Riotous Fun
Gold Coast Harley-Davidson turns back time.
Gold Coast Harley-Davidson’s ‘Battle of the Kings’ winning bike, the ‘Hollister Riot’ delivers an old-school feel-good character in keeping with the historical event that spawned its name.
The Original Hollister Riot
The ‘Hollister Riot’ or ‘Hollister Invasion’ occurred at the Gypsy Tour motorcycle rally in Hollister, California from July 3-6, 1947.
Many more motorcyclists than were expected flooded into the small town to attend rallies and racing as well as to socialise and drink. Subsequently a few of the motorcyclists caused “a commotion” in the town.
The incident was sensationalised by the press with reports of bikers “causing pandemonium” and was characterised with a photo of a drunken man sitting on a motorcycle published in Life magazine.
The Hollister riot helped to give rise to the outlaw biker image, however the articles that were written about the riot may have been greatly exaggerated and sensationalised beyond the actual events. Eyewitnesses were quoted as saying, "It's just one hell of a mess" but that, “the motorcyclists weren't doing anything bad, just riding up and down whooping and hollering; not really doing any harm at all”.
“Whooping and Hollering” is exactly what I felt like doing while riding the ‘Riot’ around the quiet streets of Nerang on a sunny Wednesday Morning.
The way the bike resembles the Panhead in the famous photo is absolutely fantastic and no doubt enhances the real joy of being aboard.
Turning Back Time
It started life as a 2019 Softail Slim when Dealer Principal Steve Shilling and his crew of Builder Matt Valentine, Workshop Manager Jack Baugh with Parts and accessories specialist Nick Agius, set about the task of paying homage to 1947.
Springer Style
The look starts at the front end with a Meatballs 20” Early Springer assembly, custom-made front wheel spacers, Meatballs Top Clamp, Modified Meatballs Handlebars and a JP Cycles Springer preload adjustor. The big chrome springs projecting out from behind, and rising above, the Twin Cam Breakout Headlight look entirely period-authentic.
The clean lines were further maintained by including Rollies Speed Shop under perch indicators that are virtually invisible until you turn them on. Genuine Nostalgia Grips And Magnum Shielding brake lines rounding out the look. A Genuine Steering head bearing kit was also included.
A Performance Machine front brake calliper & mount was fitted while the wheels are the original Slim’s, but they have been shod with Firestone Deluxe 500x16 bias ply tyres front and rear that look almost identical to the 1947 machine’s rubber.
Old-School Sound
Performance-wise the 107 Cube engine is stock, apart from the Maximus Tuner, which suits the road manners of the build perfectly, although it has been fitted with a handmade Original style Panhead muffler and Custom Header pipes with original ripple pipe heat shields - that also fit the look seamlessly. It sounds great without being too loud or raucous. It has a Genuine Kahuna timer cover, Genuine chrome coil cover and a Genuine Black Derby Cover to round off the old-school appearance.
Clean at the Rear
The rear end has even more suitably tasteful treatment applied. A Dump It Rear Lowering kit, PBI Chain drive conversion, cut down and bobbed JP Cycles Panhead fenders with Kuryakn rear indicators and JP Cycles Sparto style taillight give a great clean line that is enhanced by Genuine chrome rear axle covers and the modified Genuine Deluxe Leather Solo Saddle.
Billiard Blue and Black
The presentation is finished off in a period colour Billiard Blue and Black paintwork and a hand painted number board, all by Mark Walker from QMPP. According to Steve, “The number board was fitted to break up the black at the rear of the bike. We picked number 16 as a reference to Jimmy Chan, who was a three-time winner of the Springfield Mile, the the first being in 1947 on a Harley-Davidson Springer Model.”
On the Road
Back out on the Gold Coast Highway I was happily cruising along on one of the best feel-good Harley-Davidsons I have ridden in a long time. ‘Riding’ is the operative word too. This bike takes more overall effort than a stock unit. It needs more body English, partly due to the flat profile of the tyres, and partly due to the manner of the Springer front end. There’s nothing untoward, it just needs a bit more push and pull than a standard new Softail.
With the single-piston, single disc up front it needs both front and rear brakes to be used in concert, while the lowering kit and firm saddle mean it’s better to ride around lumps and bumps rather than let the suspension absorb them, but once you get the mojo it’s seriously good fun, old school, big grin, feel-good fun.
That said, the wide bars, large saddle and big footboards do make for one of the more comfortable riding positions on a Harley - particularly for a big guy. I could sit comfortably on this one all day.
So it was with real regret that I returned the ‘Hollister Riot’ back to the dealership. As Steve noted when I returned, raving about the ride, “Our goal was to create a modern motorcycle with an old school look and feel.”
“Job very well done.” I replied.
At the time of writing the bike is still for sale at $45,000 ride-away, or if you have a Softail Slim in your garage and would like to turn back time, Gold Coast Harley-Davidson can rebuild yours for somewhere between $13,000 to $16,000 depending on what options you choose.
It’s a riot.
Things I Liked
The superbly authentic 1947 Panhead look, tasteful detailing, wonderful exhaust note and huge feel-good factor. Its wide bars, large saddle and footboards also make it exceptionally comfortable for a big rider.
Things I Didn’t Like
The flat-profile tyres and Springer front end demand more body English than a stock Softail. The single front brake needs help from the rear, while the lowered suspension and firm saddle transmit bumps.
What I Would Change
A little more front braking power and suspension compliance would make everyday riding easier—but the extra effort is part of this bike’s convincing old-school character.
Guts & Bolts — Hollister Riot
General
Make / Model2019 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim
BuilderGold Coast Harley-Davidson
EngineMilwaukee-Eight 107
Bore × Stroke100 × 111.1 mm
Compression10.0:1
TuneMaximus tuner
Drivetrain
ExhaustPanhead-style muffler; custom headers and ripple heat shields
Primary driveChain
Final drivePBI chain conversion
Engine coversKahuna timer; black derby; chrome coil
SeatModified Deluxe leather solo
Rolling Chassis
Wheels16-inch Slim; 130 front / 150 rear
TyresFirestone Deluxe 5.00 × 16 bias-ply
Front brakePerformance Machine calliper and mount
Rear brakeStock
Brake linesMagnum Shielding
Front suspensionMeatballs 20-inch Early Springer
Rear suspensionSoftail with Dump It lowering kit
Style
BarsModified Meatballs handlebars
GripsHarley-Davidson Nostalgia
Front guardNone
Rear guardCut-down and bobbed JP Cycles Panhead fender
PainterMark Walker, QMPP
ColourBilliard Blue and Black
Number board16, honouring racer Jimmy Chan
