Custom V-Rod Makes a Case For Model's Return

Still Popular

The Harley-Davidson V-Rod exited this world just a few years ago, but it still looms large in the minds of many enthusiasts. There are a lot of folks out there that wish that particular model would return to MoCo's lineup, but alas, that hasn't happened and doesn't appear likely to do so. Regardless, there are many cool custom V-Rods still popping up today, including this fine example from Fredy Jaates, a builder located in the small country of Estonia.

Photos: Fredy.ee

V-Rod Specialist

Jaates focuses mainly on V-Rods and has churned out more than 50 of them to date, so he's quite familiar with this particular bike, which is a 2002 model. As one can see, the build list for this V-Rod is quite extensive, and the look is decidedly old school with loads of chrome and even some white letter tires.

Photos: Fredy.ee

Rolling Stock

The 2002 V-Rod rolls on a set of Venom Wheels that measure 19x3" up front and 18x10.5" in the rear for a proper hot rod look, and they're wrapped in 120/70ZR19 rubber in the front and 300/35VR18 in the rear. A 13" front brake helps slow the whole thing down in a hurry, too.

Photos: Fredy.ee

Catalog of Parts

Meanwhile, this wicked V-Rod has also been fitted with an Öhlins rear suspension and a front fork lowering kit to help its aggressive stance, while Fredy.ee provided a host of other components from its catalog including the instrument panel bracket, license plate bracket, fuel tank, rear fork, pivot shaft, rear axle, and risers.

Photos: Fredy.ee

Shiny Stuff

As for chrome, it's safe to say that there's lots of it here, covering parts such as the rear turn signals, foot peg mounting pins, front, and rear axle covers, thermostat housing, belt covers, switch housings, hand controls, mirrors, shift linkage, and fork sliders, to name a few.

Photos: Fredy.ee

The Beat Goes On

This V-Rod's extensive list of upgrades continues with various bits and pieces including a Motogadget speedometer housing and instrumentation, braided coolant hoses, LED turn signals, aftermarket handlebars, shifter peg, and footpegs, plus an exhaust system from CFR to help wake it up a bit.

Photos: Fredy.ee

Conjuring up Memories

Add it all up, and you've got a timeless example of a custom V-Rod that most fans of the long-running model would give their seal of approval to. It also makes us long for the days when Harley sold the V-Rod new on the showroom floor, giving us a bit of a factory hot rod bike to choose from.

Photos: Fredy.ee

>>Join in the conversation about this Custom V-Rod right here in Harley-Davidson Forums.

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