In many instances, these tribute builds are the outcome of an event or possess some concealed significance that contributes to the bike’s narrative. This is precisely what occurs with the extensively modified 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King we have here, although the story behind it is far less glamorous (and thrilling) than it would lead you to believe.
The Road King stands at the apex of Harley’s impressive lineup of motorcycles. As the flagship model in the bike maker’s range of Grand American Touring bikes, it currently sells as the Road King Special. Even in its stock form, this two-wheeler is an impressive machine or, in Harley’s own words, “a majestic bagger with impressive power.” It is highly regarded and is also one of the three bike models Harley offers to police officers nationwide, alongside the Road Glide and the Electra Glide.
On the global custom bikes stage, this platform is occasionally utilized for remarkable projects, although perhaps not as frequently as it deserves. However, when one embarks on this path, it is done with the intention to make an impression. And this brings us to the extraordinary two-wheeled creation we have before us today.
The 2006 Road King, now before us, is unrecognizable compared to its original form. Once a motorcycle used by a police officer, it now displays an abundance of gold bling – and this is genuine gold plating, not some imitation paint job. This transformed bike is known as the Gold King (obviously!) and it is the result of the collaboration between California custom garage, Rundlett Performance & Machine, and the assistance of Starside Designs and Bryon Airbrushing. It can only be described as a Rolex watch on wheels.
I mentioned earlier that this bike came to be due to a rather peculiar reason. It was not inspired by a Rolex watch itself, nor was it a tribute to an important event in the life of the Swiss watchmaker. Instead, the bike in its current form came about because of a… billboard.
The owner of the bike, a custom builder named Xavier Fields, decided to adopt the Rolex theme for the build simply because he passed a Rolex billboard while riding down a freeway and found the brand impressive enough to incorporate it into his project.
Before delving into the details, it is important to note that while we have seen highly expensive, luxury Harley-Davidsons in custom form before, the Gold King was the first-ever build with a Rolex theme, and as far as we know, it remains the only one.
As is customary with such projects, certain key components of the motorcycle were retained, while others underwent significant upgrades. Within the stock frame of the bike, the builders installed a new engine, sourced from Harley-Davidson and considerably larger than before: a 117ci unit. Modified with the addition of S&S-sourced cam, lifters, cylinders, and pushrods, the powerplant now boasts an impressive output of 152 horsepower and 138 foot-pounds of torque. To handle this power effectively, a five-speed transmission is also included.
In a stunning display of visual extravagance, the bike has been coated in a sleek black paint, accentuated by the lavish gold plating that adorns various parts of the engine, the front fork, and even the smallest intricate details that were originally chrome. The grandeur doesn’t stop there, as even the colossal 30-inch front wheel has been meticulously covered in the same opulent gold.
Mecum Photo
Concealed by the bags, the rear wheel measures a more modest 18 inches in diameter and is supported by a suspension system provided by Speed by Design.
Additionally, the bike’s already impressive sound system has been elevated to new heights with the inclusion of a Kicker head unit, while the fuel tank has been elongated to enhance its already awe-inspiring appearance. Every corner you turn, you are captivated by the intricate engravings showcasing the iconic Rolex crown.
This masterpiece of a bike took a painstaking 18 months to construct, yet its usage has been surprisingly minimal, with the odometer displaying a mere 149 miles (240 km) of travel.
Our reason for highlighting the Harley-Davidson Gold King this week is because it is set to go up for auction at the beginning of next month. The esteemed auction house, Mecum, will endeavor to find a new owner for this exceptional piece of machinery during their event in Glendale, Arizona.
Unfortunately, we do not have any information regarding the cost of building this bike or the desired selling price of the current owner (the sale appears to have a reserve). Rest assured, we will revisit this story and provide updates on the final sale price once it becomes available.
According to the Source autoevolution.com