Roland Sands' Glory Stomper
52 images Created 1 Aug 2020
Roland Sands' Glory Stomper - 2005
Built for the 2005 Discovery Channel Biker Build Off vs. Arlen Ness, this machine needed to be over the top but still maintain its performance. Named after the 1967 biker flick The Glory Stompers, staring Dennis Hopper. The bike started life as a crashed ’03 100th Anniversary Softail and was reborn as a high performance street fighter, taking influence from Roland’s roadracing background. While Evo’s were the norm for custom bikes of the era, this bike was one of the first customs to be built from a H-D Twin Cam engine. Built in 3 weeks but should have been built in 3 months minimum. Roland got physically sick and passed a kidney stone shortly after completion.
Roland had a great team of guys to help out on the project and, without them, it would have never been finished. Huge thanks to Johnny Chop (RIP), Wink Eller, Tom Foster, Brett Marshall & Lyndel Berry. Roland lost out on the popular vote but, for viewers at home, he stole the TV show. He went on to be voted as the best new custom bike builder by his peers, which also brought him back to TV for Discovery Channel Biker Build-off in 2006 vs Jesse Rooke where he was victorious.
The beauty of Glory Stomper is in the details. The engine covers inspired the Roland Sands Design "Nostalgia Engine Cover" Line which is still in production and have stood the test of time. They are still popular in the V-twin aftermarket and thus used by bike customizers around the globe. Looking back, the bike before you is considered by many as pivotal, not only in Roland's career, but for a new generation of builders and how they have approached customizing.
Built for the 2005 Discovery Channel Biker Build Off vs. Arlen Ness, this machine needed to be over the top but still maintain its performance. Named after the 1967 biker flick The Glory Stompers, staring Dennis Hopper. The bike started life as a crashed ’03 100th Anniversary Softail and was reborn as a high performance street fighter, taking influence from Roland’s roadracing background. While Evo’s were the norm for custom bikes of the era, this bike was one of the first customs to be built from a H-D Twin Cam engine. Built in 3 weeks but should have been built in 3 months minimum. Roland got physically sick and passed a kidney stone shortly after completion.
Roland had a great team of guys to help out on the project and, without them, it would have never been finished. Huge thanks to Johnny Chop (RIP), Wink Eller, Tom Foster, Brett Marshall & Lyndel Berry. Roland lost out on the popular vote but, for viewers at home, he stole the TV show. He went on to be voted as the best new custom bike builder by his peers, which also brought him back to TV for Discovery Channel Biker Build-off in 2006 vs Jesse Rooke where he was victorious.
The beauty of Glory Stomper is in the details. The engine covers inspired the Roland Sands Design "Nostalgia Engine Cover" Line which is still in production and have stood the test of time. They are still popular in the V-twin aftermarket and thus used by bike customizers around the globe. Looking back, the bike before you is considered by many as pivotal, not only in Roland's career, but for a new generation of builders and how they have approached customizing.
