American-V 45 preview by American-V

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American-V: Contents 45

www.american-v.co.uk

Issue Forty-Five

6: NEWS / NEW PRODUCTS 12: REVIEWS

John Doe Kamikaze Cargo Defense Pants, Deemeed Discovery M luggage, Harley-Davidson Hennie Women’s riding boots, Men’s Profile Performance Eyewear, Heated Jacket Liner, Jade shoes.

16: LONG TERM VICTORY VISION

Batmobile, Judge Dredd or Battlestar Galactica or just the hardest bike in the world to photograph? Doesn’t matter ’cos Marmite is my mate, and what a piece of kit!

24: FAT YELLOW TAXI

The Rocker is starting to make an impression: it must be time to pull it. But then you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.

31: LONDON INTERNATIONAL CUSTOM SHOW

Would we really hold the magazine back, just so we could scoop the organisers? That would just be childish

36: SO BAD?

56: ROAD KINGS GREAT AND SMALL

42: VINTIQUE

62: GBBBBO REVISITED

(ner ner nee ner ner)

One man realises his custom bike dream with a little inspiration from an icon.

We’ve accidentally started running a series on builders, and stumbled upon our first Tracker.

52: ROCKERS REVENGE

Old Rocker, Brian, is not ready for his pipe and slippers just yet, or a Geezer Glide with a trike conversion.

Editor: andy.hornsby@american-v.co.uk

Subscriptions: 01778 392484

Features Editor: rich.king@american-v.co.uk

Annual Subscriptions: Six issues, inc Patch UK: £29.70 EU: £44.10 RoW Zone 1: £46.26 RoW Zone 2: £51.30 (all include postage)

Staff Writer: Amanda Wright Contributors this issue: Benny Thomas, Bob Stocker, Nerys Hughes (no, the other one) Proof reader: Amanda’s back in the chair, rocking backwards and forwards. Design: Mini Ha-Ha and Erika McAston All editorial enquiries to: editorial@american-v.co.uk Advertising Sales: Andy Fraser 01778 392054 Advertising Production: Sue Ward: 01778 392405 suew@warnersgroup.co.uk Trade Sales: Natalie Cole: 01778 392404 nataliec@warnersgroup.co.uk

Published by American-V, PO Box 336, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 7WY. Tel: 0207 993 8002 Printed in the UK by Warners (Midlands) PLC, Bourne. Distribution by: Warners Group Publications Plc West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9PH Tel: 01778 391135 Copyright 2011 American-V. TFFT

Yes, I know and I am kicking myself, but where would we have found a 45 for the cover in the middle of the winter we’ve had?

AMV.45.CONTENTS.R.indd 3

Now I like 96-inch engined Road King Classics, but I also like 103-inch Road King Classics. Which one’s best? Only one way to find out ... I thought I’d seen the last of counting the ‘B’s, but what about those who were inspired to build their own budget bobbers ... in Britain ... greatly? This is Chaz’s.

66: FIFTY ONE

Imagine you could have a brand new wishbone-framed Panhead Hydra Glide? Wipe your chin and follow me.

73: THE VEGAS STRIPPER

The Project Victory is evolving with every hour: gone is the salt/desert racer idea, and all because the sun casts a long shadow in a Yorkshire January.

78: THE LIVER BLOKES

No, nothing to do with an iron deficiency – although they are running Evo Sportsters. It’s said differently:  as in blokes from Liverpool. /�

84: PARTS BIN ENGINEERING

I dunno, have you seen that new Blackline? They’ve just cobbled a new model together out of old bits off the shelf and added a couple of new bits. Genius, isn’t it?

90: EVENTS CALENDAR

Are we mad? Do you know how much work is involved in putting one of those together?

95: CLASSIFIED AD PAGES 98: RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS

Nurse, I think Mr King has been at the medicine cabinet.

4/3/11 01:40:37

California Dreaminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Expo + World Class Custom Bike Show...with a hint of Californian cool!

Bournemouth International Centre (UK) 28-29th May 2011 p04-05_avmar/apr11.indd 1

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International Expo featuring...

...an amazing showcase of Evel Knievel’s original stunt bikes, sky-cycle, rocket, wheelie car, memorabilia & clothing!

Plus a fine collection of choppers, bobbers and big V Twins alongside the World Championship of Custom Bike Building (UK affiliate round)

and don’t miss the stunning Ace Cafe Flat Track Corner

For more information & to book your tickets please visit

CaliforniaDreaminExpo.com Expo organised by /CEAN�%VENTS�,IMITED

For stand enquiries or to enter your custom bike contact the organiser lorne@californiadreaminexpo.com

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American-V # ONE

News

FXS Blackline

Harley-Davidson’s mid-season launches have done them proud this year, which is good news after an unspectacular 2012 model programme notable more for its omissions than its additions. After a series of decisions that will leave some scratching their heads, others nodding theirs, it looks as though we’ve got a new line of Softails ... well, probably if this first model finds a warm welcome, but it has not been an easy birth. The FXS Blackline is an old school Softail, which is to say it’s got roughly the same rear tyre as the first FXSTs of the mid-’80s matched to a skinny front tyre, and looks to be recognising a trend towards that style on the street, and while it is accused by some of being a lazy styling exercise, later in this very issue we show just how successful that has been for HarleyDavidson in the past. If you want chapter and verse, it’s a Softail with black anodized aluminium ‘Profile’ wheels, Fat Boy headers with Cross Bones mufflers, a Rocker’s ignition coil, a Wide Glide rear mudguard supported by Deuce-derived struts wearing the trick Sportster LED tail-light set and SuperLow cranked footrests which will hopefully work better here, as forward controls.

I’ve worked out a way to reduce my workload: shorter editorials. Still no word on the monthly front, because we’ve only just caught up with ourselves after the tribulations of last winter, and we’ll need to start with a clear deck and more bodies. We’ve had word that the Long Term Fat Bob is being replaced by a Fat Boy that’s in a similar state of dress and tune, so we’ll be following that through 2011, although next issue will be a Fat Bob frenzy, to give ours a good send off and see how it stacks up against a friend’s 96, and a dealer’s 110 and 120-inch versions: we’re just waiting for dry roads. And we’ve finally got the warehouse straight again after the flood and but for a shortage of Issue 38, we got away with it. And we took the opportunuity to whittle back the very early editions to make space for some ambitious plans: more soon. Andy

As ever, though, it has brought a few of its own clothes to the party, notably a new top yoke-mounted instrument panel, a weird pair of bars and a single cap fat bob tank and ... err, strap? They’ve also given the motor a new finish, which we’ll call ‘Shovelhead’ because it recaptures the look of an alloy head on iron barrels. It’s a pity that Harley didn’t follow through with the neat handlebar concept, whose image they included in the press pack, but it’s particularly bizarre, having just canned the Rocker – another flat-top Softail – that the new model’s coachline continues to fight the Softail’s natural bodyline: at least it’s only paint this time, and it looks less conspicuous in the vivid black. Harley haven’t made much of the third colour scheme in the range – cool blue pearl with black – which is a shame, because it just could be the surprise favourite. It’s said to be aimed at a younger rider, so we can be forgiven for not fully understanding it, and Harley are quite bullish about it representing a natural step-up for an upgrading XL fan – and about their market penetration in youth markets – so it’s maybe a little unfair to write it off just yet. www.harley-davidson.co.uk

New Fat XL1200C

The parts bin has been opened again, and we’re pleased to see that a large-tank 1200cc Sportster has rolled out, because as lovely as the XL peanut tank is, Harley will benefit from the broader range afforded by this: a chromed-out Forty-Eight with a 17-litre (4.3US / 3.75 Imperial Gallon) fuel capacity. By rights it should be the XL1200F or even the first XF because it’s going to bring a

whole new style to the Sportster range, but it’s going to be especially interesting to see who buys it. It’s the natural continuation of a genus that started with the ever-popular Fat Boy, and found acclaim when it made the evolutionary leap into the Dyna. It even made people re-evaluate the Muscle, which is the Fat Rod in all but name, but will the FatSter be a cross-fertilisation too far? In America the lineage is clearer, with a fat cast five-spoke in place of our laced wheel, but it’s the headlamp bracket – an updated, elongated version of the classic eyelid – that will define the model. If the steamroller wheel catches on, you never know where it will end: I can see a budget bagger being a distinct possibility, which is something they’ve tried before. www.harley-davidson.co.uk

American-V.co.uk

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4/3/11 01:35:43

Gravity Defying High Ball pic: hellforleathermagazine.com

Erik Buell Racing on the street

Victory has never really targetted the down and dirty end of custom motorcycles to date, but a radical bobber style in the form of the 2012 High Ball has changed all that. It seems to be part of a new direction for Victory, whose recent tourers have more closely taken cues from Harley’s baggers, but there’s still enough of a twist to make sure no-one will think it has come from Milwaukee. With the first laced wheels since the first Vegas models, running powder-coated rims, it’s also the first Victory since the V92C Cruiser to run a classic pair of 16-inch wheels – both 3½-inch rims – and the first with wide band whitewalls: 130-section up front, and a 150 rear. It’s still very much a Victory – it couldn’t be anything else with that stretched fuel tank and rocket headlamp – and reaction so far has been good: it represents a style and stance that many are looking for, especially when combined with an evolved 106-inch long-stroke, hightorque motor and 6-speed gearbox. Learning an important lesson from the masters of parts bin engineering

in Milwaukee, the High Ball is little more than a Vegas 8-Ball with revised rubber and wheel fitments, and a set of modern Apehangers – which, apparently, can be switched from the high bars, as seen, to a set of pulled-back tiller bars, but I’ll believe that when I see it. The American press are busy comparing it to the Cross-Bones, or they were before the news broke that Harley were withdrawing it. That could be seen as omenous, but the High Ball’s ridiculously low seat height of 25-inches addresses one of the major concerns raised regarding the outgoing custom Springer. In a strange turnround of fortunes, it might sell on an anti-establishment ticket, which might just be enough to wedge Victory’s foot firmly in a door that they’ve been pushing at for a few years now. Available in any colour as long as it’s two-tone black and white, the High Ball is the beginning of a story rather than the end, and could be the first Victory to find mainstream acceptance in the custom world. www.victorymotorcycles.co.uk

However you read that, it’s great news. The 1190cc racing version of the Helicon engine that he’s been developing since Harley ‘discontinued’ production in East Troy might be further from the American V-Twins we know and love than ever before, but we’ve developed a huge respect for Erik Buell over the years, and it’s good to see him back. The 1190RS is also a long way from the consumer products that you or I might have in our garages, but you’ve got to start somewhere and like custom builders around the world, the choices are to build a premium product, uncompromising in every respect, and sell it for a premium price, or build something that lots of people want, and make it at a price they’re willing to pay. Neither is easy, but you can keep a much tighter control on a small number of expensive bikes, and suggestions are that Erik Buell Racing will be starting cautiously: he’s only just cleared the ‘no road bike’ stipulation as part of his leaving package from HarleyDavidson, and details are sketchy. It all gets a little murky, because the world’s press are filling in a lot of blanks in a feeding frenzy, but unless something has happened to make Harley surrender the expensive exclusive rights that we were told at the time they had secured when they closed Buell – and which we were told had contributed hugely to the cost of closure – Buell is still making engines under license from Harley-Davidson, and our information is that the 1190RR race engine is effectively the Barracuda II that Buell was working on as a replacement for the first generation models while still in full production. This is the same engine constantly misreported as being a Rotax engine, and on at least one occasion as the Aprilia engine (both developed with Rotax). With twelve months further development in a harsh racing environment, the 1190RS street incarnation promises to be more evolved and less compromised than could have been the case within any corporate environment. No details of cost are known, but an EBR’s uncompromising, super-lightweight 1190RR in race trim – still recognisable from the 1125R, but not as readily as the current $16k 1125R racebike – would set you back a few dollars short of $45k. www.erikbuellracing.com

American-V.co.uk

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American-V

Samurai Type-9 We first heard about this a year ago on the stand at the Ally Pally show. We’d not long since ridden the tiny Type 5, and the prospect of something bigger with a very clever suspension system sounded great. It’s here now, and we’ll be riding it as soon as possible. What we can tell you now, however, is that it’s the first Zero to be based around an EFI TC88 motor - solid mounted, but not the ‘B’ motor, because in Zero’s philosophy, an engine should provide some feedback. And I confess, I concur. You can tell it’s bigger by the height of the headstock relative to the tank, but those low bars mean it’s still an uncompromising riding position. Thankfully, with a Type 5 on their stand at Ally Pally, possibly the one we tested in AmV38, demonstrating what a difference a pair of bars can make, it’s less of an issue than it might first seem. And as for that suspension, Plot Inc, who make the Samurai range, have some enthusiastic staff who throw motorcycles round racetracks at indecent speeds, and one of their race engineers has come up with this description-defying system ... but we do like a challenge. It appears to be based on the automotive 4-link system – a pair of parallel linkages controlling the arc through which the wheel travels – but the clever bit, which isn’t apparent until you can walk round it, is the linkage that connects the two. Running parallel with the frame’s chainstay, and completely hidden behind it, it operates a vertically-mounted shock absorber discreetly located between the front of the wheel and the gearbox. genius. There’s not much more than an inch of travel – anything else would require a higher mounted mudguard, and would lose that clean line – but it’s more than a sprung saddle offers and is damped. It looks as though it maintains constant chain tension too. Colours for this, its first year, will be as shown: cocoa. www.zeroengineeringeu.com/

RSD’s Cafe Contribution

The next big thing is going to be Cafe Racers, and that’s a ‘good thing’ because it will kick open the door to a new generation of riders, tearing bit chunks off all manner of big and ugly bikes to turn them into cool transport, just like we did before them. And when they’re ready to raise their sights, the custom bug having bitten deep, there will be a massive amount of stuff around to make something stunning from a Sportster and probably a Dyna by then too. Roland Sands is ahead of the game – probably driving it to some extent – and this simple but stunning billet aluminium headlamp relocator with low-mounted speedo cup in an anodized black or chrome finish, and these 39mm clip on handlebars, again with in black or chrome, for Sportster models strikes me as being the tip of the iceberg. Deja Vu? Yes, we ran this in less detail in AmV43.

W&W 19-395 W&W 19-396 W&W 20-645 W&W 20-646

SHOCK OF THE NEW

Harley-Davidson’s touring shocks typically get better press than their street models, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be improved upon, and Progressive Suspension’s new 940 Series Ultra offers a few clever tricks that will perk up even the new touring frame. The one you’re likely to care about most is that they’ve built a shock that allows your bagger to sit an inch lower than stock, but not only has the same suspension travel but better springing and damping, with a lifetime warranty. That should be enough for most people. The first bit is reasonably easy: if I’ve read this right, they’ve used a spring that contributes to the suspension on the move, but which compresses under the weight of the bike at standstill, so effectively removing the ‘squat’ you get when you put a rider in the saddle and getting a cool looking bike when it’s parked. Well, it’s easy to say. And they’ve wrapped that ‘flat wire compensator spring’, and a progressive rate main spring round their “best in class” IAS gascharged damper, with a machined aluminium threaded preload adjuster that allows tool-free tuning. And that lifetime warranty! www.progressivesuspension.com

AQUAFREE

Here’s a thing: clean your bike without water – unless you’ve just come back from camping in a very muddy field, in which case get that tap running. For everything else, dig out a moist Vulcanet wipe, and let its impregnated honeycomb fibre do all the hard work: it Gauge and headlamp relocator bracket: black cleans any surface Gauge and headlamp relocator bracket: chrome €271.90 and then buffing with 39mm Clip-Ons for 39mm forks: black clamp a microfibre duster 39mm Clip-Ons for 39mm forks: chrome clamp seals it, so it’s easier €233.80 next time! www.wwag.com www.bikewipes.co.uk

American-V.co.uk

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Warr's Ad_American V_June/July10_Warr's Ad_American V_June/July10 14/05/2010 09:02 Page 1

Battersea Power Station by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott Bonneville Springer & Hot Rod Hydra by Warr’s

EUROPE’S OLDEST HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP Bikes featured: Harley-Davidson Bonneville Springer & Hot Rod Hydra Bobber King’s Road, London +44 (0)20 7736 2934 www.warrs.com

p09_avmar-apr11.indd 1

4/3/11 09:09:48

American-V American-V # ONE

PIGGY-BACK RIDE

DELUXE RISERS

Masters of their kraft, Kustom Tech – aka K-Tech – has an excellent reputation for kreating the most exquisite kustom parts, usually with a fresh take on the most mundane objekts, which has gifted them a signature style. “Formed” from brass, these 63mm high, pullback risers are up to their usual standard, and come in a variety of finishes to suit you, and are priced per set.

No strangers to high performance shocks, these 970-Series Progressive are the latest in a long line of shocks that have transformed twin-shock Harleys since before the FXR rewrote the rules. Made for the XR1200 and Dyna models, with others reported to be in the pipeline, they combine a high pressure monotube design with easily adjustable deflective disc damping, compression damping controlled via an easily accessible knob, while a threaded preload adjuster makes it easy to set them up for a rider’s weight more precisely if you’re serious about your suspension.

W&W W&W W&W W&W W&W

20-656 20-656 20-656 20-656 20-656

Polished Satin finish Natural Krome plated Satin krome plated

€129.00 €129.00 €114.00 €149.00 €149.00

www.wwag.com

MORGAN 3 UPDATE

www.progressivesuspension.com

HOOLIGAN QD PILLION PADS

Self indulgence again, but now that the Morgan 3-Wheeler has broken cover, I thought it would be good to set the record straight: it’s not powered by a Harley engine at all, but an S&S X-Wedge. And it looks like it was built for the job: yours for £25k The 3-Wheeler shown is a long way from standard, but shows the range of special finishes, materials and decals that will be available to personalise your Moggie.

www.morgan3wheeler.co.uk

DISH OF THE DAY What’s to tell? An emergency pillion seat that doesn’t sully the perfect line of your mudguard. Secured by suckers, it’s better than scratching the paint, and quicker than walking! And the square one even has a zippered stash pouch for times when you need a zippered stash pouch. www.zodiac.nl

KLIC BAGS FOR VICTORY We don’t know much about these yet, except that they’re naugahyde bags with quick release buckles that locate on quick release brackets, come with inner bags and rain covers and are available ex-stock from Custom Cruisers. www.customcruisers.com

CHiPS WiTH EVERYTHiNG

Jon and Ponch’s Z1000Ps never looked this cool, but then nor were Jon and Ponch if we’re honest. It’s the brainchild of a “Motor Officer” and a Victory dealer in Arizona, and has grown into a company providing a complete range of police bikes for a variety of roles and a new company “Victory Police Motorcycles”. Victory themselves couldn’t have wished for a better advertisement for their new tourers, and reading through the comments from officers and mechanics who have appraised them speaks volumes: they rate the bikes very highly against all-comers. Well worth a look if you’re thinking about buying a civilian model.

www.victorypolicemotorcycles.com

One day Paughco will run out of things that they don’t already make, but that day obviously isn’t this one, because they’ve been busy recreating the custom tanks of the 50’s onwards. In 3.0, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.0 US gallon sizes, the smaller two varieties are Frisco mounted, axed and dished, and the larger two slipping a little further over the top tube and the 4.5 US gallon is the exception to the rule, and isn’t dished. All cost $314.95 They come supplied with a bung for the cam-style filler cap and the 22mm petcock mounted on the rear edge. Mounts have been kept to the smallest practical size for a universal fitment and they are supplied pressure-tested in bare metal.

www.paughco.com

FLASHER! Harley aren’t usually known for being early adopters of new technologies but they caught a lot of people on the hop with the LED stop/tail/indicators on the Nightster. The aftermarket is catching up now, though, and these offerings from Motorcycle Storehouse – either in a classic indicator shell of a more modern ... err, stick – offer that same functionality, and are EC approved too, so there’s no issues regarding legality ... just position. Matching front turn signals are available. MCS 913886 MCS 913887 MCS 913889 MCS 913890

Circular, chrome housing Circular, black housing Lozenge, chrome housing Lozenge, black housing

www.mcseurope.nl

American-V.co.uk

AmV45.News.indd 10

4/3/11 12:33:23

8 BAKER STREET- BIRMINGHAM - B11 4SF 0121- 766 - 8111 www.thunderroad.com

THUNDER ROAD VICTORY MOTORCYCLES DEMO DAYS 2011

SATURDAY 16TH & SUNDAY 17TH APRIL ARROW MILL HOTEL, ARROW,NEAR ALCESTER, WARWICKSHIRE, B49 5NL

Its your chance to ride the new 2011 Victory Motorcycle Range. 11 Ride Outs, every half an hour, for 2 days. FOR FURTHER DETAILS PHONE 0121 766 8111 FOR FURTHER DETAILS PHONE 0121 766 8111 FOR FURTHER DETAILS PHONE 0121 766 8111 FOR FURTHER DETAILS PHONE 0121 766 8111 CHD_OHD July Winter Amer V 9/2/11 10:57 Page 1 AV_OPEN_DAY_Ad.indd 1

02/02/2011 16:54

VISIT OUR all new website and online store

www.bladegroupharleydavidson.co.uk Cheltenham Harley-Davidson® Princess Elizabeth Way Cheltenham GL51 7PA Tel: 01242 240570 www.bladegroup.co.uk

Oxford Harley-Davidson® Corner House, Wootton Oxford OX13 6BS Tel: 01865 735121

p11_avmar/apr11.indd 11

24/2/11 11:40:41

Reviews

JOHN DOE KAMIKAZE CARGO DEFENSE PANTS JDC-2001 £195.00 Available in: XS / 32 leg to 4XL / 34 leg

As promised a couple of issues ago, when we first mentioned them, we’ve been putting a couple of pairs of John Doe’s waterproof trousers through their paces, to test their claims: after all a pair of cotton trousers that keep the water out? Pull the other one. A pair of cargo pants duly arrived, with a pair of jeans, and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing over one of the least pleasant winters that I can remember riding through. That’s odd in itself because my enthusiasm for armoured jeans has been for use as summer wear – a major bonus when leather becomes too hot and clammy – but it was obvious from the first time of trying a pair on at Steve Kilby’s stand at Brightona, that with their thick Kevlar lining, they would be insulated enough for a warm-blooded bloke like myself in most weather conditions in our temperate climate. And so it proved to be, with just the occasional assist from a pair of chav shop thermal leggings. But waterproof? There’s only one way to find out. There’s something surreal about dressing for riding in torrential December rain by slipping on a set of cargo pants, tying

JADE LACE-UP HI TOP Spring/Summer 2011: RRP £49.99 Style D84607: sizes 3-8 UK 36-41 EU With

the

prospect

large

the straps at the bottom of the legs round the top of a pair of FXRG boots, and then battening everything down on the FXRG jacket to keep the water out. If I was a glass-half-empty type, I would have stowed a pair of waterproof leggings, but I had faith and headed out for the ultimate test: to take Amanda’s forgotten glasses to her, before heading to SHD and a day in Steve’s machine shop playing with switches. Not the stuff of epics, but hey? It had been raining – hard enough to clear the snow – but the first few miles was a test of how it dealt with the minimal amount of water that got past the Victory’s voluminous mudguard. And then the heavens opened. Was this really a good idea? Which pockets were vulnerable items in? Mum? Ten miles later it was all over and I was standing in the dry, the rain running in rivulets off the cotton that it had failed to penetrate, facing the inevitable barrage of questions. Well, one: why are you wearing my trousers? It was true. I should have been testing the denim but was having issues with the fit, and the ones that Amanda was reviewing fitted nicely so I’m glad Timo sent the men’s fit. I would have looked very odd in the women’s hipsters. And ... ? Well, and then I finished riding to SHD in lighter rain, worked all day in them in his new but as yet unheated workshop unit – well, I stood around while he did most of the work – and then rode home through snow falling hard enough to think about settling on the sodden roads. And ... ? And even then, having stripped off my jacket and boots, my first priority was to put the kettle on and get a hot cup of coffee inside me – thawing my hands out – rather than to lose the trousers. Which means? All day comfortable, beautifully warm, bone dry and a genuine revelation. And not an isolated case. I took to wearing them as casual trousers round the house and office and can’t fault the comfort, have covered a couple of thousand miles in them on a selection of bikes, and been grateful for their casual style on the few occasions when I’ve started or finished a journey on

a train or in a car. And – renaissance man that I am – I can report that they wash beautifully As a pair of trousers, they’re well appointed with secure pockets – zippered and press-studded on the patch pockets on the leg and more press studs their expanding rear pockets. And with a deep waistband, aided by the supplied webbing belt, they deal with middle-aged spread without biting deep in to your midriff. I’m not sure if the grab handles are there to offer enhanced grip with pulling them up, or a styling affectation but they’re actually quite useful. If there is an issue, it’s that they are a bit baggier round the leg than I’d prefer, but I think I might be grateful for the additional air circulation that will afford come summer: it’s something that the manufacturers are aware of, and could be dealt with in the future if it proved to be a concern to enough people. And the jeans? We’ll be trying the bigger size as soon as they come back: while the size of the outer denim shell is perfect, the inner Kevlar lining was proving too tight within it. I persisted, hoping that they would loosen up with a bit of use, and washing, but they are sturdy, and there’s no give at all, so what I will do is mention that Steve Kilby has been telling his customers to take a size larger in the jeans than they ordinarily would: we’ll revisit those in a future edition. / Andy

amounts of walking being required during my weekend city break and the imminent demise of my well-worn-in Doc Martens, being given the chance to try out these boots was most welcome. Initial inspection showed them to be well made and sturdy with the added bonus, in my opinion, of having a black sole and trim and therefore not making me look like I’m sporting a pair of bumper cars on my feet! The pyramid studs detailing on the backs is a tad ‘emo’, but fortunately hidden when worn with long trousers. Many hours worth of walking proved them to be

comfortable and supportive, in fact I forgot to take them off when I got home as they were so comfortable! The quick release zips, conveniently placed on the outsides of the shoes – so no rubbing or snagging – make for easy fitting and removal once you’ve got the laces adjusted to suit your foot width. I didn’t try them in the rain but being canvas, I suspect they would only be shower proof, but a decent pair of off-bike shoes. / Marie Bentall

American-V.co.uk

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3/3/11 01:39:06

DEEMEED DISCOVERY M £238.80 w ww.deemeed.com /

deemeedluggage@yahoo.co.uk H: 500mm / D: 280mm / W: 410mm Also in: S (400x280x470) / L (500x310x510) We’re no strangers to Deemeed, having tested an earlier version of this bag for nearly five years – reviewing it in AmV19 – using it on the back of every type of motorcycle, and subjecting it to the brutality of the baggage carousel, until eventually the main zip went. Small wonder, really, having overstuffed it so often with boxes of magazines, camera bags, doss bags and occasionally a laptop, and it was a very fine pitch zip – the showerproof variety – and boy did we miss it. No matter: send it back and they’ll fit a new one, and we will next time we see Tomasz at a show, because it’s the only thing that is wrong with it: brilliant piece of kit. But, Tomasz volunteered, did we know that they’d been developing it further?

Would we like to try the new one? How much better could it be, frankly? Functional, robust, well-made using good materials, and good looking too. Well, to start with its mounting system is simpler but no less flexible – the old one used a series of differentlength straps to secure the back to a sissy bar while the new one has a single strap and a range of anchor points to accommodate different sizes of sissy bar or backrest pads. Clever. And it’s previously captive straps are now loose, so you can take them off when you don’t need them, which saves stashing them so you don’t trip over them. And you won’t need them to convert it into a backpack any more because it now has thicker, dedicated straps. Sweet. And the main zip has been improved, is now a coarser pitch which is still pretty watertight. Very sensible, especially bearing in mind there’s a full impermeable rain cover that you can slip over the whole lot in the event of a monsoon. And the base material has been upgraded from a hardwearing nylon, that has proved to be indestructible and waterproof, to Cordura. And it comes in a nice, branded bag, which it can be folded into when you’re not using it, or which can hold all the spare bits you’re not using ... and which your other half can hide in a bag in a cupboard so you can’t find said bits when you come to photograph it, because you’d forgotten all about it. Ahem. That’s when I rediscovered the 3mm alumunium sheet – a £19.20 option in case you want to fit the pack onto a narrower rack. For all other uses, the firm, flexible and lightweight internal bracing gives the bottom and back strength, and together with the softer end pieces keeps the bag in shape. The massive improvement, however is so ridiculously simple that you can’t imagine it being done any other way: a bright orange lining, so you can see what’s inside it without a torch in most lights. Genius. And if that isn’t enough, Deemeed now offer a bespoke service so you can drop your own graphic onto the main lid, which is in addition to the thick Velco strips down each side, which can support branding or logos too. All of that is on top of a bag that was already exceptional, and is the right size and the right shape ... and the right money. And it comes with a five year warranty! A redesigned UK website will be updated soon with direct purchase facitilies, until then use the email or look out for them at shows. / Andy

MEN’S PROFILE PERFORMANCE EYEWEAR

98164-08VM: RRP £131.50 Following-on from Amanda testing the ladies “Streamline” eyewear a couple of issues ago, these are Harley-Davidson’s photochromatic, windproof sunglasses for men. Again, there is a detachable foam faceshield that bridges that gap between the frame and your face, to keep the wind out of your eyes, but which – once removed – allows you to use the ‘goggles’ as sunglasses off the bike. And again they are 24/7 sunglasses that are as useful at midnight on the A9 north of Perth as they will at high noon in Port Grimaud, switching quickly enough to make them invaluable riding aids; although if there were an improvement to make to the optics, a night driving tint would be welcome. Coming complete with a substantial hardcase they exhibit Harley’s usual attention to quality, although a hardcase that was pocketable would perhaps be a better idea so you could pocket them if they weren’t needed. A lanyard is supplied that slips over the ends of the arms, so you can hang them round your neck – Dame Edna style – which is perfect if you’re the nautical type, but which exacerbates the only issue that I’ve had with them, long term, which is that the ends of the arms turn down. It doesn’t sound much, but I’m a big fan of straight-arm glasses that you can slip on after putting your helmet, and usefully the ladies windproofs take that form, but you can’t easily do that with curved arms, and you certainly can’t do that if equipped with a lanyard the slips over the arms’ ends. And to make matters worse, the arms dig into the side of my head over protracted periods, depending on the style of helmet, right on the skull behind the ears where there isn’t a lot of padding, especially in something tight, like a properly-fitting Davida. That aside, an excellent pair of shades. With a night tint and straight arms, they would be brilliant. / Andy

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AmV45.Reviews.indd 13

3/3/11 15:17:03

American-V # ONE

Reviews HENNIE WOMEN’S BOOTS Spring/Summer 2011: RRP £149.99 Style D8222: sizes 3-8 UK 36-41 EU

I looked on with envious eyes as Andy unpacked the FXRG3 boots that he reviewed last issue and although I am hardly short of warm dry boots myself, I couldn’t help but covet his. I’ve always liked the style of the semi-textile paraboots and these seemed to offer a good combination of leather and textile with a stylish design, so when the Hennies turned up looking for all the world like a ladies FXRG boot, I couldn’t wait to try them out. My joy was very short lived when, trying them on, I found that my normal fitting, a 7, were way too big for me, so much so that not even a pair of thick socks would fix it. No matter, getting shoes by mail order is a hit and miss affair, and you would be going to a dealer and trying them on, of course. When their size 6 replacements arrived I couldn’t get them on quickly enough, to start putting them through their paces and they went into service immediately on my winter commute: a thirty mile round trip. It’s worth mentioning that the 6 is still a generous fitting, but it’s not the first time I’ve

MEN’S HEATED JACKET LINER

98324-09VM: £231.55 Available in XS to 3XL Another quick update from last issue and the Harley Davidson electric clothing reviews. As we went to press, the gents heated jacket liner arrived, and is well worth separate scrutiny as it is an evolution of the classic heating system used in the ladies liner. While the electrical cables that connect it to the bike – via its supplied, and essential switch – are common to both, as are those that feed the gloves, emerging from a zipped pocket at the end of each sleeve, the means of generating heat throughout the jacket are very different. While the ladies’ jacket relies upon a wire element, zigzagging up and down the jacket

struggled with Harley’s shoe sizing: see a dealer, or only deal with a reputable mail order operator who will exchange. Beautifully lightweight and comfortable, they are pretty close to the FXRGs, but there is one thing to consider: while they are waterproof they use a Vibram sole rather than the FXRG’s Goodyear welted type, and resemble more the union between the upper and sole of a modern walking boot than a stitched-together two piece classic boot, so will probably be more difficult to resole. I’ve yet to find that out. I don’t know whether it’s because of the shape of the boot or my feet, but I’m unable to remove the boot by only undoing the gusseted zip – which Andy sees as being such a positive feature of the FXRGs – and have resorted to using the laces ... or maybe, subconsciously, I see the zipper as something to look forward to in old age. But, if it works for you, the zip is a great idea. within the constraints of the quilting, the gents is a micro-fine wire mesh – known, and trademarked as Nanowire technology with a GHC High Density Heat system in marketing speak – and has very little physical presence that you can feel. It’s a further evolution of the system used in the men’s gloves, and it’s remarkably efficient. This mesh is distributed strategically around the jacket in patches, rather than forming a complete inner lining, and you soon learn where they are by switching it on, although you can take it off and look for the stitching: it’s immediately obvious where the body panels are. In line with Amanda’s findings, I would get one of the optional thermostatic control units as soon as possible, because an on/off switch just isn’t sophisticated enough to regulate between phenomenal heat and absolutely nothing, and you’ll be surprised how quickly you cool down once the heat is switched off. I discovered over the course of a number of excursions that I’d misinformed Amanda in terms of how the wiring should be set up. If you require heat to the gloves and the jacket, you obviously plug the lead marked ‘Glove’ on a black label, into the socket marked ‘Accessory’ on yellow – and it is possibly to interpret the instructions that way, honest. And anyway, what are gloves if not accessories? You actually need a splitter cable, or to opt for the dual channel thermostatic control unit. Of course you could, and I did, plug the gloves into the accessory socket, and did get an ambient heat to the gloves. I also connected just

As ever, us girls get a bit of built-in bling with the Hennies, but it’s subtle and I can only congratulate the designers for the refined elegance of such little touches: of course some girls like to be totally blingedout but I guess they would be wearing ‘golddigga’ branded kit and not Harley! And they look bloody good with most things: I went for a job interview the other day wearing them with some linen trousers As boots for a bike, they’re definitely waterproof, but they are also one of the most comfortable and the lightest boots I have ever worn, and are certainly warm enough for winter wear: I haven’t done a summer in them yet. And looking at the sole, I think they could double-up as serious contenders as a pair of walking boots, for when you go on those country camping weekends in the lakes or the highlands. In conclusion, an all round fantastic piece of kit that delivers more than it promises on the tin. the gloves to the power switch (white lead) and the jacket to the accessory socket just to keep it tidy – and was astonished that the jacket heated up at all, suggesting there’s some backfeeding connection within the jacket, and equally amazed by how different the distribution of heat was. It is not, however, a viable alternative to the splitter or ideally the dual channel thermostat. Overall, I’ve surprised myself by how much I use the jacket and gloves, having ridden twelve months a year for the last thirty years in just jeans and a t-shirt ... at least, that’s what it feels like now, and with a thermostat I could see me using a whole lot more. In fact I can see it being to the benefit of any long distance rider, because the flexibility and comfort of lightweight clothing makes everything so much nicer - and easier to pack. And if that lightweight gear can heat up at the flick of a switch, then so much the better, providing you remember you’ll still need warm clothing when you get off the bike ... or an optional battery, but then where do you stop? Worth the money? Riding in winter, it’s worth every penny. / Andy

American-V.co.uk

AmV45.Reviews.indd 14

3/3/11 01:39:44

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24/2/11 11:37:04

MY MATE MARMITE You might remember this: the second long term bike for the 2010 season as reported in issue 40 – in fact it shared the cover – so where’s it been all this time?

16 American-V.co.uk

AmV45.VISION.indd 16

3/3/11 01:11:16

Roadtest: My Mate Marmite

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AmV45.VISION.indd 17

3/3/11 01:11:20

Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?

24 American-V.co.uk

AmV45.TAXI.indd 24

2/3/11 22:48:32

Custom: Fat Yellow Taxi

FAT YELLOW TAXI

The Rocker is dead. Gone. Finished. Another blip on the Harley model history that was a radical line too far for the conservative folk who buy Harleys, and too expensive for the majority of those who would be able to take one in hand and show Harley’s R&D what was just below the surface. And will we miss it? Yes, for the diversity it brought to the range, and because – like the Deuce before it – regardless of how it looked, it rode well, but then owing so much to the Deuce, stylistically, I think the writing was on the wall from the day it broke cover. Isn’t hindsight brilliant? Its crime? Which one? Which bike, that is, not which crime, because don’t forget there were two. It didn’t start well: the chrome Rocker C was late and failed to capitalise on the marketing spend and groundswell of positive reaction, and the plain one was just too plain. The basic Rocker lasted a year because many people, and I count myself among them, couldn’t see past a brave styling decision that gave us textured grey powdercoat where the the ‘C’ was chrome. If they’d swapped it for a gloss black finish for its second year, I think Harley might have been surprised at the difference in reaction: it worked much better on the Rocket Bob bike we saw at Oxford HD, and might even have justified the price tag. The Rocker C, when it finally arrived in quantities, was let down by a clever, but ultimately silly seat. It was great that you had a hidden fold-out seat, but fatally flawed if you actually intended to put a passenger on it for any period of time while moving. Its size was limited by the amount of space in the cubbyhole beneath

American-V.co.uk

AmV45.TAXI.indd 25

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p29_avmar/apr11.indd 29

24/2/11 11:42:13

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24/2/11 11:46:32

ALLY PALLY 2011

Events: Ally Pally 2011

Now in its second year, the London International Custom Show at the Alexander Palace had everything to do to realise the potential it had shown in its inaugural event.

Without the Ace Café’s branding and marketing machine behind it, the last thing it needed was a depressed economy and a horrendous winter taking a toll on the specialist traders it would ordinarily hoped to attract. But on the other hand, with the support of our former colleagues at Back Street Heroes magazine, there was potential to boost numbers in the custom show: swings and roundabouts. And did it live up to expectations? That would depend upon what your expectations were, and where you started.

I’d say that while the market section in the Great Hall was very disappointing this year compared to last, in terms of the number of traders and range of goods on offer, but the main custom show element in the smaller West Hall – now one of two UK rounds of the AMD Championship of Custom Bike Building – has the potential to become an important opportunity for professional bike builders to showcase their work. They didn’t manage to double the sixty bikes of last year that they’d hoped for, but what they lacked in quantity, they made up for in quality.

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AmV45.SO.BAD.indd 36

2/3/11 22:35:52

Custom: So Bad

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Many people will know Martin Dickinson from his days as the Chapter Director of Nene Valley HOG, not necessarily because they were members themselves but because the chapter seemed to be bloody everywhere, and while he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t appear to be making a lot of noise about it, he was always close to the middle of the throng.

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AmV45.SO.BAD.indd 37

2/3/11 22:35:57

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There have been murmurings on the outskirts of Bromsgrove for a few months now, where Benny Thomas, formerly of Boneshaker fame, has been busy in the woodshed.

The result is a new partnership, a new direction and a new name, and as one of two bikes that popped-up on Vintique’s website recently as ‘built-to-order’ production bikes, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to get Benny to talk us through the “Street Tracker”. And because we’re not short of stuff to do, we thought we’d let him tell you himself. “So here is Massimo’s bike, I’ve been wanting to produce a production bike for sometime ... not a massive production line, but just a cool solid bike that doesn’t involve lots of faffing about: something along the Deus Ex Machina way of thinking. I feel I got close with the Thomas-Harvey racer but it was just too ‘out there’ for a lot of people, and my artistic views overtook any kind of sensible road usage and it ended up with no front brake, no lights and no seat springs. Sure, it was a killer bike but although I

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Back Issues.rev.indd 48

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9 40F Lindisfarne Court, Bede Industrial Estate, Jarrow, Tyne & Wear NE32 3HG Call for more details on (0191) 430 0060. www.twincitymotorcycles.com

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enthusiast. Harley and service for Approved dealers of Custom Chrome, Zodiac, Cult custom Harley and & many moreenthusiast. after market suppliers. custom We also supply servicing, tyres and undertaken insurance enthusiast. ApprovedMOT’s, dealers of Custom Chrome, Zodiac, Cult dealers Custom Chrome, Zodiac, Cult repairs andofquotations. & many more afterApproved market suppliers. We also supply many after market suppliers. We also supply Motorcycle MOT’s, servicing,&MOT’s, tyres more and undertaken insurance servicing, tyres and undertaken insurance collection repairs and quotations. repairs and quotations. Motorcycle Run by Bikersand delivery Motorcycle Run by Bikers collection collectionservice for Bikers for Bikers available. and delivery and offer delivery Beakys service Beakys offer service Datatool an all round available. an all round approved available. service for engineer. Datatoolservice for Datatool approved Harley and Harley and approved engineer. �� custom custom engineer. �� enthusiast. �� enthusiast. �� Approved�� dealers of Custom Chrome, Zodiac, Cult Chrome, Zodiac, Cult Approved dealers of Custom �� & many more after market&suppliers. We alsomarket supply many �� more after suppliers. We also supply �� MOT’s, servicing,�� tyres and undertaken insurance MOT’s, servicing, tyres and undertaken insurance repairs and quotations. repairs and quotations. Motorcycle Motorcycle collection collection and delivery and delivery service service available. available. Datatool Datatool approved approved engineer. engineer.

Thundercity Motorcycles Unit 2/3 Haines, Park Grant Avenue, Leeds LS7 1QQ Tel: 01132 406332 www.thundercity.co.uk thundercity@tiscali.co.uk

Run by Bikers for Bikers Beakys offer an all round

Quality after Market enhancements

MOT’s - Tyres

Tel: 01306 712297

15 Professional Motorcycle Polishing

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p46_avjun09.indd 2

46 Danebury Drive Acomb, York YO26 5EG Tel: 01904 791557 Mob: 07710 303559

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01782 332430 Millﬁeld, Cottenham,

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

13 Taylors, Gravel Lane, Chigwell, Essex IG7 6DQ

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• Engineered to the ﬁnest tolerances

Lychgate Farm, Industrial Estate Arterial Road, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 TTZ

Tel: 01795 477752 www.billet.co.uk

www.promopolishing.co.uk

• Road tested since 1985 • Cut from the Billet

01268 775888 07843 563379

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14 13

Langage Business Park, Eagle Road, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon PL7 5JY T: 01752 332775 www.plymouthharleydavidson.co.uk

Plymouth Harley-Davidson

Corner House Garage, Whitecross, Wootton, Oxfordshire OX13 6BS T: 01865 735121 www.bladegroup.co.uk

Oxford Harley-Davidson

120 Ber Street, Norwich NR1 3ES T: 0845 224 0419 www.norwichharleydavidson.co.uk

Norwich Harley-Davidson

Elliot House, Silverlink, Wallsend Newcastle Upon Tyne NE28 9ND T: 0191 2369315 F: 0191 2638604

Ozier Park, Waterford City, Ireland T: +353 51 844200 F: +353 51 857206 www.waterfordhd.com

Waterford Harley-Davidson

16 – 20 Mottingham Road, London SE9 4QW Tel: 0208 8579198 www.warrs.com

Warr’s Harley-Davidson

611 Kings Road, London, SW6 2EL Tel: 0207 736934 www.warrs.com

Warr’s Harley-Davidson

North Street, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9RN T: 01572 823 296 F: 01572 821 299 www.sycamorehd.co.uk

Sycamore Harley-Davidson

37-43 Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton WV3 0UF T: 01902 371600 www.stratstone.com/ harley-davidson-bike.html

Newcastle Harley-Davidson

Stratstone Harley Davidson

Waterlinks Motor Village Lichﬁeld Road, Aston, Birmingham B6 5RQ T: 0121 335 7043 www.stratstone.com/ harley-davidson-bike.html

Stratstone Harley Davidson

Holmes Hill, Nr Lewes, East Sussex BN8 6JA www.shawharley-davidson.co.uk

Shaw Harley-Davidson

216 Queens Road, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2 DB T: 0115 811 4215 www.robinhoodharley-davidson.co.uk

Robin Hood Harley-Davidson

West Strand Park, Strand Road, Preston, Lancashire PR1 8UY T: 01772 551800 www.harleydavidson-preston.com

8 Tritton Road, Lincoln LN6 7QY T: 01522 850098 F: 01522 850088 www.lincolnharleydavidson.co.uk

Preston Harley-Davidson

Lincoln Harley-Davidson

Lakeside Estate, Heron Way, West Thurrock, Essex RM20 3WJ T: 01708 805005 F: 01708 805006 Efax: 0845 280 2011 Mob: 07775 022753 www.lakesideharley-davidson.co.uk

Lakeside Harley-Davidson

Portsmouth Road, Peasmarsh, Guildford, GU3 1NA T: 0845 388 9643 www.guildfordharleydavidson.co.uk

Guildford Harley-Davidson

599 Princess Way, Cheltenham GL51 7PA T: 01242 240570 www.bladegroup.co.uk

Cheltenham Harley-Davidson

Black Bear Lane, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 OJT T: 01638 664455 F: 01638 660 772 www.blackbear.co.uk

Black Bear Harley Davidson

Harley-Davidson Dealer Network

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Trike: Rocker’s Revenge

For as long as there have been motorcycles, people have attached a third wheel for a variety of different reasons, be it commercial, social or recreational. Or, in the case of modern footballers under contract, because they’re not allowed to ride two wheels ... allegedly.

ROCKER’S REVENGE In Brian’s case it was because after a lifetime on two wheels, disability meant he couldn’t hold a motorcycle up for protracted periods of time any more, but he wasn’t prepared to stop riding His first solution had been to get a trike back end fitted into the back of a Road King, which saw him right for a few years, but he really wanted a custom built one that better catered for his specific requirements and in 2007 that started looking like becoming a reality. Having talked to Dave Barringer at Northants V-Twin about the available options, a custom frame was ordered from the US, together with a few other bits and pieces, and from 2008-on, the Rocker’s Revenge started to take shape in NVT’s workshop. There were some very specific requirements, if it was going to be the perfect machine: it needed a push-button kliktronic gearshift hooked into the regular footshift so that Brian would always be able to change gear, regardless of how tired his leg was; reverse gear because there’s no way he would be able to push it backwards; running on air-suspension so that it could be dropped to a minimal height for ease of getting on and off; a supportive seat and finally a decent sized set of footboards to make sure his feet were secure and comfortable. And, obviously, it had to fit him as perfectly as possible: this was going to look like a million dollars, but it was more important that it rode well, and rode far. It took the best part of a year and a half gathering components, partly due to the cost of the bought-in parts but also because Dave

American-V.co.uk

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ROAD KING CLASSICS

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Head-to-head: Road King Classics

Hmmm, take two Road King Classics into the shower. What the hell, why not!

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GBBBBO REVISITED Of the bikes that the budget bobber series spawned, that built by Chaz SholeďŹ eld in East Anglia was perhaps the bravest, for while everyone else started life with a donor bike, and inherited its ID for the ďŹ nal bike, Chaz started off with an Flyrite Smoking Gun rolling chassis and a 1994 883cc Sportster motor.

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GBBBBO Revisted: Chaz

That meant there were no shelves loaded with bits and pieces that might be useful as the build progressed – and you’d be astonished by just how much stuff gets reused – but more importantly, no registration document. Chaz’s Bobber’s story started when he was recovering from surgery to repair a smashed collar bone in March 2008, and picked up the copy of the mag containing the work that Benny was doing on his entry. “A Sportster based Bobber for under £5,000?” he thought, “and a fab little bobber too: I can do that!” and he was hooked. By the time he tapped me on the shoulder at that year’s SofER rally, he’d had the conversation with Benny and ordered the roller, been to Chester to pic up the motor and was talking to Spindle – who prebought the Boneshaker bike, and oversaw the production – about pitching a ‘Rookie Builder Competition’ as a follow-up. Built in a cramped single garage which it shared with two other bikes, over the winter of 2008/9, Chaz battled with the cold as much as rediscovered mechanical skills he’d not called upon for years, but the thing that beat him in the short term was the dreaded MSVA – daft things like American tyres with a cool classic tread but without speed ratings. Basically, any shortcuts were out of the question: some things that will legitimately get through an MoT get knocked back by VOSA. Luckily, a good line of communication with Spindle helped him with some of the parts he needed, and an ever-present, ever-patient Benny’s reassuring tones at the end of the phone providing prompt and helpful encouraging answers, despite having a business to run, and a life! It was invaluable assistance as he progressed, getting deeper and deeper into the build, casting aside his original ambitious plan to spend a couple of hours on a couple of nights a week and one day each weekend. But he got there! Moreover he got there in his own way, building the bike he wanted which, it turned out, was less bobbed than Benny’s or Thundercity’s, or Spindle’s if it came to it, but that’s the joy of doing it yourself with a little help from your friends and occasionally

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FIFTYONE One day, when some genius invents a time machine, we’ll be able to nip back to a golden age and buy the brand new Harley-Davidson we’ve always wanted.

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Classic: Fifty One

Of course, it will have to be a bloody big time machine, if we’re to bring it back with us, or else we’ll have to know of a secure place where we can store it, and take a chance that it’ll be there when we go to retrieve it on our return. But then if we’ve checked the secure place before setting off and found it empty, we can be sure it wasn’t that secure and that someone’s nicked it since, before we even went back to buy it … but does that mean we don’t go back? That will guarantee it won’t be there, because we won’t have bought it. And that’s assuming we can find enough contemporary money to buy it with: in the case of a 1951 74inch FL, $900. For now – and for the foreseeable future – it’s a lot simpler to do what Dave Badcock did, and get a close replica commissioned. Actually it’s more than that, it’s a way to get

a bike that’s built to finer tolerances, using materials that would make even a 1950’s production engineer blanche; and when you’ve got a firm like Twin City Motorcycles on your doorstep, run by a Harley obsessed classic bike fan like Steve, you can put away your HG Wells and save it ’til bedtime. Steve’s brief was simple: to build a new Hydra Glide from new parts using all his skills and experience to make it as authentic as possible, but without being blind to areas that could be improved without compromising the original spirit. There was two ways Steve could tackle it: to build a tribute from modern parts dressed to look like the original at the expense of it feeling like a sixty year old bike – and there’s no shortage of trick bits that will fool some of the people, all of the time – or to recreate something as close to the original as possible, going the extra mile where necessary, and fool all of the people some of the time. You’re looking at it now: you don’t need telling which route he took. Resplendent in a House of Kolour Candy Red, laid down by Merlin Coachworks, which is something close to the Persian Red offered as a stock colour for the 1951/52 model years, Dave’s Twin City Panhead plays fast and loose with the rules of concours restoration, certainly in terms of finish, but you’d need to know what you were looking at to pick big holes in what has been a painstaking search for the right parts to achieve the right look. Would you know, without looking it up, when painted stock rims were replaced chrome, or what finish is right for the motor, or primary cases?

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CUSTOM BUILDS, SERVICE & ACCESSORIES, SPECIALIST REFINISHERS OF AMERICAN V-TWIN MOTORCYCLES.

For more info or to view our weekly updated video diary go to www.polarcycles.com or join us on Facebook, or call us on 01302 752414

You can’t afford to miss this sale or we’ll send the boys round!

Sale of Original Harley Davidson Motorclothes and Parts in stock

Massive reductions Everything MUST GO

One weekend only 9th to 10th April 2011 Saturday 10.00 til 17.00 Sunday 10.00 til 16.00

Silverstone Motorcycles (formerly Silverstone Harley-Davidson) 170 Watling Street East, Towcester, Northants. NN12 6DB Tel: 01327 353444 www.silverstone-motorcycles.co.uk

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Tech: Project Victory

PROJECT VICTORY The game is certainly on now.

We started this three years ago with the intention of seeing what we could do without really impacting on the ability to use the bike throughout the process. No more. It’s time to get busy: to get it ﬁnished ... okay, to get it started again! The bike’s in Leeds with its electrics being pared back, the tin is in Ripley hopefully being liberally coated with a new paint scheme by the time you read this, which will give the bike a heritage it never had, and the wheels should be on their way down to Rocket Bob if Thundercity have stopped wheeling the chassis around. And the drag bars will be going, replaced with something with more shape and style. And you know all that legbone/ kneebone stuff from last issue? It goes on and on. So, taking up where we left off, the drag bars weren’t a waste of time because we needed to sort out the switchgear so that Andy at Thundercity could get his head round how the motogadget M-unit would hook into the Victory’s harness. It’s no great loss, because I’ll use them elsewhere in the future, with the switches: maybe on the Shovel. I bought some more LED pushbuttons to cover the indicator switches that I blew, and as the postage cost more than the switches, I got a few extras because having verified their quality because I’m going to use them on other bikes. So why am I not using the drag bars? Because they don’t suit what I’m doing with the bike now. Sadly, nor do any other available pairs of bars. Well, something might – I’ve seen some similar that are designed for Springers – but life’s too short to look through every NOS and aftermarket catalogue, and whatever I could find would inevitably need some additional work if only to fit the switches, so I’ve been talking to Malcolm at Metal Malarkey and drawn up a concept drawing, so will be heading there as soon as I’ve got a moment: we like to spread it around a bit. In fact the bars are going to be a work of art. Sitting on their own low risers, in the original Victory yokes, they will resemble

icators gs for LED ind 6 - 8mm drillin e, Stainless tub I/D: 1” ed uir req O/D: as

tapped 15mm drillings, LED to M16x1 for pushbuttons

the ed insert into t) as a thread ermined by vibration weigh be det inch bar (anti- the thread extends to be securely fastened, but a, ide pid far Possibly a stu the handlebar tube: how ke sure it can tchgear. my bar to ma tapped end of t union. Drilled for a tom ctrical connections for swi the strength of tha able to gain access to ele butting up to ove eight/insert, rw nte cou but also rem to directly bby bars. chu ten l fas ma e) nor sid er of rips (one either welded should es for the One-inch twistg handlebar without the n the 16mm hol the bars, but the 1” dragbars currently, but hard edge of s and 1” O/D rip ugh in istg tw m strong eno to have 7/8 see n y The dow . led tionally bigger threaded counterweight. Could be sca uld be propor the ntly away switchgear wo e the leverage point of the bike (curre hav with access to that doesn’t to be finalised ting, and paint). ves all need ligh cur ic LED cif the spe the ing and Width, rise and use low voltage switch , to for re-wiring . inless steel. ote reservoir sta on, ldwe nt lever) rem s will be V50 Mk2 fro Lever perche zzi rear with Gu mm (16 be remote cylinder will Front master

Indian racing bars from board-racing days and will feature a twistgrip at each side with an old-style grip, the new switchgear, weld-on lever perches and will be 1.25-inch reduced down to an inch at the grips by a threaded bar acting as a counterweight: threaded so that it’s removable for access to the wiring. And because we’re going old-style, we’re losing the master cylinder, but not the front disc. Hang on: twin twistgrips? Yep, a left-hand twistgrip was common enough back in the day, whether as an Indian’s throttle or a Harley’s ignition timing control. In twenty-first century Victory world, it will replace the weird fast idle lever that was built into the

Exile weld-on perches and levers >

AmV45.TECH.indd 73

ced to fit ht risers, spa 1.5-inch, straig drilled bolts for wiring? Victory yokes: sure, currently. y Not absolutel

left hand switch housings on earlier models, before they programmed cold starting into the ECU. I’ll keep the friction screw reasonably tight on the left hand twistgrip to avoid using it like a throttle although as a fast idle with no choke implications it can serve as a throttle up to about 55mph if you’re clever with the cable. I looked at a combined clutch and air lever from an old Brit – a surprising number used inch bars – but I really didn’t want the pressed steel levers, or the bracketry, and a couple of hours searching for a stainless steel version to trim and weld to the handlebars was fruitless. Inevitably, someone will now tell me that the Vincent ones were stainless, but the decision is now made: the brake and

American-V.co.uk

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THE LIVER BLOKES Pro. /�  Def. Blokes from Liverpool

It never ceases to amaze me how accurately history follows a repeating evolutionary timeline, although I don’t suppose I really should be.

The keyword is evolution. It stands to reason that when the world starts to get too sophisticated there will be those who will covet the innocence of a previous age, but that rediscovered simplicity will evolve all over again, eventually reaching a radical tipping point which will trigger rationalizing and an increasing use of technology, which will lead to a new sophistication … and the wheel turns once more. And so it was with the bobber – whether we’re talking about the 1940s or the noughties. In both cases, the most sophisticated

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Custom: /� 

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PARTS BIN ENGINEERING The recent launch of the Blackline started something of a debate on-line, with a common criticism being that Harley-Davidson were showing an increasing lack of imagination, recycling parts to create a new model rather than pushing the boundaries. I countered – playing devil’s advocate – that it was a business model that had proved to be very successful in the past, and indeed significantly more successful than any radical departures, once the first flush of enthusiasm had died away. Really? Oh yes, very much so. Harley has been evolutionary rather than revolutionary for decades, indeed since the pioneering days of motorcycling when technology had yet to settle down, and the last of The Motor Company’s radical

departures to bear significant fruit could be seen as the use of OHV technology in 1936 with the launch of the Knucklehead, and the two-stage replacement of the venerable 45 by the unit-construction K-series in 1952, which became the Sportster in 1957 when they realised they’d forgotten to fit an OHV top end. Hydraulic front suspension was an evolution, as was a swing-arm – entirely in-line with technology emerging across the industry – which also accounts for electric starting and hydraulic brakes. The Panhead, Shovelhead and Evo were evolutions of an engine that could clearly trace its engineering history back for nearly fifty years, and even the Twin-Cam, fifteen years later, wasn’t a radical redesign but slightly more of a blip than usual. Even the names haven’t changed much: the FL was first seen in 1941 as a larger capacity version of the EL, while the XL was that first Sportster in 1957, and the most radical thing to affect model designations – if you exclude Scats, Hummers and Topper scooters, and the Italian imports – was the fitting of Sportster cycle parts to an FL in 1971 to create the FX, which is where our story really begins.

1971 FX Super Glide. At first sight, the FX Super Glide was a radical departure, but in truth it wasn’t so much new parts as a new concept that drew the attention. Sold as a superbike before that had become a generic term, it was referred to in contemporary advertising materials as a Night Train, but was effectively an Electra Glide with a Sportster front end, and the only substantial new part was a seat unit, forever after called a boat-tail, that disguised the ancestry of the majority of the bike. Harley went to the trouble of creating

a new racy, swept-back exhaust for it and mid-mount footrests – with a brake lever that activated the original Electra’s rear master cylinder by a remarkable array of Heath Robinson linkages, but everything else was from the parts shelf of one model or another. It was an essential economy: the company needed a new model range and had limited resources, and it established Willie G’s position within the company. The original Super Glide went through

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Heritage: Parts Bin Engineering

a few iterations over its first years as the FX range started to settle, losing the boat-tail seat, gaining a battery big enough to crank a starter motor – an omission from the kicker-only 1971 FX – to create the electric start-only FXE, swapping the two-into-one for a pair of shorty dual exhausts, sorting out the rear brake linkage and getting its own tank, rather than the Electra’s Fat Bobs.

within five years of its launch The FXR range did bring a new collection of lines, and created a reputation for handling but, quite terrifyingly, they have become a footnote in Harley’s history, rather than a celebrated range, ridiculously quickly. Thirty years on we’ve come to see the current Electra Glide’s evolution from the 1965 FLH as unbroken, conveniently forgetting the transitional years when the FLH shared space with the FLHT, and even 1984 when a Shovelhead 4-speed FLH sold side-byside off dealer’s floors with an Evo-engined, 5speed FLHT … or in fact didn’t, because the 4-speeds needed discounting to shift them. But then, we were probably looking at the the ‘all-new’ Softail.

1977 FXS Low Rider. More smoke and mirrors were used to create the bike that was solely responsible for my personal interest in Harleys in 1977, with the “new” Low Rider, which had an all-new

1984 FXST Softail. A revolution surely? Err, no. Not by any recognisable definition I know. The Softail frame was new, but it was a recreation of a classic line, and while the underslung suspension was clever, it was hidden so we didn’t really account for it. The traditionalists had got their single line from headstock to rear spindle back, tandem instrument console – with the speedo ahead of a tacho – on Harley’s 3.5 gallon Fat Bobs, all-new drag bars on pull-back risers, extended forks and a paintjob. And it offered a kicker and an electric start on the same bike: the first time Harley had offered it. The snaking two-into-one exhaust was as fitted to the evolving Super Glide, the cast wheels were an emerging technology introduced on the Electra Glide and XLCR Café Racer: a few parts, a lick of paint and one bike emerges from another, invoking a completely different reaction. Interestingly, the more radical XLCR: a great looking bike … sank without trace.

1979 FXE/F Fat Bob. An easy piece of parts bin engineering came when, to capitalise on the success of the Low Rider, Harley fitted its tank and

console to an electric start Super Glide, the name and model suffix marking the return to Fat Bob tanks.

1980 FXB Sturgis. Half limited-edition special, half engineering stalking horse, the Sturgis was little more than an FXS Low Rider overdosed with black powdercoat and paint, fitted with a sissy bar and running Harley’s first, soon to be aborted, belt primary drive and the more successful final drive.

1980 FXWG Wide Glide. More ambitious than the Sturgis, stylistically, the Wide Glide could be seen as an evolution of the FX but was easier to produce from the Electra, retaining the bagger’s bigger 5-gallon Fat Bob tanks with its big speedo console, and the ‘wide glide’ yokes that had always been hidden beneath headlamp nacelles and tins since telescopic forks replaced Springers. A massively different bike, but not a hill of beans in terms of new parts? The 21-inch front wheel, extended fork tubes with new sliders, a bobbed rear mudguard, risers, apes, a seat and an extreme paint job for the first year to attracted serious attention. And another radical departure for modest investment.

1980s Frames and Engines. You might think that a new frame – especially one with a new engine mounting system – would represent a revolutionary change, but while FXR models can be picked out from a line-up with relative ease, they are still quintessentially Harley-Davidsons. Introduced with the Shovelhead motor fitted, the so-called rubber-mounted system gave the engine a very different feel, and bolted to a five-speed gearbox to form a rigid powertrain the FXRs were quite a radical departure, but their seats, tanks, forks, wheels were so closely related to the previous generation models, that they still qualify as an evolutionary blip in the family tree – and one that was very short-lived in a Harley context, because they were developing its successor

and the engine that powered the new bike was by definition an Evolution of what had gone before. In fact, it was predominantly a Wide Glide with a trick swing-arm: taking its tank, wheels, mudguards, bars – albeit in Low Rider/Sturgis risers – and stance, which was lucky because the Wide Glide didn’t suit the FXR frame. Heralded as a masterpiece, and possibly the frame that saved the company, it was a massive success story, but in terms of new parts? Well, that would be the Softail frame.

1986 FLST Heritage Softail.

After years of taking heavyweight bits off a dresser, Harley reckoned we wanted a return to the heavyweight FLs of the Hydra Glide years, and gave us just that using the Softail frame. Nothing more than an FXST with parts robbed from the Electra Glide shelf or archive: FL forks, FL valanced mudguards front and rear, with trims, and fork tins reminiscent of the Hydra’s. New parts? Think there might have been a new decal.

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American-V # ONE

2011 Calendar March 27 Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show 2011 Mainz, Germany

The trade show that opens to the public for its final day, and traditionally the first chance to see the new seasons builds from across Europe, as it’s the Custom Chrome European Championship Final. http://www.custom-chrome-europe.com

May 4 Classic Bike Night Speakeasy Cafe Bar, Epping Harleys, Cafe Racers and Classics, 1st Wednesday of the month, sponsored by http://www.hogbitz.com

May 7-8 Thundersprint Northwich, Cheshire.

April 3 Afghan Heroes Ride

A good day out/weekender for adults and children alike if you are into bike time trials, all things bike,lots for the kids, crowds, stands and much, much more ... we’re not racing this year, because I thought it clashed with St Tropez, because it always has in the past, but it doesn’t so we might yet try to sneak in as a late booking.

Wootton Bassett

http://www.thundersprint.com/

Motorcyclists pay tribute to the people of Wootton Bassett in support of the Afghan Heroes.

May 12-15 Vienna Harley Days

March 31 Harley Night at the Ace

North Circular Road, London Last Thursday of the month http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/

http://www.afghanheroes.org.uk

Habsburgs, Vienna

April 6 Classic Bike Night

http://www.vienna-harley-days.at/

Speakeasy Cafe Bar, Epping Harleys, Cafe Racers and Classics, 1st Wednesday of the month, sponsored by http://www.hogbitz.com

April 22

Have a look at the site for info.

May 12-15 Harley-Davidson EuroFestival St Tropez, France Ever-popular international HOG event

Start of Lands End Trial

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/ Pages/HOG/event_calendar.jsp?locale=en_ GB&bmLocale=en_GB

http://popham-airfield.co.uk

May 13-15 HDRCGB Roundheads’ Revenge Rally

Popham Airfield, nr. Basingstoke April 22-24 Talgarth Rally Talgarth, Wales

A favourite start to the main rally season, with a lively site and a friendly town. Non American-v twin bikes by prior arrangement only, and no cars except Blue Badge holders. bazzreid@tiscali.co.uk or 07739 1066261

April 23-24 Classic Bike Show

Stafford County Showground. Old bikes on show, motorcycle clubs, auto jumble ... http://www.classicbikeshows.com/

April 23

Bikes & Bands Spring Festival Hove Town Hall

Market Harborough, LE16 9HF. Hot showers, chillout tent, hog roast, trade stands, Wild West reenactment and living history display, American birds of prey, kids fun fair, live bands, DJ ... a wonderful mix ‘n’ match rally where so much is going on. Members £15 Non Members £18 Cooky: 07872 998 685/Mark 07884 142 775 or email: hdrcgbnasebyfield21@ntlworld.com

May 14 AMOC May Custom Bike Show: Surrey Chapter The Pilgrim, Dorking RH4 1HF. 12 noon ’til late: no camping. Custom show, live bands, stalls, tattooist and beer. All bikes and trikes welcome. http://www.amoc1994.com

http://brightona.brighton-rock.net/

May 26-29 20th HOG European Rally: Harley Days

April 28 Harley Night at the Ace

Pre-registration is 40Euros / on-site is 54Euros.

Organised by the Brightona crew.

North Circular Road, London Last Thursday of the month http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/

April 29 – May 2 HOG Bridgewater Chapter Cider Rally West Country

Its big, its fun and its the first HOG rally of the season ... and thats official! http://bridgwaterhog.co.uk

April 30 NHC Kickstart Party

Golborne Parkside Sports Centre, Golborne. WA3 3HG. Live music, DJ, food available. Entry (including camping) £5 advance/£6 on gate. All bikes welcome. No fires / dogs / fireworks. www.northernharleyclub.com. Or contact Alan: 07948 897231 or Mark: 07876 540855.

Croatia http://www.hogeuropegallery.com/croatiaharley-days/pre-registration-and-rally-pack/

May 26-30 Wallace Rally: Caledonia Harley Club Sterling Live bands, 24hour security, toilets and showers, silly games, bike show, ride outs and picnic, raffles, furthest travelled and spectacular scenery. 350 limit and non Harley/Indian machines by invite only. Federation members £20/Non Federation Members £25. Davy: 077490 57801/caledoniahc@hotmail.com

May 26 Harley Night at the Ace

May 27-30 Wrecking Crews ‘Wrecked Again Rally 2011@

Bentham (somewhere in the UK).

£20. All bikes welcome. Live bands, camping/showers, catering marquee, DJ, late bar and ride-outs. www.wrecking-crew.co.uk or Chebber: 07824 430774 or Vic: 07818 060892.

May 28-29

Battistinis California Dreamin’ Expo’

Bournemouth International Centre, BH2 5BH

Brand new event on the South Coast and the 2nd round of the UK AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. This is getting a lot of support from dealers, builders, catalogue suppliers and will also feature a display of Eve Knievel’s original stunt bikes, memorabilia and artefacts, among other featured displays including the Ace Cafe’s ‘flat track corner’. So roll-up to see Battistinis, Ace Cafe London, Shaws and Warr’s Harley-Davidson, Zero Engineering, Krazy Horse, Sickboyz Customs, Harrison Billet, Custom Chrome and Highway Hawk, and we’re hearing that Rocket Bobs will be there too. All this served up with fish and chips and the chance of a paddle.

http://www.californiadreaminexpo.com

May 28-30 XR1200 Trophy Round 1 Thruxton

For those of you who followed the 2010 XR1200 racing promises to be more competitive and exciting ... http://xr1200trophy.harley-davidson.co.uk

Barcelona No further info at time of going to press. Check website for updates. http://www.hogeuropegallery.com

June 9-13 FH-DCE Super Rally Klaipeda, Lithuania Lithuania Far too much going on to do it justice here ... visit their site for info. www.superrally.lt

June 10-12 HDRCGB Devon Rally The River Dart Country Park, Ashburton, TQ13 7NP. Excellent camping facilities, ride out, raffle, bars, food and club marquee. No dogs, cars or vans on site. Members £15/non-members £20. Paul Daw: 07584 423454 or email: pd56daw19@hotmail.co.uk

June 17-19 XR1200 Trophy Round 2/3 Knockhill http://xr1200trophy.harley-davidson.co.uk

June 24-26 New Forest Rally Eastleigh, Hampshire HDRCGB New Forest Regions Rally http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.com

June 25-26 Chop n Rod Custom Show TBC Possibly a new venue for the 5th Chop N Rod, but still in Surrey. See our on-line stuff for details as they come through new site with details soon

June 30 – July 3 Goodwood Festival of Speed Chichester, PO18 0PX. If you are a petrol head, then this if for you. Too much to mention, visit site for further info.

June 1 Classic Bike Night

http://www.goodwood.co.uk

Harleys, Cafe Racers and Classics, 1st Wednesday of the month, sponsored by

North Circular Road, London

Speakeasy Cafe Bar, Epping http://www.hogbitz.com

June 3-6 The Gathering

Lochgoilhead, Argyll

New location for Clyde Valleys 3-day event in Loch Lomond National Park. http://www.clydevalleyhog.net

June 3-6 Ireland Bikefest Killarney, Ireland

Irelands only free open biker festival; you can’t argue with that! Bands, custom show, food, ride out and lots of other stuff. http://www.irelandbikefest.com

June 4 NGCC Biker Bash

Sturdy’s Castle, Tackley, Oxon

Nick Gales Custom Cycles one day Custom Bike & Hot Rod Show

June 30 Harley Night at the Ace Last Thursday of the month http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/

July 1-3 Harley Davidson Club Wales Rally. Abergavenny, NP7 8TA. Live bands, indoor bar, trade stalls, food vendors, raffle/prizes, exotic dancers and DJ. All makes of bike welcome. FH-DCE/HDRCGB £15 entry. Non members £20. No dogs, fires. http://www.h-dcw.com/

July 1-3 Chillout Rally Warwickshire HDRCGB Mercia (Region 9) Rally http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.com

July 1-3 Wake the Lakes 3

http://www.nickgalescustoms.com/bikerbash

Kendal Rugby Club

June 4 Custom Show

http://www.redrosechapter.com

Norrtalje, Sweden

Last Thursday of the month

Popular alternative custom show and a round of the AMD Pro Builder show, arranged by the TwinClubMC

http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/

http://www.twinclubmc.se

North Circular Road, London

June 8-10 Barcelona Harley Days

Red Rose HOG annual bash, preregister by 1st June for rally pack.

July 1-3 XR1200 Trophy Round 4 Snetterton 300 http://xr1200trophy.harley-davidson.co.uk

American-V.co.uk

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July 6 Classic Bike Night

Speakeasy Cafe Bar, Epping

Harleys, Cafe Racers and Classics, 1st Wednesday of the month, sponsored by http://www.hogbitz.com

July 7-11 Americana International

Newark, NG24 2NY.

This rally is very different and totally brilliant: a definite date for your diary! Have a look at the site for info. http://www.americana-international.co.uk

July 8-10 HDRCGB Lakes Rally

July 22-24 H-D.C Somerset 2011 Rally

Barbarians Rugby Club, TA24 6TR £15 on gate. Late bar, local ride out, bar-b-q, good food, hot showers, sun and beaches and live bands. All bikes welcome. Phone 01934 625737 or 07738 702050http:// www.hdcsomerset.co.uk/

July 28 Harley Night at the Ace

North Circular Road, London Last Thursday of the month http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/

August 3 Classic Bike Night

Speakeasy Cafe Bar, Epping

August 21

Annual Motorcycle Mega Meet and Vintage Aircraft Fly-in Popham Airfield, nr. Basingstoke

Big bike jumble – £15/pitch, unlimited size – with free entry for bikes over 30 years old, and informal ride-outs to local places to eat ... probably. http://popham-airfield.co.uk

August 21 Brackley Festival of Motorcycling

Kirkby Lonsdale

Harleys, Cafe Racers and Classics, 1st Wednesday of the month, sponsored by

http://bfom.co.uk

http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.com

August 5-7 Region 3 Rally

HDRCGB’s North East Rally

North Circular Road, London

Fun and frolics in Kirby Lonsdale with the Riders Club taking over the town: an excellent site and friendly natives.

July 14-16

Rock And Bike Fest

Loughborough, Leicestershire A new venue of a Grade 2 listed country house in a 360 acre estate, for this major music event with New Model Army, Quireboys and Toyah Wilcox headlining. License regs prohibit backpatch clubs. Earlybird tickets available now for £25. http://www.rockandbikefest.co.uk

July 14-17 Faro Rally Faro, Portugal

30th Anniversary of the rally on the southern coast of Portugal. http://www.motoclubefaro.pt

http://www.hogbitz.com

Middleton in Teesdale, Co Durham http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.com

Aviemore

http://www.sofer.uk.com/

August 5-7 Free Wheels 2011

Courpière Puy de Dome French Hells Angels’ Huge Festival in central France http://www.freewheelsleretour.com/

August 5-7 XR1200 Trophy Round 6/7 Brands Hatch

http://xr1200trophy.harley-davidson.co.uk

What do you need to know: massive event, huge big name bands, miles of open road, townfuls of entertainment and glorious weather, with hailstones the size of golfballs every few years.

Bowden Rugby Club, Manchester.

Great informal rally organised by a now independent, former HOG chapter. www.rainycityhdc.com . Or contact the Rainy City Hotline: 0161 301 4943

July 15-17 XR1200 Trophy Round 5 Oulton Park

http://xr1200trophy.harley-davidson.co.uk

July 17 Heartbeat

Madeira Drive, Brighton

Prequel to Brightona: think of it as a two day event now, but with a couple of months between them. http://brightona.brighton-rock.net/

July 22-24 Silverstone Classic Towcester. NN12 8TN. http://silverstoneclassic.com

Last Thursday of the month

Fabulous rally and stunning rally site. HOG organised and very popular, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Bisley

Rock ‘n’ Roll night, ride out and a fantastically bizarre theme night ‘The Roman Invasion of Hawaii’ ... Cheap beer, edible food, bbq and the usual rally stuff. American v twins only: other makes and cars by strict prior arrangement. Members £12/non members £17. Gates are locked between 11pm-7am.

July 15-17 Rainy City HDC Rainy Daze Rally

August 25 Harley Night at the Ace http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/

August 8-14 The Black Hills Rally

http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.com

One day show that takes over Harley UK’s old home town

August 5-7 South of England Rally

July 15-17 HDRCGB 12+1 Triple Rally Eastbourne, BN23 7QH

Brackley, Northants

Sturgis

http://www.sturgis.com/

August 11-14 The Bulldog Bash

Shakespeare County Raceway, nr Stratford Upon Avon.

This fantasia of biker festivals will be pulling out the stops for 2011, as it celebrates its 25th Anniversary. It promises to be an epic, and while it’s too early yet to give details of confirmed bands, these guys don’t do things by half-measures. With a dragstrip, one of the country’s foremost ride-in shows, all the fun of the fair and what should prove to be a top line-up of bands, the Bulldog will be celebrating it’s quarter-century at the top of its lungs. ‘Quick off the Mark’ tickets available now at £50: cut-off date is 1st April and numbers are limited to just 2000. http://www.bulldogbash.com

August 26-29 Thunder in the Glens “The biggest and best chapter run event in Europe”: huge, great fun, well appopinted and well organised, and a good ride there and back

September 15-17 Heart and Soul Rally Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Geordie HOG’s Annual Bash at Newcastle Racecourse http://www.geordiehog.com

September 16-18 International Rally H-DC ’t Centrum, The Netherlands.

Live music, DJ, silly games, good food and free breakfast, market, ride out and much, much more. No fires, dogs, Harleys/Buells/Indians only. Visit website for further info. http://www.hdc-centrum.nl/

August 17-18 Annual Sidecar Rally Popham Airfield, nr. Basingstoke http://popham-airfield.co.uk

September 29 Harley Night at the Ace

North Circular Road, London Last Thursday of the month http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/

October 2 Ride to the Wall

National Arboretum, Staffordshire Rapidly becoming an institution: all brands of bike welcome.

http://www.dunedinhog.com

http://www.rttw.org/

August 26-29 Walesby International

October 9

Walesby Forest, NG22 9NG.

Haven’t been to this one, but is excellent by all accounts: no dogs, cars by prior arrangment only. ‘International’ in this context is confusing ... Amanda. 2011.harley-davidson-riders.org

August 26-29 Shipley 32nd Annual International Rally Baildon, Yorkshire.

Shipley Harley-Davidson Club continues to host the UK’s oldest Harley rally, with custom show, charity toy run, hot showers, trade stands, rally merchandise plus good food and beer. Pre book £20/Gate £25. http://www.shipley-harley-rally.co.uk

Brightona

Madeira Drive, Brighton

Mammoth day on Madeira Drive in aid of Sussex Heart Charity: huge, all day event. http://brightona.brighton-rock.net/

October 16 Hoggin’ The bridge

Severn Crossing / Chepstow Charity Fundraiser that hands Chepstow town centre over to the benevolent riders after a great ride out http://hogginthebridge.co.uk/

October 27 Harley Night at the Ace

North Circular Road, London Last Thursday of the month

August 27-29 XR1200 Trophy Round 8

http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/

http://xr1200trophy.harley-davidson.co.uk

Farmageddon, Southport

Cadwell Park

October 29 Hogfather Halloween Party

August 27-30 Cornish Cream Rally

Freaky haunted house walk after a slap-up meal

No details to be found so far ...

November 4-6 Big Twin and Zodiac Trade Show

St Ives, Cornwall.

http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.com

September 6-11 European Bike Week

http://www.thehogfather.co.uk

Rosmalen, Netherlands

Faaker See, Austria

The closing trade show of the year, with Zodiac piggy-backing onto the Big Twin Magazine show in Den Bosch, Holland

http://www.europeanbikeweek.com

http://www.bigtwinbikeshow.nl/

September 7 Classic Bike Night

November 24 Harley Night at the Ace

Harleys, Cafe Racers and Classics, 1st Wednesday of the month, sponsored by

Last Thursday of the month

http://www.hogbitz.com

December 2-4 Custombike Show

Firmly established in the hearts and minds of the long haul Harley set as the must-do event in Europe

Speakeasy Cafe Bar, Epping

September 9-11 XR1200 Trophy Round 9 Donington Park

http://xr1200trophy.harley-davidson.co.uk

North Circular Road, London http://www.ace-cafe-london.com/

Bad Salzuflen, Germany Germany’s season closer http://www.custombike-show.de/

American-V.co.uk

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NO PASS, NO FREE ENTRY! SAE for pass please. All others £6 per person (OAP’s £4.00)

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All enquiries to Dick Richardson, Popham Airfield, Winchester, SO213BD or e-mail: pophamairfield@btconnect.com Also check our website for further details www.popham-airfield.co.uk

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