Rough Crafts Taiwan – Principle designer Winston Yeh is one of many among the asian’s young generation with a passion for industrial design and product development, playing with graphics to redefine existing products.

The Asian custom bike builders loves design an aggressive stance, a leaning forward riding position, high rear shocks tail section, a dropped down tank, fat tire front wheel matching the rear one and almost always a very short front end.

Harley-Forty-Eight-Custom-by-Rough-Crafts	HARLEY FORTY-EIGHT ROUGH CRAFTS Replica of the Guerrilla Harley Sportster but based on a Iron 883 Sportster with an XL1200X for the donor motorcycle.
Guerrilla Harley Sportster Custom by Rough Crafts	GUERRILLA HARLEY SPORTSTER Based a 2009 Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883. The Rough Crafts custom bike was built by Winston Yeh, and features plenty of Rough Crafts along with a chopped front end.
The-Bomb-Runner-by-Rough-Crafts	THE BOMB RUNNER BY ROUGH CRAFTS Based a 2011 Sportster Forty-Eight 1200 from head to toe in a matte black paint job . This bike is the second offering in the line of “Guerilla” bikes.
Harley-Davidson-Fat-Boy-Shadow-Rocket-by-Rough-Crafts	Harley Davidson Fat Boy ShadowThe dark and glossy motorbike is covered in black from head to toe, and features new sheet metal throughout the entire body paired with a subtly chopped frame.
Harley-Knucklead-Custom-by-Rough-Crafts-x-Zero-Engineering	HARLEY KNUCKLEAD CUSTOM BY ROUGH Built around an S&S Harley Knucklehead motor for this vintage Victorian masterpiece.

Harley-Davidson’s Dark Custom Sportster Forty-Eight.

Vintage Style: Cafe Racers – The Downshift Episode 19

Harley-Davidson’s Dark Custom Sportster Forty-Eight.

The Cafe Racer

The 2010 Sportster Forty-Eight is the latest in H-D’s Dark Custom line, with bobbed fenders, a blacked-out engine, burly wheels and a 2.1 gallon ‘peanut’ tank.

They are sung about, written about, and photographed every which way. Harley-Davidson has become an all-American icon, as symbolic as apple pie, baseball, and the 4th of July.

Every year, the Motor Company – as Harley-Davidson is often fondly referred as – would introduce new and improved model. Harley Davidson Motorcycle Company Introduced Forty-Eight as a new sportster model in 2010. A special addition to the HD Dark Custom Line. The Forty-Eight Sportster is an unique custom motorcycle with minimal and aggressive design that drip power and attitude.

Sportster Forty-Eight is the latest in H-D’s Dark Custom line, with bobbed fenders, a blacked-out engine, burly wheels and the return of the signature ‘peanut’ tank.

Classic peanut fuel tank that first appeared back in 1948, which provide its traditional styling and modern attitude is also the inspiration for the Forty-Eight model name. Custom details included a one piece seat with 26 inch height, a bobbed front fender mounted on fork brace with lightening holes, a slammed speedometer, under bar mounted mirrors, a low profile slung back handlebar, chrome shorty dual exhaust with slash-cut mufflers, a side-mounted license plate, and a pair of 16″ black, laced steel wheels. The heart of 48 is a black out rubber-mounted 1,200cc Evolution V-Twin engine, with an Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), and a five-speed transmission. Prices start at $10,499.

Custom Features

Harley Davidson 48 Sportster

Classic Peanut Fuel Tank

First appearing on a Harley-Davidson’s motorcycle back in 1948 – and providing the inspiration for the Forty-Eight model name – the small 2.1 gallon tapered peanut fuel tank hold strong today with its traditional styling and modern attitude. A low, powerful bulldog look that gives way for showcasing more engine, the peanut fuel tank is attitude and looks all balled up into one.

Classic Peanut Fuel Tank

Slammed Handlebar, Speedo and Under-mounted Mirrors

The slammed blacked-out drag-style handlebar with speedo and under-mounted mirrors adds to the stripped down, minimal look for the Forty-Eight motorcycle. Inspired by the way hot rod pioneers used to slam their ride, the drag-style handlebar is an old school garage feature that demands a forward, aggressive riding position.

Fat Front Wheel

A beefy front end with a tall, fat MT90 tire gives a Forty-Eight model a grounding visual equal to that of a 1950 Mercury. Custom rubber reminiscent of the lead-sled culture. A dominating presence up front that provides a smooth ride and solid handling.

Bullet Style Stop Turn Tail Light

Stop-Turn-Tail Lights

Old school looks meet new-school engineering. Black retro-style bullet taillights combine functionality to work twice as hard – stop beams and running lights plus turn indicators in two low-profile rear lamps. This eliminates the need for extra lights, creating a clean, minimal look.

Side-mounted License Plate

True to the clean, fast line of the bike, the side-mounted license plate leaves the rear fender surface smooth and uncluttered. Minimal and unique – every inch of the Forty-Eight motorcycle is styled to perfection to achieve a raw, custom look.

Premium Paint

Up to two time thicker than the competition, custom quality paint comes standard on all Harley-Davidson’s motorcycle. Clear coat layering up to five mils deep. Bigger metal flakes. Unique effects in the pearl colors. Skimping simply is not in our vocabulary.

Evolution Engine Heritage

The Evolution engine – known in certain crowds as the Blockhead – was first bolted to the frame of a Harley-Davidson’s motorcycle back in 1984.

Evolution Engine Innovation

Air-cooled and durable as hell, the 1200cc Evolution engine is yet another nod to the unwavering work ethic that drives advancements in motor technology at Harley-Davidson’s. Aluminum heads and cylinders lighten the load of the bike and improve air-cooling efficiency. Electronic fuel injection says goodbye to carburetors and boasts increased reliability and less routine maintenance. Bottom line: the rubber-mounted Evolution engine runs hard and rides smooth for thousands of miles so you can just worry about taking in the freedom of the open road.

bad ass tail pipe on HD 48

Pure Harley-Davidson’s Styling

Feast your eye on the 1200c Evolution engine and there is no mistaking its roots. This is authentic Harley-Davidson’s style through and through with an attention to detail you won’t find from any other motorcycle company. Black powder-coated cylinders and cylinder heads are topped off with chrome rocker covers, while chrome pushrods highlight the iconic V-twin. It is a jewel machined out of metal. Pure. Dripping with power.

Artfully Hidden Technology

Harley-Davidson’s leverages the latest in technology without compromising style and function. That means we hide electronic. The whole wiring harness is skillfully routed behind the jewels of the bike – the thank, engine and all the other eye-popping features you want to see. It’s just another way The Motor Company goes the extra miles to give its bike that premium, top-of-the-line fit and finish.

Intuitive Controls

Hand controls on a Harley-Davidson’s motorcycle are incredibly intuitive. The turn signals are self-canceling and based on the speed and angle of the motorcycle, they know how long to stay on. Engaging the controls quickly becomes second natures so you can focus less on turing off your signal and more on basking in the freedom of the ride.

Harley-Davidson’s Smart Security System ( optional )

The factory installed next-generation security system features a hands-free fob that automatically arms and disarms the vehicle electronic security functions as you approach and walk away from the bike. Stick the fob on your ignition key ring and let it do all the work. It’s this attention to detail and security tha make Harley-Davidson’s motorcycle unique.

Low Seat & Slammed Suspension

The combination of a lowered front and rear suspension together with a low solo seat – just 26 inches high – provides confidence for riders of all sizes and experience. A responsive ride for whipping through town or busting out onto the interstate.

Tuned To Be Ridden

Harley-Davidson’s motorcycle are different from any other bike out on the road. There is a balance to them. The steering, the maneuverability – it’s all in concert. And each Harley-Davidson’s model is tuned differently to create a unique riding experience for each individual no matter which bike they swing their leg over. Let’s face it, we didn’t get to where wer are by being like everyone else.

Michelin Scorcher Tires

New Michelin Scorcher Tires provide the superior performance, sensational grip, impressive durability and excellent handling expected on a race-bred bike. The exclusive deep-cut tread design improves grip and water evacuation capability. Grip performace and durability is also enhanced by the tire’s rubber compounds, which use the latest generation of Michelin synthetic polymers. Under the rear rubber, aramid belts are used to stablize your ride, which helps inspire confidence in handling.

Custom exhaust pipe

Forward-Mounted Controls

with the custom forward-mounted controls on the Forty-Eight model, you can kick back a little and stretch your legs for the ultimate cruise through town or across the state line. It’s time to take in the open road the way you were meant to – on a two – wheeled machine that is built to outdo the rest.

HD 48 Key Features:

Blacked out rubber-mounted Evolution 1200 cc V-Twin engine with ESPFI ( Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection ).
5-Speed Transmission
Muscular bulldog front stance and slammed rear suspension
Classic 2.1-gallon peanut fuel tank with lightening hole mounting bracket
16-inch Black, laced steel wheels
Chopped front fender mounted on fork brace with lightening holes
Chopped rear fender
Chrome, shorty dual exhaust with slash-cut mufflers
Tall and fat 130 mm Dunlop MT90 front tire
Blacked-out components including air cleaner cover, clutch and brake levers and turn signals
One-piece, Sportster classic solo seat
26-inch seat height
Low profile custom handlebar
Under-mounted mirrors
Forward foot controls
Side-mounted license plate
Combination stop/turn/tail lights

The 2010 Forty-Eight has lowered rear suspension, a low, 26-inch seat height, and bars that are slung low and back.

Specifications

Engine Air-cooled, Evolution Displacement (in./cc) 73.3/1200 Fuel System Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) Transmission 5-speed Miles Per Gallon 48 MPG combined City/Hwy Length (in./mm) 88.6/2250 Seat Height (laden) (in./mm) 26/660 Wheelbase (in./mm) 59.8/1519 Tire Michelin Scorcher “31” front and rear • Front Scorcher “31” 130/90B16 73H • Rear Scorcher “31” 150/80B16 77H Wheel • Front Black Laced Steel 16 in. x 3 in. (406.4 mm x 76.2 mm) • Rear Black Laced Steel 16 in. x 3 in. (406.4 mm x 76.2 mm) Fuel Capacity (U.S. gals/liters) 2.1/7.9 Weight as Shipped (lbs./kg) 545/247.2 Frame Mild steel, tubular frame; circular sections; cast junctions Swingarm Mild steel, rectangular tube section, stamped junctions; MIG welded Front Forks 39 mm Rear Shocks Coil-over; preload dual-adjustable Wheels: Black Steel Laced • Front 16 in. x 3 in. (406 mm x 76 mm) • Rear 16 in. x 3 in. (406 mm x 76 mm) Brakes: • Caliper Type Dual-piston front, single-piston rear • Rotor Type Patented, uniform expansion rotors Suspension Travel: • Front Wheel 3.62 in. (92 mm) • Rear Wheel 1.63 in. (41 mm) Color: Vivid Black, Big Blue Pearl, Chrome Yellow, H-D Orange