Scalpel

A Long Time Coming

Some builds start with a phone call. This one started with years of conversation. The owner had been coming in and out of Creative Cycles for a long time — attending television show filmings at the shop and on location, spending time around the bikes, talking with Doug. He was a genuine enthusiast with a serious collection: multiple cars of every type, a stable of high-end and rare motorcycles. He knew what he liked, and he knew what he wanted.

When the day finally came and he sat down with Doug to talk about building a Harley-Davidson Road Glide, the ideas came fast. A brand new Road Glide was purchased and dropped off at DKCC. And so it began.

The 26" Wheel — Built to Actually Ride

The concept was clear from the start: a 26-inch front wheel, but nothing larger. This wasn't a show bike destined for a trailer. The owner intended to ride it, and that single decision shaped everything that followed.

A 26-inch wheel demands serious stopping power. That opened the door for something Doug loves — perimeter-mounted brakes. As seen on many of his builds over the years, the decision was made to run dual front perimeter rotors with custom Wilwood calipers. The result is a braking system that matches the visual drama of the wheel with genuine performance capability.

The Engine & Driveline

With the wheel and brake package sorted, Doug turned his attention to the heart of the build. A 120" DKCC/Zippers performance engine was built from the ground up — featuring cryo coatings and friction-reducing coatings applied internally throughout. The result: 150 rear-wheel horsepower and 150 ft-lb of torque. Power that matches the presence of that big front wheel.

A custom short side-exit exhaust was fabricated and finished in a custom Cerakote high-temp coating. A Baker billet primary cover was used along with a full complement of Baker components inside. The transmission is a Baker 7-speed — yes, seven speeds — with a Baker Plus One oil pan underneath. Final drive is chain.

Frame, Bodywork & the Details

The stock Harley-Davidson bagger frame was modified to accommodate the 26-inch front wheel. The fuel tank was reshaped to complement the refreshed styling. The seat is a one-off piece — a custom Costa Rican Richie StingRay hide seat, made specifically for this build.

Then there are the details. Look at the rear of the front fender — three holes, precisely placed. The custom rear brake lever carries the same hole pattern. The one-off billet rear brake switch? Doug made it because he could. The rear fender hides nearly invisible LED lighting throughout. Every surface rewards a closer look.

The Finish

Scalpel wears a burgundy pearl with satin clear — a finish that comes alive in sunlight, shifting and popping in a way that photographs can only hint at. Over that, variegated gold leaf with hand-pulled pinstripe edges. Traditional craft applied to a thoroughly modern machine.

The result is a bike that has great looks, serious horsepower and torque, capable suspension, comfortable seating, and a riding position that works mile after mile. Built to be ridden. Built to be noticed. Built by Doug Keim.