Sportster S BLACKOUT

Blackout! – Rick’s Style for clean Sportster S!

Flashback 1981: When the “Scorpions” started recording their legendary eighth studio album, Harley-Davidson still was owned by AMF. When “Blackout” was released in March ’82, Harley-Davidson was once again “on its own wheels” – but the Sportster “Ironhead” was still “state of the art” in the evolving model range. The Hard Rockers from Hanover/Germany are still headbanging – and Harley-Davidson has radically expanded and created new and advanced models. There is a long history from the air-cooled Sportster models to the radical “Sportster S”, with 1250 cc and over 100 hp at the read wheel: The “S” is a radical street bike for riders.

11. July 2024

Blackout! – Rick’s Style für die Sportster S!

Als die “Scorpions” im März 1981 ihr legendäres achtes Studio-Album angingen gehörte Harley-Davidson noch zu AMF, als “Blackout” erschien, stand Harley-Davidson wieder “auf eigenen Rädern” – aber die Sportster “Ironhead” war noch im Modellprogramm der Stand der Technik. Die Hardrocker aus Hannover rocken noch immer – und Harley-Davidson hat das Rad der Modellgeschichte radikal weitergedreht. Bei den Sportster Modellen bis zur radikalen “Sportster S”, mit 1250 ccm und über 100 PS ein radikales Streetbike für Kenner. Was an der Optik noch verschärft werden kann hat Rick’s Motorcycles nach der Premiere der Sportster S in rasanter Geschwindigkeit entwickelt: Eine Suche nach “Sportster S” Customparts im Rick’s Motorcycles Shop ergibt über 70 Ergebnisse. Der Rick’s Heckumbau mit seitlichem Nummernschildhalter, Rick’s Blinkerhalter-Kit mit Kellermann “Atto” 3-in-1 LED Rück-, Brems- und Blinkleuchten hat sich quasi als “Szenestandard” durchgesetzt. Gleiches gilt für die Abdeckcover in den Designvarianten “Smooth” und – hier verbaut – “Premium”, die man am günstigsten gleich im Set erwirbt. Am besten packt man – wie hier geschehen – den Beltschutz aus Edelstahl mit drauf und legt das Serien-Plastikteil ins Regal.

Following the premiere of the Sportster S, Rick’s Motorcycles has developed new parts for a improved and clean look of the Sportster S in lightning speed: The search for “Sportster S” custom parts at Rick’s Motorcycles Shop yields over 70 results – and counting! The clean Rick’s Motorcycle tailend conversion with sidemount license plate bracket, Rick’s turn signal bracket kit featuring Kellermann 3-in-1 function LED tail- & brakelights plus turn signals has virtually become the “standard” for the custom scene.

The same applies to the Rick’s Sportster S cover lines, available in the design variations “Smooth” and – installed at this bike – “Premium”, which are best purchased as a set. Add – as in this case – the stainless steel belt guards and throw the stock plastic part on the shelf where it may rest in peace.

The Rick’s Motorcycles customized Sportster S presented here is an excellent example of how the stock “S” can be transformed into a radical custom ride without major changes to either paintwork or drivetrain. Installed is a complete Rick’s Sportster S “Premium” cover set, handlebar tip turn signals, front fender, headlight mask, rear turn signal conversion, side mounted license plate, belt guard, open rotating (!) belt pulley, right swingarm cable guard and Rick’s AK 4.7 pegs and shifter pegs – almost everything the “Sportster S” customizing program in the Rick’s webstore is able to offer – except for a set of Rick’s design wheels and the possible rear wheel expansion to a bigger 240 tire width.

In particular, the now open front belt pulley at the front with the distinctive “5-blade” propeller-like CNC-design in combination with the cool “slotted” Rick’s belt guards improves the look of the left engine side. The new Kellermann “Jetstream” lights are mounted at the rear: The spectacular 3-in-1 LED lights not just offer brake, tail light and turn signal functions – the indicator sequence now also runs like a “running light” from the inside to the outside, attracting even more attention than the already bright Kellermann “Atto”. With the Rick’s Motorcycles license plate holder on the left side, the standard bracket is “history”. The look of the Sportster S upgraded by Rick’s Motorcycles can also be described with a “Scorpions classic”: “Rock You like a Hurricane!” Or was it “Rick You…”?