Blue Ironhead Sportster & Julie from Darwin City

I FOUND this 1976 XL Ironhead Sportster in Humpty Doo parked up in a garden, under a tree. I approached the owners only to be told their ‘garden art’ was ‘not’ for sale. I asked them to put it undercover; they agreed and it was moved to the veranda.

After a few more visits and beers, 12 months later I received the Sportster and a few spares, one being a rigid-arse-end conversion.

I started work on it immediately and got it running, much to missus’s disgust. I put three-inch longer forks on it, and I rode it as a rat bike for another 12 months.

Riding with a mate of mine, Mick (Captain Underpants Motorcycle Restoration), I convinced him to help me with a full restoration, with two conditions—no ape-hangers and not black. He agreed and the resto began.

 The Ironhead Sportster was fully stripped down and the rigid-arse-end bolted on, which made it three inches longer and two inches lower.

We freshened-up the motor and gearbox; the kick-starter was fully rebuilt.

The modifications to the frame included adding custom-made brackets to suit the fuel tank, rear guard, chain guard, exhaust and forward controls; all of these parts were also custom-made. The oil tank was moved three times.

Finally, being happy with all the modifications and the welding completed, the Sportster was stripped again. The chroming was done and the frame, tank and guards, etc, painted. Pinstriping by Ally. 

The full rewire was by Captain Underpants Motorcycle Restoration. Thanks also to Dave from Hidden Valley Harley-Davidson for help in sourcing parts. All up the complete restoration took about seven months. 

The Ironhead Sportster won Best Custom Bike at the Humpty Doo Bike Show that year.

words by Kevin Thoma; photos by Rick Benson

Julie from Darwin City

HELLO. I’m 25-years-old and I have been living in Darwin, Northern Territory, for about five years; originally from the Gold Coast, Queensland. 

I’ve done a little modelling here and there, but this is my first time being published with a motorbike in a magazine. I have an Only Fans page (https://onlyfans.com/onlyjuliefans) and I’m currently working at a dance/strip club in Darwin City. I am passionate about photography and I run my own online business.

I love everything to do with fitness/wellbeing and personal growth. Everything I do is to benefit and improve myself and my lifestyle. My main goal in life is to be the best version of myself that I can be and to just be grateful and happy with everything I go through in life, good and bad. This teaches you to appreciate when things are going well but understand that when things aren’t, it won’t last forever so keep at it till you’ve reached a better place.

Follow me on Instagram @julie.nicaisse