Introduce yourself and where are you from?
“My name is Angelo 34 years old and live In Capelle aan den Ijssel next to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. I was born in Rotterdam and moved a couple of years ago to Capelle. My roots are Dutch and Moluccan and there is also where the passion for Harleys started. My father brought me when I was younger to ride outs in de Moluccan community and then I was realizing that it was goal to get myself a Harley one day.
And guess, now i´m here! Already had a couple of Harleys.. I started with my first Harley like 6 years ago, it was a softail Low Rider S. two years later I changed it for a Low Rider ST. build it to a stage 2, and then the problem started. I got caught by the police give me a WOK and I couldn’t ride anymore. An other problem was to make it stock again and had to go to RDW for check up. Only this took so long that even my mother said “why don’t you sell this one and buy a bagger” so followed her advice and bought my 24 Road Glide!”
What attracted you to the performance bagger scene?
“Funny story, it all started with a video about a saddle, it was a video from Kruesi Originals. It was a m8 softail that they gonna build in a BRL racer over a time. I followed the hole build story from it and that´s what I really liked. A Harley that is usually not made for high speed, build to a racer."
“It put down a 150 hp and 218nm of torque!!!”
What does the performance scene mean to you?
"The whole industrie for me is amazing. I really like to make things special or personalize it. And I think this is the best part of it. Also how many people who are in the scene and how friendly everyone is is amazing."
photo: Angelo
Tell us more about your bike and any specifications.
“Almost 1 year I’m a proud owner of a 2024 Road Glide. I bought my bike in august or september 2024 at Harley Rotterdam. After that I started talking with different people, especially bagger owners. So end of season 2024 I started to build a performance bagger. Put on full Ohlins suspension front and rear, also lifted the bike around 2 inches with longer forktubes and internals. The rear suspension is a HD044 from Ohlins with PE 1inch extensions. With that done I started to upgrade the brakes. The front and rear are equipped with Bremo GP4-RX radial callipers and galfer brake discs. Must say the stock brakes where already good, but this is braking like a performance car. Also put some risers and bars on it and small optical changes like fully blacked out the wheels and belt drive. Also put on some carbon from carbon visionary, a front fender and a midconsole.
Then the performance, the bike is stocked with a Bassani exhaust, Arlen Ness big Sucker air cleaner and a cycle rama CR484 Cam. With the new model gen 2 Road Glide we wanted tot try this cam, because it should bring good numbers on the dyno but it was not for sure because there isn’t much on the market yet.
So the whole build is done by WCM and the put the stage 2 together and tuned it on the dyno with a thundermaxx on it. After a day I got a text with how exited they went on the tune. It put down a 150 hp and 218nm of torque!
And I think I’m the most proud of is the complete build that WCM done for me, my ideas with some help form them made it for far as now my dream bike."
What was the inspiration for building your bike?
"Kruesi Originals is a big inspiration together with Thrashin supplies. They made performance bikes, but still keep that typical og American style. That’s what I really like about the harleys“
Top 3 products from your bike that you would recommend to others?
“If you want to change parts off the bike, and now I probably sounds like an old guy who is saying stuff out of protection (and I’m not that old) I would start to upgrade the suspension, brakes and risers with the bars.
Because the stock bars for me where waaaay to high and not steering well at all. But also depends on wat you want to do with the bike. After that put on a good exhaust because the sound of those new bikes are very quiet and lame. It hurts me when some one comes by and say “it doesn't sound like a Harley”
“The memories you make those days gave it some extra good memories”
Top 3 products you regret?
"First, the stock tires , the rubber is so hard that it doesn’t give u any grip in the rain or good grip when it’s dry. So definitely gonna changes these. Also the tune with Thundermaxx brings some small problems, the still needs to be fixed but not a big issue. Also put on Kraus risers on the bike, handles perfect but now I want to get some chrome parts so that’s only a personal taste!"
Are there any parts still on your wish list?
“Yes, some big and small parts, soon gonna chrome out some stuff to make it a bit more American classic. After that there is coming a new machined swing arm and hopefully a carbon rear fender. And end of season I want to start to repaint the bike, so enough to do!!“
What is the most beautiful route or area you have ridden?
"I think it was last year, a ride to Thunderbike Germany with a couple of riders. It was really nice to ride with a group of riders like that. Also the memories you make those day gives it some extra good memories"
photo: Angelo
Favorite riding gear for your trips
“That’s a good question, I think my cardo and my Simpson darksome helmet. It’s gives you so much comfort while riding. When u driving in the city you can open your helmet and cruise around, and on the highway close it and your face is safe from anything!"
What music do you take with you on the road?
"Still depends on the mood I’m in, but mostly it will be classic hip hop. Or last months (Indi) pop music as well, like theWeeknd or Lana Del Rey. So very different music what I’m listening on the bike. But the real music is the sound of the bike the stage 2 with the Bassani sounds brutal"
“Also don’t be shy to ask some people at events. Because everyone is willing to help you.”
Have you participated in any events or meet-ups? If so, which ones?
“Hope to go to Thunderbike this year again. I really liked it. Nice to drive and also very cool store. The Late Summer Open House and Aftershow Party from Thunderbike is what I really don’t wanna miss! Next to this one I definitely will do some other events or ride outs but nothing planned yet.“
photo: Angelo
What is your most memorable moment on your bike?
“The moment last January when I saw the first time after the build at WCM new years event with my girlfriend. It was so sick to see the bike in the garage with all other builds. And also how much people on that day are looking at your bike to see what there is done and advice what you can still do."
How has the performance bagger scene affected your life?
“A very big impact, because I have met al lot of new people who are also performance bagger minded. Most of the time in a whatsapp group there are plans to do on the bike, or wanna ride at some point. So this gives me a lot of good ideas and it’s nice to have people around you that have the same passion. The only problem is that you have to work twice as much because of all the ideas that everyone shares haha!“
Do you have any tips for people just starting to modify their bikes?
“yes, please do watch a lot of video’s form performance builds and look at the same bike you have, because there are a lot of changes. Also don’t be shy to ask some people at events. Because everyone is willing to help you. My biggest help was WCM. The have so much experience building performance bikes. That my build was so solid an no problems at all.“
What would you like to give to the community or to us?
“I’m really thankful that u asked me for a interview, so I wanted to do a big shoutout to STEETH9! So everyone who is reading this interview spread there hard work, and please help STEETH9 to get more and more followers because the doing great."
