Take this extremely modified 1980 Harley-Davidson Shovel that hits every vintage style point perfectly without looking like its even bothering to think about it. It’s all basic black bodywork lets the Shovel mechanically shine as only one of these tough guy lumps of vintage AMF metal can. There’s just enough of everything without the trying-too-hard traditional chop attempts a lot of people take on and don’t quite get to flow right, or at least how I think they should flow I should really say. I just love the left-rear angle lead photo as that’s just how I’d have to approach the bike taking in that wild, curved stainless-steel hand shifter that would’ve looked right in a T-bucket built in the sixties. And, Jeff quietly tied the fender stays in this curvy-style mix too as a complimentary touch. The chrome springer, the chrome handlebars, the chrome spoke wheels, the header-wrap chrome exhaust, and the chrome headlight are all bits of bling, but not in a blingy way. They’re not some kind of crazed show chrome, but decent, workmanlike chrome used like it was intended to be used as a good looking finish and not as a boring bragging point never to see what real life at 75mph is like. I mean, black and chrome, how can you go wrong?

 

  Actually black and chrome can go even nicer with a bit of brown leather thrown into the mix. In this case, there’s Jeff’s left-rear leather sidebag with the optional blacksmith hammer, the hand-tooled solo saddle, and color-complimenting gum rubber grips add a bit of tactile softness and warmth to an otherwise cold, hard-mechanical motorcycle. All in all this is just a seriously fun bike that would be a hoot to ride if I only knew what a hoot really was. But, I’m sure it is, but I’d still never say it was a hoot even if it was, which I’m still sure it is.  

 

   For more info on what Jeff’s up to, check out his website http://speedkingphoto.com.