Wilby Littles’s modified Harley Davidson got its first showing last weekend at the Ashburton Originals show and shine bike show.
It is one of five motorcycles the Ashburton Originals member owns.
More than 50 motorcycles of every make, model and age were on display at the show held at the Ashburton RSA. They spilled over from the Linton Lounge and its courtyard, out into the main car park area.
There was everything from a fire red Norton, a 1949 Ariel Square 4, through to a unique 1964 Solex and modern twists of chrome owned by people throughout Mid Canterbury and further afield. People attending the show also came from far and wide.
Many from Timaru and Christchurch arrived on motorcycle.
Wilby’s 1996 Sporty Chopper modification was labour of love undertaken as a it took him two years to finish.
The 1200cc bike, as originally bought from its Christchurch owner Aaron, was painted electric blue. It is now sporting a black “old peanut tank”, with six inch over springer front end with a homemade sissy bar, inch drop at the back and chain conversion kit.
“It’s a Sunday rider,” Wilby said, of its new smaller fuel tank.
Wilby is keen to use the bike for shows, such as the show and shine, which was on Ashburton’s Wheels Week Plus programme, and the Ashburton Originals motorcycle show in November.
He said planning was well under way for the club’s November show with new sponsorship from Jack Daniels, who had also backed the show and shine with product prizes for people’s choice awards.
It’s good to have Jack Daniels on board as a sponsor, he said.
Unlike the show and shine, open to any make and model, the November motorcycle show will only feature British, European and American bikes. The date has been set for November 19.
All up Wilby estimates buying the sporty chopper and carrying out its modifications cost around $10,000.
And he is already thinking about his next project, which will involve a much bigger, Harley Davidson Shovelhead.
