Technology moves at a relentless place?and the motorcycle industry can’t escape it. Just the other day I was riding an electric motorcycle with a sophisticated electronics package that even integrates with smartphones.
But future tech isn’t for everyone, and we need the occasional lo-fi hit to keep us grounded. And it doesn’t get much better this tidy Harley-Davidson Sportster bobber, built by Nick Acosta in Ontario, Canada.

You might remember Nick from his first build?an impossibly clean Honda CB750K cafe racer. He’s since taken on more projects under the banner of Augment Collective, slaving away in his home garage after hours and on weekends, and pushing himself harder on every build.
This 1993 XL883 was Nick’s daily runner last year. Then winter hit, and he decided to put it under the knife with help from his friend Victor.
?I wanted to challenge myself and build not another cafe racer, but something completely different,? he tells us.
?I went with a modern/retro styled chopper, using all new tech while making it look similar to classic 60s choppers.? A closer look shows that Nick?s done extensive work to the powertrain, and to ensure that his Harley can handle the aggressive riding that comes with a light and fast setup.

The Sportster is supremely minimal, but it’s also sporting some nicely subtle features. The engine’s been bored out to 1,200 cc, with a Screamin’ Eagle kit that the previous owner had, but never...