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[Don Clady]

THERE'S A NEW TRIBUTE BIKE ON THE BLOCK.

Move over Marine Corp Tribute Bike, O.C.C. Rocky Hill Veterans Home Bike , The 9/11 Memorial Bike, and the O.C.C. P.O.W. Bike, because theres a new kid on the block and its 30 years over due. Its time to welcome our Vietnam Veterans home and that is exactly what Vietnam Veteran Robert Harris has done with the " 173rd. Airborne Vietnam Tribute Bike".

Robert is not a bike fabricator but once his 1985 Harley Davidson FXST turned 20 years old in 2005 he felt his bike was well overdue for a make over. First came the paint job on the Tanks and Fenders. Then came the Machets running down both sides of the queen seat with Roberts Vietnam medals epoxyed on. He didn't do it for show but rather to make a personal statement.

The other Tribute Bikes came out honoring our Marine Corp. brothers and those in Iraq but it wasn't until Robert Heard the song "The 8th. Of November 1965" introduced by Chris Christaferson did it run a chill through his vains and inspired him to go all out with the Vietnam Tribute Bike.

Robert Harris was on operation Hump in Vietnam on November 8th. 1965 with Bravo Company of the lst. Battalion of the 173rd. Airborne Brigade (" Separate ") and he literally took the song personally and used it as a motivator to have this bike built.

Unlike the other Tribute Bikes and most other bikes you see at motorcycle shows Roberts Bike is not a totally fabricated bike. It is designed around his 1985 Harley Davidson FXST. The frame remains the same as does the front end , tanks and fenders. The engine is still a stock1340 C.C. engine with the only change being an S. & S. E series Carborator. What makes this bike different is the ornaments added for affect.

The first small show Robert entered his bike in was Bridgeport Harley's "Show What You Ride" last year and walked away with Peoples Choice Best in Show.

With the bike not completely done over Robert entered the bike into Easy Rider Bike show on 14th. April 2007 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Needless to say the bike made quite a hit and Robert walked away with " Best Display " and Peoples Choice 3rd Best in Show.

Robert was invited to enter his "173rd. Airborne Vietnam Tribute Bike in the Super Sunday Show and hopes to have it completed by then.

" I support all our brothers in all branches of the military in all wars past and present "stated Harris " Its time to welcome our Vietnam Vets home and this is my way of welcoming my brothers home . Its been over 30years and well over due".

The next Journey for this bike will be the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day.

From :
Robert Harris