At Hot Bike, we’ve featured no shortage of high-horsepower baggers. But every once in a while, a build comes along that doesn’t just chase dyno numbers or chrome count—it blends eras, aesthetics, and attitude into one cohesive package. This 2017 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special from Metal Innovations & Artistry (MIA) is exactly that kind of motorcycle.
Nicknamed Purple Reign, the build represents a collaboration between MIA’s Jon Sniger and owner Mikki Bedol. The goal was clear from the start: combine old-school custom paint vibes with modern Milwaukee-Eight performance and next-level rideability.
When Mikki approached Metal Innovations & Artistry, the alignment was immediate.
“He reached out to us based on our history with performance-driven baggers,” Sniger explains. “We were on the same page with the upgrades and overall appearance, so it was a natural fit.”
The defining visual element is the paint—an unapologetically rich purple layered with metal flake, gold leaf, and traditional pinstriping. While MIA typically sprays its own projects, the scope and complexity of this design called for a specialist. Enter Robert Pradke, whose attention to detail elevated the entire motorcycle.
The result is a deep, luminous purple that stops conversations mid-sentence. It’s the kind of color that demands a second look—and usually gets one.
But this isn’t just a paint-driven showpiece. The real story lies beneath the bodywork.
At the heart of the build is a 128ci version of the Milwaukee-Eight platform from Harley-Davidson. Starting with a 2017 M8 foundation, MIA transformed the engine into a serious street weapon.
Key internal upgrades include:
- 4.25-inch bore cylinders
- Screamin’ Eagle CNC-ported heads
- S&S crankshaft
- JIMS V-Twin performance cam
- Thayer Performance oil pump
- HPI fuel injection
Airflow is managed through an MJK Performance air cleaner, while a custom Burns exhaust system handles spent gases. The combination delivers aggressive throttle response and the kind of midrange punch that makes heavy baggers feel deceptively light.
Backing the powerplant is a Harley-Davidson/Baker drivetrain setup with a Rekluse clutch and Baker primary—built to handle real-world abuse, not just parking-lot rev contests.
One of the build’s defining themes is the extensive use of MJK Performance components—many of them rare or one-off pieces.
“We showcased the quality of the machined parts and finishes by using raw machined aluminum wherever we could,” Sniger says. Each piece was sealed in clear Cerakote for durability while preserving the industrial aesthetic.
From the triple trees and steering stabilizer to the brake components, risers, and foot controls, MJK hardware is everywhere. Even the rear subframe carries the MJK stamp. ARP 12-point stainless hardware ties it all together, reinforcing the performance-first mentality.
Like Christmas morning, each custom-machined part arrived at the shop wrapped in anticipation. According to Sniger, jaws dropped regularly when visitors saw the bike mid-build on the lift.
Power is meaningless without control, and this Road Glide delivers both.
Up front, a +2 inverted setup blends Öhlins performance with MJK Performance and Ceracarbon components. The chassis features a 5-degree de-rake configuration, improving stance and high-speed stability without sacrificing rideability. An MJK steering stabilizer further sharpens handling feedback.
Out back, Öhlins suspension keeps the 18×5.5 rear wheel planted. Metzeler Cruisetec rubber (130/60-19 front, 180/55-18 rear) provides predictable grip whether carving backroads or blasting highway miles.
Braking duties are handled by MJK Performance calipers and rotors front and rear, ensuring the bike can shed speed as confidently as it builds it.
DTF Performance carbon fiber fenders and dash components reduce weight and add subtle contrast to the purple bodywork. A Klock Werks windscreen tops the fairing, while Speed-Kings handlebars and a custom tank cap with MIA carbon insert enhance the cockpit.
Controls come courtesy of Rebuffini and Biltwell, lighting from Baja Designs and Custom Dynamics, and audio is handled by Rockford Fosgate. A BMC seat completes the rider interface, blending comfort with performance posture.
The entire frame was molded and painted to match, reinforcing the seamless flow from chassis to sheetmetal.
Built over two years at Metal Innovations & Artistry, this 2017 Road Glide Special represents more than just upgraded parts—it’s a carefully orchestrated vision.
“The hardest part is always being cognizant of the overall appearance and flow, and trying to innovate and take things to the next level,” Sniger says. “But the most rewarding part is seeing the customer feel like their dream build came to life.”
As Purple Reign hits the streets, the MIA crew admits it’ll be missed in the assembly bay. But that’s the nature of custom motorcycles—they’re meant to be ridden, not stored under fluorescent lights.
With equal parts art and horsepower, this Milwaukee-Eight performance bagger proves that when vintage soul meets modern muscle, the result can be nothing short of royal. HB
