Performance & Custom Upgrades — Orange, CA
We Build Bikes
Worth Showing.
Worth Riding.
From bar swaps with full internal wiring to cam jobs and engine mapping — we do the work that transforms a stock Harley into something personal. Every build starts with a conversation about what you want.
Our Work
We Build Show-Level Bikes
Born Free is one of the most respected custom motorcycle shows in the country. The bikes that show there represent the best work being done in the custom Harley scene. We built the gold Dyna you see here — every detail, every upgrade — and it won.
We don't just do maintenance. When a customer comes to us with a vision for what they want their bike to be, we know how to make it real — from the first conversation through the last bolt. That's what this page is about.
Start Your Build — Free Consult
What We Do
Performance & Custom Services
Most performance upgrades are a conversation — what you want depends on your bike, your riding style, and what you're trying to achieve. Here's what we do most and do best.
Handlebar Swaps & Internal Wiring
The single most transformative visual upgrade on a Harley — and one of the most technically involved jobs done right. We swap bars, run all wiring internally through the new bars and frame, and reroute brake and clutch lines for a completely clean look. No external wire bundles, no zip ties, no shortcuts.
Cam Jobs & Engine Mapping
Performance cam installs — S&S, Andrews, Wood Bros — with full engine mapping after. A cam without a proper tune leaves significant power on the table. We do both, in order, correctly.
Custom Wiring & Electrical Work
Lighting upgrades, custom gauge clusters, hidden wiring, switched circuits for accessories — clean electrical work that looks intentional, not added-on. Wiring is often the difference between a build that looks professional and one that doesn't.
Suspension Upgrades
Öhlins, Progressive, and other quality suspension components installed and set up correctly. Lowering kits, upgraded rear shocks, fork spring changes — suspension work that improves both the look and the ride.
Bar Swaps
Handlebar Swaps — Done the Right Way
Changing handlebars is the fastest way to transform the look and feel of a Harley. But a bar swap done properly is a full day's work — not an afternoon project. The bars are just the starting point.
Why Internal Wiring Matters
A bar swap with external wiring looks like an afterthought. The bars are new but the bundle of wires running along the outside tells everyone it was done fast, not done right. Internal wiring changes everything — the bars look like they came from the factory that way.
We run the entire electrical harness — throttle, clutch switch, brake switch, controls — through the bars and into the frame. Brake lines and clutch cables are rerouted to match the new bar length and position. The finished job has no visible wiring, no external bundles, and no shortcuts.
What's Included in a Full Bar Job
New bars and risers of your choice. Full internal wiring reroute through bars and frame. Brake line and clutch cable replacement to correct length. Controls remounted cleanly. Throttle housing repositioned and secured. Tested and ridden before handoff — we don't hand you a bike with a binding throttle or a switch that doesn't work.
How We Do It
Remove stock bars and document routing
We photograph and document the existing harness routing before disassembly. Nothing is cut that doesn't need to be.
Drill and prep the new bars
Entry and exit holes are drilled and deburred cleanly. Wires won't chafe on bare metal edges.
Route harness internally
Control wiring is fed through the new bars and down into the frame. Brake and clutch lines are measured, sourced to correct length, and fitted.
Reconnect and test every circuit
Every switch, light, and control is tested before the handlebars are torqued down. We check throttle freeplay, brake lever feel, and switch operation.
Test ride
The bike gets ridden before it leaves our shop. Turn signals, brakes, throttle response — everything confirmed under real conditions.
Engine Performance
Cam Jobs & Engine Mapping
A performance cam is one of the most effective upgrades you can make to a Harley V-Twin — more lift, more duration, more power through the rev range. But a cam without a proper tune is a cam that's working against itself. We do both.
Performance Cam Install
We install cams from S&S Cycle, Andrews, and Wood Bros — brands that Harley performance riders trust. Cam selection depends on your engine, what you already have done, and what you're optimizing for — more low-end torque, mid-range pull, or top-end power. We'll talk through the options and make a recommendation before any parts are ordered.
Engine Mapping & Tuning
After a cam install, the engine's fuel and ignition maps need to be updated to match the new cam's breathing characteristics. Running a performance cam on the stock map means the engine is running too lean, too rich, or with incorrect ignition timing — often all three at different points in the rev range. We map the engine after the cam goes in — this is not optional if you want the upgrade to actually work.
Supporting Mods
A cam job often pairs well with other supporting modifications — air cleaner upgrades, throttle body work, head porting. If you're already opening the engine up, it's worth discussing whether the full package makes sense for your goals and budget. We'll lay it out clearly before anything is committed.
What a Proper Cam Job Delivers
Start with a consultation
Every engine is different. What's right for a stock 96" twin cam isn't right for a 110" Milwaukee-Eight. Tell us your engine, what you've already done, and what you want to feel — we'll tell you what makes sense.
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A few of the custom and performance builds that have come through our shop
Free Consultation
Tell Us What You Want to Build
Performance and custom work starts with a conversation — not a parts list. Tell us what you're starting with and what you're trying to achieve. We'll tell you what's realistic, what it takes, and what it costs.
No obligation. We'll listen to what you want, look at your bike, and give you an honest assessment. Most performance consultations take 20–30 minutes.
Bar swaps · Cam jobs & mapping · Suspension upgrades · Custom electrical · Full builds
Common Questions
Performance Upgrades FAQ
Ready to Build Something?
Start with a conversation. We'll tell you what's possible, what it takes, and what it costs. No pressure, no obligation.