Previewing in Bonhams Los Angeles by appointment. Please contact
[email protected] for scheduling.
2003 Harley-Davidson VRSDCX Night Rod Special
In 2001, Harley-Davidson broke with nearly 100 years of tradition and jumped on the 'overhead camshaft' bandwagon with their new VRSC 'V-Rod' engine. Developed in concert with the Porsche Engineering company, double-overhead camshafts were used for better breathing and more accurate valve control; the cylinders were water-cooled, and the included angle of the cylinders was 60-degrees – all radical departures for this most conservative of companies.
The first V-Rod engines of 1,100 cc produced 115hp at the crankshaft – certainly enough for impressive smoky burnouts, but the chassis was no canyon carver; the target audience was the street cruiser enthusiast who wanted an impressive stoplight missile launcher and stretched-out riding position. The brushed aluminum bodywork and solid aluminum disc wheels created a very distinctive look; aggressive and custom. Riders took to the new machine well, especially if they had actually taken the bike for a spin – with a smooth and very powerful engine, the V-Rod became a firm favorite with many riders. It's certainly not a small machine, but it has one of the lowest seat heights of any motorcycle, which makes the bike feel small and manageable. The all-new perimeter frame gives an incredibly stable ride, with superb handling for the cruiser class - no nasty surprises when the bike is pushed. And it has power
to spare.
The Night Rod offered here is in very good condition showing just north of 6,200 miles and having remained on display for a long time. A mechanical restart and check will be needed before safely being able the shred some tires on the road again. It is also to be noted that the key fob to the bike has been misplaced and that a new one will have to be produced from a Harley-Davidson dealership.