Harley-Davidson is rapidly diversifying into new segments in an attempt to lure new audiences, cue the electric LiveWire as well as the Street 500 and 750 duo, which some feel are amongst the most important models in the company’s history. Powered by Harley’s new V-twin, the water-cooled Revolution engine called the Revolution X, both the engines are identical with the exception of bore size, which helps bring down manufacturing costs and, thereby, retail prices. That is important, because Milwaukee is aiming for emerging markets like South East Asia and India, where a 500cc motorcycle falls into the ‘large capacity’ segment and incomes are not high enough for the majority to splurge on bigger bikes.

That said, with the bikes still dipping their toes in US waters, Harley-Davidson shipped out a spanking new Street 500 to the guys at The Speed Merchant to demonstrate how it can be customised. Going for a modern take on the classic flat tracker theme, the bike was stripped back to its bare essentials, with Sun aluminium rims, SS spokes and original Harley hubs replacing the stock wheels; Tokico calliper instead of the stock brakes, mounted via a Speed Merchant radial mount brake bracket; aluminium tail section; and a custom seat by Bates Leather. The stock fuel tank was retained, but modified to flow with the new styling, along with taller rear shocks by Öhlins, 2″ core muffler from Cone Engineering, as well as a modified swing arm and final drive. Fine piece of work there, we must say!