Softail Slim Treated to Vintage Makeover
A low seat height was the perfect starting point for this custom ride
Infusing Harmony
Harley-Davidson shines the spotlight on nostalgia, but custom builders turn it all the way up. Winston Yeh is one such example. Since 2009, he has stamped a brand identity with of Rough Crafts, infusing the new with the old. His 'Crowned Stallion' is an excellent example of a signature approach that works in perfect harmony.
Present Day
When the Harley-Davidson Museum featured the works of Willie G. Davidson in 2016, they defined him as an artist, first and foremost. That same idea of artistry and craft has always been a guiding principle for Yeh, from his early days painting Roland Sands' shop walls, to a direction reflected in Rough Crafts' present-day mission statement.
>>Join the conversation about this old-school styled Softail Slim in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Limit Changes
With a 2014 Softail Slim as his preferred palette, Yeh set out to build a bobber-style bike that would fuses vintage design with modern technology. As a custom motorcycle shop based in Taiwan, Rough Crafts face unique challenges. Steep import tariffs almost double the cost of Harley-Davidsons, and the country's restrictive vehicle modification laws limit the extent of custom changes.
>>Join the conversation about this old-school styled Softail Slim in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Stealthy Touch
Art is unique to the individual, but circumstances can guide its design. For Yeh, his country's constraints only seem to have contributed to an extensive portfolio of custom bikes. The Rough Crafts look is unique, predicated by somewhat 'gothic,' blacked-out bikes. Perhaps wanting to fly under the proverbial radar, Yeh's designs are stealthy, if not a touch rebellious.
>>Join the conversation about this old-school styled Softail Slim in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Starting Point
With its gold flair, 'Crowned Stallion' is a little bit out of the norm for Rough Crafts. On the other hand, its brooding appearance is right in line with the shop's industrial aesthetic. Already a great-looking bike from the factory, the Slim's bobber-inspired design and a low seat height of twenty-four inches, made it the perfect starting point for a vintage-styled ride.
>>Join the conversation about this old-school styled Softail Slim in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Custom Cover
Most likely skirting some legislation, Yeh set to work cutting apart the rear section. Tucked under one of Rough Crafts' own Guerilla fenders is a chunky Avon AM21 wrapped around a 15'' custom spoke rim from California-based Exile Cycles. The front rolls on a 16'' rim, also from Exile, fitted with an equally bulbous Coker Indian Script Tire.
>>Join the conversation about this old-school styled Softail Slim in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Relaxed Riding
The Softail's 103 Twin Cam motor was left stock but received some cosmetic upgrades. Rough Crafts Split/Fin Rocker covers were bolted on, along with their own finned air cleaner. Fitted with a set of custom stainless pipes, the stumpy exhaust would audibly destroy any attempt at stealth for this ride. Performance Machine forward controls make for a relaxed riding position.
>>Join the conversation about this old-school styled Softail Slim in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
Functional Parts
Rounding out the vintage look is a set of Rough Crafts Billet Fork Covers. Detractors might be quick to point out the impracticality of the tires and exhaust, but the build really is more of an artwork. Crowned Stallion is a rolling showcase—all from a company that is dedicated to making functional custom parts and overcoming obstacles to build cool-looking bikes.
>>Join the conversation about this old-school styled Softail Slim in the Harley-Davidson Forum.
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