Street Glide “26”

19. February 2021

The Harley-Davidson Street Glide is one of the most loved Touring models. The cases offer room for luggage for the weekend trip and the Bad Wing fairing not only offers protection from wind and rain but is also a stylish masterpiece by the designers. Rick’s has suitable kits which convert the stock Tourer into an individual custom bike.

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The alterations that Rick’s Motorcycles made are not just limited to a few good looking custom parts that one can add quickly. The most demanding part of this project was no doubt the implementation of the front wheel, since it is not only a matter of simply putting a larger wheel into the fork. In order to exchange the original 19-inch wheel for a 26-inch wheel, a few changes are necessary, because by enlarging the wheel size, the whole geometry of the bike is being altered. In the end the whole bike would need to be lifted considerably at the front which, apart from the look, would also influence the trail negatively.

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Many customizers use large front wheels, and at Rick’s the problem is solved very consistently. In order to keep the riding performance of the stock bike with a larger wheel, essential changes are necessary. Above all, the steering head is located forward and adjusted to the new angle so that the frame beams run parallel to the road again. In addition, a Rick’s 9-degree triple tree was built in. But what sounds so easy here in fact requires a lot of craftsmanship and skill, especially since Rick’s offers this conversion, including frame adjustment, sanctioned by the TÜV. With Rick’s fork covers the gaps that are created through the altered angle can be hidden. The headlight now has to be adjusted as well. Since the original version now points to the sky, the angle is adjusted with a headlight adapter. For riders who prefer an upright riding position, Rick’s offers the one used here in 350 and 400 mm height.

Back to the front wheel, as this requires most of our attention. As already said, this now measures a proud 26 inches. Rick’s designs and makes many different wheel designs and also this one was made by Rick’s. In the parts portfolio on this website it can be found among the 1-piece forged wheels under the name Supersteve.

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Now let’s look at the rear, which is also no longer stock. More ride comfort is increased at the push of a button by an airride system. Most striking is the stretched and curved fender, which was also made by Rick’s, as well as the matching cases. In order to achieve a smoothly flowing transition from the case to the bike, Rick’s side fillers were used, which perfectly fit into the existing stock locations.

There are, of course, many more highlights to be found on this bike. Be it the grips or the air filter, rest assured that all these parts were made at Rick’s in Baden-Baden. The color of the paint is called Warlord Grey and was specially mixed for Rick’s Motorcycles.

Customizing nowadays means much more than just adding individual parts, which often simply come from the catalog of one of the aftermarket parts distributors. But as this Street Glide shows, there is another way, which means making the parts yourself. On the one hand, with Rick’s you know which parts may possibly cause any problems when fitting them and on the other, the end result is consistent. And it can’t be denied that on this Tourer everything looks right.

Text & photos: Peter Schulz