As an avid rider for many years, David Brotzman advanced as a biker the smart way, transitioning from dirt bikes to street bikes and working his way through a series of different makes and models in the process. But, “I always had a vision in my head about having an old-school Harley...one that I could tinker on without having to re-vamp my toolbox with funny little wrenches that say ‘mm’ after every number.” That dream was fulfilled—well, sort of—when David bought a 1988 Heritage Softail via eBay five years ago, though the bike was far from the beauty you see here. “I was experiencing lots of leaking oil, wiring problems and plenty of little mechanical hiccups,” he said.
So last winter he took the bike down to its bare bones, just frame and engine, and went over every component, piece by piece. “About the only way to really get to know an older bike and make sure everything works,” he explained.
The rebuilt Evo engine was upgraded with an Andrews EV27 cam, Crane HI-4 ignition, and a Keihen carb on an Edelbrock intake manifold. David added 14” mini-apes on 4” risers, a LePera Bare Bones seat, Kuryakyn Iso grips, Stiletto spikes, and too many extras to list. “The theme was to keep the bike looking old school while still having plenty of bling,” said David.
He did all the work himself, except the bodywork and paint which was handled by Ron Tommasi of Danielson, Connecticut, using Ron’s favorite '69 Dodge Charger red, same color as the famous General Lee show car, we’re told.
“Finances were always what kept me from buying the more expensive Harley-Davidson motorcycles, but it was a girl (now my wife) who actually motivated me to make the leap,” he said. “She had a 2000 Sportster when I met her and she said that she wouldn't ride with me until I got a proper Harley. So I did, and two years later we got married!”
At least in this instance, the moral of the story might be: buy a Harley and get the girl. “My wife was the dear soul who gave me my IronWorks subscription for a Christmas present,” David added. Hmmm, we’d say she must be a woman of sophisticated tastes, in motorcycles, men, and magazines.
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