fears of the bike being an ugly monster were unfounded. They feel the bike sets a new look in the growing sector of baggerland.

It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but, then again Ric’s not in business to build bikes like everyone else.

We asked Ric if this bike is the new trend on the scene and he said, “probably not, but it sure is cool seeing people’s reaction to the bike”.

Source: BaggersMag.com
By Toph Bocchiaro
Photography by Ric Gree