S&S Powered Maltese Heritage Motorbike
PETE’S PRIDE is a fully-rebuilt 1987 Softail Heritage, although the heart of the bike is a S&S 124-cubic-inch engine with a S&S G-series carby.
The original H-D frame neck was raked eight degrees and another five degrees were added using raked triple trees—making the angle of fork tubes exactly 45 degrees. That’s what I call paying the attention to details.
The front-end is four-inches-over stock with a hidden axle.
The swing-arm was custom-made in chromemoly by Pete’s mate, Johnny Muscat; it’s 3.5 inches wider and one inch longer than the original.
The front wheel is 21 inches with 40 spokes; the rear is 18 inches with 60 spokes and a chrome billet hub.
The front guard is made of fibreglass; the rear one is a Zodiac item customised with inner welded struts. The number plate was recessed below a diamond-shaped LED tailight.
The bike is sporting a five gallon tank with Zodiac caps. Arlen Ness is responsible for high-flow fuel tap.
The original H-D oil tank was stretched and reworked with the Sidewinder logo.
The stunning paint is pale blue base with the flames and graphics, and finished with five coats of pearl blue and clear laid down by Paul Abela.
Pete’s Maltese heritage is noted on the belt-drive and the seat with the proper shape of the Maltese Cross (Maltese Crosses are often displayed in the wrong shape).
The pipes are Vance & Hines Big Shots; the ignition is Crane Hi-4.
The engine was built by Cow at LA Cycles. It produces healthy 111.1 ponies with max torque of 129.1.
Well, for that kind power, you need a six-speed gearbox and BDL open-primary belt-drive.
The 16 inch apehangers are Arlen Ness with H-D chromed controls. The forward controls are billet Razorback. Calipers are Stealth Racing with stainless H-D front and rear discs.
Pete would like to thank Tom Bugeja for giving him a hand with the bike assembly and Darky for the chroming and polishing. Pete would also like to thank The Penrith Valley Oranges for allowing us to photograph on their property.
Words & photos by George Lang
