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Scott Porges' Harley Bobber Wins the K&N-Sponsored Mod Retro Class at NY IMS

J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show Modified Retro winner at the New York IMS

The Mod Retro Class winning 'Boston Brawler' embodies what a bobber should be

Scott Porges crafted one of the cleanest and meanest bobbers you will see. His bad “Boston Brawler” bobber (how’s that for alliteration?) takes retro cool to a whole new level. Porges' custom walked away with the Modified Harley Class of the J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show in New York. The J&P show is a highlight of each stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS).

Clearly, Porges, who owns American Motorcycle Service of Framingham, Massachusetts, keeps one boot planted in the past and the other firmly dug into the present. “With over 35 years in the industry, I specialize in creating custom built motors and trannys,” Porges says. “I balance between old ‘hot rod’ tricks and the ingenuity of today’s technology.”

J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show Modified Retro winner at the New York IMS

Scottie Porges' bobber emerged from the darkness snatch the Modified Retro Class of the NY IMS

Porges’ 1968 Harley-Davidson Panhead custom may just prove once and for all that less really is more. The artfully crafted hardtail frame and clean springer forks cut a stance that is all bobber. Massive rubber is spooned on the black, spoked front and rear wheels. In true bobber style, the front wheel is devoid of a fender and the rear is appropriately minimalist.

It should be noted that this is not some pampered show bike and it's not for the faint of heart.

"This is a foot clutch, hand shift bike with no front brake and not for the novice rider," warned Porges. "That being said, I ride the berrys outta this bike and have been for 6 or 7 years. We call it the Boston Brawler because it gets ridden hard in Boston."

J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show logo

K&N is a sponsor of three of the biggest categories in the J&P competition

Flat drag handlebars sit just in front of a small teardrop tank that rocks a sinister red and black color scheme. An ultra-thin custom seat rides on a nicely crafted seat spring.

That wonderfully sparse frame and bodywork leaves nothing to the imagination with that beautiful Panhead V-twin. The intake is completely exposed and the carburetor butterfly is clearly visible. We certainly hope Porges will fit a K&N for street duty. The exhaust exits through shorty straight-through pipes that certainly announce the Boston Brawler’s presence.

"The engine and trans are from a '68 FLH," Porges said. "We stroked the motor to 88 inchs and installed Andrews close ratio gears in the box. We run an S&S E carb with a thunder jet and the exhaust is fabed in house."

In the end, Porges got just what he wanted from the Boston Brawler build.

"I like my bikes low and tight with an attitude, and this has an early drag bike look to it and a healthy motor to go with it."

K&N is proud to sponsor a competition that highlights classic builds like the Boston Brawler.

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Tyler Foster Wins the Mod Harley Class at New York IMS with 2001 Road King Custom

Tyler Foster's Modified Harley Class winner in Mew York IMS side view

Long, plummeting lines give Tyler Foster's custom a one-of-a-kind silhouette

A Harley-Davidson® show-stopper won the Modified Harley class at the New York stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS). Tyler Foster, who specializes in custom exhaust systems with his company Sikpipes, created a bagger that turned heads all weekend long at the Big Apple IMS.

K&N sponsors the prestigious Modified Harley® Class at every stop of the IMS as part of the world’s biggest custom bike competition, the J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show. We could not be more impressed by the bikes that have rolled away with the titles, the trophies, the money, and the K&N product awards in the first two stops of the IMS.

Tyler Foster's Modified Harley Class winner in Mew York IMS intake

The intake velocity stack on the Road King build is steampunk cool

Tyler Foster’s, 2001 Harley Road King was aptly named ‘Brown.’ Brown is tall yet low; complex yet simple. Sound like contradictions? Not in this case.

Up front, Brown rolls on a tall RKD Speed front wheel wearing low-profile rubber. Even with that thin rubber, that front wheel is so tall that it sits about on level with the top of the tank. The wheel is bolted to a raked out Voodoo girder front end. In typical Voodoo style, the forks are a wicked combination of clean lines and artful geometry.

Flowing back from the triple tree, the stretched, custom frame could not sit any lower. Therein rests the answer to the tall yet low riddle. The seat height rests at about mid-engine level which makes for the ultimate in ‘climbing the monkey bars’ riding position. It’s quite the reach to the Brass Balls Cycles grips and pegs.

Tyler Foster's Modified Harley Class winner in Mew York IMS forks and wheel

The Voodoo girder front end and ultra tall wheel on 'Brown' are remarkable

The tank and sweeping bagger rear end feature a blinged out paint job applied by Execution Style. The paint job that looks simple at first glance becomes deeper and more complex on closer inspection.

If you look at any element of this build, you will find amazing detail; however, the total project embodies a symbiosis that gives the overall impression of simplicity. Complex yet simple.

Foster’s decision to frame the engine allows full view of the nicely accented power plant. Of course, the exhaust specialist highlighted the headers on the Road King. The simple, perfectly bent pipes exit with a wide-open mouth below each jug on the V-twin.

K&N congratulates Tyler Foster on his win in the Modified Harley Class of the J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show in New York.

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NHRA Announces Surprising 'Any Engine/Any Body' Rule for Pro Stock Racers in 2018

The 2018 season brings a big change to the engine and body rules for NHRA Pro Stock racers

The 2018 season brings a big change to the engine and body rules for NHRA Pro Stock racers

If there’s one element constantly part of NHRA Professional Drag Racing, it’s change. Top Fuel cars went from front engine “rails” powered by 392 CID Chrysler engines from the 1950s to 426 Hemi “Elephant Motors” and then a switch with the driver positioned in front of the engine. Funny Cars starting out as modified production shells that in only a few years adopted the format that we have today: a tubular chassis with the engine in front of the driver covered by a composite replica body shell.

Based on the request of the Pro Stock teams they are now free to run any approved engine combination in any currently approved body, regardless of the manufacturer, during the 2018 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. All will continue to utilize the fuel injection system adopted in 2016 along with the Pro Stock-specific K&N air intake system.

The Air Intake was developed and constructed in-house by a special team at K&N Filters

An NHRA Pro Stocker with hood removed clearly showing the K&N designed and produced air intake

“The NHRA Technical Department worked very closely with the Pro Stock teams and the vehicle manufacturers in finalizing this rule change,” said NHRA Vice President-Technical Operations Glen Gray. “The cooperation from all of those involved in the process was very encouraging and we look forward to the 2018 Pro Stock season.”

The decision, which was announced in early December, should provide fans with a wider variety of entries in the class. Expected approved bodies joining or expanding the entry list include Dodge Darts and Ford Mustangs. Chevrolet Camaros have been the body style of choice over the past several seasons. The last non-Chevrolet Pro Stock Championship winner was Dodge pilot Allen Johnson in 2012.

The K&N Pro Stock Air Intake was aerdodynamically engineered to enhace engine performance

The K&N Pro Stock snorkel draws air from under the bumper area and delivers it to the engine

Other than the lifting of the “same engine/same car manufacturer” limitation, the class rules remain the same for 2018. The body must be from a 2009 or later NHRA-accepted 2-door or 4-door coupe or sedan production vehicle, either domestically produced or from overseas. Body, drivetrain, and chassis may not be altered, modified, or relocated, except as outlined in Requirements & Specifications in the Rulebook. Minimum weight at end of run remains at 2,350 pounds, including driver. Minimum weight on the rear axle at conclusion of the run is 1,100 pounds, including the driver.

Who better has their thumb on what Pro Stock teams have on their minds than long-time Pro Stock chassis builder Jerry Haas. The chassis expert reported that even before the announcement became public he was receiving inquiries about constructing a Ford Mustang Pro Stocker. “All three of the body styles – Ford, Chevy, and Dodge – are so close aerodynamically that there’s no advantage or penalty for choosing your favorite," said Hass. “They’re all so close it’s unreal.”

All components are engineered to fit together precisely and withstand the abuse of a Pro Stocker

The K&N Air Intake billet adapter connects directly to the NHRA-mandated Holley throttle body

The engine is an internal-combustion, naturally aspirated, single camshaft, 90-degree V-8 with a maximum 500 CID. Aftermarket blocks permitted if designed and cast with OEM approval, and have been accepted for competition by the NHRA.

NHRA also clarified a rule regarding the mandatory electronic fuel injection system, citing that no part of an injector may protrude above the runner flange into the plenum area. All Pro Stock competitors regardless of engine or body style must use the K&N 100-8522 carbon fiber intake snorkel.

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Doug Ide’s ‘Rising Sun’ Harley® Road King Wins Mod Harley Class at Long Beach IMS

Doug Ide's Road King custom side view at the Long Beach, California IMS

Long and low, 'Rising Sun' wins the Modified Harley Class of the Long Beach IMS

Doug Ide’s “Rising Sun” is shining brightly in Southern California. Ide, owner of Ide Innovations, in Sacramento, California, walked away with the win in the Modified Harley Category of the first stop of the J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show.

For the second year in a row, K&N is sponsoring three classes of the J&P show which is a centerpiece of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS). The Long Beach, California, staging of the IMS featured some of the most innovative customs we’ve seen.

Doug Ide's Road King custom rear view and check at the Long Beach, California IMS

Rising Star earned Doug Ide a check and a K&N product prize

Interestingly, Ide’s 2009 Harley-Davidson Road King could be considered a bit of a throwback in the custom bike world. There has been a recent trend toward skeletal, minimalist builds. However, Rising Sun is an over-the-top fully-faired bagger. All of that crimson bling clearly caught the eye of the judges.

Let’s start with the Road King’s most noticeable element, all of that Candy Apple Red paint is marbleized into a deep, and truly awe-inspiring coating. That paint flows from the custom headlight nacelle that is reminiscent of an aircraft engine nose, all the way through the sweeping, stylized hard bags shaped like a sheet blowing off a concealed treasure. Those saddlebags feature very cool sliding lids.

Doug Ide's Road King custom rear view at the Long Beach, California IMS

The lids on those stylized bags slide open

Ide gave the frame a serious rake which makes room for a massive 30-inch, one-off custom wheel up front. That front wheel has one of the most unique spoke patterns you will see. The frame carries the same fantastic paint as the bodywork.

The big V-twin breathes through a K&N filter. Interestingly, rather than a highly-chromed exhaust, spent gasses exit through a subtle, industrial-themed header which continues the aircraft motif from the headlight.

K&N is proud to sponsor J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show classes that shine the spotlight on fantastic builds like Ide Innovations’ Rising Sun. Doug Ide walked away from the show with a $750 check and $500 in K&N product credit for future builds.

Check back often as we bring you the big winners of the J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show at each stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show.

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Fuller Moto Shows its Gorgeous Georgia Peach 1940 Ford Truck at the 2017 SEMA Show

The Fuller Moto 1940 pickup rides on an air suspension that can drop the truck to the frame rails

The meticulous work on the grille and the headlamp bezels was achieved through new and old tech

At 20 years old, a life-changing experience took Bryan Fuller from his intended trajectory of becoming a chiropractor to instead follow his true passion and build some of the most jaw-dropping custom cars, trucks, and motorcycles created over the last decade. One could say he changed his profession from back cracking to head turning.

Bryan enrolled in one of the top tech schools in the country. While he’d helped his dad restore a 1964 Mustang, and built his own 327-powered Model A, he wanted to become proficient on all the tools of his new trade.

He moved to Southern California and continued his education at the So-Cal Speed Shop and with Chip Foose. During that time his name became known to enthusiasts through his appearances on “Overhaulin” and “Rides”.

In 2005, Bryan decided he was ready to open his own shop and moved to Atlanta. Building both award-winning bikes and cars, Fuller’s presence became even more wide-spread, including appearances on shows like “Two Guys Garage”, “Naked Speed”, and his current TV gig hosting “Caffeine and Octane” on NBC Sports.

The bezel is held in place with way too many rivets to count

The exhaust exits through the panel below the bed on the side of the truck

You’d think that the media appearances - as well as publishing his own books and videos - would be a distraction to the builder, but it all seems to further fuel his creativity.

Take his latest creation, a 1940 Ford truck barn find that’s been completely rebuilt in Fuller Moto style. The “Georgia Gold” pickup debuted to widespread acclaim at the 2017 SEMA Show where it was on display at the WyoTech booth, his alma mater.

After the truck was hauled into the shop, the body was removed from the chassis. Not only is a 77-year-old frame not up to the rigors of normal driving, Bryan had plans to increase both power and grip. So a custom-made Art Morrison chassis with tubular independent front suspension became the starting point.

Around back, an Art Morrison four-bar kit makes certain the solid rear axle with Tiger magnesium quick-change travels up and down as it’s supposed to. The quick-change rearend is light and allows easy changing of the final drive ratio.

While it may seem like a Windsor is a modern engine in a 1940  Ford, they're only 20 years apart

At the top of the Ford Windsor 302 V8 proudly sits a 14-inch round K&N air filter

The new chassis has also been fitted with Wilwood disk brakes and Flaming River rack and pinion steering. A Ridetech fully-adjustable air ride suspension offers a range of ride heights and can even drop the frame to the ground.

The wheels are mounted on lightweight aluminum Sprint Car Wide-5 hubs, a fitting choice as after WW11 the 1937-1940 Ford was a popular choice among circle track racers right into the 1960s. The period correct looking bias-ply tires are actually modern Coker Firestone radials.

While some might have been tempted to install a Ford Flathead, truth be told they’re not the most efficient engines and take a great deal of work to produce reasonable power. Instead, Bryan went for an engine design that’s just 20 years older than the truck itself – a Ford Windsor. He selected one of the highest-performance versions of the Windsor, the 302, which itself debuted nearly 50 years ago.

The 302 Ford V8 is fitted with a K&N air filter feeding a Holley 650 CFM carb atop an Edelbrock manifold along with Edelbrock finned aluminum valve covers. Orange-colored headers catch the eye when the hood’s first opened.

The leather chosen for the interior matches the style of the truck perfectly

The seats, door panels, and shift boot are all covered in a rich, distressed saddle leather

The exhaust is 2.5” Magnaflow Hot Rod Exhaust Kit, which comes with all the components required to custom-fabricate a performance exhaust. The dual exhaust tips exit through a bezel in the side of the bed just in front of the rear wheels, held in place by over 40 rivets. That’s just how Bryan rolls.

As for design details, you could spend an hour or two combing over the truck and still not find all of them. For example, Bryan decided to honor the 67-year-old patina of the exterior even with new panels he created. Then he added a subtle gold pinstripe that looks like it's been clinging to the paint for decades. Another detail easily missed is the aircraft-type magnesium fuel filler on the left rear fender. Again surrounded by a riveted bezel, it looks as though it was fitted to the truck decades ago.

The front of the truck is the area that most people first notice. The grille and headlight bezels are both cut by waterjet, tig-welded, and aged like the fuel filler bezel and then mounted in place by more than 100 rivets.

The pinstriping inside and out adds an appreciable flair to the overall design of the truck

A little reminder on the gold leaf covered dash that you're riding in a very special pickup

The interior retains a very stock appearance with a few exceptions. First, the seats, door panels, and shift boot are all covered in a saddle brown distressed leather, while a Vintage Air system keeps riding in the truck bearable during those Georgia summer days. A delicate pinstriping accent has been added around a Ford V8 emblem on the center of the gold leaf covered dash, just to remind passengers they’re riding in a very special truck.

This truck took our breath away at the 2017 SEMA show and we heard lots of positive reactions while standing around gawking at all its beauty. K&N is honored to be a part of this and the other builds that Bryan Fuller and Fuller Moto has included us on.

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