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...