We take a look at Pega Custom Cycles V-Rod creation nicknamed 'Eruption' and boasting a host of PCC accessories for a truly unique machine. Images by Knackers BDP
This wicked Harley-Davidson V-Rod custom creation comes from Joe Pega, of Pega Custom Cycles, a renowned custom bike builder based down in Victoria (Australia) and was built for one of his sons, with motorcycling running in the family.
Having a chat with ‘Pega’ as he’s more commonly known, I couldn’t help but ask about what started the custom bike gig and was somewhat surprised to hear he actually started off turning Honda CB750s and Kawasaki Z900s into choppers, before doing the same to Triumph Bonnies.
Pega Custom Cycles Eruption V-Rod
Come 2003 he’d moved onto Harley-Davidsons, with the V-Rod starting to make it’s mark despite being quite a departure from the norm for the iconic motorcycle manufacturer. Pega further explained that he saw the V-Rod as the bike of the future – in his niche at least – which proved a very accurate prediction, with the V-Rod becoming THE custom performance Harley favourite.
Pega also mentioned that with the V-Rod no longer in production he bought a number of these machines – new I might add – and that he’s almost customized and sold them all. I asked whether these custom builds were a matter of building a bike and finding an owner, or someone coming to him with an end result in mind, and he admits he’s in a ‘lucky’ position. I’d put it more down to worth ethic and workmanship, but here’s how he put it.
Pega Custom Cycles Eruption V-Rod
“I’ve been very fortunate, as a lot of people come in with one idea, and by the time they go to leave, they’ve spent twice the money having looked around the shop saying, ‘I like that, I like this…’”, explains Pega. “There’s a bit of input by me and the client, and they let me ride with it, if you know what I mean.
“I try not to push too much, as I feel like I’m being too pushy, but then they come back in and say, ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this or that,’ and let me know they would have done extra things from the start, had they known. It’s surprising how many have come back and rebuilt the bike three times over.”
Pega Custom Cycles Eruption V-Rod
As mentioned however, this particular machine was for his son, with Pega designing it to suit, which you might think would make it extra special… but that’s not really the case.
“Every bike I build, I build it as though it’s my own bike. If I’ve had a bad week or I’ve been sick, I ring my customers and tell them I’m not going to touch the bike, as if I can’t treat it like my own, I won’t touch the bike. That’s probably where I get my work from,” Pega adds.
This V-Rod makes good use of the Pega Custom Cycles catalogue, which are all the in-house accessories and parts which Pega makes specially for these projects. For those interested in these bikes, many of these parts are also available for purchase separately, so if there’s a detail you particularly like, there’s a good chance Pega can supply it.
Pega Custom Cycles Eruption V-Rod – PCC tank lid
The performance mods for this build include a Screamin’ Eagle Destroyer Big Bore throttle-body kit, Screamin’ Eagle Destroyer injectors, K&N air filter and 208s Crane Cams, in other words a similar loadout to the last Pega Custom Cycles creation we featured, the Neon Black V-Rod. The heads are also diamond chiseled, which is again done in house, and without disassembly. Cases are simply chromed, with PCC engraved covers.
This build features Screamin’ Eagle Destroyer Big Bore throttle-body kit, Screamin’ Eagle Destroyer injectors, K&N air filter and 208s Crane Cams
Anthony Rodrigues handles the tunes for Pega, as that’s his particular speciality, and Pega mentioned it being a case of, ‘Everyone to their own job,’ with this being one of the very few areas that he outsources work.
The exhaust system is fabbed up in-house in comparison, while the Big Daddy Fat Spoke wheels fitted (3.50 x 26in front and 8.50 x 18in rear) are an eye catching feature, especially with that massive front rim. The swingarm is standard and is supported by Arnott air shocks.
Both wheels sport Wilwood disc brakes for stopping duties, while the rear features a CCP belt cover, loudly proclaiming ‘V-Rod’.
Big Daddy Fat Spoke wheels in 3.50 x 26in front and 8.50 x 18in
While not featured on this particular machine, for those after an even larger rear, Pega is very proud to have the only certified swingarm to take a 300 rear in Australia, with a VIC Roads approved engineering report, and each swingarm featuring a production number which is recorded against the bike’s VIN. This means no one can just rip one off and throw it on another bike, while Pega also had a chuckle that some people buy other swingarms and then want a certificate for it from him. Needless to say, they go away disappointed.
Moving towards the rear of the bike, the tail is a custom PCC unit, while Con from CKT Custom Trim created the seat, with the wave effect designed to match the ‘Cat Eye’ lid.
Con from CKT Custom Trim created the wave effect seat
That’s a PCC lid (tank cover) which like the tail and front guard are fiberglass creations from Joe, and in this case so named due to the shape of this particular design. The tank incorporates the instrument panel into the angular design with custom dash backing sporting the Pega Custom Cycle brand, as well as two mesh-filled windows that other a further point of interest and inspired the name.
A billet frame infill also keeps this area of the bike clean, while the enormous radiator guard is another Pega Custom Cycles component that draws everything together and helps accentuate that enormous 26in front wheel.
Pega Custom Cycles Eruption V-Rod
Those massive forks, topped by equally massive ‘bars are… you guessed are both a PCC creation, with sleeves that go into the triple-trees that can be made in various designs and shapes. The triples used here are the bulky version which Pega calls ‘Warlock triples’, and are a strong aesthetic match to those tall ‘bars.
Capping off each handlebar is a set of RNS controls and drop down mirrors, while foot controls are all in-house ‘Blade’ items from Pega Custom Cycles. Finally a smaller profile aftermarket single headlight is an ideal proportion for capping off the forks and front end.
Overall Eruption is a great representation of not only the custom builds from Pega Custom Cycles, but also their range of accessories, which can truly transform a standard machine into something properly special.
Pega Custom Cycles Eruption V-Rod
SPECIFICATIONS: Pega Custom Cycles V-Rod ‘Eruption’
ENGINE: Harley-Davidson V-Rod, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 1250cc (76cu in) V-twin, 105 x 72mm bore a stroke, 11.5:1 compression, Screamin’ Eagle Destroyer Big Bore throttle-body kit, Screamin’ Eagle Destroyer injectors, K&N air filter, 208s Crane Cams, hand-cut diamon cut cylinder heads, PCC custom exhaust pipes, EFI, belt final drive
CHASSIS: Harley-Davidson V-Rod frame, PCC forks, triple-clamps, fork brace, handlebars, Big Daddy Fat Spoke wheels in 3.50 x 26in front and 8.50 x 18in, Wilwood disc brakes, Arnotts Air Shocks
BODYWORK: PCC custom bodywork, radiator guard, front guard, PCC – bladed levers, pegs, pillion pegs, RNS mirrors & controls, aftermarket headlight, CKT Trimming custom seat
