Even though Rough Crafts frontman Winston Yeh is happy to build custom bikes that fall outside of his purview, his bread and butter are sleek and bold Harley-Davidsons swathed in black. He does it so well, that most customers request ‘a Rough Crafts-style Harley’ and leave it at that.
That was almost the story with this imposing, yet refined, Harley-Davidson Street Bob. “He requested the more bling side of Rough Crafts—if that makes sense,” Winston explains. “Some of our bikes are ‘black black,’ and some have some shiny bits and a more luxurious feel. That’s what he was looking for.”
Rough Crafts started with a 2022-model Street Bob—a bike that Winston favors for its simple layout and minimalist build. Rough Crafts is based in Taiwan, where strict regulations rule out the possibility of altering a bike’s frame and keeping it street-legal. So Winston and his crew of collaborators have worked out ways to create maximum style with minimal fuss.
This Street Bob’s chassis and engine are completely stock, although the stance has been tweaked with new wheels and a few judicious suspension adjustments. The front forks feature a Progressive Suspension lowering kit and Rough Crafts fork shrouds, while a Progressive shock props up the rear.
The burly alloy wheels are Roland Sands Design items. Measuring 18” up front and 16” out back, they’re wrapped in vintage-style sawtooth treads from Duro. Slowing the Harley down are new Beringer calipers, with the brake discs mounted on custom carriers.
All of the Street Bob’s bodywork is custom—starting with its slim fuel tank. It sports Rough Crafts’ signature scallops on the sides, while tapering elegantly towards the front of the seat. Look closely, and you’ll spot a subtle rib run down the middle of it.
The bobbed saddle, and the blank-off plate that sits below it to protect the electronics, were made by BT Choppers in Poland. A custom leather cover adds a touch of style. Out back, a tight rear fender mimics the lines of the tank, with a matching rib that carries the theme from front to back.
Further forward, the OEM risers were swapped out for a finned set from the Rough Crafts catalog, designed to accommodate the Street Bob’s petite digital gauge. Rough Crafts handlebars are fitted with Rough Crafts x Arlen Ness grips, Beringer controls, and Rebuffini switches. A grill-covered Rough Crafts headlight sits out front.
As per the client’s request, Winston injected some panache into the Harley Street Bob’s finishes. Matte and gloss carbon overlays adorn the tank and fender, split by sophisticated silver-leaf striping. SFC Simon Fiber Craft handled the carbon fiber work, Rover Works Custom Paint did the paint, and 2 Abnormal Sides made the intricate Rough Crafts tank badges.
2 Abnormal Sides also whipped up a set of pushrod collars; another Rough Crafts signature. The bike’s dressed up with an array of Rough Crafts x Arlen Ness parts, including the rocker box covers, cam cover, air intake, and mid-mounted foot controls. The hydraulic clutch housing is from Rebuffini, but the cover is another RC part.
Two-into-one exhaust headers snake their way along the side of the bike, terminating in a stubby muffler. Finer details include a Rough Crafts gas cap, and Koso-made RC turn signals, with the rear signals doubling up as taillights.
With every box ticked, CT-Garage got the bike over the line by tackling the assembly.
Nicknamed ‘Gilded Spear,’ this custom Harley-Davidson Street Bob is the quintessential Rough Crafts build. Looking at it, it’s immediately clear why so many of Winston’s clients are happy to let him do his thing, no questions asked.
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