One of the coolest bikes in the latest issue of Greasy Kulture magazine belongs to Chris ‘Simo’ Simmonds, a certified old bike nut who lives on the south coast of the UK. As well as this 1931 Harley-Davidson VL, he owns three Indians and a brace of Triumphs. Simo found the 1200 cc VL on eBay UK, and describes it as a “rolling, held together basket case”. But it had the essentials he was looking for: an original frame, a springer fork and an engine. He didn’t want to do a restoration, so he created his own vision of a bob-job, inspired by the American cut-downs and racers of the 30s and 40s. VL Heaven provided many of the missing parts; the headlight, fuel tank and footboards are reproductions. The original fenders and taillight were taken off and put safely to one side, and a ribbed rear fender from Baron’s Speed Shop was fitted to the back instead. The engine was supposedly rebuilt, but wouldn’t run right, and Simo eventually discovered it had mismatched heads—one low and one high compression. After a top-end rebuild by RTO Engineering, Simo reckons “It’ll do 70-80mph. It’s like a tractor, but so much fun!” [Order your copy of Greasy Kulture for more of this goodness.]
Canon EOS Digital Rebel | 1/500s | f/13 | ISO 1600 | Focal length 40mm
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9 Comments
If we are ever able to escape the days of the Obama Depression. I will own a bike like this. If things go the same as the left wing wants then I will have to ride this bike someday with my Grandpa Porter in Heaven. I guess how bad can that be?
This is very cool. Just the right amount of restoration to make it rideable but still retain its originality.
Nice flamebait steve. Hope the site owner bans you before you can shit up the site any more.
Great bike, I love a well done bobber.
Good point—I was waiting to see if it ignites a war, and I’m glad to see it hasn’t.
Black and Red with Gold Pin stripes, Just beautyfull. Very Tastefull!!
I love everything about this bike except the seat, what’s going on with that giant post? Seems as if something could be done to clean the look of that up a bit.. Other than that it’s an amazing bike.
And Steve, you could go ride bikes with your Grandpa Porter in heaven today if you killed yourself, just think about it….
“I love everything about this bike except the seat, what’s going on with that giant post? Seems as if something could be done to clean the look of that up a bit.. Other than that it’s an amazing bike.”
Typed it before I could.
How that’s a Real harley chopper I love it just the way it is, wish I had one.
you never see harleys older than a few years or one in a thousand if your lucky.
if you ever rode an original harley post you`d never badmouth it. originally you`d throw a sheepskin over it. it sucks up all the bumps and potholes that would drive your spine into your skull if you had one.