1977 Harley Bomber Bobber

Justin, who runs DP Customs in Phoenix, Arizona, United States made available these pictures of this striking 1977 Harley Ironhead Bomber Bobber motorcycle. This HD custom Bobber is adorned with the all time classic “Memphis Belle” bomber nose art on a riveted fuel tank!

Justin: “I spent a lot of time on the tins to get them to look like old fashioned airplane construction. I think it really gives the bike an old post war feel, and is a blast to ride.”

Justin: “She’s got a 1000cc ironhead, custom strut rear fender to keep the lines low and a 15 year old solo seat that’s still in good shape.”

1977 Harley Ironhead Bomber Bobber motorcycle.

Justin’s Airplane Rivet Simulation

Justin: “I scored lines in the metal to make it look like separate sheets were used and then used my MIG to tack simulated rivets along the lines. (I had to practice for a while with different welder settings to get the right effect before I did my handywork).

They were then painted black and wire brushed to bare metal to give the rivets more contrast.
I laid on the custom made Memphis Belle images and then cleared with 6 coats.”

Origins of the Memphis Belle

World War II bomber nose art is a beautiful source for Oldschool themes.

The “Memphis Belle” was one of the first B-17 Flying Fortresses that completed 25 combat missions during the Second World War, bombing cities and industrial complexes in France, the Netherlands and Germany. (The first B17 to complete 25 missions was the “Hells Angels”)

Pilot Robert K. Morgan, who was from Memphis, came up with the name after he saw the movie “Lady for a Night” in which there is a river boat named “Memphis Belle”.

The original art for the Memphis Belle is by American pin-up artist George Petty and first appeared in the Esquire Magazine’s April 1941 issue. The model is Marjorie Petty, daughter of the artist.