Scott Porges' Harley Bobber Wins the K&N-Sponsored Mod Retro Class at NY IMS

Dec 11, 2017

J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show Modified Retro winner at the New York IMS

The Mod Retro Class winning 'Boston Brawler' embodies what a bobber should be

Scott Porges crafted one of the cleanest and meanest bobbers you will see. His bad “Boston Brawler” bobber (how’s that for alliteration?) takes retro cool to a whole new level. Porges' custom walked away with the Modified Harley Class of the J&P Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show in New York. The J&P show is a highlight of each stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS).

Clearly, Porges, who owns American Motorcycle Service of Framingham, Massachusetts, keeps one boot planted in the past and the other firmly dug into the present. “With over 35 years in the industry, I specialize in creating custom built motors and trannys,” Porges says. “I balance between old ‘hot rod’ tricks and the ingenuity of today’s technology.”

Scottie Porges' bobber emerged from the darkness snatch the Modified Retro Class of the NY IMS

Porges’ 1968 Harley-Davidson Panhead custom may just prove once and for all that less really is more. The artfully crafted hardtail frame and clean springer forks cut a stance that is all bobber. Massive rubber is spooned on the black, spoked front and rear wheels. In true bobber style, the front wheel is devoid of a fender and the rear is appropriately minimalist.

It should be noted that this is not some pampered show bike and it's not for the faint of heart.

"This is a foot clutch, hand shift bike with no front brake and not for the novice rider," warned Porges. "That being said, I ride the berrys outta this bike and have been for 6 or 7 years. We call it the Boston Brawler because it gets ridden hard in Boston."

K&N is a sponsor of three of the biggest categories in the J&P competition

Flat drag handlebars sit just in front of a small teardrop tank that rocks a sinister red and black color scheme. An ultra-thin custom seat rides on a nicely crafted seat spring.

That wonderfully sparse frame and bodywork leaves nothing to the imagination with that beautiful Panhead V-twin. The intake is completely exposed and the carburetor butterfly is clearly visible. We certainly hope Porges will fit a K&N for street duty. The exhaust exits through shorty straight-through pipes that certainly announce the Boston Brawler’s presence.

"The engine and trans are from a '68 FLH," Porges said. "We stroked the motor to 88 inchs and installed Andrews close ratio gears in the box. We run an S&S E carb with a thunder jet and the exhaust is fabed in house."

In the end, Porges got just what he wanted from the Boston Brawler build.

"I like my bikes low and tight with an attitude, and this has an early drag bike look to it and a healthy motor to go with it."

K&N is proud to sponsor a competition that highlights classic builds like the Boston Brawler.

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