I did say I thought it was at least 37-yeqars just because of the hinged rear fender on the bike that was dropped after the 1980 model year. I also have a feeling that the owner stayed true to details even though this bike has been customized from tip to tip. The builder was also smart enough to make any changes easily reversible in case it had to be returned to stock. Man, I gotta give the builder credit for having a vision in their head and making it come out so well. Sure there are cosmetic touches that some people might take offense to and the purists among us checking out this ride with total derision must be having heart palpitations, but it is a Shovelhead that’s got it going on.

   Surprisingly this bike is pretty stock in appearance once you get past the tasty glitter and you’d have to think that this was a pretty complete and decent bike to start with. Obviously the 80-inch Motor Company Shovelhead has been completely rebuilt and refinished to better than new and some liberties were taken. Oh you know things like a classic S&S Tear Drop air cleaner that never goes out of style and a set of flamboyant fishtails that angle up separate but together like they’re going to sing a motorcycle aria of pure unadulterated combustion. The drama of their length and upward angle before finally ending with sculpted fishtails brings on the Old School vibe to a period correct bike. 

  The most obvious and “I don’t give a sh*t” bit on this bike is hanging off the left side of the Shovel. Where you’d expect something stock, it’s not. A really open belt primary transfers power from the engine to the clutch/tranny, but doesn’t seem out of character for reasons completely unknown to me. Maybe it’s the narrow width. It’s probably the biggest design statement on this build that is almost out of character compared to the rest of the bike. Hey, it probably all works better than stock and I can’t help but believe this bike sees some serious road duty back in Pennsylvania and was thoughtfully built accordingly.

  Rolling stock still appears to be stock except for the appearance. Black rims with a red pinstripe and black hubs give it the old timey look. Keeping that look intact are the humongous OEM Harley banana calipers front and rear that got hit with the black stick before being sent off for duty squeezing stock rotors. I love the vintage look, but always hated those brakes in action. Here, they look right so they get a pass from me. The black treatment also extends to the suspension with the lower fork legs and shrouded rear shocks being devoid of any chrome. The byproduct of all of this is a genuine vintage riding experience every time you fire it up.

Bodywork on this Shovel is about as stock as you can get and that’s just fine by me. The stock shapes are all aesthetically pleasing to me and still look modern as Harley hasn’t stepped out radically of its design past over the decades and decades of living V-twin history every new model year. The bits of fender trim and the fender mount luggage rack are a nice tough of keeping the past present. Taking things up a big notch in attitude is as easy as putting on a set of mini-apes that are like a middle finger to purists and a striking pose for the rest of us. Even the sprung seat is a stock component yet it still looks cool retro-custom all on its own.

  Where this bike completely breaks with tradition is that paintwork that draws you in like a bug to a porch light. It’s strikingly personal and is an extension of the owner’s taste, but its blingy looks may be something you have to give a chance to hit you. I love gold paint so I’m easily attracted to the black and gold paint scheme with red pinstriping. It does have a flippant style especially with the red rubber bits that some may not be in agreement with, but it is distinctive and visually exciting at the same time. Once you see it, you have to check out and you won’t soon forget it. And, I’d guess that’s exactly what the owner was looking for and damn if he didn’t get it.