There are several very good engines on the market today, but for total reliability and competent mechanical service almost anywhere in the world, Barry quickly recommended sticking to the original stock Harley-Davidson engine and transmission.   “Harley’s new Twin Cam engines and transmissions are great.  They are very dependable and if on some rare occasion you have a problem with them, an authorized dealer is just around the corner with all the original parts required to quickly get you back on the road.  Building a bike only for show can be quite different than building a bike for show and for riding, plus once a show bike has been seen several times at every custom bike show, you might consider it somewhat useless,” said Barry.

The project originally started out with a 40,000 Euro budget, but when Barry and owner Rudy Verlinden collaborated and observed all the unique possibilities as the building progressed, the final price tag tallied 94,000 Euro or a $128,000 at the time this article was written.  I’ve often heard, “There are no price limitations when it comes to man and his machines.”  This is probably another classic example.

I guess you get what you pay for, because Rudy planned to have his machine finished and ready for presentation at the November 2004 Motor Sales Custom Show, one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious custom motorcycle events, but he entrusted the paint job to a painter who did not understand the owner’s desires and failed to meet his deadline.  Needless to say, the paint job had to be totally re-done and the bike missed its scheduled appearance at the 2004 Motor Sales, but a few weeks later Harleyluiah made a grand entrance at the 2004 Belgium Bike Weekend.  It was the best custom bike on display, and many kudos went to GL Paints of Oud Beyerland, Netherlands for doing a simply incredible paint job.

There are many distinctive features about Harleyluiah, but a few of them give this bike an edge on other customs.  Many custom bike builders don’t use an original H-D frame, because an original H-D frame is sometimes challenging when the rake, swingarm, and other sensitive modifications are required to maintain a smooth, sleek appearance in combination with other aftermarket parts.  Barry and his Motortechnica team were up for the challenge when they started with the original H-D frame.  They gave it a 40-degree rake, installed a stainless steel tube inside the oil tank for additional support, and modified the rear end with an Italian Rebufinni swingarm, which encircles a 250mm rear tire filled with 240 stainless steel spokes and an LED light system that glows like the bright morning sun.  They also cut, shaped and specially designed a piece of raw metal that fits nicely around the oil tank, and modified a Paul Yaffe Roadster Lite fuel tank that simultaneously enhanced the pleasant, flowing frame lines from the front to the rear of the bike.

The front end was completely re-worked.  Springer front ends have a tendency to bounce a bit more than traditional front ends, so after Motortechnica cut and design the front fender, they welded a special dual layer of metal to ensure durability and prevent the customized tips from cracking and eventually breaking off.  The chrome Italian Rebufinni headlight, hand controls, handlebars, and levers with Paul Yaffe snake arm mirrors, and a narrow 21-inch tire laced with 180 stainless steel spokes created a rare and stunning nostalgic custom front end appearance.

Barry Debusschere at Motortechnica has been building custom motorcycles for a little over ten years and Harleyluiah is just one example of the approximately five unique customs they produce each year.  Barry enjoys riding his old panhead and racing on the track with his Buell XB9R.  He won the first European Buell Track Days event back in August 2004 on the circuit at Croix and Ternois in France, which is not bad for a 46-year-old biker.  He was also the Belgium cart racing champion back in 1995, and he’s a great skier.  For more information on Motortechnica and their line of bikes and apparel, visit www.motortechnica.be.

SPECIFICATIONS
Owner:	Rudy Verlinden, Mechelen, Belgium
Builder:	Motortechnica of Oeselgem, Belgium
Painter:	GL Paints Oud Beyerland, Netherlands
Engine:	2002 H-D Twin Cam 88
Carburetor:	Mikuni HSR 45 polished
Air Cleaner:	Wimmer Machine USA
Exhaust:	Vance & Hines 2″ big radius
Primary Drive:	NH Power 3-inch open belt system
Final Drive:	Belt with GMA inside brake on pulley (GMA)
Frame:	Modified Harley-Davidson, 40° rake
Front Forks:	Slightly modified H-D
Swingarm:	Refufinni (Italy) model Armstrong
Rear Shocks:	Progressive suspension air tail with compressor
Front Wheel:	TTS (German), 21 X 3.5, with 120 radial stainless steel spokes
Rear Wheel:	TTS (German), 18 X 10, with 240 radial stainless steel spokes
Front Brake:	Bracket and rake OMP, 4 piston chromed
Rear Brake:	GMA inside pulley, 4 piston chromed
Front Fender:	U-DUIT, Paul Yaffe, modified by Motortechnica
Rear Fender:	U-DUIT, Pro Street Paul Yaffe, modified by Motortechnica
Headlight:	Rebuffinni (Italy)
Taillight:	LED ALU Bracket and Plate Holder by Motortechnica
Fuel Tank:	Paul Yaffe Roadster Lite, modified by Motortechnica
Oil Tank:	H-D, modified by Motortechnica
Handlebars:	Refufinni (Italy), modified by Motortechnica
Seat:	Handmade by Motortechnica
Rear Pegs:	Paul Yaffe STBC Chroom
Speedo:	Dakota Digital, inside fuel tank
License Bracket:	Motortechnica
Mirrors:	Paul Yaffe with long snake arms
Hand Controls:	Rebufinni (Italy), model Comet Chroom
Foot Controls:	Paul Yaffe, Model STBC Chroom
Levers:	Rebufinni