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Ol’ Red is built around the venerable Honda CB750 engine

I first saw the bike at the Artistry in Iron custom motorcycle show at the Las Vegas Bike Fest. As I did tiny laps around the naked beauty, I realized that I was being watched by an unassuming guy at a table nearby. That guy was Adam “Gasser” Gaspic, the builder of Ol’ Red (the bike I was ogling). Just as Ol’ Red was a departure from the rest of the builds at the elite invitational show, the bike’s creator was a departure from most of the builders. Gaspic was devoid of bravado, tattoos, and ego. It turns out that he is an introspective, creative, and extremely intelligent fellow who happens to be obsessed with creating moto-magic out of vintage motorcycles.

Like every Gasser Custom, Ol’ Red breathes through K&N filters

Gaspic is part of a refreshing new breed of custom bike builders who appear to be unencumbered by the residual perception of his industry left by the proliferation of bolt-together, semi-scripted TV shows like American Chopper. Far from a ‘grease monkey,’ Gaspic holds a master’s degree in technology and is an ASE Certified Master Technician. That impressive level of education and skill is evident in every detail of his creations.

The first thing that I noticed about Ol’ Red is that it’s not…red. The bike is a monochromatic celebration of the color grey. The body parts, including the beautifully welded fuel tank, are displayed in the hue of natural aluminum. Gaspic reveals on his website that those parts were “done with inspiration from old WW2 aircraft photos provided by the client.” The frame, including the artfully hand-crafted single-sided swing arm, is powder coated a subtle grey.

That single-sided swing arm is a custom bent and welded piece of art

The vintage streetfighter is built around one of the most iconic engines in the world, the Honda CB750. The 70s era powerplant has been fully rebuilt by the master technician and now has a displacement of 836 cubic centimeters. The engine pumps out 20 more horsepower than the stock 750 and rumbles through a custom stainless 4-2-1 GP style exhaust system. Considering the builder’s technical credentials, I would trust that engine to perform and to last.

The bodywork was inspired by WW2 aircraft

Now back to the color red. My eyes were drawn to the only red that I could identify on Ol’ Red. The “CR” lettering on the carburetors is highlighted in red, and fitted just behind those carbs are four K&N pod filters with the instantly identifiable crimson hue of the K&N filter element. When I asked Gaspic if he normally uses K&N filters on his builds, his response was instant and clear, “I use them on every single build.” He continued that he just finished his latest custom project and clamping on the K&N filters was the final touch. It speaks volumes when a guy like Gaspic, with all his technological acumen, puts his faith in protecting his creations with K&N filters. Clearly the performance advantage of K&N is also a factor. Maybe the builder’s strongest statement of trust in K&N’s products is that he has become an authorized dealer.

A visit to Gasser Customs in North Hollywood would certainly be a great visual treat filled with moto eye candy. However, Gaspic’s creations are not meant to gather dust. He says, “Building bikes for me is a true passion and it feels more like creating a form of art that can be enjoyed both statically and in motion.” There is a great mission statement.

The K&N 57-1126 Air Intake comes with everything you need for increased power

The K&N 57-1126 air intake is designed to bolt on to your Harley-Davidson® Sportster and replace your restrictive stock intake assembly. The installation is straightforward and easy, and the result is a clean and mean performance accessory. The intake is designed with a billet aluminum throttle-body mounting plate and all mounting hardware. The intake tube is crafted out of aluminum with an attractive, high-quality finish. That tube is mandrel bent for added airflow. Topping off the intake is a legendary K&N air filter. So what about those guarantees? Read on.

This K&N air intake system is guaranteed to increase the horsepower and torque of your Harley-Davidson. That’s right, no empty promises here. For example, when mounted on a stock 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200, the dynamometer shows an estimated increase of over 8.5 horsepower and 6.8 foot pounds of torque. That is a substantial performance gain for one of Harley’s most popular models. No matter what you ride, if your model is on the application list below, you will realize power gains with the K&N 57-1126 – guaranteed!

K&N FIPK air intakes bring V-twins to life

Your intake and air filter will last the life of your motorcycle. That’s right – K&N’s Million Mile Limited Warranty ensures that you will never have to buy another intake or filter under normal use. All you have to do is wash and re-oil the filter about once a year, depending on driving conditions and you are good to go. The K&N 99-5000 air filter cleaning kit makes that task easy. The K&N 57-1126 puts an end to the wasteful and costly cycle of replacing and trashing of disposable air filter elements – guaranteed!

The full intake is street legal in all 50 states. Many aftermarket performance accessories are either “off highway use only” or are not legal in all parts of the nation. Either way, riders are forced to make the decision to circumvent the law or simply not use the part. Not so with the K&N 57-1126. Whether you ride your Sportster on the mean streets of New York, under the California sun, or anywhere in between, this intake is legal and compliant – guaranteed!

So there you have it. The K&N 57-1126 air intake delivers amazing performance, legendary durability, and effective filtration all in a package that is legal in all 50 states. This K&N intake puts a whole bunch more “sport” in your Sportster! Use the K&N search by vehicle tool to get perfect intake for your application.

Nothing but the world’s best air filter for your Harley

The K&N 57-1126 fits the following Harley models:
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883N IRON 54 CI
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200X FORTY-EIGHT 74 CI
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200V SEVENTY-TWO 74 CI
2014 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C SPORTSTER CUSTOM 74 CI
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883N IRON 54 CI
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200X FORTY-EIGHT 74 CI
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200V SEVENTY-TWO 74 CI
2013 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C SPORTSTER CUSTOM 74 CI
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883N IRON 54 CI
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200X FORTY-EIGHT 74 CI
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200V SEVENTY-TWO 74 CI
2012 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C SPORTSTER CUSTOM 74 CI
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883N IRON 54 CI
2011 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C SPORTSTER CUSTOM 74 CI
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883N IRON 54 CI
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883L SPORTSTER LOW 54 CI
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883C SPORTSTER CUSTOM 54 CI
2010 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C SPORTSTER CUSTOM 74 CI
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883N IRON 54 CI
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883L SPORTSTER LOW 54 CI
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883C SPORTSTER CUSTOM 54 CI
2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C SPORTSTER CUSTOM 74 CI
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883L SPORTSTER LOW 54 CI
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883C SPORTSTER CUSTOM 54 CI
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883 SPORTSTER 54 CI
2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C SPORTSTER CUSTOM 74 CI
2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883R SPORTSTER 54 CI
2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL883 SPORTSTER 54 CI
2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200C SPORTSTER CUSTOM 74 CI

K&N driver Shea Holbrook and Denise Mueller inside the Range Rover SVR that was used to tow Mueller up to speed

Outside the windshield the view was nothing like anything she’d seen before. “Bonneville is unlike any other track I’ve ever been to. There’s something very special about that place – it’s timeless,” said K&N supported racer Shea Holbrook who was selected to be the driver of the “pace car” for Denise Mueller as she made her attempt on the bicycle speed record last month.

A mother of three sons, Mueller is a 15-time national champion and current master’s national criterium (several laps around a closed circuit) champion. Clearly she has the chops to take on the record. Mueller envisioned Project Speed and recruited its members and contributors for an attack on the record at the Bonneville Salt Flats. What Mueller was pursuing was the Paced Bicycle Land Speed Record, set by a cyclist who drafts behind a motor vehicle fitted with a tail fairing to minimize wind resistance on the cyclist. The concept was developed in the late 19th century when cyclists tucked in behind trains in a section where wood leveled the area between the rails. The current record for men is 152.2 mph. There is no record for women, and no woman has made an attempt.

The enormous wind deflector comes together in the shops of Design Craft Fabrication, the Range Rover SVR waiting outside to be fitted (Photo courtesy Gary Castillo)

Holbrook, who normally competes in the Pirelli World Challenge in the Bubba Burger Honda Accord supported by K&N Filters, was selected by Mueller after being recommended by a mutual acquaintance. “I then got on the phone with Denise. We had such a good connection from the very beginning. She even said that I was more excited [about the project] than she was. We were just the perfect fit for the job,” Holbrook said.

This was an incredibly important responsibility for the young Floridian, as first she needed to tow Mueller up to speed and once Mueller starts pedaling, has to match the pace of the rider perfectly. But she was serious about her role. “Most of the responsibilities I was used to, although I’ve never been responsible for someone else’s life,” Holbrook said. “There’s no words to explain what it’s like having a person inches away from you at 147 mph over a distance of 4.5 miles,” she continued. “I’m trained to be smooth and fast whereas this was smooth and slow reactions, with a high level of intensity.”

Critical to the success of Team Speed was Mueller’s custom ride, which is sponsored by KHS Bicycles. The record-breaking bicycle was handmade by Len Lochmiller from San Diego in conjunction with SD Wheelworks in San Diego, California. While its appearance may look odd to the uninitiated, a racer will recognize immediately what the designer sought to achieve: the long wheelbase provides stability at high speed, while the low center of gravity set by the 17-inch motorcycle tires minimize the destabilizing effects of the ripples that have formed across the salt. The bike also utilizes a short-travel suspension to dampen high speed vibration, and is fitted with a steering stabilizer to eliminate any risky high speed wobbles generated by the uneven surface.

The unique design of the bicycle was convinced to operate with maximum efficiency at high speeds on the Bonneville Salt Flats (Photo courtesy Project Speed)

The double reduction gearing and drivetrain is custom made by Todd Schusterman of Davinci Designs, which sequentially links two drive systems with 60-tooth chain rings. This significantly reduces the pedaling Mueller needed to do. For example at 147 miles per hour she would only have been peddling at 102 RPM.

The enormous fairing for the Range Rover SVR was constructed by Gary Castillo of Design Craft Fabrication in Garden Grove, California. If you’ve been part of the import scene for any of the last two decades, you’ll recognize Gary’s name not only as an excellent mechanic and talented fabricator, but also as a technical contributor to import magazines. And if not, you’ve probably seen Gary’s work on the AMC show “Walking Dead”, for which he built Zombie-resistant cars. When Gary was asked about how he mounted the fairing into the Range Rover, he admitted, “we were told not to cut or weld on it but we eventually had to put in a few holes.” All for a good cause, it turned out.

Shea Holbrook starts the Range Rover SVR rolling as Lisa Mueller comes up to speed on her bike (Photo courtesy Project Speed)

With the bicycle completed and the tow vehicle prepared, the team set out for a week at the Bonneville Salt Flats in western Utah. Holbrook and Mueller worked hard on the critical task of learning how to work in sync. “Honestly, I controlled how fast we went, based off of how I felt the runs were going; I decided if I thought Denise could handle more or not,” Holbrook said. “The more we practiced, the more Denise and I learned about each other and what we called “our dance,” she added.

But on the morning of Monday, September 12, it all came together. With cyclist and driver both in their safety gear, Holbrook began to tow Mueller to 100 mph, at which point Mueller detached the cable connecting the odd-looking bike to the Range Rover. They’d used the first of the four miles available to reach that speed. It was now a carefully synchronized “dance” to get Mueller up to a record pace. Acceleration followed by a rest period where Mueller rode in the slipstream, again and again. The dance between Holbrook and Mueller allowed Mueller to get up to speed by the end of mile two, and after which Mueller’s average speed between miles three and four would count toward the record.

While Mueller was not able to break the absolute world’s record set by her coach and mentor John Howard over 30 year ago, it is an enormous accomplishment to have come so close on a first attempt. And if the rain had held off and another day was available to make attempts, who knows what might have happened. Needless to say a speed of 147.7mph is nothing to sneeze at. For reference, that’s just shy of the take-off speed of a Boeing 737 commercial airliner. Further, Mueller set the long-missing women’s record and her speed is also one of the fastest ever recorded. All-in-all a fantastic outcome for Project Speed.

No stranger to competition, a determined RJ Anderson has an agenda and that agenda includes a podium finish at Lake Elsinore

It has been a wild year for the K&N-sponsored 23-year-old Pro2 driver, RJ Anderson. Seriously if you grew up around the folks he did, you might be in the same boat. You know, the one that says two trucks are always better than one. RJ has never been the type to just sit around. Competition has kept him busy, so it’s no surprise that the positive results are piling up. This past weekend RJ and Team RJ37 headed to Lake Elsinore, California, for Rounds 13 & 14 of the 2016 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series (LOORRS) with a shot at capturing the Pro2 Championship points lead in the #37 Polaris RZR/Rockstar Energy Pro2 truck. After his strong finish in rounds 11 & 12 in Sparks, Nevada at the Wild West Motorsports Park, taking a podium in both races, he advanced to second position in the championship points standings. His success has positioned him for a late season charge toward his first Pro2 Off-Road Racing Championship in only his 3rd year racing the Pro2 Class.

RJ37 driver and team owner, RJ Anderson said, "We came into this season with a no excuses attitude. The team and I knew what it would take to get the truck up front and we have worked hard this year to make that happen. To be sitting second in points at this part of the season is proof to both my sponsors and my team that we are on the right track. With a little luck, I think we can give the class a run and win a championship."

RJ Anderson makes short work of the short course in his Pro2 Truck

In addition to chasing down a championship in Pro2, the RJ37 team had planned to bring their brand new #37 Rockstar Energy/Polaris RZR Pro4 to unveil at Lake Elsinore. It was undecided if RJ would actually run the truck in competition this past weekend, but the plan was to get it out there for practice and see how the new 4WD, Kroyer-powered beast would run. During his shakedown of the new Pro4 truck, RJ was able to get one practice lap in and we are looking forward to seeing what the new truck can do during the 2017 LOORRS Season.

“I knew long ago that I wanted to race Pro4 but I also knew that I had to continue to remain true to the sport and pay my dues and work my way into the class. After winning the Pro-Lite Championship last season we decided to focus solely on the Pro2 program for 2016 in preparation for adding a second truck if the opportunity arose. With help from Rockstar Energy and of course Polaris RZR, we found a truck we liked. The team and I have spent the past few months setting the new Pro4 up and learning the truck before ever considering to even put it on the track in competition. But I feel like we are ready to see where we stand in the class and to see where the truck is at. You only can learn so much testing, you really need to be at race pace to see what you and the truck are made of” stated RJ37 driver and team owner, RJ Anderson.

RJ has the confidence of a veteran racer behind the wheel of his Pro2 Truck

It appears that RJ’s persistence is really paying off. Our K&N-sponsored driver earned a 3rd place podium finish Friday night under the lights in Lake Elsinore for Round 13 of LOORRS, proving once again he is a force to be reckoned with behind the wheel of his Polaris RZR/Rockstar Energy Pro2. Anderson was a mere 1.8 seconds behind Rob MacCachren, the leader and 1st Place Finisher, and less than a second separated him and Brian Deegan from the number 2 spot. Talk about a close race. Saturday night played out a bit different in Round 14 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Race Series. RJ came away with a 7th place finish, most assuredly not what he or the team had hoped for. He laid down some seriously quick lap times, 46.517, right up at the top, but unfortunately it just wasn’t enough to get him a second podium at Lake Elsinore. Team RJ37 knows that with only two races left in the series, they must pull out all the stops to reach their goals.

Not only racing trucks, RJ has stayed busy behind the wheel of his Polaris RZRs. This past weekend at the Sand Sports Super Show, RJ also unveiled his brand new 2017 XP1K4 Polaris RZR. In fact, Anderson has recently appeared in multiple high-profile commercial shoots with Polaris RZR as they launch the all-new 2017 Polaris RZR XP Turbo. He’s worked alongside his Polaris RZR teammates including younger brother, Ronnie, to shoot the special "Team RZR" launch videos. The fourth video in the epic viral video series is slated to be released this winter and rumor has it, this could be the biggest one yet! His RZR appearances haven't been limited to just being on camera. RJ was back on the track last weekend at the WORCS racing series at Glen Helen and where he swept the weekend behind the wheel of his Holz Racing Products Polaris RZR XP1000. RJ took down the best of the best in both the Pro 1000 and Pro Unlimited classes adding a few more podiums to his already long list of accomplishments.

Anderson is all smiles on the podium post-race

"It’s important for me to get out and still compete as often as possible in my RZR. You know, Polaris has done so much for me, my family, and this sport and while it’s very easy to be caught up in running the RJ37 team and racing trucks, at the end of the day my RZR keeps me grounded. I get out there with my friends and family and just go hard behind these amazing machines and not only does it keep me fresh and in a racing mindset in between truck rounds, it also provides me with a ton of fun. To get back in my RZR and head to WORCS and come away with a couple of wins might not sound like a lot to some, but if you see the level of competition at WORCS competing in RZRs you would understand why I am stoked on that. These guys, and girls, are super-fast now and their RZRs are crazy good! Now with the new 2017 RZR having 168hp right out of the box, I can only imagine how gnarly racing is going to get in these things now! I can't wait to build my new RZR," explained Anderson.

The RJ37 Team was looking forward to getting back out on the track at Lake Elsinore and in front of the local crowd. The season is nearing a close and the racers are pulling out all the stops to maximize their standings in the points chase and the team is equally excited to watch RJ37 Pro-Lite driver Ronnie Anderson in the #52 Walker Evans Racing Pro-Lite continue his run towards the "Rookie Of The Year" award. The younger Anderson has shown promise this season, having promoted from modified carts. And while older brother RJ is entering his prime, little brother is seriously starting to find his groove.

Little brother, Ronnie, looking for the Rookie of the Year Award as the 2016 LOORRS Season comes to a close

"To see Ronnie improve and mature behind the wheel of the #52 makes me just as happy as seeing myself do good. Ronnie is a huge part of the RJ37 program, we look to him to continue to carry the torch in the Pro-Lite class and one-day plan to see him fielding another Pro2 and maybe a Pro4 for us and himself here at Lucas Oil. Ronnie knows it’s a process and I am just glad I can be along for the ride with him and see him come into his own style and find his own success. Don't let that smile fool you, he is hungry and he wants to win and everyone who has paid attention this year has seen him charge. Ronnie's coming to the front and I really hope he scores Rookie Of The Year because he and his crew deserve it," exclaimed RJ37 driver and team owner, RJ Anderson.

Here's a look at the 2016 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Championship points standings for the top 5 in Pro2 Class as we head into Rounds 13 & 14. It looks like it will be a pretty tight race for points champion after this past weekend in Lake Elsinore.

1. Rob MacCachren 584 pts.
2. K&N-sponsored RJ Anderson 507 pts.
3. AIRAID Driver Jeremy McGrath 506 pts.
4. K&N Driver Carl Renezeder 481 pts.
5. Doug Mittag 472 pts.

Veteran racer, Rob MacCachren, in first position leads the hunt with 584 points. RJ Anderson, currently in 2nd with 507 points with Jeremy McGrath close behind with 506 points. Not too far behind with 481 points, K&N sponsored driver, Carl Renezeder could be the dark horse that tips the cart. Doug Mittag rounds out the Top 5 with 472 points.

With just two remaining events, there could be an upset, but it’s great to see these heavy weight competitors pushing their trucks and themselves to the limit! To improve your car’s performance, check out K&N Filter's vehicle search tool. The same performance products our K&N drivers use to improve the performance on their cars and trucks.

The centerpiece of the 16th Annual Las Vegas Bike Fest was the Artistry in Iron show and competition. The event lived up to its name as artistry oozed from every detail of the over-the-top creations of the visionary bike builders. The invitational event featured a wide range of the industry’s most talented metal-bending, torch-wielding, paint-spraying moto artists working today. These sculptors did not disappoint.

Master Builder Champion Pete Pearson’s skeletal beauty built around a tiny Triumph single

There are vegetables and moonshine in that sidecar and a K&N on the intake

This Gasser Customs beauty wears no paint and it breathes through K&N pod filters

Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of the Artistry in Iron event was the diversity of the custom bikes on display. It was a huge departure from the copycat choppers that were prevalent in the made-for-TV chopper shows of the last decade. The bikes gracing the voluminous show hall on Vegas’ famed Fremont Street were as singular and unique as the men who crafted them. While there were, of course, many customs built with the venerable American V-twin engine, the other power-plants that the builders chose to craft around, had their origins all around the world. Vintage Japanese inline fours, British parallel twins, and single-cylinder beauties from around the world were some of the tasty items on the menu. Engine sizes ranged from miniscule 50 cubic centimeter singles to massive V-twin over-builds.

Aesthetically, the mix of concepts and motifs was as panoramic as any motorcycle show I have attended. There were customs that featured over-the-top metal flake and candy-hued paint jobs. There were creations that wore the patina of time with carefully crafted rust and faded paint for a vintage aura. There were customs that celebrated the naked purity of bare metal. Yes, it seems the new era of custom bike artists have broken the chains of conformity in both brand and concept.

Binford’s Customs stunning dirt-themed Harley features a K&N filter in an S&S housing

Old school cool was the motif for several of the show’s customs

While diversity was on the menu, over-the-top choppers are certainly alive and well

Show bikes often feature completely open intakes in the form of air scoops or velocity stacks. Everyone knows that this display choice is fine for the sterile event hall but would insure an early death for the engine on the mean streets. Several of the customs that were more purpose-built and “real world” ready were adorned with the best air filters and intakes in industry – K&N. We will feature full profiles on a few of these builds and builders in coming days.

They say a picture paints a thousand words so I’ll stop talking and let you click on the photos of some of the amazing creations featured in at the Artistry in Iron event. Again, notice the wide-ranging design themes featured at the show. No cookie cutter customs here!