In 1984, Harley-Davidson introduced the Street Glide, a model that quickly established itself as a cornerstone in the company’s touring lineup. For over a decade, it remained largely unchanged until a major redesign in 2000 transformed it into a minimalist touring machine. The refreshed model was embraced by riders and soon became one of Harley’s best-selling motorcycles, eventually ranking as the number one rental request across the industry.

As the chopper craze peaked in the early 2000s—driven by boutique builders and overexposed television coverage—interest in extreme, exaggerated, cartoonish designs began to wane. Enthusiasts increasingly turned their attention to customizing touring motorcycles. Many garages that once housed choppers also had a long-haul bike parked beside them, setting the stage for a new era in motorcycle culture.

It was during this period that the “1 of 1” project was conceived. Mark Fletcher approached "All things on wheels" artist Matthew Willoughby to explore the idea of building a truly one-off custom Street Glide. Their guiding question was simple yet ambitious: What if Harley-Davidson’s own engineers and designers built the ultimate Street Glide without the constraints of mass production?

Inspired by Harley’s limited-production paint schemes—often labeled 1 of 200, 2 of 200, and so on—the project embraced the idea of creating a singular machine: a genuine 1 of 1.

The design philosophy emphasized authenticity. Original materials would be respected: metal remained metal, fiberglass remained fiberglass, and plastic remained plastic. Every modified part would remain fully functional and stand on its own, avoiding the trend of superficial covers and fascias. Precision fitment, panel alignment, and stance were paramount. The build sought to conceal unattractive but necessary components like wiring and hydraulic lines, while presenting each part—frame, body, engine, wheels, seat, and instrumentation—as a distinct yet harmonious element without meshing parts together. The paint, understated yet refined, was intended to highlight craftsmanship rather than distract from it.

The foundation for the project was a 2007 Street Glide. After consulting with bike builder Jerry Covington, the frame was raked five degrees, and front and rear wings were added at the wheel openings. Custom neck covers concealed the bulky wiring harness, while a fabricated belly pan, center stand, and retractable license plate and brake light were meticulously fabricated and TIG-welded by Mike D’Andrea.

A radiused engine surround was mocked up, wire-framed, and sent to Capistrano Beach, California, where surfboard shaper and bike builder Mike Maldonado—celebrated for his flowing, liquid-like bodywork—reshaped the tank and side covers. Meanwhile, the engine traveled to Buffalo, New York, where Dan Thayer disassembled, powder-coated, polished, and rebuilt it into a high-performance, fuel-injected 103 cubic-inch powerhouse.

Other highlights of the build included:

• A welded, smoothed, and chromed swingarm.

• Two factory rear fenders widened and recontoured to flow seamlessly with the stretched saddlebags.

• A tapered dash and precision-trimmed front fender showcasing Chip Foose wheels.

• A reimagined batwing fairing with a reverse-arched, frenched headlight.

• Subtle 3/16-inch body lines that appear then disappear applied to bags, tank, fairing, and front fender for some hardline style.

• New silver backed gauges were acquired, and the radio was painted and added.

• Custom handlebars were mocked up, then fabricated by Custom Cycle Controls with integrated switches and reservoirs.

The bag lids were re-sculpted and fitted with custom hinges and linear actuators by Rocky Hinge Company in Girard, Ohio, allowing for electronic opening and closing. Upholstery included silver stingray hide from Indonesia, paired with premium gray leather by Danny Gray Seats in Santa Ana, California.

Paintwork by Matthew Willoughby featured a custom silver blend infused with white pearl, adorned with understated checkered flag motifs, white gold-leaf Harley lettering, and fine pinstriping—all buried under Spies-Hecker clear coat and polished to a concours finish. The undersides of the bag lids carry an exclusive Harley-Davidson timeline, airbrushed by Matt, visible only when opened.

The final assembly integrated audio components, electronic controls, and countless refinements to achieve a flawless fit and finish. In 2014, the motorcycle debuted to immediate acclaim, capturing awards and recognition.

This 1 of 1 Street Glide represents both a milestone in Harley-Davidson’s design evolution and a tribute to the brand’s enduring relationship with the custom motorcycle community.

At its first show, the bike’s subtlety proved so convincing that rival builders challenged its victory, dismissing it as “just a Street Glide” Judges responded: “Then you clearly didn’t look very closely”. This reaction underscored the project’s greatest achievement—preserving the Street Glide’s silhouette while elevating every detail to the highest standard.

The crowning honor came with the Willie G. Davidson Award in Milwaukee, a personal nod of approval from Harley-Davidson’s legendary chief designer.