I was looking on the Harley-Davidson HOG website and found a cool picture of yours truly riding my Amelia bike in St Tropez.....
Also, in an e-mail HOG sent out to it's members, there is a video form the recent rally in St Tropez and somewhere near the beginning, is Amelia parked up in the marina....
Trobairitz – She is more. There are really three unusual things about the bike. 1. The shape, forks and large front wheel; which give the bike the seventies chopper look and this often carries with it poor handling. By very carefully checking the geometry and being ultra careful to conform to what works well when designing frames, she handles like a dream. So, that aspect is much better than I had feared. 2. The engraving makes the bike really stand out and is the main thing that people seem to like (or hate). The guy that did the engraving, all by hand with a hammer and chisel, was a true craftsman and if this make any sense, probably did too good a job, because it is so perfect, it looks like it was done by machine. 3. The paint really grabs the attention.
In addition, there are many smaller, hand-made parts on the bike that make it unusual. Mainly in brass, these are spacers, mountings, the end of the pipes and many more, that are subtle, but make the bike stand out as being unusual.
Those three or four things are each better than I’d hoped for, so it is fair to say the bike exceeds my expectations.
Roger – I seek a quiet, unassuming life, away from the spotlight..... not! Actually, while I do get a kick out of it, what I really enjoy is seeing peoples reaction to the bike. At the custom bike show you don’t stand next to you bike, but instead walk around and blend in. I like that because I like to stand back and watch people looking at the bike, listening to what they say. The same when it is parked at these big rallies, in that rarely do you see anyone actually with their bike.
Sure, like many bikers I like riding a nice bike and I have checked the bike out in the reflections of shop windows as I rode passed, but you any biker who says they haven’t done that isn’t telling the truth. Nearly all of us think we look good riding a bike – perhaps one reason why we like bikes instead of cars?
Canajun – I was really pleasantly surprised how well the bike rides. While any custom bike based upon a Harley is never going to handle as well as (say) a sports bike or a BMW tourer, my comparison is set against standard Harley-Davidsons. Against these, the bike handles really (and I mean REALLY) well and I have no doubts that the 2,000 mile round trip ride I am about to make on her, will be very good. Designing a frame, or in our case, frame modifications, is a real skill based on some solid principles of engineering and I am happy to report that the guy that did this, got it spot on.
Sonja – LOL. That is good of you to say, but I know it is the bike that looks smashing. This one photo does look good, but I have seen others nowhere near so complimentary. I wasn’t going to draw attention to one of those though!
Wow, sweet Harley. When traveling on your Harley and you are looking for another option of hospitality, you should check out Bescover.com. You will be able to find the best BB's in your area.
Awesome. You and Amelia in action.
ReplyDeleteSure is a stunning bike. Is she everything you thought she'd be, or more?
Bike looks good...........at least you are not craving publicity! :) ( Hard not to with a bike like that i would of thought.)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great time! Does Amelia ride as pretty as she looks?
ReplyDeleteyou're a star
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you are so humble about it ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely smashing on Amelia though.
Trobairitz – She is more. There are really three unusual things about the bike. 1. The shape, forks and large front wheel; which give the bike the seventies chopper look and this often carries with it poor handling. By very carefully checking the geometry and being ultra careful to conform to what works well when designing frames, she handles like a dream. So, that aspect is much better than I had feared. 2. The engraving makes the bike really stand out and is the main thing that people seem to like (or hate). The guy that did the engraving, all by hand with a hammer and chisel, was a true craftsman and if this make any sense, probably did too good a job, because it is so perfect, it looks like it was done by machine. 3. The paint really grabs the attention.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, there are many smaller, hand-made parts on the bike that make it unusual. Mainly in brass, these are spacers, mountings, the end of the pipes and many more, that are subtle, but make the bike stand out as being unusual.
Those three or four things are each better than I’d hoped for, so it is fair to say the bike exceeds my expectations.
Roger – I seek a quiet, unassuming life, away from the spotlight..... not! Actually, while I do get a kick out of it, what I really enjoy is seeing peoples reaction to the bike. At the custom bike show you don’t stand next to you bike, but instead walk around and blend in. I like that because I like to stand back and watch people looking at the bike, listening to what they say. The same when it is parked at these big rallies, in that rarely do you see anyone actually with their bike.
ReplyDeleteSure, like many bikers I like riding a nice bike and I have checked the bike out in the reflections of shop windows as I rode passed, but you any biker who says they haven’t done that isn’t telling the truth. Nearly all of us think we look good riding a bike – perhaps one reason why we like bikes instead of cars?
Canajun – I was really pleasantly surprised how well the bike rides. While any custom bike based upon a Harley is never going to handle as well as (say) a sports bike or a BMW tourer, my comparison is set against standard Harley-Davidsons. Against these, the bike handles really (and I mean REALLY) well and I have no doubts that the 2,000 mile round trip ride I am about to make on her, will be very good. Designing a frame, or in our case, frame modifications, is a real skill based on some solid principles of engineering and I am happy to report that the guy that did this, got it spot on.
ReplyDeleteNo Name - No, the bike is the star. I am just some middle-aged bloke that likes nice looking bikes!
ReplyDeleteSonja – LOL. That is good of you to say, but I know it is the bike that looks smashing. This one photo does look good, but I have seen others nowhere near so complimentary. I wasn’t going to draw attention to one of those though!
ReplyDeleteGary,
ReplyDeleteAmelia is getting more famous by the day!
dom
Redleg's Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Barely born and already the belle of the ball. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat is exciting to be the poster picture when you weren't even expecting it!
Charlie6 / Dom – It would appear so....
ReplyDeleteBeemerGirl – It was a good surprise.
Wow - that bike catches everybody's eye! Time to bring Amelia to the USA for your second tour of the States.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous – Maybe one day, but not just yet.....
ReplyDeleteOh Big Bike..I love you!!!
ReplyDeletethis is really awesome.
Harley looks gr8.
ReplyDeletecheck my site for harley and girls.
http://usedharleydavidsonclassifieds.com/?page_id=51
Nice Harley! I really like its color. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteWow, sweet Harley. When traveling on your Harley and you are looking for another option of hospitality, you should check out Bescover.com. You will be able to find the best BB's in your area.
ReplyDeletenice post. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteH Gary, I somehow followed a trail and ended up at your blog, nice to see how your bike came to life.
ReplyDeletebtw, you also feature in the Cascais videos...
https://vimeo.com/44519482
https://vimeo.com/44733618
Best regards
Paul (H-D video dude)
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that your trail ended at my blog!
I had seen the two H-D videos before, but I am grateful to you for pointing them out.
Cool pics :)
ReplyDeletewow great .nice designing style i love all the pic which u share
ReplyDelete