Written by Marlon Slack
San Diego?s Mule Motorcycles know exactly what they?re doing. They nearly exclusively produce performance trackers. And not just trumped-up backyard jobs. Every single one is a masterclass in proportion, style and, ultimately, performance. There?s lots of people trying to do what Richard Pollock produces and none can come close to the exceptional work he does. Exhibit A: The latest bike from Mule – a 1991 883 Sportster dubbed ?Rupert?s Ride? that puts the ?Sport? back into ?Sportster?.

Don?t get Richard started on what passes for a street tracker these days. ?That term gets thrown at all sorts of builds that have absolutely no link to dirt track or high performance,? he says. ?It?s an overused style description which has diluted the true meaning.? Rupert?s Ride is, in his opinion, pretty close to what is a true street tracker. ?I?m no authority,? he adds, ?but having attended many flat track races, competed in hundreds and having studied the machinery since the early 70?s I?ve formed a vision of what one should look like?.
He?s being modest. He is an authority. And he?s got a host of bikes under his belt to prove it. All of which are as detailed and gorgeous as this. Understandably, his work is in high demand. ?I had three orders for Sportster street trackers at the same time,? he explains, ?but I could only find the one donor Sportster locally. So two came from Barnett Harley Davidson in El Paso, Texas?. The bikes were delivered to Mule and...