Honest Charlie V8-Powered Street Custom Motorcycle
“The heart of the beast, undoubtedly, was its most intriguing component. The power plant, an Olson flathead V8, held a fascinating history…” said Knackers.
IT shouldn’t exist. Not really. If you heard whispers of a V8 engine shoehorned into a two-wheeled creation, your mind would conjure images of raw, aggressive power; a snarling beast, barely tamed. But then you’d see this bike and all your expectations would shatter into a thousand gleaming fragments. Take away the custom radiator panels up front, and the machine before you, from every polished angle, seemed less like a custom build and more like it had rolled off a discreet, high-end factory line.
It was a testament, a silent, powerful applause to the man whose hands, ideas, and sheer talent had birthed such a magnificent beast. Yet, the man himself, a quiet artisan named Luke, operating out of Gworks Custom Cycles (GW) in Geelong, would humbly deflect the lion’s share of the credit for the initial design. This V8 marvel was just another ‘cool and clean street custom (with a difference)’ to emerge from his workshop. Luke was known for consistently delivering for his clients, not with fanfare or self-aggrandisement, but with genuine skill, deep talent, and an almost disarming modesty. He is, as those who know him would attest, simply a top bloke, grounded, unpretentious, and possessed of that rare, solid character that suggested he’d been ‘loved, hugged, and breastfed as a child’.
To describe this street custom succinctly, two words immediately spring to mind: classy. refined. At a casual glance, it possesses the unmistakable silhouette of a Harley-Davidson. But to assume that would be to miss the extraordinary depth of its transformation. Luke has poured endless hours, thought, and effort into crafting a bike that exudes style, not mimicry. It is the hallmark of a true customiser, a genuine builder: to make something utterly complex appear effortless and simple.
The origins of this particular dream machine began years ago, across the ocean in the USA. Fifty such bikes were originally built, fading over time into the forgotten crevices of motorcycle history. But fate, in the form of Malcolm Hurst, intervened. Eight years prior, Malcolm (the owner), while attending an auction in the States, stumbled upon one of these forgotten relics. It was, by all accounts, in a very, very sad state, a ghost of its former self, crying out for either a total rebuild or a radical transformation. Malcolm chose the latter. He brought his forlorn acquisition back home, sat down with Luke, and together they began to sketch out its rebirth. While Malcolm had the seed of an idea, it was Luke who meticulously cultivated the vision, nurturing it through countless proposals until the finished creation began to take shape.
Beneath the polished facade lay the bones of an early model H-D Softail frame, although it had been so extensively modified by Luke’s hands that only the essence of its original form remained, retaining its distinctive 34-degree rake. A single, heavy-duty coil-over mono shocker, discreetly tucked beneath the custom black leather seat, handled the rear suspension, promising a smooth, controlled ride.
The heart of the beast, undoubtedly, was its most intriguing component. The power plant, an Olson flathead V8, held a fascinating history, originally built by Ford for the French car market. This particular iteration possessed a modest 60-cubic-inch output, fed by a single barrel carburettor, and its ignition had been meticulously converted to a Mallory electronic system. This wasn’t a bike built for blistering performance or quarter-mile heroics; its purpose was simpler, nobler: unwavering reliability and an unparalleled cruise factor. The throaty growl from the custom exhaust, fabricated by GW from heads to fishtailed tips, underscored this philosophy, a deep, resonant hum, not a frantic roar.
Crucially, this unique engine was married to a severely-modified Bedford gearbox. Originally a three-speed, Luke and his team at GW had stripped, rebuilt, and reimagined its internals and externals, reducing it to a single, purposeful gear. Power was then transferred via a jack-shaft setup to the rear, the final drive a robust chain and sprocket system. It was an engineering feat of purposeful simplification, designed for unwavering consistency on the open road.
Fuel is housed within the iconic Fat Bob tanks, bisected by a custom GW dashboard, where Luke had integrated Ford gauges, a subtle nod to the engine’s heritage.
The front-end, originally from a Fat Boy, had been expertly converted to emulate the sophisticated look of a Rick Doss Road King. Steering was managed by Chubby Wild Ones bars, accessorised with Mid West levers, PM rubber knurled grips, and sleek Arlen Ness mirrors. A replica beehive taillight provided a nostalgic touch at the rear.
The aesthetics continued this theme of understated elegance. Old-style chrome spoke rims adorned both front and rear 16 x 3.5-inch rims shod with classic Shinko whitewall tires. The guards, front and rear, were sourced from an old H-D Heritage, the front narrowed to perfection, the rear gracefully extended by four inches.
Stopping power came from Custom Chrome, twin, single spotters of chrome billet upfront, complemented by a single H-D spotter at the rear.
Every brake line, naturally, was custom-made by GW. A seven-inch headlight with smoked indicators from Custom Chrome illuminated the path forward, while Kuryakyn indicators, expertly mounted by GW, completed the rear lighting.
Comfort was paramount for Malcolm’s long cruises. The custom seat was upholstered in rich black leather; complemented by Kuryakyn running boards for the rider; and practical, leather-and-chrome-studded panniers for those essentials.
The final, breathtaking finish was applied by Max Fry, a high-gloss black paint that seemed to drink in the light, reflecting the world in an inky, perfect sheen.
This V8-powered street custom stood as yet another testament to Luke’s versatility and the boundless capabilities of Gworks Custom Cycles. They embraced challenges of all varieties, consistently delivering projects with a signature blend of classy and refined style. It had been a long, patient wait for Malcolm Hurst, but now, with his dream machine finally complete, he was as keen as ever to hit the open roads, ready to chalk up countless miles on his truly one-of-a-kind ride.
Words & Pics by Knackers
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