Garry Scott
THINK custom classics and you'll probably think of the most famous of all, Captain America from Easy Rider which was, of course, a star-spangled Harley-Davidson panhead.
Proving that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, custom is a key word for almost all manufacturers, whether Japanese or European. The trend is for production customs such as Yamaha's Faster Sons' XSR700 and Triumph's inspiration kits for the new Bonneville.
Now Harley-Davidson have challenged their dealers across the across the world to create the coolest 2016 Iron 883 to show customers what can be done with a little imagination.
Every dealership is equipped with an in-house Custom King, an expert customiser, mechanic and artist, and Fraser Hine is the main man at Glasgow's West Coast Harley-Davidson.
He says he was inspired by the cafe racer tradition. "The bike has taken a custom paint job, painted callipers and mesh side covers. We blacked our engine cases to symbolise café racer inspiration. I have never custom-made a cafe racer before and I liked the challenge. My favourite design touch is the red pinstripe through the paintwork and wheels."
Hine says motorcycling has been part of his life from a young age. "I started riding bikes at 15 because I had no choice. I lived in South Africa where the nearest school was 20 miles away and there was no public transport. I got into Harleys about 16 years ago. I enjoy everything about them and have owned two."
He says he loves the artistry of building customs. "It gives me an opportunity to practice my creative side and use my imagination to build something new. Before I worked at Harley-Davidson I worked in a bank as an internal auditor so my day to day life has completely changed."
A bespoke bike like this can be created, including the £7,495 purchase price, for around £13,000.
After April 18 a jury will select the British winner from the public vote. The winners will then compete in the European final at the Wheels and Waves Festival in June at Biarritz in France. To see all the contenders, and to vote for Hine's creation, visit www.customkings.harley-davidson.com
The full specification is Custom contoured fuel tank | Roland Sands (RSD) Headlamp bezel | RSD Top triple clamp | RSD Fork Brace | RSD café rear section with seat pad | RSD Slant 2 -1 exhaust system| RSD Café mount speedo | RSD Clip on Handlebars |Bar end Mirrors | Rear turn signal relocating brackets | Screamin’ Eagle Pro Tuner |“RAIL” collection timer and derby covers|“RAIL” Air filter and cover|“RAIL” rocker box covers |“RAIL” sprocket cover |Front Turn Signal relocation kit |Smoked front turn signal covers |“Nostalgic” grips |Finned headbolts covers |Black Horn |Front master cylinder “Edge Cut” cover |Front Axle covers |Black “Hot Topper” covers for most bot heads on bike |Red Spark Plug leads |“DIAMOND BLACK” clutch cable, throttle and idle cable and brake lines |Gloss Black gearcase cover, Primary cover |Red pinstriped wheels |Red Front & Rear brake callipers |Full Custom 2 tone Black paint set with silver and red pinstripes
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