I’ve never met Roger Harper, but after taking one look at his extreme custom 2011 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, built by Camtech Custom Baggers in Summerville, South Carolina, I think I have a bit of a handle on him. Obviously he’s a successful guy, probably middle-aged (whatever that is) as they always say and a multiple bike owner ─ probably all Harleys of some sort. This is not his first custom bike rodeo unless he’s the type of guy that goes all in on the first hand. I doubt that, though. You don’t get to be successful enough to afford a build like this shooting from the hip first time out. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was his second round at Camtech to finally create a bike that would not have a single shortcoming or something that was missed in the slightest detail. Plus he had to be able to ride it. Oh, and I gotta feeling he’s a pretty nice guy too that doesn’t stand near his bike when it’s parked, but watches the admirers from afar. Very pleasant to talk to if you do catch him and a humble guy who gives all the credit to Camtech. Remember, I am not professionally licensed or educated to make any assumptions about anybody, but give me the forum and I will─ licensed or not. .

 

 

    By the looks of it, Camtech did an all-out assault on a stock FLHTCU like it was storming the beaches at Normandy. They threw the book at it until there was nothing much left other than the VIN and the guts of the Twin Cam engine and tranny. If Camtech didn’t make it, they knew the best vendor to get it from and I’d dare say cost wasn’t the main object. There are pieces that remind you of the original profile, but no stone has been left unturned. All I can say is that if Camtech had a bookkeeper who still used an adding machine with a paper tape, that’d be one long ass roll of paper before you got to the total spent on this machine. Maybe not to the Moon and back, but a pretty long piece of paper.

 

  Everything you’d expect in a Camtech bagger from a modified frame to a big front wheel, air suspension, audio with speakers everywhere, new body panels, etc. This baby’s got it all and then some. My girlfriend walked by my desk earlier and saw Roger’s bike on the screen, “Why can’t I have a seat like that?” and gave me a playful (I think) tap on the back of my head and walked away. Yes sir, she couldn’t help but see that throne on the back that looks fit for royalty. Roger is going to cause a lot of domestic problems with something that looks so comfortable and inviting instead of a passenger worrying if their ass is going to slide off the seat. Passengers can be funny about stuff like that.

 

  Other than the killer passenger seat (and the driver’s looks pretty comfy too for a change) taking up a lot of air space and obviously grabbing your attention, you’ve got to get past the striking paintjob. It’s got a bit of everything going on and a lot of bright hues to showcase it. A lot. There are panels, stripes, scallops, a hint of tribal and true flames in a rainbow of colors laid over a deep black basecoat that you couldn’t miss if you tried. Plus the engine, tranny, wheels, brakes, and forks are machined surface red just so you can’t miss ‘em. No one will ever say they didn’t see that bike because if ever a bike should have a catchphrase that is obviously a redundant question, this one clearly says (to paraphrase Mr. Marcarelli) “Can you see me now?” Yes I can. Coming, going, and just driving by, you can help but see this rolling paintjob on wheels.

 

     So, to sum up my cheap ass, amateur analysis of Mr. Harper, I’d guess I’d say he probably speaks softly, but carries a very big stick in the form of a Harley-Davidson Ultra customized to within an inch of its life with a paintjob you couldn’t miss unless you were Stevie Wonder. That’s it, this session’s over and I’m going home. On the way, I’m going by Paul Macarelli’s house and guess what I’m gonna yell?