Harley-Davidson Flathead Sidecar Masterpiece

Although all winners of the Custom Chrome Europe Championship Series that I featured at the beginning of the week impress me for their creativity, the beauty and craftsmanship on this Harley Flathead Sidecar makes it my favorite to feature. The best 3-wheeler I have seen in many, many years. Samuele Reali (and his crew of friends) at Abnormal Cycles in Brianza near Milan is already well known in Europe for his amazing creations and restorations. And when he uncovers a rare find like this 1942 Harley-Davidson model U 74″(1213 cc), even in a very bad shape, you can expect the best from a team ready to work up to one year, including many nights, to produce no less than a masterpiece.

After painstakingly rebuilding the V-twin side-valve engine and restoring what was original parts in their possession, the Italian boys decided to do some restyling, noably hand fabricating new forks. Then it was time to go sidecar hunting all over Europe and  the only one they found was a 1956 model in a terrible condition, necessitating a full rebuild of the rear and under part, then requiring a lot of intense labor to adapt it to the original 1942 Harley-Davidson frame.

Sidecar wood interior is the work Davide Aresi, an expert in revitalizing old art and at creating custom furniture. Bike wheels, front & rear 18″, come from Jonich and are dressed with 1958 Intalian Ceat tires. Brakes are from Kustom Tech. And the paint job you are going to ask? Well, listen to this.Luca Zuchelli hand covered all body with titanium leaf, about 3000 leaves have been used… Then they shot 20 coats of clear and to finish a coat of candy black! Well, I know many bikers who would love to play the delivery boy using such a masterpiece. Last weekend, it won the Best Modified Harley Class and the Best Jammer Class at the CCE Championship in Germany. You may see it in Sturgis in August. Abnormal Cycles Italy. (pictures copyright Onno Wieringa (Madness-photography), H. Roesler & F. Sander for Cyril Huze)

33 Responses to “Harley-Davidson Flathead Sidecar Masterpiece”


  1. 1 leston Apr 1st, 2011 at 8:44 am

    SICK!

  2. 2 IAN Apr 1st, 2011 at 8:51 am

    I have never wanted a bike and sidecar until now – amazing.

  3. 3 Rod Apr 1st, 2011 at 9:00 am

    Without you Cyril, very few would know about the masterpieces built around the world. Great job you are doing. This sidecar is the best I have ever seen. Love the wood work too. Any more pictures of the inside?

  4. 4 Johny Apr 1st, 2011 at 9:02 am

    Wow!

  5. 5 BadMonkeyMW Apr 1st, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Absolutely beautiful. An amazing example of what someone can do with creativity and craftsmanship.

  6. 6 Brenda Fox Apr 1st, 2011 at 9:15 am

    That is stunning! Thank you Cyril for keeping us informed and finding and sharing awesome finds with us.

  7. 7 Woody Apr 1st, 2011 at 9:38 am

    Beautiful machine! Love the low looks and that rear brake is sick. Love it!!!!!

  8. 8 chopmonster66 Apr 1st, 2011 at 9:58 am

    This is a very nice peice of work , the craftmenship is wonderful , great job ..

  9. 9 Geno Apr 1st, 2011 at 9:59 am

    ahhh that is so fine
    leave it to the italians

    viva Italy

    Geno

  10. 10 fluke Apr 1st, 2011 at 10:12 am

    I have been looking at the pics of this bike over at DBBP and Abnormal cycles websites all week. I just keep going back for another look.

    I don’t think I have ever liked bike more than this one. Not a single feature or part is less than 100% perfect IMO. Pure Art Deco.

    I am in love. Awesome work guys.

  11. 11 Rob Campbell Apr 1st, 2011 at 11:06 am

    Love the styling and class this thing exhibits. Is this what some refer to as steampunk? I’m still trying to figure that out, but this seems to point in that direction.

    I’d like to echo the senitment about what you bring us–this blog is a lightning rod for worldwide bike builder treats.

  12. 12 burnout Apr 1st, 2011 at 11:30 am

    Titanium leaf?? Would LOVE to stumble into that forest!! peace

  13. 13 Larry R Apr 1st, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    Stunning! Excellent beauty. Truly an artist at work. Just fantastic.

  14. 14 chopperfreak29 Apr 1st, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    Awesome. Pure awesome. I love every inch of it.

  15. 15 Wikked Steel Apr 1st, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    Gorgeous!

  16. 16 Iron Horse Apr 1st, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous bike and a really stunning model to go with it. What more could you ask for in life?

  17. 17 Dale Apr 2nd, 2011 at 7:17 am

    A pure work of art. It’s beautiful. Bravo!!

  18. 18 martin Twofeather Apr 2nd, 2011 at 9:04 am

    Possitively the best….

  19. 19 freedomlaw Apr 2nd, 2011 at 9:54 am

    Thank you Cyril. I love this website and blog.

  20. 20 dannyb278 Apr 2nd, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Beutifull bike, much better than that “trike” and other bikes posted above.

  21. 21 Bigalyts Apr 2nd, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    Cyrill, I never new there were so many “Gay” Doodes out there ! F_ Ck the Bike !!!!!! Give me that Fox, that Gorgeous Sexy Long Legged, Piece of Sweet Tasting, Chick! While you Guys are wanting more Pictures of the Inside of the Side Car……I’m trying to imagine If She is “Fully Shaved” or has a “Landing Strip” ? Cyrill, thatks for Scanning the International Circut and comming up with Her. One more thing…..Do you think She is a True “Red” ?

  22. 22 Sterling Apr 3rd, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    To ‘Bigalyts’ – what a sad act you are.
    Go play with your little winky elsewhere (‘cos I doubt anyone else ever has or will).
    I pity the fool.

  23. 23 RogerG Apr 4th, 2011 at 11:54 am

    Wonderful machine and sidecar guys ! love it. Dude two above me, there is plenty of free porn on the internet…how about going there and not coming back unless you have something worthy of contributing…

  24. 24 Alan K Apr 4th, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    Hope to see this amazing bit of mechanical craftsmanship up close and personally. There is feeling of Italian art tradition that just permeates this bike.

  25. 25 Joe Cooper Apr 4th, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    Makes me want to go out and build a side car to zoom around with my wife and daughter. Great work, the full fenders, the handlebars, colors…really a timeless look!

  26. 26 nick Apr 4th, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    There really aren’t enough words to describe this work of Art correctly.
    Maybe some of the supposed winners of the American event should look at how a bike should actually flow.
    This is gorgeous.
    Nicest bike I have seen in YEARS.

  27. 27 Bigalyts Apr 4th, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    Hello RogerG why didn’t you write something Original about the Bike & Side Car? Sterling, I don’t know how you saw my Little winky, but u must have! Why would that Sexy Chick be a part of the Photo of that immaculate restored Harley Sidecar? Cause they want the essence of Beauty in the photo, you PUTZ ! I understand that a little humor is also a feature that is allowed on Cyrill Huze Blog. I am really sorry that I hit a sore spot with the Gay thing you two !

  28. 28 RogerG Apr 4th, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    Bigass i don’t feel the need to critique others work so much as enjoy it for what it is, yes i could break it down and analyze it or point out the obvious, but more important I would say as a bike builder,is to acknowledge others great work and dedication… helps make it all worthwhile.

  29. 29 JC Apr 4th, 2011 at 8:44 pm

    Quote:
    “Cyrill, I never new there were so many “Gay” Doodes out there ! F_ Ck the Bike !!!!!! Give me that Fox, that Gorgeous Sexy Long Legged, Piece of Sweet Tasting, Chick! While you Guys are wanting more Pictures of the Inside of the Side Car……I’m trying to imagine If She is “Fully Shaved” or has a “Landing Strip” ? Cyrill, thatks for Scanning the International Circut and comming up with Her. One more thing…..Do you think She is a True “Red” ?”

    Let’s see if I understand you.
    Everyone is gay but you want to “F_ Ck the Bike !!!!!! ” that’ll hurt?
    Then you change your mind and want to f_Ck an animal?? Gross!
    Then you change your mind again and now want to f_Ck some poultry? You need help?

    I don’t see any door handles on the side car so yeah “fully shaved”
    And it’s for the road not the air so no landing strip needed.

    I think we all got it.

    By the way, usually pics don’t do bikes justice and if this is the case here then this bike is incredible.
    Excellent work!

  30. 30 Hotrod Apr 6th, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    freakin awsome BUT how do you get the wheel and tire into those 270 degree wrap around fenders?

  31. 31 jatinder pal Apr 8th, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    Amazing piece of work….the builder had done very nice job…..fabrication,design and color selection makes hell of bike+sidecar.

  32. 32 Rabbit Apr 17th, 2011 at 7:53 am

    Sidehacks are much better looking than trikes, and Spyders. This rig is awesome. =:0)

  33. 33 stormin norman Sep 25th, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    this was done, obviously, by a group that loves motorcycles and i’m glad they do. so cool! oh by the way, why put a chick in the pic, it detracts from the beauty of the cycle – just sayin’

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