Showtime Harley-Davidson Shovelhead Custom

I’VE OWNED and built many Harleys over the years, from stock to wild customs. My first Harley was a 1972 74-cube Electra Glide. Out of all the Harley engines I always love the sound of a Shovelhead. For this build I wanted a retro-looking show-bike with that Shovelhead heartbeat!

To finance the build I sold two vintage bikes — one was a 1926 Harley Pup and the other an Indian Prince.

This bike has a one-off custom-made frame incorporating the fuel and oil tanks.

The engine is basically a reconditioned 74-cube tricked-up with polished rocker-boxes, lots of stainless nuts and bolts plus a Hypercharger for the air intake. The pipes are modified Hooker Troublemakers.

The primary is a belt drive running a stock four-speed tranny with electric and kick start options driving a gold chain to the Hawg Halters Sprotor.

For the front-end I decided on a DNA springer with a set of custom-made bars along with a trick half headlight. The front brakes are stock from a late model Harley. I modified a set of stock forward controls to suit mid-mount controls.

Both front and rear guards are custom-made for the bike. I decided on 21 x 3.5 inch wire wheels; Mammoth spokes for front and rear. I was after a more retro-look rather than the blingy-look mag wheels bring out in a bike.

I went with a digital dash and hid the wiring and battery in the saddle bag. All the wiring was done by Holga at Zap Electrics; awesome job as always!

The paint is jet black with a heavy chrome metal-flake.

This bike has loads of handmade custom parts all over. Also, it has an airbag mounted seat, remote oil filter, indicator grips and custom mirrors.

You’ll see more of Greg’s super Showtime Shovelhead on Showtime Tayla’s feature.

Photos by Rod Cole; story by Greg.