ISSUE 173

Summer’s here and the time is right for riding in the streets, with apologies to Martha and the Vandellas for changing a word.

As I write this, the sun’s shining and I’ve just thought of a really good reason to jump on our new project bike – the as-yet unnamed 2020 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard.

On the desk beside me is a copy of HEAVY DUTY #173 with Zane’s magical Shovel chopper front and centre. Along with Glenn Aitken’s version, this issue contains two of the most genuine 1970s Shovel choppers you’re gonna see 40 years after that decade ended.

Continuing the nostalgic theme is a genuine New Old Stock WLA. We found it and managed to preserve it digitally before it was off to the auction house and an uncertain future. 

But we’re not stuck in the olden days of points and carburettors.

LiveWire. Possibly the most divisive motorcycle ever offered by Harley-Davidson. Make your own decision.

Modern programming continues with a Quick Spin on an Indian Challenger and also on a H-D Softail Standard with Daytripper package added.

To move back to the real old days, Billy Lane’s Merkel board tracker has been out for a gallop with the Sons of Speed. 

There’s a well-put together FXR, an ANZAC tribute Breakout, a glorious green rigid with 110-cubes of Revtech adding drive, a top Breakout from the Top End, and our Project Interceptor has gained power.

Each of our current regular contributors has offered their own personal memories of Brum and a pic or two. He remains close in all of our thoughts.

CentreNats went off in Alice Springs and Doc made it to an event that made him smile. Before he headed to the Red Centre, Doc also waded through your question for Tech Torq.

The Roaring Sporties will be back on track in 2021 and as well as sharing the news on that and our involvement, we’ve got pics of Brum’s XG750 racebike.

All of this and more in the November/December issue of HEAVY DUTY, on sale 5th November, 2020.