Vale Neale 'Brum' Brumby

The Australian motorcycle industry has lost one of its favourite sons, with former motorcycle magazine editor and publisher Neale Brumby succumbing to cancer on Tuesday, September 1.

'Brum' was a much-loved and well-respected figure on Australia's motorcycle scene, who turned his two-wheeled passion into a flourishing career.

Born in Hobart, Brum spent some of his early years in Papua New Guinea and later Townsville, before eventually settling in Melbourne. There he earned a living as a motorcycle salesman, first at Melbourne Suzuki and then for BMW, before spending several years selling Harley-Davidsons at Melbourne's Harley Heaven dealership on Elizabeth Street.

Then, with wife Viv, the pair purchased Harley and custom-bike magazine Heavy Duty in 2001. With Brum's love of bikes, deep knowledge of Harleys, and formidable sales skills, and Viv's automotive publishing nous (having previously worked on titles like AMCN and Motorsport News), the venture proved a winning combination.

The pair set about modernising Heavy Duty and moving it away from its outlaw-edged origins, ditching the 'adults-only' theme and broadening its appeal for more mainstream Harley owners and those who could afford to spend tens of thousands on a custom bike. And, as it turned out, just as the mega-buck custom craze was starting to gain some serious momentum…

Neatly complementing the business was Heavy Duty Tours, which over the years saw Brum and Viv take countless Australian Harley fans on their two-wheeled 'trip of lifetime', taking in some of America's best roads and destinations, along with the iconic Sturgis Rally.

And when Brum wasn't working away towards the next magazine deadline or attending a rally or other motorcycle event, he could often be found battling it out on the track, or just enjoying a track day. And whether he was out there on a Harley, a Buell, or anything else with two wheels and an engine, he gave it his all, just like he did in every other area of his life.

Brum was a true gentlemen of the Aussie motorcycle scene, loved for his quick wit, keen intellect and big heart. And over all his industrious activity on the work front towered his devotion to his family – to Viv and their four children.

Brum was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and sold Heavy Duty earlier this year. He lost his fight on Tuesday (September 1) in Melbourne, aged 63. Bikesales extends its deepest sympathies to his wife, Viv, sons Aiden and Dex, and daughters Mia and Scarlett, and all his friends and family.

Vale Neale 'Brum' Brumby.