Readers’ Motorcycle Submissions
Readers’ Showcase
Email your submissions to: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) Or snail mail to: HB Reader’s Showcase 1733 Alton Parkway, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92606. Please include hi-res jpegs, your name, hometown, email, phone #, bike year/model, engine size, frame, wheels, sheetmetal, painter, custom accessories, and anything else interesting about your bike.
* * *
**Three-fer-One**
Brady Wright from Lynwood, Washington, wanted to show us his three-in-one convertible Heritage. Brady says, “It isn’t your standard custom.”
Brady bought the bike new in 2003 and immediately had the dealer install a 95-inch Stage II kit and install Fat Boy bars and a Thunder Header exhaust. He then spent about a year stockpiling parts for the beginning of a three-year build. He always wanted to have three or four different bikes, but the wallet never complied, so he just built this one to convert to the look he wanted. He can take it from bar hopper to Street Glide “clone,” to total bagger, with a few clicks of the quick-disconnect hardware. All the major components (fairing, bags, Tour-Pak, and backrest) are quickly and easily removable so he can have the look he wants, depending on the ride ahead.
Brady says, “Being totally secure in my manhood, I went for a Motor Company factory color from the past: Concord Purple.” The two-tone look includes Vivid Black and metallic lightning bolts with the green striping to give it attitude. Brady was all ready to send pictures in last summer, but got caught in a hailstorm outside of Billings, Montana, on the way to Sturgis, and it dented the tank. Saving for a repaint took longer than he thought. But now the bike is finally magazine-ready.
* * *
**Black Thunder**
Craig Campbell from Thunder Bay, Arkansas, is very proud of his ’07 Road King, and he should be, he’s put a lot of time and money into the black beauty. He added Carlini 14-inch Gangster Apes, a Paul Yaffe stretched tank and dash, and Bad Dad stretched bags. For that clean look out back, the bags featured frenched-in lights and the fender has the license mount frenched in as well. The bike rolls on a set of Ride Wright Fat Daddy Wheels and spits the exhaust through Vance and Hines true dual pipes. Between the rumble of the pipes and the deep black paint, Craig’s RK is like a menacing storm rolling into town.
* * *
**It’s Not a Geezer Glide**
David from Arizona sent us this picture of his friend Gus aboard his new 1200 Sportster. David says “My friend Gus 90 years young and is now entertaining buying a chunk of land in San Carlos, Mexico and farming ‘something’ or buying interest in a commercial fishing boat. His body has a few miles but his spirit is still young. Gus attributes his can-do attitude to rubbing white lighting on his gums every morning. I’ve known Gus for 19 years and he’s as cantankerous as they come. When I grow up I’d like to be like Gus except have my own teeth. Gus recently purchased this 1200 Sportster and says he bought the 1200 as opposed to the 883 because he thinks the 883s are underpowered. The reason he chose a Sportster is that it is more “nimble” and the Big Twins are too heavy. Gus is quick to smile and even quicker to fight if reason moves him. I tell him he ought to save the passion for the bedroom. His idea of going to church is pointing his girlfriend’s toes towards heaven. I can’t argue with that.”
* * *
**Converted to a Fat Boy**
Danielle Tremblay though we’d get a kick out of her new best friend, her ’02 Fat Boy. Danielle bought the bike in 2010 with only 800 miles on it, and in a little less than a year she put 8,200 miles on it. After spending nine years on a Sportster, Danielle says the Softail is more comfortable and lower to the ground. She didn’t think she’d be able to handle the weight but she says she has no issues with the extra pounds. She says she just can’t get enough of her Fat Boy, and it has become her treasure.
* * *
**Family Heirloom**
Frank Amarillas out of Yuma, Arizona, says the story on his bike is that his father was the first owner in 1974 and always guarded it, but stopped taking care of it when he started another long-term project. Frank promised his father he would bring the bike back to life if he ever gave it to him. His father passed away while Frank was in Iraq and left him the bike. Frank says it took almost one year to restore it and that he hand sanded and polished every single inch of aluminum on the bike. This is a great piece of family history, and we’d say Frank did a great job of living up to the promise he made his dad.
* * *
**Cruisin’ Heritage**
_Hey Hot Bike, _
I love reading your magazine and always like to check out the pics people send in of their bikes to look for customizing ideas. I just finished this bike and thought I would send in a pic. I found this ’96 FLSTC rusting away in a guy’s garage. I wanted a nice little cruiser, so I beefed up the motor and did a lot of clean up. Besides chroming out the front, rear, and basically everything else, I tossed the stock handlebars and replaced them with Baron Big Johnson bars and added Vance and Hines staggered short-shots exhaust. It looks, rides, and sounds great! I love my cruisin’ Heritage!
**Gary Price, via email**