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Spaz
made plans to have the bike painted in August 1999. The photo to the left
was taken after Spaz washed and buff-polished his blue storm clouded,
lightning bolted tank for the last time, for a last photo session. After
this session, Harley D was taken down to the shop by a very sad Spaz.
He was happy that the bike would be fully his now, in design and concept,
but he was sad because he knew that he was looking at a long time before
he would see his precious bike again.
Once at the shop, the fenders and oil and gas tanks were removed so they
could be taken to the artist to be painted. This would be the last time
Spaz would see his Harley D in one piece for awhile. He didn't say anything,
but I knew he was nervous at how it would come out. He didn't tell me
he was ridden with anxiety until he'd gone to the artist's studio and
seen the paint itself on the tanks and fenders. It is just beautiful.
It is NOTHING like it used to look like. Take
a look at our first look at the new paint.
Harley D was painted by hard rock band Pantera's artist in 1999. Do you
believe that? If it could be any more cool, I don't know how. Spaz chose
the basic colors and design and then turned it over to Ric Duppstadt Graphix.
Spaz' beloved Harley D went into a cocoon hibernation. What she would
look like upon waking was unknown. Spaz was nervous during the wait, but
delighted by the end results.
Spaz was so happy when he
brought Harley D home after the wide forks, he'd missed his baby like
crazy. He was getting cranky and mean (ha ha -- well, cranky anyway.)
He'd waited long enough. For three weeks we drove it around; the weather
was great. Spaz was able to take it to work and show it off a little.
The last week of August 1999 the bike went to the shop where fenders and
tanks would be removed and taken to be custom painted by an upcoming artist.
A few things were to be done to the bike while the metal was being painted,
but nothing earth-shatteringly major. In October 1999 the paint is done,
but the bike's still in the shop. It was in the show until Halloween!
They did a terrible job on putting the bike back together. They didn't
bolt all bolts and, as a result of that, the tank fell and got a slight
scratch in it. It's hidden well, but we know that IT'S THERE.
When the newly paint fenders, oil
and gas tankwere were brought home, Spaz put the tank on the hood of his
truck so I could take some shots. Within seconds a butterfly lit upon
it. That was pretty cool. What was hilarious, however, was that Spaz got
all bent out of shape, like the butterfly's gonna leave these huge, paint
ruining footprints! Anal about the bike, did I say that already?
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