・Owned by Hairy Biker, Simon King

・Built by Nick Gale

・Outstanding overall condition

Bikes and customisation have gone hand in hand for decades. Yes, a standard bike is lovely, but the base requirements of a frame and two wheels mean that for people of a creative sort, there is no limit to what can be done. Furthermore, this creativity and expression of self through the medium of metal can be hugely rewarding. This bike is evidence of that. You see, while it is indeed a custom, the manner in which it came to be is not like others. 

The man behind the bike, Nick Gale of Nick Gale Custom Cycles, oversaw its construction as part of the work done by The Archway Project. This charity enables young people in the London area to come together and learn new skills. This bike is the product of that. Built by keen hands, under the watchful eye of Gale, they teamed together and built the bike that is now known as Purple Haze. And now, this marvellous machine could be yours.

The bike was completed around 2012, but wasn’t registered for the road until 2015. Once built, the bike was used to promote NGCC and of course, The Archway Project. Finished in a deep metal flake purple hue, it is powered by a 1,640cc Ultima V Twin engine mated to a belt-drive Ultima 6-speed transmission. The seat is low, the handlebars high and the exhaust loud. It’s a brash, bonkers, in your face machine that is most definitely not for the shy and retiring types. 

Once the bike was finished, it was paraded at a number of shows and events to promote both NGCC and of course, The Archway Project. Eventually, it found itself crossing the auction block at a charity event held at the London Savoy. And it was there, in a flurry of bidding and thanks to lots of encouragement from the lads who built it, that Simon King of ‘Hairy Bikers’ fame secured the winning bid. The bike was then registered, given it’s Newcastle registration and has been with Simon ever since. Now though, it’s going up for auction once again, but this time it’s your chance to secure that winning bid.

There is a V5 present for the bike, as well as a past MOT. The bike is currently on SORN and there is no current MOT. However, should the bike meet reserve, an MOT can be arranged.

As you can see, this chopper presents very well indeed. The paint is exceptional across the entirety of the bike, with no marks or damage to be seen. The bike has had minimal use since being built (there is no odometer, so we’re unable to give an exact figure, but we’re told it’s fewer than 1,000 miles). There are custom touches all over over the bike (outside of the manner in which it has been built|) such as the recessed detail in the fuel tank, the ‘Purple Haze’ graphics and so on. The exhaust shoots up almost vertical, as does the tall pointed rear loop. It’s very ‘easy rider’ in the way it looks. 

The chrome is all in excellent condition including the wheels and the details like the polished Wilwood calipers and custom discs. There is some slight corrosion on some of the fixings, which we have captured in the pictures. Nothing of any concern. 

The seat is in good condition, the tyres, braided lines are excellent and there are no signs of leaks. The bents on the transmission are in good order, as are the kickstands and other lower components. 

Simon has barely used the bike, and has instead had it in dry, warm storage. As such, it presents almost exactly as it did that night a few years ago in the Savoy. It’s a striking looking machine that doesn’t disappoint when you get up close. It’s a well built, well cared for custom bike that has yet to truly start its life. That last part is very much down to you.

The V Twin engine has never, nor will ever be an engine that one could describe as subtle. This one, however, with its ear-level exhausts is even more shouty. Make no mistake, when you ride this beast, people will look. They’ll have no choice, as the snarl from the engine will demand much in the way of turned heads. 

It fires up on the button and sounds utterly beastly. There is no smoke, nor any untoward noises from what we could tell. It revs with a pleasing snappiness and offers no unwanted pops, coughs or splutters. The belts are tight, and we’re told by the vendor that the six-speed transmission shifts with ease and without issue. The brakes are strong, but are also still in a ‘bedding in’ period. The tyres are excellent, too. 

We’re advised that due to having been stored for the last 18 months or so, a shakedown is going to be needed, but merely to ease the bike back into use. In essence, it’s a new machine, so there are no issues that one needs to watch out for.

It’s a radical, bold machine that makes no apologies for being a bit in your face. One of those machines that will never fail to get the attention of anyone with a five mile radius, which is about the distance you can hear it from! It’s also a bike with a fun, interesting and positive story behind it. It’s been owned by one of TV’s most well-known personalities and as such, it presents as a truly unique opportunity. If you want a bike that can be ridden and also used as a statement piece, this is most definitely it, make no mistake! 

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