Perfect Pitch
Gerry’s ‘Aria’ hits all the right notes.
After a few postponements due to the Queensland weather, we finally caught up with Gerry and his stunning Cholo, ‘Aria’, on the Sunshine Coast, where we asked him to tell us about the bike.
“It started as a brand-new 2022 Heritage Softail 114 and basically transformed into the Cholo that was inspired by my daughter Aria, and her long black hair and lovely flowing dresses — with the flow of the guards running all the way to the floor, for example — and much more.
“The transformation started straight away. I’d always wanted to build a custom motorcycle, something that’s different — with a lay frame.
“Bryan at Farrows Customs helped me realise that goal. He’s looked after all of my bikes, so I sat down with him and told him what I wanted to build, and it went from there.
“We fitted a 21-inch front wheel, raked out so we could lay the front to the ground, and the rear was air-bagged, with the swingarm customised so we could get it all the way to the bottom.
“We didn’t want to put bump stops on it, but when we got it all back together, we were three millimetres out — so we pulled it all apart and started again!
“Because I really wanted a full lay frame.
“Bryan has more details on how it came together,” Gerry offered. “But I do know that nobody had ever done a full lay frame on an M8 anywhere in the world. We talked to the States, and lots of people, and nobody knew how — or if it could be done.”
A Steep Learning Curve
Accordingly, when I got back to Brisbane base, I rang Farrows.
“Yes, Gerry is correct. As far as we know, no one in the world had done a lay frame on an M8. We couldn’t even find anyone with information on how to do it.
“So, we began a steep learning curve with lots and lots of measurements. It turned out that, with extensive — and I mean extensive — modification to the triple trees, forks and rear shock design, we were able to get the result you see today, without altering the frame at all.”
Back on the Sunny Coast, Gerry continued.
“So, we chose the DNA Mammoth Fat Spoke 21 x 3.5-inch front and 18 x 8.5-inch rear wheels to suit.
“We tried three different front wheels, and I wanted bigger, but the 21-inch is what we needed to lay it. Same with the rear wheel; we adjusted it to suit as well. They are fitted with Avon Cobra Chrome whitewalls front and rear.
“We went for an 11.8-inch Lyndall Black Band and Black Carrier rotor on the front and 11.5-inch on the rear, with OEM Harley four-piston calipers, and it’s given it just the look I wanted.
“The front and rear guards were then stretched and fabricated by Farrows to make them work as well.
“To set the lines off, we fitted 18-inch Carlini Gangster ape hangers sitting on two-inch risers. They are 1.5-inch bars and are completely internally wired, including the brake and hydraulic clutch lines.
“It has slimline mirrors, and the indicators have Cyclone lenses and a Custom Dynamics four-in-one set and plate holder low on the rear — and all that came together nicely too. We then chose Performance Machine chrome grips and stuck with the standard H-D levers.”
About That Paint
“The paint was done by Rod Tickle at East Coast Airbrushing. It’s candy teal over a heavy silver flake, with engine-turned silver-leaf features. There are 150 hours just in the paintwork,” he said.
It is absolutely beautiful — better than my photos can convey.
What About the Motor?
“The motor is a relatively stock M8, apart from the A.P.E. Cycle Rama 483 cam, Maximus tuner and Bassani exhaust — that make it sound like it’s coming out of hell,” Gerry laughs.
“I didn’t really care about performance — I just wanted the sound. I don’t care about fuel either. It’s a show bike and the 114 cubes go great anyway, and the Bassanis gave me what I wanted.
“Although we did have to adjust them for a little more ground clearance. It also runs an S&S Mini Teardrop air cleaner.”
The Other Features
“The footboards were custom-made by Matty at Random Design and were based on the paintwork, then modified by Farrows Customs. They added the grip pins because they were too slippery initially.
“The seat is by Xtreme Custom Trim, with crocodile skin and suede, and stitching that follows the lines of the paintwork.”
Is It Finished?
“It’s never finished with a bike, is it?” Gerry laughs heartily again.
“But yes, it’s 99 per cent done. And now I just enjoy riding it. It’s fun, and just as enjoyable for me as it is for the people watching it go by.
“If I want to go somewhere and get something done — then don’t take this bike.”
Even in the short time we spent doing the photo shoot, the number of people who wanted to compliment the machine and ask questions was remarkable.
“Nice bike, mate!”
Gerry continued, “I’ll be at a café or somewhere and put up an Instagram post with the bike, and within a few minutes there are, like, seven people rocking up to see it.
“In fact, I’ve taken it to quite a few shows now and it hasn’t failed to win a trophy yet.”
After finally seeing and hearing this Aria in person, HEAVY DUTY understands why.
Bravo. Bravo.
Aria Cholo — 2022 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 114
General
OwnerGerry Pagano
WorkshopFarrows Customs Motorcycles
Model2022 FLHCS Heritage Classic 114
ConceptFull lay-frame Cholo
ModificationsExtensive custom work to achieve the lay-frame stance without frame alteration or bump stops
Engine
TypeHarley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight 114
CamA.P.E. Cycle Rama 483
Estimated power127 hp
Estimated torque131.5 ft-lb
Air cleanerS&S Mini Teardrop
TunerTechnoResearch Maximus direct tuning key
ExhaustBassani two-into-two true-dual fishtails
TransmissionHarley-Davidson
Frame, Suspension & Wheels
SuspensionPlatinum front and rear air suspension
ModificationsModified swingarm, triple clamps, forks and rear suspension design
Front rimDNA Mammoth Fat Spoke 21 x 3.5-inch
Rear rimDNA Mammoth Fat Spoke 18 x 8.5-inch
TyresAvon Cobra Chrome whitewalls front and rear
Front brake11.8-inch Lyndall Black Band and Black Carrier rotor
Rear brake11.5-inch Lyndall Black Band and Black Carrier rotor
CalipersStandard OEM Harley four-piston
Controls & Finish
Bars18-inch Carlini Gangster ape hangers, internally wired
GripsPerformance Machine chrome
FootboardsCustom-made by Matty at Random Design and modified by Farrows Customs
SeatXtreme Custom Trim, crocodile skin and suede
MirrorsSlimline
IndicatorsCyclone lenses
Rear lightingCustom Dynamics four-in-one
GuardsStretched and fabricated by Farrows Customs
PainterRod Tickle, East Coast Airbrushing
PaintCandy teal over heavy silver flake with engine-turned silver leaf
No comments :
Post a Comment