La Potenza Motorcycle with Santina & Brooke
“Although slow corners, roundabouts, etc, are a bit suss, but you’d expect that when your bike is nearly three metres long,” said Sammy.
THIS is the fourth custom bike Sammy has built, all top shelf bikes, so you can imagine he’s into it ‘big time’. He travelled to Phoenix in the USA to visit Jim Nasi Customs, an industry leader in custom motorcycles and components.
“When I was building my last bike, I was surfing the internet and found Jim Nasi,” said Sammy. “I immediately liked his style. “I contacted him to discuss my ideas and we hit it off; became good friends.”
When Sammy arrived in the USA, he organised for Jim to mock up one extremely long, custom bike. The idea was for the bike to be then disassembled and shipped back to Australia for completion.
Jim was responsible for all the fabrication; a close examination reveals the tins are faultless. The frame is one of 25 especially built by Jim Nasi; Sammy has number 25. The oil tank was custom-built inside the frame where you can’t see it.
The bike is long — the swingarm was constructed seven inches longer than a stock Harley; the primary had to be especially made seven inches longer to suit.
Once all the parts had arrived back in Australia, Sam and his mechanic, Chris Douglas, started the final construction stage.
The motor, at 170 cubic inches (3 litres), is big, to say the least. It was originally built by STD in the USA; and Sammy had it in a previous bike.
“When I heard STD was building an 170-cubic-inch motor, I contacted them and said I wanted the first one. I think this is probably the only one they built because they have since gone out of business.”
The STD motor recently received a facelift by one of Queensland’s best, Ollie from Ollie’s Engines & Machining. According to Sammy, “He knows what he’s doing when it comes to building engines.”
The La Potenza custom bike is fully registered and Sammy rides it everywhere.
“This bike is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden; more than a stock Harley,” said Sammy. “Although slow corners, roundabouts, etc, are a bit suss, but you’d expect that when your bike is nearly three metres long.”
“Finally, a big special thanks:
Chris Douglas (CJ & BL Douglas Motor Cycles). Chris has been working on my bikes since day one; we have built bikes together, and trust me, if there is anyone in Australia who can match the Americans, it is Chris Douglas.
Ollie OEM who just rebuilt my engine.
Thanks to Andrew Yeats who cleans my bikes; he loves them so much he does it for nothing.
A special thanks to Julius from Tower Photographics for his continued awesome work in photographing my bikes. I would not trust anyone else as I know that he will deliver exactly what I am after, and more…”
Brooke Loves Beach Volley Ball
MY first modelling job was promo work for a promotions modelling agency that I worked for on the Gold Coast. I have since been on the cover of Picture and People magazines and also been featured in Australian Penthouse and now Ozbike.
This shoot was great and both the photographer and bike owner were lovely and they made the shoot fun and comfortable.
My passion is travelling the world, music and the arts. In my spare time I enjoy being social and spending time with my girlfriends and I love to play beach volley ball.
Santina Loves the Camera
I WAS training to become a make-up artist and was assisting models on shoots but I soon realised that I wanted to be in front of the camera rather than working behind the scenes. I plan to continue modelling for a couple more years yet; my goal is to do some more photo shoots overseas.
Aside from admiring bikes I have had little to do with them. I don’t have a bike or bike licence but I really enjoy riding on the back of one. If I could have any bike, I would have the bike I shot with today. The red and black is stunning!
My favourite trait in a guy is honesty and a guy who isn’t afraid to express his feelings is certainly refreshing. Guys who ride bikes have a definite appeal too.
Photos by Julius Goboly at Tower Photographics
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