Custom Road Glide Helps Raise Money for Charity
A win for both the buyer and those that benefit from the sale.
Worthy Cause
Charity auctions are a common sight at big auction houses like Barrett-Jackson and Mecum, routinely raking in millions for worthy causes. Oftentimes, these auctions consist of the "first" of some new type of vehicle, but there are also plenty of custom rides to bid on, too. The latest is this - a 2018 Harley Road Glide FLTRX that helped raise $25,000 for Helping with Horsepower and the Sturgis Rally Endowment at Mecum's Las Vegas auction.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Student Build
What's particularly interesting about this Road Glide is that it was donated by the City of Sturgis, South Dakota, and customized by students at Mitchell Tech. As such, this singular bike not only helps the city celebrate 83 years of hosting the ultimate Harley-Davidson rally, but it also taught some young and upcoming builders a thing or two.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Custom Touches
Those students went to work on the bike by relocating the horn to make space for the "MTC" logo, fabricating a custom shift linkage with the Sturgis Wing logo, cutting Paul Yaffee lights into the lower fillers, modifying the front and rear fenders, and customizing the dashboard to hold a Sturgis commemorative coin.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Bodywork and Paint
While Todd Dozark of Liquid Designs laid down the custom PPG blue and white paint, the custom Road Glide was also fitted with a Klock Werks modified metal dash, a flare windshield, a fairing vent screen a modified fender, and a Rockford Fosgate stereo to give it a unique look and some thumping sounds.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Performance Upgrades
In the powertrain department, the custom Harley was treated to a Harley-Davidson Road Glide and Street Glide Stage 2 Kit, a Vance & Hines 2-into-1 Hi-Output RR stainless exhaust system, and a Screamin’ Eagle Milwaukee-Eight engine Stage IV kit, which results in a 114-inch displacement.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Extras
Routing out this cool build are a set of Arlen Ness wheels, hubs, rotors, and air cleaner, as well as Cheeseman Fabrication brackets that raise the front of the gas tank. In addition to getting a sweet custom bike, the winning bidder also received a VIP Package for the 2023 Sturgis Rally that includes a five-night hotel stay at the Baymont Inn, concert tickets, passes to the VIP Hospitality Center, and more.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
Sponsors
Of course, this build wouldn't have been possible without help from a number of sponsors, and that list included Harley-Davidson itself, Black Hills Harley-Davidson in Rapid City, South Dakota, Dillion Brothers Harley-Davidson in Omaha, Nebraska, and J&L Harley-Davidson in Sioux Falls, South Dakota - all of which stepped in to help make this build a reality.
Photos: Mecum Auctions
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