2015 FLHX Street Glide Gets 'Baden-Baden' Treatment
Quality and innovation are top priorities in this very cool build.
Mild to Wild
Rick's Motorcycles in Baden-Baden, Germany builds 'bad' Baggers in the best kind of way. As the custom arm of Rick's Harley-Davidson dealership, the shop is one of the oldest V-Twin customizers in Europe. From humble beginnings in 1994, owner Patrick Knörzer first built swingarm kits for wide tire conversions. He now offers mild to wild fabrication and a full line of custom parts.
Clean Ride
Carrying the namesake of the European spa town, this massaged 2015 FLHX Street Glide is one clean ride. It incorporates the 'big-wheel' Bagger look with a low-profile stance, yet keeps true to the stripped-down intentions of the FLHX. Known for building rideable customs, Rick's Motorcycles has an impressive portfolio of bikes — many which have been featured on the cover of Easyriders.
Solid Performer
Powering the Street Glide is a 103 cubic-inch Twin Cam. It breathes through a K&N filter, housed in a Rick's Motorcycle 'Good Guys 2' air cleaner. Reduced to the basics, the blacked-out unit mirrors the custom front wheel. A solid performer, the 103 Twin Cam cranks out 75 horsepower and 90-foot-pounds of torque — with a little extra boost from the Stage 1 treatment.
Seven Sins
The FLHX channels just the right amount of its big-wheel Bagger brethren with a twenty-three-inch 'Seven Sins' front wheel. With a design nod to five-spoke Invader rims, the front rolling stock is yet another quality product from Rick's Motorcycle. With an emphasis on rideability, the contrast-cut wheel is machined from one block of aluminum and comes with a guarantee of strength.
Distinctive Feature
Eye-catching paint makes this customized FLHX Street Glide a standout. Sprayed by Auto & Lack, the two-tone matte paint gracefully flows with the contours of the Batwing fairing. As the Street Glide's most distinctive feature, the Batwing has evolved over the decades. Its complex, yet elegant, the form is the result of thousands of hours of wind tunnel tests and rider feedback.
Catalogue Parts
Chunky Jekyll & Hyde end caps poke out of a tidy rear end. The Street Glide is a streamlined and stretched build that exhibits a measure of restraint. The wide rear fender, bags, and inserts are all from Rick's Motorcycle catalog. The fender is two inches longer than stock, and the insert's openings have been designed to accept CVO indicator lenses.
Ride Height
The stance is everything on this custom Bagger. The frontend has been kicked out with a Rick's Motorcycle 'Touring 7° Triple Tree' to accommodate the over-sized frontend. Looking right at home, a custom-designed, all-steel, wrap-around fender hugs the front rubber. Rear air suspension gives the FLHX a slammed-look when parked, but just the right ride height when cruising.
Quality Glide
Quality and innovation are top priorities at Rick’s Motorcycles. For almost two decades they have supplied domestic-made parts and complete builds to Harley-Davidson fans throughout Europe. Their dedication was recognized in 2016 when they received Germany's Dealer of the Year award. Decked-out in custom accouterments, this Street Glide is more than ready to hit the streets — or rather, 'die Strassen von Baden-Baden.'
Photos Courtesy of Peter Schulz
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