Hide Sportster SP-20: A modern Harley Cafe Racer

Harley cafe racer
We don’t often feature modern Harley customs, but this cafe racer is worth closer inspection. It’s the latest machine from acclaimed Japanese builder Hide Motorcycles (aka HIDEMO) and it’s based on a 2003 XL1200S.

The standard Sportster, despite its low 28-inch seat height, always looked a little high off the ground, but the Hide SP-20 looks properly slammed. That’s due to a new tank, rear fender and spoked wheels; the front fender has been removed to improve aesthetics still further.

Harley cafe racer
According to Hide, the objective was to evoke a 1960s vintage racer look, creating a compact bike ideal for city streets. The internals of the dual plug, pushrod OHV Evolution motor are unmodified: with around 72 ft. lbs. of torque, performance is ample for this kind of machine.

Harley cafe racer
The motor will breathe a little easier though, thanks to a custom exhaust and a freeflowing Hide air intake assembly. The standard of finish is superlative, as you’d expect from the Kawasaki City company. And the low-key paint job shows that Harleys look better without metalflake and chrome.

This is one hog I’d love to have in my garage.

Harley cafe racer

2003 Harley-Davidson XL1200S custom
One-off mufflers, rear fender and fuel tank
Gurimeca brake muster assembly
Magura clutch lever assembly
Rear tire: Avon 16”
Front tire: Super Eagle 19”

HIDEMO parts
IG coil mount and meter mount assembly
Mini buttons for handlebar
Modified handlebar
Turn signals
Seat
Side number plate mount assembly
Air cleaner assembly
Paint

Harley cafe racer

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