Birth of a Race Bike

By Lifestyle cycles

A Wild Idea Takes Shape in Louisville

It started with a wild idea in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky.

Rob Buydos, the founder and driving force behind the Bagger Racing League, envisioned turning an ordinary Harley-Davidson Road Glide into a competitive Super Street race bike. The setting? The Drag Specialties National NVP Convention — a bustling two-day event known more for vendor booths and handshakes than full-on motorcycle builds.

“The catch? They had just 48 hours to pull it off.”

The Dream Team Assembles

Buydos brought his vision to Joe Houpt of Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson — a longtime friend, racing ally, and believer in pushing the limits. With little hesitation, the duo hatched a plan. They sourced a 2017 Road Glide as their donor bike and rallied key industry players to donate high-performance parts.

From Feuling’s precision engine components to Alloy Art’s rigid chassis upgrades, Legend Suspension’s race-ready dampers, and Bassani’s thunderous exhaust system, the project quickly gained horsepower — literally and figuratively.

Photo Caption: The 2017 Road Glide in its early teardown stages at the Drag Specialties NVP Convention.

Enter Lifestyle Cycles

The transformation began at Lifestyle Cycles, a cornerstone of the custom motorcycle community. With tools in hand and the donor Road Glide on the lift, the crew wasted no time. What would normally be a months-long project was condensed into two sleepless days of wrenching, welding, tuning, and testing.

“Vendors, racers, and fans gathered, drawn in by the noise, energy, and sheer audacity of building a race bike live on the show floor.”

Every part had a purpose. Fueling cam chest systems, Alloy Art structural enhancements, Legend Suspension’s precision handling, and Bassani’s performance pipes all came together to create something built for speed — and spectacle.

Photo Caption: The team works late into the night as the race bike takes shape.

A New Team Is Born

At the start of the show, Junior, owner of Lifestyle Cycles, noticed the growing crowd and curiosity got the better of him. As he approached the booth, the Road Glide was still being torn apart — but he saw the potential immediately.

A quiet observer throughout the weekend, Junior kept tabs on the build. Known for his passion for racing and longtime support of the Bagger Racing League, he couldn’t help but imagine that race bike in his own stable.

With only moments left before the show wrapped up, Junior made his move — and made them an offer.

“Just like that, the Lifestyle Cycles Bagger Racing Team was born.”

Photo Caption: Junior of Lifestyle Cycles sealing the deal on the convention floor.

A Family Grows

What started as a spontaneous build turned into the foundation of a new race team — forged in 48 hours of creativity, pressure, and community spirit.

“It’s an honor having Junior and Lifestyle Cycles join the Bagger Racing family,” said Rob Buydos. “Their energy, commitment, and love for the sport make them a perfect addition to what we’re building.”

Full Throttle Ahead

The buzz didn’t stop when the convention ended. News of the build spread quickly across social media and throughout the V-Twin racing world. Fans were eager to see the bike in action, and the newly formed team had no intention of keeping it parked.

Back in California, Lifestyle Cycles brought in veteran racer Frankie Garcia to shake down the machine. Known for his aggressive riding style and experience in the Bagger Racing League, Garcia was the perfect rider to see what the freshly built Road Glide was made of.

The team headed to Chuckwalla Valley Raceway for the first BRL event of the season. The plan? Just test the bike and capture some video content for social media. No pressure. No expectations.

But Frankie had other plans.

From the moment he threw a leg over the saddle, it was clear the bike had serious performance bagger potential. After just a few blistering test laps, Garcia pushed the machine to its outer limits — and surprised even the crew with how race-ready it was.

“We came to film. We left with a trophy.”

Photo Caption: Podium Trophy - Second Place Finish

In a true Cinderella story, the Lifestyle Cycles team made a last-minute decision to enter the race. Starting at 13th on the grid, Garcia sliced through the pack with precision and grit, ultimately securing a stunning second-place podium finish.

What began as a 48-hour build experiment ended in a podium celebration.

“This bike isn’t just for show — it’s built to run hard,” said Junior. “We showed up with no expectations, and left with proof that this team — and this bike — are here to compete.”

The Lifestyle Cycles Bagger Racing Team is now firmly on the map, and the message is clear: they’re just getting started.

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