Don’s idea of a perfect bike was one that wedded some of the luxuries of a modern stock motorcycle with the clean lines and simplicity of an old bobber. As the former owner of a 1954 Panhead, Don was quite familiar with the charms as well as the pitfalls involved with the old bikes. But as a promoter of custom bike shows, he also wanted something very special that he could ride...

  There was a time when the walls of Mecrin were shaken by different vibrations. During WW I it was part of the Western Front and it’s less than nine miles to the biggest WW I memorial for American troops who fought the Germans here in 1918. Out on the western shore of the river Maas, the first verse of the German national anthem still echoes in peoples’ memories. That might be the...

  The majority of Hank’s motorcycles, including his latest, ACES and EIGHTS, take their inspiration from the past. “This bike is a little different than what I normally build. I had a customer, Jon Bateman from Bakersfield, California, who was really interested in the late Sixties era of drag racing,” said Hank. So with a neat idea to build on and a client who was thinking on the...

  Well, it’s quite obvious that Aldo loves his profession and it’s without difficulty seen in his products. The letters AQG are also the name of Aldo’s custom motorcycle shop, which is located in northern Italy and where he runs a one-man operation. His custom bike building business has been in operation since March of 2003 and since its inception, he has produced approximately 25...

  SPECIFICATIONS Bike Name: Harper Project Owner: Thomas Year / Make: 2006 Krugger rigid Fabrication: Krugger Motorcycles Assembly: Krugger Motorcycles Build time: Four months Engine: 1968 Harley Shovelhead Cases: H-D Pistons: S&S Cylinders: Stock H-D Heads: Flowed stock H-D Cam: Sifton Ignition: Morris Magneto Carb: S&S Pipes: Krugger...

  Cyril modified a Santee rigid frame with 32-degrees of rake and enhanced the simple look with a leaf spring fork built by Gary Schmitgen featuring chromed springs, unusual in that chroming springs is considered a no-no for proper suspension action. “It’s something we’re very proud of. They say you can’t do it cause the leaves are going to separate on the rebound, we made many,...

  At the various rallies and events I’ve attended recently, I’ve noticed a trend towards dirt bike-inspired designs, somewhat in the bobber vein, giving the rough-hewn machines an even harder edge. In some cases it’s just attitude, while in the case of this TJP Customs creation, it’s just practical. Bryan Schimke’s shop is committed to building show-quality bikes that are equipped...

Click here for more photos… This bike feature originally appeared in Barnett’s Magazine issue #56, July 2007. SPECIFICATIONS: Owner: Mike Hennike Year / Make: 2006 Harley-Davidson Fabrication/ assembly: Dave Neu/ASI Engine: H-D TC88 Carb: Factory fuel-injection Pipes: 2.5″ Speedster with Samson baffles Air Cleaner: Dual...

  Many new builders were attracted to the custom Harley world by the plethora of television shows. Dave was just like them a few years ago, sitting in his easy chair at home with the remote in his hand, watching one of the programs and thought to himself, “I can build a better bike than these guys!” His thoughts about building while watching TV are common, but the difference...

  Gary’s first bike was a stripped down 1979 FLH Shovelhead that he bought in the very early Eighties — guess where he bought it — Barnett Harley- Davidson in El Paso, Texas. “I flew in from Los Angeles, spent the day at the dealership looking at bikes and couldn’t decide which bike I wanted so I thought it’d be a good idea to sleep on it. I was staying in town, and surprisingly...