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50 years Baechli Anniversary-Bike #5 (of 7):
2017 FLSS "Slim S"
Flying Diamond Twin Cam
The definite "Distinguished Gentlemen's Bike" for a classic ride: Harley Heaven's antique style Softail Twin Cam combines 1930ties Art Deco Look with modern Power & Performance.
better-than-new restored 1947/48 UL Flathead was taken in front of the Bellikon garages that acted as the first shop location from 1967 on for quite some times and yes – the kid in the background is the young Rainer Baechli!
"But looking through the history, there were more spectatcular options than the rather "uniform" colours of after WW II origin", adds Rainer – and the simple "Red Ball" tank emblem in use from 1947 to 1950, likely inspired by the legendary "Red Ball Express Route" of World War II which shipped the supplies from the Landing Beaches in Normandy to the advancing front lines against Germany from June 1944 to May 8th 1945. Especially in the Thirties, creativity "exploded" on the previous olive green paintjob that was popular after World War No. 1 and had a recent "comeback" in the very same "Slim" models as "Oliv Gold Denim" with a decorative white star as used as GI-marking on the WLA's.
It started in 1933, by any means one of the worst years in Harley-Davidson's production history: An estimated 3.703 only (!) units rolled from the production lines in the Juneau Avenue Factory that year – of about 8.000 motorcycles produced in the USA, now deep into the depression and crime running wild. Indian had just been rescued by industry-tycon E. Paul DuPont, who implemented the bright colors of his chemical industry empire to the models of the brand – and Harley needed to follow up, if they would stand a chance. The 1933 model year not just saw numerous colour options, but also tank decals with a art-deco styled "Eagle" surrounding the classic "outlined" "Harley-Davidson" lettering, very rare today, thanks to the low production numbers of that model year. 1934, Franklin D. Roosevelt cutting his "New Deal" and additional money coming in from a trade agreement with the Japanese Sankyo Company who bought a licence for the VL model, looked a little bit brighter – and the "Flying Diamond" logo in "Art Deco" style would become an all-time design classic. With the stock "Slim S" already equipped with black painted drive train, frame, fork and exhaust pipes, the elegant black/grey version of the paint sheme was the natural choice for this project.
"The customizing time on this project was surprisingly short, resulting in a very competetive price for a very stylish and startling custombike", states Rainer Baechli, "but there was one part that did need some extra effort..." Both fenders are from W&W Cycles origin, OEM exchange parts for "the real thing", means period Harley's. While the rear fender, foldable, like the genuine part, was adapted to the rear 16-Inch spoke wheel without much ado, it was the front fender that caused headaches. ABS and electronic regulators were either unknown or much smaller on the "classic" Harley-Davidson models of the pre-war years, it was the modern regulator that hit the curved tip of the front fender: "We had to re-think the idea and finally re-shape the front-fender position as was interfering with the 2017 regulator", explains Rainer, "and that was time consuming sheet metal work". The end result is quite convincing, especially in the light that only those modern components that would discommode the classic look were exchanged for (even more advanced) modern parts: Check out the super-bright Kellermann micro indicators that are almost invisible. A classic looking taillight adds to the tailend, Swiss riders enjoy a small and exchangable license plate, which can be run with either motorcycle or car. The spring mounted single seat has been assembled from aftermarket components. The extra eyecatching factor on the left side is the big Lejonkulans Läderhantverk leather bag: No fancy modern plastic clips, heave duty leather straps like in the "good ol' times". The Baechli Custom department created a special mounting bracket, anchored directly at the Softail frame, which also can be quickly stripped from the bike. But as mounted, it also hides the all too modern belt drive to the rear wheel.
"The surprising "message" on this bike is how many stock "Slim" components ware retained and how well they fit the look", confirms Rainer at the walkaround of this "modern Antique". Not just are frame, rolling chassis, wheels, motor, drive train and brakes stock – details like floorboards, handlebar, instrument panel, headlight, "ribbed" coils, "cowbell" horn and even the often exchanged stock air filter fit the look perfectly. Round mirrors, tank caps and grips are Harley accessories. "There is the option of a homologated and fully functionable ABS Springer fork", reveals Baechli, "but we wanted to keep this particular "50th Anniversary" project bikes as close to stock as possible. Anyway, this "antique" and elegant looking classic is a devil in disguise: The 92hp/145 Nm 110 Cubic Incher of Scream Eagle and CVO origin is one of the wildest and most powerful stock motor versions of the Twin Cam ever mounted into the Softail chassis. Place this ride into a time machine and beam it back to the year 1934 – you would have a motorcycle that would only be potentially but definitvely able to break the then existing Land Speed Record for motorcycles, 1937 pushed by Joe Petrali to 138.183 mph. The 110 Cubic-Incher gets a smile on every riders face, even when you are riding only slow and in search for a photo location. The powerful thrust from the lowest rev-range is impressive – and a fitting "farewell" to the era of the "Twin Cam" models, now part of Harley-Davidson's history. While photographing the "#5" of Harley-Heaven's seven 50th Anniversary Motorcycles, images of the #6 arrived and the seventh – and last – project is in the planning, "most likely one of the new 2018 models to complete the circle", smiles Rainer, "with the experience of the "Flying Diamond", we certainly will have more requests for such retro-styled customs rather sooner than later." He knows his clients quite well – and this bike will act as inspiration to other Twin Cam customizers worldwide! When riding the bike, you should be prepared for curious looks and questions like: "WHAT year has this bike been built? 2017? NO WAY? Absorb them or let them drip off – this bike is worth the silly inquisitions. You can always surprise them with a quick ABS-stop on the spot, or a twist on the throttle: The "Flying Diamond" is here – to fly! Low and fast!
Text & Fotos: Horst Rösler, Rider: Marco Haage, Baechli Harley-Heaven
Historic photos: Bächli Harley-Heaven Archive
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Technische Daten/Technical data/Spécifications/Technische Specificaties/Formulario Dati Tecnici/Informação Técnica:
Allgemeines/General/Generalitè/Algemeen/Generalita/Geral:
Name/Bezeichnung/Name/Nom de la moto/Naam van de motorfiets/Nome della Moto/Nome da Moto: "Flying Diamond" FLSS "Slim"
Besitzer/Owner/Propriétaire/Eigenaar/Proprietario/Proprietário: For sale
Ort/Location/Ville/Stad/Citta/Cidade: Baechli Harley-Heaven
Auf-/Umgebaut von/Assembly/Refait par/op en ongebbouwed door/Costruttore/ Montagem por: Baechli Harley-Heaven
Jahr/Year/Année/bouwjaar/Anno/Ano: 2017
Bauzeit/Time/Terminé/bouwtijd/Periodo di lavorazione/Tempo: 1 month
Fertigstellung/Finishishing date/Finissage/afbouwdatum/Dati di completare/Data de Acabamento: October 2017
Modell/Model/Modèle d'origine/model/Marca e Modello/Modelo de Origem: H-D FLSS; "Slim"
Wert/Value/prix/waarde/valore/Preço: On request
Sonstiges/Other/Autres/ovenig/Altro/Outros: #5 of Seven "Special Edition" 50th Anniversary Baechli Custombikes
Motor/Engine/Moteur/Motorblok/Motore/Motor:
Baujahr/Year/Année/bouwjaar/Anno/Ano: 2017
Block/Lower end/Bas moteur/onder blok/Blocco Motore/Carter: stock, Baechli 50th Anniversary Motor Covers
Kurbelwelle/Crankshaft/Vilebrequin/Ceruleas/Albero motore/Cambota: stock
Zylinder/Cylinder/Cylindrée/cilinderse/Cilindri/Cilindrada: Screamin' Eagle
Kolben/Pistons/Pistons/zuigers/Pistoni/Piston: Screamin' Eagle
Hubraum/Displacement/Cylindrée/cilinderinhoud/cilindrata : 1.801 cc - 110 Cubic Inch
Pleuel/Con Rod/Bielle/dryfstangen/Biella/Biela: Screamin' Eagle
Zylinderköpfe/Heads/haute Cylindrée/cilinderkop/testata/po cilindro: Screamin' Eagle
Ventile/Valves/soupapes/kleppen/Valvole/Válvulas: Screamin' Eagle
Stößel/Pushrods/Tiges de poussoir/klepstoters/regolabili/Tirante: stock
Nockenwelle/Camshaft/Cames/nokhenas/klepstoters/Veio de excêntricos: Screamin' Eagle
Vergaser/Carburator/Carburateur/carburateur/Carburatore/Carburador: EFI - stock
Luftfilter/Air cleaner/Filtre à air/luchtfilter/Filtro Aria/Filtro de Ar: Stock Harley-Davidson
Zündung/Ignition/Allumage/ontsteking/Accenzione/Ignição: Stock Harley-Davidson/ Screamin' Eagle
Krümmer/Pipes/ Pipes d'échappement/uitlaten/scarichi/Escapes: Stock Harley-Davidson
Endtöpfe/Mufflers/Silencieux/demper/silenziatore/Silenciador: Stock Harley-Davidson
Leistung (PS)/Horsepower (hp)/Chevaux/vermogen/Cavallo vapore/Cavalos: 92 hp
Sonstige Bemerkungen/Other/Autres/ovenige bejzonderheeden/Altro/Outros: Baechli 50th Anniversary Motor Covers
Übersetzung/Getriebe//Transmission/Transmission/Versnellungsbak/Cambio/Transmissão:
Baujahr/Year/Année/bouwjaar/Anno/Ano: 2017
Typ/Type/Type/type/Typ/Tipo: stock HD
Gänge/Gears/Vitesse/aantal versnellingen/rapporti/Velocidade: 6
Schaltung/Shifting/changement de vitesse,/schaledwijze/azionamento/Velocidades: stock
Primärantrieb/Primary Transmission/Transmission primaire/primaire overbrenging/trasmiss. Primaria/Transmissão primária: stock, Baechli 50th Anniversary Primary Cover
Kupplung/Clutch/Disques d'embrayage/frizione/Disco de Embrayagem: stock
Sekundärantrieb/Secondary transmission/Transmission secondaire/sekundaire overbrenging/trasmiss. Secondaria/Transmissão Secundária: stock belt drive
Sonstige Bemerkungen/Other/Autres/ovenig/Altro/Outros: ---
Fahrwerk/Frame; Brakes/Cadre; Freins/frame en remmen/Telaio e freni/Quadro e travão :
Rahmen/Frame/Cadre/frame/Telaio/Quadro: stock FLSS "Slim"
Baujahr/Year/Année/bouwjaar/Anno/Ano: 2017
Lenkkopfneigung/Rake/Chasse/balhoofdshael/inclinazione: 32,1°
Verlängerung (Verkürzung)/Stretch (Shortage)/Allongement (Abréviation)/verlenging (inhoulang)/allungamento (riduzione): ---
Sonstige Umbauten/Other/Autres/andere wegrigingen/Altro/Outros: ---
Schwinge/Swinging arm/Bras oscillant/achtenbrug/Forcellone oscillante/Braço Oscillante: stock
Stoßdämpfer/Shock absorbers/Amortisseurs/schokdempers/ammortizzatori/Amortecedor: stock
Gabel/Fork/Fourche/vork/Forcella anteriore/Garfo: stock "Slim"
Hersteller/Type/Constructeur/merk/Marca/Constructor: Showa
Verlängerung/ Stretch/Extension/verlenginging/allungamento/Alongar: stock
Sonstiges/Other/Autres/ovenig/Altro/Outros: ---
Räder/Wheels/Roues/wielen/Ruota/Rodas:
Vorne/Front/avant/voor/anteriore/Frente:
Größe/Size/Dimensions/maat/dimensione/Dimensões: 16 Inch Stock Harley-Davidson Spoke Wheel
Nabe/Hub/Moyeu/naaf/rotore/Rotor: Harley-Davidson
Speichen/Spokes/rayons/spaken/raggi/Raios: Harley-Davidson Spoke
Reifen/Tyre/Pneu/banden/pneumatico/Pneus: MT90B16; Dunlop Harley-Davidson D402F
Hinten/Rear/arriere/achter/posteriore/Traseiro:
Größe/Size/Dimensions/maat/dimensione/Dimensões: 16 Inch Stock Harley-Davidson Spoke Wheel
Nabe/Hub/Moyeu/naaf/rotore/Rotor: Harley-Davidson
Speichen/Spokes/rayons/spaken/raggi/Raios: Harley-Davidson Spoke
Reifen/Tyre/Pneu/banden/pneumatico/Pneus: MU85B16; Dunlop Harley-Davidson D402
Bremsen/Brakes/Freins/remmen/Freni/Travões:
Vorne/Front/avant/voor/anteriore/Frontal: stock
Bremsscheibe(n)/Disk(s)/Disque(s)/remschiguen/Disco/Disco: stock
Bremszange(n)/Caliper(s)/Bloc(s)/remklaumen/Pinza freno/Bloco: stock
Hinten/Rear/arriere/achter/posteriore/Traseiro:
Bremsscheibe(n)/Disk(s)/Disque(s)/remschiguen/Disco/Disco: Harley-Davidson
Bremszange(n)/Caliper(s)/Bloc(s)/remklaumen/Pinza freno/Bloco: Harley-Davidson
Sonstige Bemerkungen/Other/Autres/ovenig/Altri/Outros: ---
Accessoires:
Riser: Harley-Davidson
Lenker/Bars/Guidon/stuur/Manubrio/Guiador: Stock HD
Spiegel/Mirrors/Rétroviseur/spiegel/Specchietto/Retrovisor: Harley-Davisdon Accessories
Armaturen/Griffe/Grips/Poignées/handgreepen/manopole/Punhos: stock HD
Fußrasten/Pegs/Repose-pieds/voetsteunen/Pedaliera/Pousa Pés:
Vorne/Front/avant/voor/anteriore/Frontal: HD "Slim" classic "Half Moon" floorboards
Hinten/Rear/arriere/achter/posteriore/Traseiro: HD accessories
Tank/Gas Tank/Réservoir d'essence/tank/Serbatoio/Depósito: Stock "Slim", HD accessories tank caps
Sitzbank/Seat/Selle/zadel/Sella/Banco: Single Seat, aftermarket
Öltank/Oil-tank/Réservoir d'huile/olie tank/Serbatoio olio/Depósito de oleo: HD stock
Schutzblech/Fenders/Garde-boue/spatborden/Parafango/Guarda-Lama:
Vorne/Front/avant/voor/anteriore/Frontal: W&W Cycles, adapted by Baechli Harley-Heaven
Hinten/Rear/arriere/achter/posteriore/Traseiro: W&W Cycles, modified by Harley-Heaven
Sonstiges/Other/Autres/ovenig/Altro/Outros: Special bracket for leather bag, quick detachable, Leather bag Lejonkulans Läderhantverk
Elektrik/Electrics/Electricité/electrciteit/Elettrico/Electricidade:
Lampe vorne/Headlight/Phares/koplamp/Faro/Faróis: Stock HD
Rücklicht/Taillight/Feux arrière/achterlicht/Luce posteriore/Faróis traseiros: LED
Blinker/Indicators/Clignotantes/richtingaanwejzers/Lampeggiatore/Piscas: Kellerman Micro Indicators
Kabelbaum/Wireing/System électrique/kabelboom/Imp. Elettrico/sistema eléctrico: stock, modified by Baechli Harley-Heaven
Sonstiges/Other/Autres/ovenig/Altro/Outros: ---
Lackierung/Painting/Peinture/spuitwerk/Verniciature/Pintura:
Idee/Idea/Idée/idee/Idea/Ideia: Baechli Harley-Heaven, 1934/34 Art Deco "Flying Diamond" design
Ausführung/Painter/Peintre/spuiter/Autore/Pintor: Zsukart Airbrush, Witterswil
Basislack/Base laquer/Laque basique/basiskleur (soort)/Colore base/Côr de base: Grey
Farbe/Colour/Couleur/kleuren/Colore/Côr: Grey
Airbrush-Gemälde/Design/Airbrush Art/Design/Peinture speciale/ontwerp/Aerografie/Artista: 1934/34 Art Deco "Flying Diamond" Graphics.
Kontaktadresse/Adress/contact/contactadres/Indirizzo/Morada:
Harley-Heaven Bächli AG
Ueberlandstraße 74
CH-8953 Dietikon
Switzerland/Suisse/Schweiz
Tel. ++41 (0) 44 - 744 30 44
www.Harley-Heaven.ch
www.hdb.ch
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50 years business for American V-Twins in Switzerland!
A short history of Harley-Heaven
A date that is defining Swiss Motorcycle history: In 2017, Baechli Harley-Heaven, Switzerlands biggest and most successful Harley-Davidson dealer is celebrating all year around the start of the motorcycle business started by Felix Baechli in 1967. The last weekend in March saw the "official" party, but while lacking an "official" starting date, such as an entry into the commercial register, 1967 nevertheless saw the start of Felix Baechli's business from humble beginnings in the home garage – where it was staying for a surprising long time!
Bächli Harley-Heaven Websites: www.harley-heaven.ch
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