Harley-Davidson FXE Chopper Infuses the Shovelhead Platform With Tons of Custom Flair

Even though the chopper craze has died down on the custom bike scene a few years ago, you will still come across a great exemplar every now and again. Case in point, the specimen we’re about to look at is a fantastic note to end the year on, hailing from Dorset, England and looking absolutely spectacular. It is the work of one Graeme Billington, an amateur builder whose skills are on par with professionals.

He has all the time in the world to focus on his custom builds, having been medically pensioned out of the military a while back. The discharge came as a result of his right arm being paralyzed while he was serving in Afghanistan, but Graeme saw an opportunity where others would’ve only seen tragedy. He’d long been fond of motorcycle customization, more specifically the chopper segment from back in the day.

And so it was time for him to really dedicate himself in that direction, something he never quite had the chance to do during active service. He’s pieced together a number of great machines since he got started, and today we’re here to talk about his latest endeavor. We are, of course, referring to the classy bespoke chopper pictured above – a genuine masterpiece dripping with style.

It all started with a Harley-Davidson FXE Super Glide from the model-year 1979, which was a very attractive deal for Graeme given his plans. On the one hand, the bike had already been dismantled by the previous owner, so it came as a collection of parts rather than a fully assembled runner. There were no missing bits and everything appeared to be in good condition.

Then there was the donor’s Shovelhead V-twin powerplant, which had already been treated to an all-inclusive rebuild before our protagonist got his hands on it. The mill came with re-bored cylinders and replacement cylinders, as well as fresh rings, gaskets, and bearings. In addition, its heads, rocker covers, and exterior cases were all vapor-blasted to look as good as they did on day one.

Just about everything around the engine is brand-new, though, including the neat hardtail frame that cradles it. Graeme could’ve tackled the fabrication work himself, but he ultimately decided that outsourcing it to Craig House would yield the best possible result. The outcome was as good as he expected, and then it came time to tackle the rest of the build with vigor.

At the front end, the project’s author fitted a shiny springer fork setup dripping with authentic chopper flavor. It connects to a sturdy four-piston brake caliper from Lowbrow Customs down low, which engages a drilled rotor to stop that 19-inch front hoop. Things are rather complex at the rear, too, where you will see a 16-inch wheel shod in the same type of retro-looking rubber as the front unit.

Stopping power back there is generated by a two-piston Brembo caliper, operated through a Lockheed-Wagner master cylinder and a HEL Performance brake line. The bodywork is yet another stand-out feature on this chopped Super Glide, with the centerpiece being a peanut-style gas tank capable of storing eight liters (2.1 gallons). Right behind it lies a rad bespoke saddle upholstered by Holy Goat Custom Motorcycle Seats.

Graeme fitted an off-the-shelf oil tank from Lowbrow Customs underneath, along with a sizeable rear fender and a tall sissy bar. The latter was built to support the license plate, while an LED taillight is placed low down on the left near the axle. And to illuminate the way ahead, a Lucas headlight was attached to the springer forks at the front, right in front of a very interesting cockpit area.

A tall and wide handlebar takes up the real estate up there, sporting a single rear-view mirror on the right. And because this was going to be Graeme Billington’s personal ride, he made the controls suitable for his condition by using a Kliktronic K-Lever2 clutch and brake system. The setup integrates both levers on the left-hand side, where you will also find the throttle.

Other bits worth mentioning here are the Jicaya Machine Shop foot pegs and those stunning stainless-steel exhaust pipes. Moreover, the Shovelhead motor is fed through a Keihin carburetor topped with a custom air cleaner, which looks absolutely sensational just like everything else on this modded Harley. And lastly, the paint job was outsourced to Airy Arts in order to ensure the best possible outcome.

The bodywork and rigid frame were finished in a black base, with the former also receiving some snazzy flame graphics done in white. Other goodies are either covered in chrome plating or beautifully polished for a lustrous finish, concluding a monochromatic yet very intriguing color scheme. Now, we can probably all agree that Graeme has knocked this project out of the park, so it hopefully won't be long until we see more like it.