Custom FXR wins Harley-Davidson ‘Number One’ competition
Harley-Davidson’s ‘Number One’ custom build competition for 2024 has been run and won, with a heavily-modified FXR selected as the ultimate winner. Built by John Cage, the winning FXR featured an extensive mechanical makeover, multiple bolt-on parts and a brilliant custom paint job.
Setting Number One apart from the ‘Breakout Boss’ challenge that straddled 2022 and early 2023, this year’s build competition was opened up to allow more models from the Harley-Davidson family. As such, more riders than ever before submitted their bikes for the public voting stages, followed by the finale that was judged by a panel of Harley experts.
Number One categories covered three styles – ‘Heavyweight Cruiser,’ ‘Bagger’ and ‘Club Style’. Heavyweight Cruiser was fairly self-explanatory, open to Softails like the Breakout and Fat Boy, as well as Dynas and V-Rods. Bagger covered Touring models like the Ultra Limited, Electra Glide, Road Glide and Street Glide, as well as trikes. Club Style was a little harder to define, but welcomed customised Softails and Dynas, as well as FXRs and Sportsters
Submissions opened in mid-January and closed on 15 February. From there, the first of a three-round judging process narrowed entries in from the initial broad field to 14 finalists, then a winner in each of the three categories. Both these elements were determined by a public vote. The three category winners then went to ‘Finals Week’ in April, where the ultimate winner would be decided by a judging panel that included Nigel Keough, Managing Director of Harley-Davidson Australia and New Zealand, plus Dan Lesnock and Luke Mansfield from Harley-Davidson ANZ, Heavy Duty’s Mick Withers and Live to Ride’s Miles Rangeley.
“To see entrants from every corner of Australia and New Zealand emerge for the “Number One’ competition was absolutely astounding,” said Keough. “As riders and bike lovers, we live for opportunities to show off our bikes and to rev the engines in some friendly competition.”
The three finalists were Matt Mueller (Heavyweight Cruiser - Breakout), last year’s Breakout Boss winner, Glen Couper (Bagger – Road King) and John Cage (Club Style - FXR). Ultimately, the judges crowned Cage the winner, recognising the extensive makeover he’d given his C1990s FXR.
Modifications made by Cage included fitting a Screamin’ Eagle 110ci Twin Cam in place of the original 80ci v-twin, adding a Bassani 2-into-1 exhaust system and chain final drive, which was a feature of early FXRs, but not factory-fitted to the later versions.
Additionally, Cage fitted a USD front forks and performance rear shocks, a custom swingarm, dual front brake upgrade with Galfer rotors and upgraded calipers front and rear, braided lines, handlebar risers and a custom ‘bar, Pro Taper grips, Motogadget instrumentation, a custom seat, chromed five-spoke alloy wheels and plenty of bolt-on billet parts.
Accenting all this was a rich metalflake blue paint, with lowrider-style contrast panels, pinstripes and airbrush fade sections. Selective use of blue for the hoses, leads, pedals, valve caps and other parts kept the theme going and complemented all that brightwork.
As the Harley-Davidson Number One winner, Cage received a unique custom trophy created by Harley-Davidson ANZ and a $5,000 voucher to spend on Genuine H-D parts, accessories and apparel at any Harley-Davidson dealership across Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s a massive honour to have my FXR crowned Number One across Australia and New Zealand, and to have that work recognised by the Harley-Davidson community,” said Cage of his win.
“The depth of the competition, finalists and winners across each category really highlights how diverse the Harley-Davidson community is and the different tastes, styles and cultures that influence how we all customise our bikes.”
Echoing Cage’s response, Harley-Davidson ANZ described the Number One competition as a thrilling display of Harley-Davidson culture, craftsmanship and the shared passion between riders.
To see more of Cage’s winning FXR, the other two finalists and the Top 14 in each category, go to: biketorques.com.au/number-one/