Ross Latimer's Hot Wheels Custom Harley Wins Big at the DC IMS

Ross Latimer's fast and furious Hot Wheels custom Harley in a quite moment

However, it is refreshing and encouraging that some small, independent builders have had notable success at the competitions as well. Ross Latimer, of Rats Customs, in Nokesville, Virginia, is one of the ‘small pebbles’ who has made big waves at the K&N-sponsored competition. Latimer walked away with two first-place awards at the Washington DC stop of the IMS.

We are going to show you both of Latimer’s winning builds in separate article installments. The focus of this first profile is his show-stopping Hot Wheels custom that won the Modified Harley category. Hot Wheels is a stunning build that will tug at the heart strings of everyone who played with the iconic pocket cars in their youth. However, it is interesting that Latimer’s inspiration for the build was much bigger and louder than the iconic toy cars.

The DC International Motorcycle Show was a nice payday for Ross Latimer

Latimer’s passion for creating motorized magic stems from that same period in his youth. “That's kind of where my background comes from,” he said. “Growing up watching my dad fabricate and weld and make sparks was awesome, and all I ever wanted to do.”

Latimer’s 2002 Harley-Davidson® Sportster pays tribute to some of the most colorful years in drag racing history in a powerful way – both visually and literally. Let’s start with the literal. Hot Wheels is built around a 1250cc Hammer Performance engine that Latimer calls a “mountain of a motor.” That twin cylinder iron mountain pumps out over 110 horsepower and produces boatloads of torque. Clearly this is not a docile show bike.

Fittingly, that potent V-twin breathes through a K&N performance intake that contributes, in no small way, to the impressive power numbers of the Hot Wheels custom. On the other end, spent combustibles exit through beautiful exhaust bends that are reminiscent of a massive trombone. Certainly, the exhaust note is every bit as melodic to motorheads as any wind instrument.

The powerful 1250cc V-twin makes it hard to keep the front wheel down

What even the casual observer will appreciate is the scintillating paint job. Latimer’s Harley wears a custom candy teal Hot Wheels paint scheme that extends from the front of the tank though the very cool stubby, ‘snarled-lip’ of a rear fender. Of course, that classic swooping Hot Wheels logo is featured prominently on the tank, and K&N is more than proud that our decal graces the side panel!

From the tall, clean spoked front wheel to the fat, funny car-inspired Dunlop tire out back, the Hot Wheels custom oozes retro-cool.

In the end, the success of the smaller builders and the recognition they are receiving is not lost on Latimer. “I’d like to say I appreciate that K&N sponsors and gives back to the small-time builders,” Latimer said.

Check back for our upcoming feature on Ross Latimer’s other Washington DC IMS J&P show winner.