The Hindu Business Line : Our very own Harley

IF Harley-Davidson, America's very own motorcycle that has spawned a cult following, is an exclusive set of wheels, the one owned by A.G. Jose of Kochi is, indeed, one of its kind.

No, Jose's motorcycle is not the latest Harley off the block. Take a closer look, and you will find a Royal Enfield Bullet beneath the blue skin.

A mechanic who has studied till Standard XI, Jose himself designed and developed the Harley look-alike by converting a Bullet, after being enamoured of a Harley-Davidson picture in a calendar. "I have never seen a Harley in my life, though I know that there is one in Kochi," he says.

Jose spent Rs 30,000 for a 2000-model Bullet and another Rs 70,000 to convert it. The Bullet has undergone a tremendous change at the hands of the mechanic, who specialises in repairing sports and rally bikes. The fuel tank, rear mudguard, seat base, chain cover, handlebar and silencer are all handmade.

He has sourced most of the other parts from other bikes, such as Bajaj Eliminator, Bajaj Pulsar, Hero Honda CBZ and TVS Fiero. The rear tyre is from an Opel Astra since he could not get a bike tyre wide enough to fit his bike. The Harley-Davidson insignias were sourced from belts sold at duty-paid shops.

While the engine of the Bullet has been left intact, Jose has changed the gear to the left side, unlike in a conventional Bullet, which has the gearshift on the right. He has also used a monocoque suspension at the rear and added disk brakes on both the wheels.

The bike, weighing about 160 kg, returns 20 km per litre, the mechanic claims.

Though it is bound to turn many heads on the street, Jose still can't paint Kochi red (or blue) on his "custom-made Harley" since it is yet to get the necessary approvals from transport authorities. "I will have to improve the front suspension and then I am sure my bike will clear all the tests," he says.

He is willing to sell it provided someone offers the "right price."

And Jose's next project? To alter a normal car into a Formula One machine.

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