12 April 2024

Saddle up an Iron Horse

Catching on to a modern custom has got Paul Browne all misty-eyed about a classic – the classic –  60s biking film.

It’s got him thinking that, if you’re looking for a ride that’s as cool as it is easy, maybe it’s time to saddle up an Iron Horse?

 

I was first introduced to the idea of the ‘chopper’ as a motorcycle when I watched the iconic movie ‘Easy Rider’.

Denis Hopper and Peter Fonda starred as Billy and Wyatt, two motorcycling free spirits who head for New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras.

The movie was shot at a particular time in American cultural evolution.

1969, it would appear, was the time to make movies! Jack Nicholson co-starred as a lawyer who was up for an adventure and joined the duo on the road.

Screen icons

The bikes they rode were, and still are, iconic.

A pair of Hydra-Glide hardtail machines, with Harley-Davidson engines that were ‘old’ by the time the movie was shot, have become legendary since the film was released.

When Wyatt’s bike gets a puncture they stop off at a hippie commune and continue to live their best lives. Or maybe not.

You’ll have to watch the movie to find out.

Meanwhile the chopper genre continues.

As Harley don’t make them, each is a one-off custom build.

Cool custom

One that recently caught my eye when in Waterford is this one is built by Iron Horse, themselves an icon in the custom bike building world.

The bike’s paint job really makes it stand out from other choppers and the long forks confirm both its pedigree and build quality.

At its heart of this Iron Horse creation is a 124″ S&S Motor, which is married to a Vance & Hines exhaust. This means it sounds as good as it looks.

While the bike dates from 2005 it has covered just 6,520 miles from new.

If you want to own something this cool you’ll need €15,750 and speak nicely to one of the team at Waterford Harley-Davidson on 051 844200. Do not, under any circumstances attempt to ride it away while wearing a full face helmet!

Meanwhile, Easy Rider is available to watch on a choice of streaming services. If you’ve yet to see it you need to refresh your cultural education and get your thing together immediately.

 

Custom bike insurance quote? Chop, chop – call our two-wheel team on 0818 945 950!

 

 

Back to listing