It’s almost impossible one month since Harley-Davidson announced the cessation of production of models using Evolution engines sports athlete line, but amazing custom templates keep rolling out of the factory. It’s easy to see why—the versatile Evo Sportster is one of the cheapest bikes in Harley’s lineup and is great for customization. In addition, Sporty owners are constantly immersed in the millions of aftermarket parts available to them.
One man who knows both Sportsters and aftermarket parts well is Huang Jiahuan, 23, from Kunming, Yunnan province, China. We rarely come across custom bikes from China, let alone a young person like Jiahuan. So it’s great to see the scene alive and well.
Working out of his workshop, Seed Garage, Jiahuan spends most of his time manufacturing parts rather than building complete custom bikes. But recently, the sky has cleared up, and Jiahuan was asked by a customer in Beijing to completely redo his 2018 model Harley-Davidson Sportster.
“Most Chinese people chopper lovers still have trouble doing it themselves — even when I give them the right parts,” says Jiahuan. “I rarely see Mainland China custom bikes on Bike EXIF, so I started to wonder if I could make my own.”
The plan was to build a slim chopper that could glide through the busy streets of the capital, while still retaining some of the classic aesthetic for choppers. “We wanted Eastern and Western cultures to intersect—and it had to work. A beautiful vintage bike on display will never be enough.”
Jiahuan started out ahead, with a narrow set of fork yoke from the Seed Garage category. Designed to work with OEM fork feet and headlights, they fit perfectly on the new slim 21″ front wheel. The built-in Neofactory GTS brake disc helps reduce speed.
Compared to the 16-inch rear wheel, it is definitely stout, 5 inches wide. Shinko white wall tires add a touch of classic style.
A set of lift bars and rods from Fork Co. from Japan placed on top, equipped with new grips. Jiahuan used a minimalist style for the bars, with Sowing’s Garage inner throttle, Kustom Tech brake and clutch levers, and classic micro-switches. The factory tachometer has been moved to the left of the fuel tank, behind a single mirror from Motor Rock.
The fuel tank itself is a custom piece—as is the Cobra saddle and crossbar. The only other body part is the custom chunky rear fender. Right below is a pair of sturdy rear struts provided by Sowing Garage.
Switching to Sportster’s Evolution engine, Jiahuan left the internals intact, choosing only external upgrades. On the right is a set of Sowing Garage overhead exhausts, with silencers from Crazy Orange MC in Japan. The ignition system was replaced with a Dynatek unit, and to keep the old style intact, the EFI system was replaced with an S&S Cycle carburetor and intake.
On the left, the coils have been moved using the Seeding Garage rack. The movement also wears a die-cast watch and main cap from the shop, and a seesaw cap from EMD in France.
The complete set includes a Sowing Garage side stand and a Motor Rock taillight. The turn signals are barely noticeable—but they to be There, mount low down at both ends.
Then there’s the paint job. Based on classic Harley-Davidson themes and done in-house, it’s a beautiful combination of blue, white and yellow.
“I started this project alone,” said Jiahuan, laughing. “Friends and partners have come and gone throughout the construction process, and it made me realize that I really enjoy this kind of work.”
We love oriental skinny choppers as much as we love classic Western ‘Easy Riders’, and Jiahuan has combined those styles with skill and taste. Harley-Davidson may have punished Evo Sportster, but this build proves it’s still worth the hack.
