De‘light’ful Harley-Davidson Deluxe
“Just to make sure you don’t miss it at night, there’s a seven-colour array of LED accent lights hidden all over the bike.”
THIS IS one bike that is definitely ridden, not hidden.
The bars are 1.5-inch wide chubby westerns held down by 1-inch straight H-D risers fitted with H-D narrow-band billet grips, slotted levers, Magnum Sterling Chromite II cables and billet mirrors from VPW.
Up front, lighting the way, is a set of black LED lights with tri-bar trims finishing the look.
Between the forks is an Attitude Fax Max 21 x 3.5-inch rim shod with a custom ordered WW Metzeler tyre. The stopping duties are performed by a H-D caliper squeezing a Super Spoke polished rotor. The forks sliders were replaced with chromed ones and lowered two inches with Progressive drop-ins and dressed up with Arlen Ness retro boots.
The fuel tank had the badges replaced with retro ones, and the bulky OEM speedo dash was replaced with a chrome low-profile H-D unit.
The 96-cubic-inch received a new set of cams, a K&N air-charger to help with the breathing and a set of Vance & Hines Straight Shots to expel the used gases. The ignition remains H-D and sends the spark to the plugs through a set of twisted 12-mm white fat leads. All of this is tuned and controlled by a Dynojet Power Vision tuner.
The rear brake remains a H-D caliper with another Super Spoke polished rotor. The rear wheel is a 16-inch Fat Max also wearing a WW Metzeler tyre. Wrapping the rear wheel is a custom stretched guard skilfully crafted from two stock ones by Andrew at AA customs in Derrimut. The stretched guard also boasts a Softbrake relocated licence plate below the tombstone light.
The rear-end’s stance is complemented by a set of lowered Progressive 422’s suspension. The rear suspension will be upgraded again soon; a Shotgun Shock air system has been ordered.
Keeping the feet in place are Darkside series billet footboards from Precision Billet. The seat is a LePera Bare Bones that’s been recovered by Con at CKT Custom Trimming in leather with a white diamond stitch.
There’s a couple of pages worth of chrome covers, bolts, trim and accessories to admire your reflection in and reflect the sun. If it can be chromed, chances are it already has been. A balance of black, white and chrome throughout exemplifies class.
Over winter it was decided a new colour scheme was needed. The perfect vivid black paint had to go so the tins were pulled from the bike and packed into a custom-made crate and shipped to Nathan at Livin’ Loco Garage on the Gold Coast. The owner made a fly-in, fly-out visit to meet with Nathan and to discuss and finalise the paint scheme.
Several weeks later, the owner flew back to pick up the finished job. Not trusting Australia Post or any courier company with the freshly painted tins, a car was hired and the parts chauffeur-driven back to Melbourne.
The paint is a combination of 12-karat white gold leaf, palladium gold leaf, flake, pin-striping, air-brushing, and ghost lace. The finished job is amazing. To see this bike and its paint in the sun is really something else. You might see people trying to copy it but there is only ever one original.
With the bike back together again, this multi-award winning bike is sure to keep turning heads with its latest look.
Just to make sure you don’t miss it at night, there’s a seven-colour array of LED accent lights hidden all over the bike. You won’t know they’re there until they turned on via remote control.
The more you look, the more you see; the owner is constantly stopped and asked about numerous parts and where they can be found or purchased.
People who must be thanked and acknowledged: Nathan at Livin’ Loco Garage: 0415-622-365; Viv at Auto Photo: 0475-614-644; Andrew at AA Custom Cycles: 0419-561-666.
Words: Dave. Pics: Auto Photo
