2011 H-D Street Glide
Story: Jacob Hinsey
Photos: Stephen Wiggins
For
many of us, motorcycles are our passion,
and rightfully so. Our motorcycles are
an escape from many of life’s challenges and they
provide us with the feeling of real freedom as we
scoot down roads both new and old alike. Our
motorcycles are also a chance to express ourselves and our personalities. From wheels to paint
and every detail in between, the custom bikes we
build can be the pinnacle of self-expression.
This chance for self-expression is important,
and for many of us, we may only have one opportunity to build that one bike of which we have
been dreaming. This single opportunity leaves
many of us like a deer in the headlights when it
68 Wide Open
comes time to
make those final executive decisions regarding the details
of our dream machine. Which air cleaner
should I buy? Which colors will I use? Which
floorboards should I get? What skin will I want for
the seat? These are each vital questions that need
to be answered during the bike building process.
For most of us, our wish list turns into a scribbled
mess of changes, additions, and numerous renditions as our mind considers each and every option.
But not Brad Nemec. Brad contacted the guys
at Bad Dad about building his custom bagger, and
after a few brief emails, Brad drove from Chicago,
Ill., to Fort Wayne, Ind., to meet with the guys at the
shop. After a few details were discussed and all of
his options laid out, Brad made arrangements to
have his new 2011 Street Glide sent to Bad Dad’s
place.
Brad’s instructions were pretty simple. “He
said he likes dark colors, he wants it to be subtle,
and he would like to have it back by July. That was
pretty much it. We didn’t hear from him otherwise,” says Matt Anderson of Bad Dad.
And so the project was on. Bad Dad began
quickly tearing down Brad’s new Street Glide and
outfitting it with the company’s full line of custom
body parts. The front end was torn apart, lowered
1”, and the right-side caliper was eliminated. A
23” wheel was rolled into place and then covered
with Bad Dad’s 23” Wrap Fender to show off the
details of the huge chrome wheel. Since the front
end was being cleaned up,
Bad Dad also flush mounted Brad’s
turn signals inside his front fairing to
complete the smooth look.
Making their way rearward, Bad Dad stretched
the bike’s gas tank