G’day,

The state borders are open, the sun’s shining and we’ve just received printed copies of HEAVY DUTY #175, our March/April issue with Justin’s highly personalised Road Glide on the cover. Also on the cover is a 1971 Super Glide FX Night Train, a bike that was highly personalised by Willie G. 50 years separate these two bikes but they were both built with an enduring passion.

Road tests first…

The first Street Bob 114s to land in Australia went out to dealers, as they should. Demand was so high that a press fleet had to wait. Lucky for us, and all of you who want to read a test, we managed to get our hands on Gasoline Alley’s demonstrator. Happy Days, indeed.

Next on our list of road tests was the BMW R18. After testing the waters, we took the plunge and added a German to the list of European bikes previously tested in HEAVY DUTY. Not a replica of anything else; its heritage and influences are strictly in-house. Read what Dave had to say about it.

Not tested yet but we’ve got the latest on Harley’s Pan America. All of the inside news from 3am last Tuesday morning! We’ve also got the latest news on the Indian Chiefs. Road tests will happen, hopefully next issue.

Custom bikes next…

Paul Bailey rode Justin’s Road Glide while Tim Munro captured the images. Both of them were happy with this arrangement.

From Melbourne town, Craig Pattison has submitted a cool Sportster, trick V-Rod, and the blackest Street Glide we can remember seeing.

The lucky Shadley brother who claims ownership of their latest build is Dean. It’s red, and special. Look twice as looks can be deceiving.

Knackers has done himself proud in this issue with a 1966 Genny Shovel, a prime example Class C WLA and then found himself Rocking Out at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market.

Brett Cross captured a neat rigid Shovel, Paul Bailey hit the track with a Live Wire, Onno and Doc checked out the 1971 Super Glide FX Night Train, Phil Heath spent a Day in the Saddle in a few special parts of NZ, and Mick’s Project M8 Super Glide gained cubic inches of happiness.

Doc has answered your questions in Tech Torq, Tex has found the hidden gems and shared them in Cybercycles.

Subscribers’ copies are in the mail and on the way. Newsagents will have copies on sale Thursday 4th March.