Pan America Racer Debuts at Born Free 16
From Custom Fabrication to the Racetrack
At Born Free 16, one bike drew serious attention: a full-tilt Harley-Davidson Pan America road racer, built by Ronnie Lane of Alloy Art and backed by Barnett Clutches and Cables. With its aggressive lines and track-ready stance, this bike wasn't just for show. It was built to race-and built fast.
Ronnie and his crew had just three weeks to design and complete the bike before rolling it onto the display lawn at Southern California's legendary Born Free Motorcycle Show.
Inside the Build: Engineering a Harley Like No Other
The Pan America is known as Harley's entry into the ADV segment, but Ronnie had a different vision. Working with Burns Stainless, the team engineered a custom stainless steel collector and Stage 1 muffler setup, routed through the swingarm-a radical move that optimized both aerodynamics and packaging.
"We punched a hole in the swingarm just to make it work," Ronnie told us, laughing. "But it worked beautifully."
This wasn't just a cosmetic decision. The Burns Stainless exhaust system provided a lightweight, free-flowing solution that matched the bike's high-performance aspirations.
Race Day: From Born Free to GingerMan
Just days after the show, the team shipped the Pan America to GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, Michigan for its first real test. Vince Roman of Burns Stainless suited up to ride, logging competitive lap times during practice.
Unfortunately, the team faced an early race-day setback: an electrical fault sidelined the bike before it could compete in the main event.
Still, the fact that the Alloy Art crew went from concept to racetrack in under a month is a testament to their skill-and their willingness to push the envelope.
Why This Build Matters
This project is more than a cool one-off. It represents a shift in how riders and builders are thinking about Harley performance:
- Harley Pan America as a race platform
- Radical exhaust routing using Burns Stainless collectors and mufflers
- Collaboration between leading fabricators and engineers
- It's the kind of innovation that inspires the next generation of Harley builders-and reminds us that American V-twins still have new roads to conquer.
What Ronnie Lane and Alloy Art Bring to the Table
Ronnie Lane has long been known for his work at Alloy Art, crafting high-performance parts for
Harley-Davidson motorcycles. From billet components to custom frames and now full-race builds, Alloy Art blends classic SoCal style with real-world performance.
Their partnership with Burns Stainless on this Pan America shows just how far that ethos can go when paired with cutting-edge exhaust technology.
Burns Stainless Components Featured
- Tuned Stainless Collector - lightweight, mandrel-bent design
- Stage 1 Muffler - reverse cone megaphone, optimized for torque and sound
- Custom Fabricated Tubing - built in-house for perfect fit and finish
- Explore more at: https://burnsstainless.com/collections/harley-exhaust
Want More Builds Like This?
If you're inspired by Ronnie's build, check out more from Burns Stainless and Alloy Art:
