Wanted: No Regret Harley-Davidson Shovelhead Chopper
“The ‘wanted’ Shovel,” Tim murmured, a name born of reverence. He found the kicker, a practiced motion, and with a single, powerful swing, brought it to life.
THE salty air of the Bass Strait often carries the scent of eucalyptus and damp earth into Tim’s workshop, a humble haven in the heart of Tasmania’s Apple Isle. But today, it carried something else, too — the rich, metallic scent of fresh paint, hot oil, and the quiet triumph of a masterpiece complete. Tim, the unassuming wizard behind No Regret Motorcycles.
It sits as a low-slung, raven-winged beast, born of American iron and Tasmanian grit. If a custom motorbike could whisper stories of freedom and defiance, this one ‘roared’ them. Every line, every curve screamed ‘chopper’. No compromises, no ‘fancy millennial stuff’ requiring a digital technician for even the basics. This was a machine forged from conviction, a protest against the sanitised, over-engineered world.
At its heart, beating with a deep, soulful rhythm, is the Shovelhead engine — American iron in its last glorious hurrah. Tim had chased that sound, that specific resonance, a note not heard from a Harley-Davidson since the Evo had muscled its way forward. Graphite-laden cast-iron barrels, burnished to a dark sheen, promised a growl that would shake the very foundations of the Tasman Highway. This wasn’t just an engine — it was a symphony of raw power.
And what a heart it was. This Shovelhead wasn’t just rebuilt — it was a ground-up resurrection. Bulletproof Delkron cases housed the beast, cradling Keith Black pistons connected to S&S Cycle conrods. Tim had carefully slid a set of S&S 80-cube barrels down over them, and then taken the heads, meticulously porting and polishing them until they gleamed. Black Diamond valves, S&S pushrods, and an Ultima R2 carby — a perfect concoction for mixing air and fuel — completed the internal alchemy. Air entered through an Ultima cleaner, and the burnt gases escaped with a roar through custom pipes, sleekly radiused, that were pure No Regret Motorcycles — a testament to his own craft, presenting no impediment to escape velocity.
The engine, a showcase in itself, was snugly ensconced in a KraftTech rigid frame, just as the chopper gods intended. This was not a ride for the faint of heart, but for those who understood the purity of being connected, unbuffered, to the road. A four-speed gearbox, stuffed with Andrews internals for unwavering reliability, promised longevity. And of course, there was the kicker. A nod to the past, a statement of defiance against electric starters, a deeply satisfying ritual that separated the men from the boys.
Loud and proud up front, that stretched and curved Softail fuel tank showcased the mighty Shovelhead perfectly, leading back to a clean, rigid rear.
The 23-inch Attitude Fat Spoke front wheel, with its jet-black rim, made a bold, aggressive statement, perfectly complemented by the more modest 18-inch at the rear. Both wheels, shod with Avon Cobra rubber, looked perpetually eager to burn down the highway.
On the left side, the Rivera Primo open primary, a three-inch belt, spins with mesmerising purpose, transferring the crankshaft’s revolutions into pure torque for the Harley tranny and the chain final drive.
A low, side-mounted registration holder, finished in show chrome, winks in the workshop light, matching the rear sprocket and the spokes. Chrome, Tim mused, might not always get you home, but damn, it looks sweet.
The 18-inch DNA Monster Apes reached for the sky, mounted on DNA risers. DNA mirrors promised Tim a clear view of everything he’d passed — which, he knew, would be pretty well everything on the road. The levers, the front and rear four-spot brake calipers, the discs, and even the oil tank — all DNA, chosen for their quality and their contribution to the bike’s uncompromised aesthetic.
A Motogadget Digital Mini Speedo, nestled cleanly, offered a discreet nod to modern functionality, showing Tim just how much he could potentially exceed the speed limits by.
A classic Harley-Davidson headlight pointed the way forward, while a custom No Regret Motorcycles taillight would be a mere red blur as this machine flashed past.
For the rider, Tim had fabricated the seat himself — low, shapely, yet with enough padding to absorb the logging truck bumps that peppered the Apple Isle’s back roads. And those guards — front and rear — were also custom No Regret Motorcycles creations, expertly shaped to define that cool, clean chopper profile.
Finally, the paint. Clint Eastoe, a gun painter from across the Strait, had laid on the vivid black, white pearl, and grey pin-striping with surgical precision. The black was so deep, Tim felt he could dive into it, lose himself in its liquid darkness. It was a finish that completed the vision — a rigid ride that was as much a work of art as it was a beast of the road.
Tim stands beside it, a hand resting on the sleek tank. “The ‘wanted’ Shovel,” he murmured, a name born of reverence. He found the kicker, a practiced motion, and with a single, powerful swing, brought it to life.
The Shovelhead coughed once, hesitated, then roared. A deep, resonant thrum vibrated through the ground, vibrating through Tim’s boots, into his very bones. It was the sound of American iron, resurrected and refined, a primeval rumble that carried the promise of open road, of wind in the face, and of pure, unadulterated freedom. This was more than just a motorbike; it was a statement. And as Tim swung over his leg, settling into the handcrafted seat, he knew, with every fibre of his being, that on the roads of Tasmania, this indeed, was a welcome, unforgettable addition.
Who Done What
- Make: 1979 FX street custom Shovelhead
- Frame: KraftTech rigid
- Owner: Tim
- ENGINE
- Make: Shovelhead
- Cubes: 80
- Heads: H-D No Regret Motorcycles port & polished
- Cams: Andrews
- Valves: Black Diamond
- Pistons: Keith Black
- Pushrods & conrods: S&S
- Barrels: S&S
- Cases: Delkron
- Carburettor: Ultima R2
- Air cleaner: Ultima
- Ignition: Dynatek
- Exhaust: Custom No Regret Motorcycles
- TRANSMISSION
- Type: H-D four-speed kicker; Andrews internals
- Clutch: Rivera Primo
- Primary: Rivera Primo 3-inch belt
- Final drive: Chain & sprocket
- WHEELS & TYRES
- Front: Attitude Inc. 23-inch Fat Spoke
- Rear: Attitude Inc. 18-inch Fat Spoke
- Front tyre: Avon Cobra 130/60
- Rear tyre: Avon Cobra 200/60
- Front brake: DNA 4-potter
- Rear brake: DNA 4-spotter
- F/R discs: DNA
- SUSPENSION
- Front-end: H-D
- Triple trees: DNA
- Seat: Custom No Regret Motorcycles
- CONTROLS
- Bars: DNA 18-inch Monster Apes
- Risers: DNA
- Levers: DNA
- Grips: PM knurled rubber
- Mirrors: DNA
- Speedo: Motogadget Digital Mini
- Headlight: H-D
- Taillight: Custom No Regret Motorcycles
- Indicators: LED
- GUARDS & TINWORK
- Front guard: Custom No Regret Motorcycles
- Rear guard: Custom No Regret Motorcycles
- Fuel tank: H-D Softail stretched
- Oil tank: DNA
- PAINT
- Colour: Vivid black, white pearl & grey pin-stripe
- Painter: Clint Eastoe
Words & pics by Knackers
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