Ferg's Knuck
HEAVY DUTY Magazine|January - February 2019

Years in the making, this true old school chopper has an unbelievable history.

Ferg's Knuck

When it was a Shovelhead, this chopper was shipped to and ridden around Sweden, as well as featuring in the Norrtelje Custom Bike Show. Say what? Has the ol’ Doc finally lost his marbles? “When it was a Shovelhead?” Shouldn’t this article be in Road Raves ’cause it sure sounds like raving?

Whoa, hold your runaway horses readers, suspend your judgement for a short while and then read on. You see, before it was a Shovelhead, it was a WLA and before that a J Model. Err ... just kidding people. But the story of this cool chopper is a somewhat long and winding road and an absolute testament to its owner/builder’s talent and tenacity, both of which he has in spades.

Few people have either the guts or the know-how to pick up various bike bits and pieces with the intention of building a complete bike, much less a mega-cool, old-skool chopper and then completing it. Peter Fonda eat your heart out.

So let’s piece this story together from the – more or less – beginning, at least the beginning of Ferg’s part in this build.

You see, when the right hand crankcase of this Knuck was coming down the line in Milwaukee, the German ‘Blitzkrieg’ was overwhelming Belgium, Holland and France and the Battle of Britain was being fought. And Harley-Davidson factory workers were still hoping the US would stay out of the war.

Now Ferg began to play his part in this build in 2001 by designing and drawing the frame and then having it fabricated by – now closed – GLH Frames in Gosford, paying extra to have it fully TIG welded. It features a 40 degree rake and a stretch of 6in up and 1½in out. The aforementioned right side case he bought at the Bendigo

This story is from the January - February 2019 edition of HEAVY DUTY Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January - February 2019 edition of HEAVY DUTY Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HEAVY DUTY MAGAZINEView All
Polishing The Facets
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

Polishing The Facets

Finessing the sharp edges and making that 124 sing and dance

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2021
The Fabulous Flexi Flyer
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

The Fabulous Flexi Flyer

A genuine time capsule with history oozing from every single unique pore.

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2021
Road Raves Living The Life With Doc Robinson
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

Road Raves Living The Life With Doc Robinson

WORDS OF WISDOM “When I was old enough to ride a motorcycle and got my license, I bought a ’69 Sportster.” – Chuck Zito

time-read
2 mins  |
July - August 2021
The End Of The Line
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

The End Of The Line

Writing a road test about a bike that is due to disappear from dealers’ floors any minute is a bit weird. Should this be more of a eulogy?

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2021
Now It's Time To Head Down Track
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

Now It's Time To Head Down Track

What happens when I’m ready to race at an IHRA-sanctioned dragstrip?

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2021
RAUCOUS ROCKY
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

RAUCOUS ROCKY

With our own area called the Motorcycle Precinct, bikers were well catered for at this year’s RockyNats

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2021
S&S SUPERSTREET
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

S&S SUPERSTREET

With a Softail Deluxe already dripping in chrome, of course Paul was easily swayed by the offer of a shiny, new S&S SuperStreet two-into-one.

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2021
SPORTS STILL ROARING
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

SPORTS STILL ROARING

Blues skies greeted the National Roaring Sporties racers for Round Two at the challenging Morgan Park Raceway near Warwick, Qld.

time-read
1 min  |
July - August 2021
NO STRINGS ATTACHED
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

NO STRINGS ATTACHED

Even some of the locals are over the yodelling and pedal steel guitars. HOG member and history nerd, Roderick Eime explores another side of Tamworth and the surrounding region.

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2021
HAPPY HOGGIES
HEAVY DUTY Magazine

HAPPY HOGGIES

The drought was well and truly broken with HOG members from all over Australia making it to Rockhampton.

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2021