Mittwoch, 15. Februar 2012

ARTIST UPDATE 4 - Richi Berchtold







Born in 1966 in Switzerland, Richi soon became interested anything mechanicly and became a machinist by trade. After some more mannagementaly shool he was able to extensivly travel the world on business purpose and hunt for old and vintage iron. From Vincents over Indians, to Crockers to Ducatis, he rode them all, all over the planet. Trough the years he lived in Germany, Great Britain, Spain, France, Slovenia, Thailand, Taiwan, Israel, Malysia, Rio de Janeiro, Norwegen, New York, Botswana, Namibia and finally South Afrika where he scored his first restauration project.
It was a 45 Cu 1941 WLA model. Together with a good old friend he restored it and did a bottom to the top overhaul . He drove this bike for several years until he swapped it for 74 Cu, Big Flat ULH with a side car.
He took this bike home to Switzerland after he left South Africa in 1992 and did the same overhauling and restoring procedure than to his previous 45 Flat, but this time on his own.
18 years later he got hold of 1949 Panhead, 61 Cui. After one year of intensive work he had it back on the Road again. It became a beauty & runs like a raped ape
In the meantime he scored an 84 Evolution Softail for a dime a dozen. Honestly, a Knucklehead basket case would be the project of choice to make that antique set complete, but due to the fact that this winter is a very tuff and a long one and the knuckles are rare he thought, why not turning a more modern bike into something that has a bit of his touch.
Mainly being around Classic Harleys now for almost 24 years he never had the feeling to own anything else at all.
Richi traveled the world for more than 20 years. During this time he met lots of good folks and enthusiast all over, especially if it comes to Classic Harleys. Harleys are his passion cause : A Harley never dies., they only get better with age.
A Harley isn’t just a bike, it’s a way of live and riding one is a feeling you may not be able to explain to anyone unless you have ridden one.
With his well honed skills, and experienced eye for details Richi mixes new materials and technics with antique and vintage motorcycle parts to create bulletproof, badass & reliable tastefull beauties.
You can expect highest levels of restauration combined with that Richi twist in every detail.

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