The Del Prado Brothers Re-Birth A Harley Ironhead Sportster

Six weeks ago, I introduced you to DP Custom Cycles and to their Naked Cafe Racer. The Del Prado brothers (Jarrod and Justin) just produced another nice piece of modified old Harley with this 1981 Ironhead Sportster named Top Fuel II. The duo explained to me that the chosen name pays homage to their first hardtail that they did several years back. It has a custom exhaust that they called “Top Fuel” because they were going for the look of Funny Car pipes. Top Fuel II has a similar exhaust, but more compact and adapted for lean angles, yet still has the cool drag racing look.

The Del Prado are huge racing fans – Moto GP, F1, Indycar, NASCAR – and this is where the inspiration for the paint scheme came from. They like to use bright colors that really pop in the sun, colors that you don’t usually see even on very radical custom motorcycles.  In this case, they went for the bright blue and white livery that adorned the 1965 NASCAR Champion Ford Galaxie. And for the first time, why not, they dared to paint the bike name and “DP Customs” on the tank in large old school lettering. The finished machine looks 60’s through and through and gets tons of nods amid the ocean of baggers that seem to be taking over the motorcycle scene.

Not only Top Fuel II is a very cool sled made to ride, but contrary to what you you may think, it doesn’t cost a fortune. I was surprised that this bike costs close to $10,000, a more than fair price when you know, like me, the time involved to beautifully re-birth this Ironhead Sportster. A few more details about it. Engine is stock 1000 cc fitted with Keihin carburetor. Harley 4-speed transmission was kept. Springer front end is 4″ under stock. Gas tank was borrowed from a Super Glide. Bike rolls on a 19″ front wheel wrapped in Avon tire and 16″ rear dressed in vintage Firestone rubber. Seat is tuck-n-roll from Bitwell. DP Custom Cycles. (pictures copyright Strahm Photography, courtesy to Cyril Huze)

28 Responses to “The Del Prado Brothers Re-Birth A Harley Ironhead Sportster”


  1. 1 Paul Brandt Oct 17th, 2011 at 8:11 am

    Simple and pretty cool.

  2. 2 Shifter Oct 17th, 2011 at 8:47 am

    The way Milwaukee should remake them. Like it.

  3. 3 Marc Mazerolle Oct 17th, 2011 at 8:53 am

    I think it’s hard to make something look simple, great job.

  4. 4 Matt Oct 17th, 2011 at 9:14 am

    Never thought I would dig white pipes but this one pulls if off!

  5. 5 Kroeter Oct 17th, 2011 at 9:24 am

    Good lookin’ bike

  6. 6 Matthew Olsen Oct 17th, 2011 at 9:51 am

    This is one of the nicest looking sportsters that I have seen.

  7. 7 TodT Oct 17th, 2011 at 9:52 am

    Wow, I really like that….great job!

  8. 8 Larry R Oct 17th, 2011 at 10:06 am

    Nice bike! Kudos to the builders.

  9. 9 CafeSportyTC Oct 17th, 2011 at 10:21 am

    thats what is nice about the sportster engine , it gives you that vintage 4 valver board tracker look… love it!

  10. 10 Boss Hawg Oct 17th, 2011 at 11:19 am

    Sweeeeeeet!

    A damn fine looking machine…my hat’s off to you.

    Love it!

    Boss Hawg

  11. 11 hk Oct 17th, 2011 at 11:19 am

    slick build ,very clean

  12. 12 bigalyts Oct 17th, 2011 at 11:25 am

    Are you sure Sr. or Jr. didn’t have any influence on that Build?

  13. 13 Dave Blevins Oct 17th, 2011 at 11:37 am

    Very nice.

  14. 14 fuji Oct 17th, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    Dave Blevins .

    Took a look at your sportster .
    Great makeover.
    HD should be calling for idfeas, Soon

    . Fuji

  15. 15 Steve Carr Oct 17th, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    Now that’s more like it guys!

    Steve Carr

  16. 16 Rhett Oct 17th, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Neat and inviting for fast spins

  17. 17 live2rideaglide Oct 17th, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    So cool.

  18. 18 Tom Maioli Oct 17th, 2011 at 5:42 pm

    Wait a minute, that’s not a “Cafe Racer” It will never catch on.

  19. 19 Smittydog Oct 17th, 2011 at 7:01 pm

    Looks good, nice to see somthing different for a change.

  20. 20 Seymour Oct 17th, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    Ironheads are pretty. That’s a pretty bike.

  21. 21 Drake Oct 17th, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    Cyril. you picked again a great bike. Of course you know…

  22. 22 Hondo Cat Oct 17th, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    Super sweet!

  23. 23 olddude13 Oct 18th, 2011 at 6:21 am

    Nice bike but pipes look silly just my 2-cents

  24. 24 Rich Oct 18th, 2011 at 8:30 am

    I like it!

  25. 25 John Y Oct 18th, 2011 at 9:30 am

    Will keep your foot warm.

  26. 26 burnout Oct 18th, 2011 at 10:09 am

    Cool exhaust. peace

  27. 27 live2rideaglide Oct 20th, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    Ned Jarrett 1965 nascar champion , sat on the hood of that car at Martinsville Speedway. Worked for Ned at Hickory in the 80’s. Fine gentleman. I loved those color schemes in the 60’s color coordinated wheels. Oh bring back those days.

  28. 28 jatinder pal Oct 21st, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    Nice and tight package, gotta love the old school bikes.

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Cyril Huze