Meeting Axel

I’d had an odd un-settled week, so when my pal Ian Solley contacted me on Friday night, I was more than ready to take up his suggestion of visiting the Open Day at Guildford Harley-Davidson on Saturday morning.

Knowing Ian would turn up on one of his custom bikes, I decided to take my red bike, Tradewinds. Yep, I was right as when I arrived, Ian was there on his gorgeous Caesar Cafe Racer which is about to be featured in Back Street Heroes, the custom bike magazine. Ian did show me a couple of pictures of his bike from the BSH photoshoot and both models (the bike and the eye-candy that was draped over it) are quite something.  At least, I think Ian's bike was in the photos he showed to me....

Stupidly though, I forgot to take a picture of the bike at the Open Day for my blog!

The Open Day was to celebrate the dealerships second birthday and on the way there, I remembered that another blogger, Axel, who writes the blog Road King (UK) was a member of the Hogsback Chapter. I kept an eye out for Axel and yes, he turned up. Knowing Axel is German, I suspected I might have spotted him, when I saw this HOG patch. The flag gave him away!

It was good to meet Axel as I have been following his blog pretty much since his first post. It has been interesting to read how a Gold Wing rider for many years has turned into an avid H-D fan and especially so as he has the same model as my Leading Ladies bike, a Road King Classic.

When I arrived at the dealership, I was waved into the main parking area at the front of the place. I had never been there before, so I assumed that was where I was to park my bike, which I did. I reversed into the spot where the guys had indicated to me and before I realised what was going on, a card was immediately placed under my front wheel. I hadn’t even realised one was going to be held, but my bike had just been entered into the custom bike competition! It seemed I would be staying at the Open Day slightly longer than I had planned!

The place was very busy. This dealership must be doing something right because while others in and around London are closing, this one in Guildford seemed to be thriving. The place was packed and many people were buying clothes, parts and other H-D stuff all day.

Some of the bikes in the custom bike show....

I had seen this bike and sidecar on television. It belongs to a brewery....

A very silly V8 powered bike. It did sound good though....

As I walked around, this red bike seemed familiar somehow....

This bike must belong to a woman....

I saw Jon Harris at the event. He was there with his bike ‘The Great Escape’ which is based upon the film and has a fantastic paint job. It has won the best paint category at many bike shows and deservedly so.

I found a website dedicated to Jon's bike.

This is an unusual use for a tyre. A front fender!....

This bike is called Harley-Quin. Clever....

A lovely old Harley....

More bikes at the event....

I had seen this bike at the Alexander Palace Custom Bike Show a few weeks ago. I liked it then, but now I really like it. It was built for a customer, which is just as well, because if it hadn’t of been, I would have been very tempted to buy it....

Axel was taking lots of pictures in his role as Chapter Photographer, so now doubt some of his pictures will appear on his blog. This is Axel towards the end of the day....

Congratulations to Guildford Harley-Davidson, for they put on a great day.