Meet Rick Fairless’ Victory Ethel, the Evil Octane | Custom Motorcycles

Victory Ethel, the Evil Octane

The Rick Fairless name is synonymous with bright and colorful custom motorcycles. Fairless, owner of Strokers Dallas motorcycle shop, which is a Victory dealer, has built tasteful customs for the past two decades.

He lives the true cruiser lifestyle: “I also own a bar/grill and get over a thousand bikes here on the weekends and have done so for the past 20 years. Bikes, babes and beer plus live music every weekend – it doesn’t get any better than that.”

[Read our Victory Octane Review]

This lifestyle influences Fairless’ builds, including his latest – “Ethel, the Evil Octane.” Unlike his colorful creations, the Victory Ethel, the Evil Octane is created from grey and browns.

“I wanted to make Ethel a tough, street fighting broad! I love the lines of the Octane, so I wanted to make one mean and nasty,” he explains. “My wife and I own three Old English sheepdogs. The youngest one is six months old and she is extremely cute and lovable, but she is wild and crazy, like a demon dog. Her name is Ethel and that’s why I named this bike ‘Ethel, the Evil Octane.”

Fairless used his own RF Custom Parts (for Victory Motorcycles), but the standout features are the Girder Front End that utilizes a 180mm tire and a lowered front end, and a 2-into-4-into-1 custom exhaust. The Octane’s standard front fender was widened 5/8” while the rear fender was shaved and widened by 2”.

“Every bike I build is built to be ridden,” Rick says. “Ethel runs great. I took her out for a long ride just yesterday. She feels, looks and runs like a ‘Mean, pissed off woman’ with a bad attitude, compared to a stock Octane which is like a sweet gal next door.

“My objective was to build an Octane that was different from what any other builders have done. I am very happy and proud with the outcome of Ethel.”

Victory Ethel, the Evil Octane Specs:

• Builder: Rick Fairless Strokers Dallas & RF Custom Parts
• Owner: Rick Fairless
• Bike: 2017 Victory Octane
• Motor: Victory 1179cc Liquid Cooled 60 degree V-Twin
• Transmission: Victory 6 Speed
• Painter: Gary Queen – OSC
• Front Wheel: 18” x 5.5”
• Rear Wheel: 18” x 8.5”
• Front Tire: Dunlop 18” 180mm
• Rear Tire: Dunlop 18” 240mm
• Front Fender: Victory – Widened 5/8”
• Rear Fender: Victory – Shaved & Widened 2”
• Side Bags: RF Custom Parts
• Fender Struts: RF Custom Parts
• Headlight: RF Custom Parts
• Taillight: Custom Made – RF Custom Parts
• Rear Suspension: Victory Piggyback Shocks with RF Custom Lowing Blocks
• Front Forks Girder – RF Custom Parts & Voodoo Vintage
• Exhaust: RF Custom Parts – 2 into 4 into 1
• Handlebars: RF Custom Parts
• Seat: RF Custom Parts
• Pegs: RF Custom Parts
• Belt Guard: RF Custom Parts
• License Bracket: RF Custom Parts
• Gauge Mount: RF Custom Parts
• Headlight Mount: RF Custom Parts
• Fairing Mount: RF Custom Parts
• Rock Guard: RF Custom Parts
• Grips: RF Custom Parts
• Shift Sleeve: RF Custom Parts
• Skid Plate: RF Custom Parts
• Clutch Arm Cover: RF Custom Parts
• Radiator Grill: RF Custom Parts
• Cheese Wedge: RF Custom Parts
• Bolt Covers: RF Custom Parts

For additional information, visit RF Custom Parts.

Victory Ethel, the Evil Octane Photo Gallery

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