HARLEY-DAVIDSON 110TH BIRTHDAY PARTY MELBOURNE

The worldwide marking Harley's century-plus-ten in the business of making great motorcycles actually kicked off last year, and have been wending their way around the globe since.

Australia's turn came on April 12 - 14, when the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Experience was held at the Seaworks facility, located on the waterfront at Williamstown, Victoria. With plenty of outside and undercover display space for all the exhibits and activities, the venue was perfect for the party, which attracted over 2,500 visitors across all three days.

Attendees could check out the H-D Experience tent and H-D1 Custom Shop, have a go on the Jumpstart demos, Dyno Drag simulators, and even test ride the 2013 Harley-Davidson range. The H-D museum showcased Harley history, presenting a wide cross section of Harleys, from 1914 to the present day, as well as a selection of race bikes and even a replica of the shed where the first Harley-Davidson was built way back in 1903.

On the Saturday, a massive Show and Shine saw dozens of bikes turn up for the chance to win what were definitely collectable trophies, while Sunday's main attraction was the 'Thunder Ride,' where an estimated two thousand Harley riders went for a tour of Williamstown and surrounds.

A DJ and live music featured on both days, with the highlight being Saturday night's exclusive performance by Jimmy Barnes. Harley's massive Freightliner merchandise truck was packed with the range of 110th Anniversary-branded goodies, Harley apparel and gift items. There was even 110th Anniversary Shiraz and Chardonnay available*. A steady stream of punters kept the merchandise crew busy all weekend, while Brushfire from Brisbane was just as busy, airbrushing partygoers' helmets and fairings. Brushfire also created a big mural for the H-D Museum area.

A major drawcard across both days were the shows put on by Matt Mingay. The Harley-mounted stunt maestro wowed the crowd with his impressive bike control, and also let them in on a few of the secrets of his specially kitted-out Sportster. While his stunts were impressive, the crowd favourites were undoubtedly the tyre-smoking burnouts.

Hot rods joined the party for their own display on Saturday, with other highlights being the sight of a pair of police-spec Harleys (which were actually ridden by Victoria's boys in blue during the Thunder Run), and a whole bunch of interesting bikes parked outside the Seaworks venue.

With Australia's leg of the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary Experience concluded, the party moves on to other locations, with a major party scheduled for Rome, Italy, in June. The big one, though, will be in Milwaukee this August, when the home of Harley-Davidson will see the 110th Anniversary celebrations wrapped up with a truly mammoth party.

Show n Shine

On Saturday, dozens of Harleys; new, old, mild and wild turned out for the Show n Shine. There were ten prize categories, including a 'People's Choice' and 'Ladies of Harley (LOH),' with most Harley model families well represented.

Standouts included a trophy-winning V-Rod created by Pega Custom Choppers with highly-detailed paint and custom touches from nose to tail. For classic Harley fans, a restored 1943 FL knucklehead, one of only 33 built in that wartime year, was another highlight and a worthy trophy winner in its class.

Not a trophy winner, but still a standout machine was the one-of-30 Commemorative Edition Softail created in the style of Elvis Presley's 1957 Hydra Glide.

Matt Mingay

Matt Mingay, Australia's best-known motorcycle stunt rider, kept the punters entertained all weekend with his stunt shows. Mingay is one of the few stunt riders worldwide, and certainly the only one in Australia, to use a Harley-Davidson for his performances.

Mingay pulled out a bunch of impressive moves from his trick bag, with both slow and high speed stunts getting the crowd cheering. More impressively, Mingay got his girlfriend, Sheena, involved for a number of manoeuvres, too. With Sheena draped over the bars, or hanging off the tail, Mingay proved there is room for two on a stunt bike!

As much as the punters loved the stunts, the biggest applause came for the burnouts. It seems everyone loves a lot of smoke and being pelted with crumbs of hot rubber, so Mingay was happy to oblige!

Thunder Run

For many, Sunday's 'Thunder Run' was the highlight of the whole party. An estimated 2,000 Harley riders took part in the hour-long ride, which started from the Williamstown foreshore, taking in the local surrounds, before returning to Seaworks.

What was reported to be the oldest running Harley in Australia - a 1914 Model 10-F from Dave Reidie's Harley City Museum - led the Thunder Run, followed by a pair of specially prepared Police-spec FLHTP Electra Glides. The convoy was so big that a helicopter had to used to capture images of the sheer number of bikes and riders that took part.

H.O.G. chapters were well represented on the ride, with individual riders on everything from classic panheads to the latest tourers. There were even a couple of trikes and sidecar outfits amongst the plethora of bikes that rumbled their way through Williamstown (the sound was fantastic, by the way!). Matt Mingay joined the Thunder Run, too, on his custom Road Glide.

On the Street

While some great bikes featured inside the Seaworks precinct, there were plenty of impressive machines located outside, too. The streets were packed with a plethora of Harleys, ranging from old to new, plus a bunch of very cool custom creations.

What was interesting to note was the mix of old school and new style customs, with Prozac and Pega Custom bikes particular standouts. We also loved the custom pipes and old-school AMF-style tank on the 'AGD' custom 2012 model Blackline Softail.