Iacona’s Red Rider
iacona’s red rider Presenting an exclusive glimpse into the realm of custom craftsman Steve Iacona of Iacona Customs. With a
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Story: Gerard Siani & Christopher Saucedo
Images: Mark V
Brotherhood and being a brother are two separate words that mean so much to those who live by their true meaning. Before you, I present a special feature on a bike with two stories, one of brotherhood and the other from a sibling brother. The amazing work done by Steve Iacona, of Iacona Customs has once again showed his flawless ability to get it right and make it right for all involved. The images presented to you show the dedication and passion of a dying breed… the custom bike builder.
Admire the craftsmanship of the machine and the tale of two brothers as they share something special in their own words. – RC
Best Friend and Fellow Firefighter Gerard:
My name is Gerard Siani and Gregory T. Saucedo, and I were the very best of friends. We met after both having been assigned to the same Brooklyn Firehouse, Engine 321, where we worked side by side together for 8 years.
Early on Greg and I realized that we shared many common interests not the least of which was motorcycles, mainly Harleys. Those years together combined with our mutual interests caused us to become the closest of friends and brothers in FDNY.
Prior to September 11, 2001 Greg and I had decided to transfer to Manhattan to gain greater experience and as it turned out Greg was on duty that fateful day and died with his fellow brothers from Ladder 5. A short time thereafter for both riding enjoyment and sentimental reasons I purchased his 1992 Harley Sportster from the Saucedo family brothers.. Paul, Christopher, and Stephen, Firefighter from Ladder 13 in NYC.
As a tribute to my friend and to have both his story and bike remembered I decided to have custom bike builder Steven Iacona transform the 92’ Sporty into a show bike with the intention to honor Gregory by proudly entering it into various competitions in the hopes of winning first place or perhaps coverage in a major magazine.
IACONA ACCOMPLISHED BOTH.
Steve Iacona and I met for the first time in 2005 when I needed work done on my Harley. He came highly recommended and after meeting and speaking with him I quickly realized his attention to detail and the pride he had in his work was second to none. Over the years we become good friends and it was throughout this time that I gained a close-up view of the many award-winning motorcycles he had fabricated as well as a great appreciation and respect for his talent and abilities.
Iacona Custom Cycles has a stellar reputation for their work in customizing motorcycles. And after recognizing firsthand that this reputation was well deserved, I knew I could only entrust the ’92 Sporty to the skillful hands of Steven Iacona.
AS IACONA SAYS” THE BIKES SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.”
The results speak for themselves; the bike was re-born and named ‘PHOENIX” in both a hat tip to Ladder 5’s nickname and in reference to the Greek mythological bird that rises anew from the ashes of its predecessor.
Gregory purchased this 1992 1200 Sportster, his very first bike, new from Brooklyn Harley
1992 1200 Sportster – His first motorcycle.
Older Brother Christopher Shares a Memory and Legacy:
It takes courage and conviction to go first, but it’s easier to do anything with real friends behind you. Our brother Gregory was the youngest of four boys but the first to do a lot of things; He was the first to join the New York City Fire Department with friends and family following, including his brother Stephen who resides at Ladder 13 in NYC. Gregory was also the first one in our circle to get a bike.
I remember his awkward first-ride home from Brooklyn Harley Davison in the summer of 1992. He rode his brand-new Blue 1200 Sportster the final hundred yards from home– only to crash it into some garbage cans and eat-some-crow as our mother and grandmother sternly greeted him on the front porch of our row-house in Brooklyn. It was kind of like Sesame Street with friendly but nosy neighbors, coming outside to see what was happening. Greg loved that little bike and although he eventually added a Heritage Springer Softail it all started with the 1200 Sportster. The clichés of motorcycles and tattoos are sometimes true. Gregory came into his own after he got that first bike, but his dynamic life was cut short.
Our brother died on September 11, 2001 along with 342 of his fellow firefighters and far too many others. Gregory’s final act of charging up the stairs of the North Tower of the World Trade Center took courage and conviction, 19-years later we find great strength in his memory. My brothers and I are honored and humbled with the magnificent transformation that Steven Iacona has created; this project was clearly a labor of love. Gerard F. Siani owns the bike now and appropriately he was one of Greg’s best friends. We Brooklyn kids use an understated parlance to mask our feelings, but this spectacular motorcycle speaks for Siani and says it all.
Our brother was never recovered and so, Gregory has no grave marker, and we can’t visit to pay our respect. This spectacular motorcycle is that respect and a fitting tribute to Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo. This is the Phoenix reborn out of the emotional ashes of death. Iacona’s creation is a beautiful and powerful marker for Greg’s life. His many friends and family will never forget him and now we have this awesome and skillfully handcrafted machine to move forward with – in style and speed. That courage and conviction we learned from Greg is alive and well forever.
Closing…
Words to embrace from both sides of the fence. I suggest you find the good in these words, they are there. As Americans we are forever blessed for people like Firefighter Gregory T. Saucedo and all from Ladder 5. Take the inspiration of this bike, take the strength and courage shared by Gerard and Christopher, and all who served on that solemn day. Move forward yet Never Forget. Thank you, Steve Iacona, for allowing us to remember these thoughts, not just one day a year but every time we hear the throttle hit on the Phoenix! -RC
iacona’s red rider Presenting an exclusive glimpse into the realm of custom craftsman Steve Iacona of Iacona Customs. With a
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©2021 BY RUBBER CULTURE. | DESIGNED BY THIRTY SPRINGS STUDIO.
Owner- Gerard F. Siani
Builder- Steven Iacona
Year/model- 1992 Harley-Davidson XLH 1200 Sportster
Time to build- Three Months
Chromer- N/A
Polisher- Iacona Custom Cycyles
Powder coater- Brooklyn Powder Coating
Painter- Nub Grafix
Color- Vintage Yellow
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
Engine, year/model- 1992 Harley-Davidson XLH 1200 Sportster
Builder- Iacona Custom Cycles
Displacement- 73.10 cubic inches
Horsepower – Stock
Cases- Stock
Flywheels (make & stroke) – Stock
Balancing- Stock
Connecting rods – Stock
Cylinders (make & bore) – Stock
Pistons (make & comp. ratio)- Stock
Heads- Stock
Cam (make & lift)- Stock
Valves – Stock
Rockers- Stock
Lifters – Stock
Push rods Covers- Zipper Performance Products
Carb -30 MM Mikuni’s
Air cleaner – Dime City Cycles Velocity Stacks
Exhaust- Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Exhaust Tips – Builtwell
Ignition – Dyna 2000 I-P
Coils – Dyna
Wires- Accel
Charging system – Cycle Electric
Regulator – Cycle Electric
Oil pump- Stock
Cam cover – Iacona Custom Cycle Modified
Primary cover – Iacona Custom Cycle Modified
Transmission, year/model- 1992 HD 4 Speed Stock
Case -Stock
Gears- Stock
Mods- Stock
Clutch- DP Clutch
Primary drive – Stock
Final drive – Stock
Kick starter – N/A
CHASSIS
Frame (year, make)- 1992 HD Sportster
Rake – Stock
Stretch- Stock
Front forks – 49 MM V-Rod
Mods- Gold Nitrate Tubes- Progressive Springs
Swingarm – Hard Tail –TC Bros Choppers- I.C.C. Modified
Shocks- Seat Shocks – Iacona Custom Cycle Modified
Front wheel (size and make)- 19 X 3 V-Rod
Rear wheel (size and make) – 18 X 5 ½ V-Rod with I.C.C. sprocket adapter
Front brake (make and style)- Dual PM 4 Piston Calipers
Rear brake (make and style)- PM 4 Piston Calipers I.C.C. Mount
Front tire (size and make)- 120 – 70 – 19
Rear tire (size and make)- 200 – 55 – 18
Front fender- Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Rear fender- Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Fender struts- N/A
Rail – N/A
ACCESSORIES
Headlight- HD 4” Daymaker Projector LED
Taillight – Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Fuel tank- Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Tail section- Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Front Fairing – Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Oil tank – Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Oil Cooler Shroud- Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Ignition Switch- Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Handlebars – Roland Sands 1” Clip On
Risers – N/A
Seat- Carinna Mantlo- Via Meccanica Custom Upholstery
Seat Pan – Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Pegs – Speed Merchant
Chain guard- N/A
Speedo – Speedhut Speedo customized
Dash – Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
License bracket – Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Mirrors- N/A
Hand controls- Roland Sands
Hand Grips- Speed merchant
Foot controls- Storz performance and I.C.C. Modified
Levers – Roland sands
Battery- Twin Power Lithium Ion
Battery Box- Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Electrical Box- Iacona Custom Cycles Hand Fabricated
Gas Cap – Speedster- Crime Scene Choppers
Steering Damper- Ohlins
Suspension – Progressive HD V-Rod Fork Lowering Kit
