

After several years of customizing Harley ironheads, DP Custom Cycles have got it down to a fine art. This is their latest creation, ‘Defensor’—a tribute to the late Formula 1 racing driver Ayrton Senna. “The bike was commissioned by a customer whose favorite racing driver is Senna,” says Jarrod Del Prado. “We’re huge motorsports fans too, and have followed Senna since his first win with Lotus. So we decided to go with a livery of yellow, green, and black.”

The biggest job was the frame, which was hardtailed and extended four inches. Then the forks were shaved smooth on a lathe and polished. The same bright aluminum polished effect can be seen on the primary/cam covers, and the rocker boxes.



As with all DP bikes, the motor has been overhauled and fitted with a rebuilt carburetor. The 2-into-1 headers are hand-made, and flow into a three-inch collector. This ironhead is now riding on 19” front and 16” rear wheels, powdercoated in matte black and shod with Bridgestone Battlax tires. DP replaced the stock rotors with stainless cross-drilled items, and also fitted their hand-crafted clip-ons for an aggressive riding position. There are nine coats of paint on the tank, finished with a matte clear coat that works beautifully with the bright colors underneath.

Even when it’s standing still, this is a bike that looks fast.

Images courtesy of Jed Stahm.





