2003 Harley-Davidson Special

The seller of this stunning 2003 Harley Davidson has owned the motorcycle since 2014, when he commissioned Jones Custom Motorcycles based in Camberley to carry out the unique custom build. The brief to Jones Custom was to build a bike that resembled a 1941 Harley Davidson WLC, but with a modern twist, such as better brakes, electrics gear change etc. You get the idea, it needed to be something that would make it easier riding on today's busy roads. The seller has previously owned a 1948 WLC model and loved the look of the bike, but wasn’t so keen on the 1940’s set up in modern day traffic. This led to wanting something that resembled the WLC’s styling but had to be more usable.

With the brief given, the hunt was on for a donor bike that would be used for the build. A 2003 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster was found that was in good condition at a cost of £5,000. This was the start of the Project Doppelganger WL style Sportster Bobber. The 883 Sportster was completely stripped of everything and then Jones Custom Motorcycles worked their magic on the Harley. Jones Customs had the benefit of having the sellers 1942 WLC in the workshop to help with the build, giving help and reference along the way.

It’s now unrecognizable as an 883 Sportster as everything, and we mean everything, has either been reworked or modified in some way, shape or form making this a totally one of a kind build. You can tell how much has been changed on the Harley when the builder tells you that the only thing that remains an original part of the bike is the headstock with the chassis number on!

Finished in Cream and Black, the attention to detail on the Harley is second to none. Starting at the front, the fender has been replaced with an aftermarket WLC style item which is mounted on the WLC springer style forks. The front wheel has been replaced with a stainless steel item and coated in satin black to match the forks. This has been fitted with a period looking white wall tyre. Helping the Harley come to a quick and safe stop is a drilled disc and repositioned caliper. At the top of the forks the three lights add a little more width to the look of the bike as it roars up behind you, the outer two are in fact the indicators. The handlebars again are a take on the WLC ones, but don't come up quite so high. As per the brief, a modern twist with reliability was needed, so the switch gear is from the original 2003 bike, which has been rewired and rerouted to give a cleaner look.

From the side of the Bobber, the frame has been modified from the 2003 frame to follow the lines of the 1941 WLC, and this has also been coated in satin black to match the wheels. The engine casing and gearbox have followed suit with the satin black finish. The custom exhaust from the V-twin has been made to follow the theme and wrapped in heat wrap to protect your legs from any unwanted burns. Just behind the engine is the oil tank which is finished in gloss black to match the highlights on the fenders and fuel tank, and just below this is the compact battery. The rear wheel is again a stainless steel wheel coated in satin black and fitted with the same period looking white wall tyre. The rear fender is a WLC style aftermarket item that matches the front, finished in cream with black highlighting, with the indicators mounted to either side and chrome bezel stop light to the center. The Harley’s fuel tank has been painted cream, with black side panels that follow the shape of the tank and finished with the Harley-Davidson name in the same cream. The shape of the tank is a similar looking style to the early model, but in one piece. It still holds the odometer, which again is period looking, but with a digital display for the mileage.

The seat on the Harley has been replaced with a single seat and trimmed in brown hide. This is mounted on a spring which can be adjusted to suit if required. The grips on the handle bars have been covered with some light brown rubber items, which are in keeping with the theme. Down below, the foot rests, gear shift and brake pedal have been either polished or chromed respectively, along with any brackets for mounting items such as the lights.

The original V-Twin 883cc air cooled engine has been bored out to a massive 1200cc, and so was obviously rebuilt in the process, replacing all the bearings, seals etc. The carburettor has been replaced and set up to fuel the powerhouse of a 1200cc. Mounted to this is the air filter which has been covered in gloss black to match the other highlighted areas.

The 5-speed gearbox hasn’t been left out, and this also has received a full rebuild and, along with the engine, coated in satin black and finished with stainless steel bolts to hold it all together. One thing you might notice is that the final drive which was belt-driven on the 2003 model Sportster has been dumped in favour of a more period looking sprocket and chain setup.

Commissioned to be built in 2014 by Jones Custom Motorcycles, who it has to be said build some pretty epic bikes, but they have very sadly ceased trading as a result of the pandemic. They certainly didn’t disappoint the vendor with this build. It was exactly as he hoped for and speaking with the builder, he says “it's probably one of the nicest bikes he’s built”. Since getting the bike, the vendor has covered just under an incredibly low 1,000 miles on the freshly built Harley, and at a cost, including the donor bike, of over £21,000, it's certainly not even run in.

The bike was originally registered on 12th May 2003, and the number plate in the photos, HTS 938, is being retained by the vendor. The registration number now assigned to the bike is LF03 BZG. There is a current MoT certificate on the bike until 25th March 2022.

A Harley Davidson is a bike that most people love. Just the whole sound of the V-Twin often described as potato-potato-potato, they really do have a distinctive note. That coupled with the heavyweight cruiser or ‘hog’, the Harley has become a household name.

This build has taken things to a new level. You have the styling from 1941, which in itself looks amazing, with the added bonus of being built on a modern bike, thus making it a pleasure to ride in modern day life. Better brakes, electrics and reliability. With 1200cc under the seat, the only decision you have to make is which way to head off. The Doppelganger WL style Sportster Bobber will cruise along with ease and definitely turn heads wherever it goes.

This is the time to jump onto a piece of American history with a modern twist!

We estimate the Harley will bring in the region of £16,000 - £22,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, so to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.