"The Bomber" Harley-Davidson custom

As the custom motorcycle scene grows in leaps and bounds, even the manufacturers are getting in on the action, with Harley-Davidson Australia announcing the winner of its "Judgement Day" build-off.

The competition tasked all Harley-Davidson dealerships in Australasia to come up with their own vision of the ultimate customised H-D Forty-Eight, and much to gall of Australian dealers, the winner was New Zealand-based Rolling thunder Harley Davidson in Christchurch.

While Rolling Thunder's entry "The Bomber" (first two images) took the 'Best Overall' prize, Harley-Davidson of Blacktown won the 'Original Concept' prize for their "Year 48" custom (third image).

The 'Best Low Budget' Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight was awarded to Harley Heaven Ringwood for "The Rodster" (fourth image).

Follow the HarleyJudgementDay.com.au link for the official competition website.

Adrian O’Donoughue, the Australian and New Zealand marketing director for Harley-Davidson, said all the entries impressed the judges, and showed how much passion there was in the custom scene, and heaped praise on the New Zealand crew.

"It's a great honour for all of our winners, especially Rolling Thunder. To be crowned the best of the best for customisation in a field of very experienced and dedicated Harley lovers is terrific achievement. They've taken the Forty-Eight and used it as a metal canvas to make it their own," said O’Donoughue.

Chris Elles, the managing director of Rolling Thunder in Christchurch, was justifiably chuffed, saying: "The team here at Rolling Thunder is simply blown away by the Harley-Davidson "Judgement Day" result. We were really happy with The Bomber 48 we created and while it was friendly and great fun, with so many other outstanding bikes entered from the other dealers it was fiercely contested.

"We really must thank our local motorcycle community for their support, those who voted for the Bomber 48 and all the other dealerships who participated," added Elles.

There was also a consumer element to the "Judgement Day" custom build-off competition, where thousands of backyard wrench slingers had to complete various challenges to be crowned winner and get the chance to design their own custom Forty-Eight.

The field was condensed down to just over 900 people who qualified through the initial challenges "designed to test their commitment, knowledge and worthiness" according to the H-D press statement. But just like Highlander, there can be only one... Ron Smith from Leeming, Western Australia was the reigning champion.

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