"V-Four"
Kentaro started his active life as a bodyworker during the day and as a cook at night. At that time, he was 18 years old and did a lot of work to save some money. At the same time he imported clothes for two years before joining the Harley Custom Shop team where he stayed for fifteen years! Mechanic and welder by training, he completed this know-how with bodywork preparation and painting. At the age of 35, Kentaro can do almost everything on his own on a bike. Review, preparation or creation, he can handle it alone and from A to Z ! This brings us directly to the followers of the expression : "You are never so well served except by yourself" ! It is therefore only natural that he should leave his job to open his own garage in Kyoto, his hometown. In 2007, the "Hot Chop Speed Shop" brand was created, Kentaro joined forces with two other people to do. But these two people left the shop as the years went by and Kentaro is working alone now. Even if Kentaro knows how to do absolutely everything on a bike, he no longer paints and leaves this exercise to friends much more talented than him...
This custom Sportster project, featuring several aftermarket Sportster parts, began in December 2017, just one year before it was unveiled exclusively at the last Hot Rod Custom Show in Yokohama in December 2018. The reason Kentaro decided to embark on this unusual project is twofold: to participate in dragster races in the "Vintage Class" category and to boost his business! And in view of the various articles published on social networks or other Blogs, both objectives are in perfect execution. To do this, Kentaro was inspired by the many twin-engine dragsters built in the 70's.
The dual engines are Harley-Davidson Ironhead Sportster engines. The front engine dates from 1969, the rear engine from 1967 and the 4-speed gearbox from 1980. For the first year of racing, Kentaro wanted both engines to remain in stock, as well as the two S&S B carburettors, in order to correctly carry out the necessary modifications to increase the engine's power over the various runs on the Japanese Dragstrip. Kentaro calculated the angles of inclination of the two motors essential for their proper operation. From there he made the 2 motor support plates and fixed them on them. Then he designed the gooseneck chassis, reinforced on the left side by a bar connecting the front to the rear for more rigidity because of the stresses due to the double engine. He made the fuel tank and the rear shell as an aluminium oil tank. The complete front axle is borrowed from a Ducati Imola from the 70s and Kentaro machined the foot controls that match the assembly and are positioned at the rear wheel axle... Kentaro is proud of its realization, because at the moment, it is the only one to own a dual engine dragster as it is in Japan ! His objective is to participate in Japanese Drag races with the final point being to go to Salt Lake in the USA to compete against the best vintage dragons! If by any chance you are interested in this Double Dragster, Kentaro told me it was for sale, then don't hesitate to contact him...
Words and Photos by - Gilles RasKar
Fork is Ducati Imola 70s with shaved lower legs.
Wheels:
Front is 18" - H type aluminum rim.
Rear is 18" - H type aluminum rim.
Brake: Front is AIRHEART brake for 70's.
Rear is willwood cast brake.
Seat is hand-sewn with leather. Leather special shop Atelier Cherry made it.
Paint is GRIMB Crazy Paint
S&S B carb.
There is no speedometer, only a tachometer. Harley 1970's grips made in Japan. Handlebars are one-off. Kicker pedal and pressure plate are original parts. Front rotor is also one-off.
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