Hide Sportster SP-20: A modern Harley Cafe Racer

Hide Sportster SP-20: A modern Harley Cafe Racer

We don’t often feature modern Harley customs but this cafe racer is worth closer inspection. It’s the latest machine from acclaimed Japanese builder Hide Motorcycles (aka HIDEMO) and it’s based on a 2003 XL1200S.

The standard Sportster despite its low 28-inch seat height always looked a little high off the ground but the Hide SP-20 looks properly slammed. That’s due to a new tank rear fender and spoked wheels; the front fender has been removed to improve aesthetics still further.

According to Hide the objective was to evoke a 1960s vintage racer look creating a compact bike ideal for city streets. The internals of the dual plug pushrod OHV Evolution motor are unmodified: with around 72 ft. lbs. of torque performance is ample for this kind of machine.

The motor will breathe a little easier though thanks to a custom exhaust and a freeflowing Hide air intake assembly. The standard of finish is superlative as you’d expect from the Kawasaki City company. And the low-key paint job shows that Harleys look better without metalflake and chrome.

This is one hog I’d love to have in my garage.

2003 Harley-Davidson XL1200S custom

One-off mufflers rear fender and fuel tank

Gurimeca brake muster assembly

Magura clutch lever assembly

Rear tire: Avon 16”

Front tire: Super Eagle 19”

HIDEMO parts

IG coil mount and meter mount assembly

Mini buttons for handlebar

Modified handlebar

Turn signals

Seat

Side number plate mount assembly

Air cleaner assembly

Paint

Source: Bike Exif