Shovelhead shows, takes class

Joe Gaspari, owner of HiTech Auto in Saratoga, rode his custom 1976 Harley Davidson FX to the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and came home a winner.

Gaspari said he read an article in "American Iron" magazine about their Indian Motorcycle & Classic American Iron Show for pre-1984 bikes, which had no entry fee. He decided to enter and ended up winning the Custom Class in the show.

The type of Harley Gaspari rides is known as a shovelhead because of the shape of the cylinder heads on top of the engine. Gaspari bought the bike in the same configuration that it rolled off the factory line and made many modifications putting it into the custom class.

Gaspari started by cutting the frame and elongating the bike. He also swapped the front fork for a wider and longer model. Because the bike has a longer wheelbase than the stock model Gaspari said it rides better down the highway, comparing the difference between a Jeep CJ and a Suburban on the road. "Plus, for me, it's the lines," Gaspari said noting the more triangular shape the frame of the bike has now.

A new gas tank, rear brake, electric starter and ignition systems are other additions to the shovelhead. When Gaspari elongated the frame he also decided to move the foot controls forward. A small touch that Gaspari said the judges at the show pointed out are red, anodized aluminum screw caps that add a touch of color to the chrome and black machine.

This was not Gaspari's first trip to Sturgis. He said he attended the rally from 1975 to 1979 and has been going every year since 2003. He always rides to Sturgis and said he won't trailer his bike to the rally until he can't ride anymore.