How a 1981 Harley Sturgis Edition FXE Shovelhead Jumpstarted a Career
Expert Harley mechanic and customizer, Danny ‘The Count’ Koker recalls the Shovelhead that led him into a lifelong motorcycle obsession.
Our first car or motorcycle often holds a special place in our heart. We reminisce about the first ride; remembering how we stalled out three times learning how to work the manual transmission in the middle of rush-hour traffic. Our first time getting forced over by blue lights…or peeling off to avoid them. Our vehicles often become an extension of ourselves. Every bit of work we put into fixing them or making them our own places them deeper into our hearts. Just as special as our first bike, however, can be our first bike of a particular brand we’ve long admired.
In this video, mechanic and customization expert Danny “The Count” Koker of Count’s Kustoms talks about his first Harley-Davidson: a 1981 Sturgis Edition FXE Shovelhead.
He first purchased the bike from his now good friend and fellow-shop owner Davey Cooperider aka “Davey Deals.” Koker first acquired the bike sometime in the late ’80s, early ’90s. He remembers that the bike was running and riding when he purchased it, but definitely in need of a full restoration.
“And I’m terrific with that because I wanted to make it my own,” he says. “But you know me; I’m bad at restoring, I’m great at customizing!”
Koker pours over the many modifications he made to the bike as it sits behind him, perfectly at home amongst the many other custom vehicles in his garage. The ’81 Shovelhead sits long and low with a set of 18″ ape hangers. Adjustable coilovers in the rear and a raked-out frame drop the bike within inches of the floor, which Count admits sends a few sparks through the sharper turns. He also cut down the seat to near non-existence, explaining how he prefers to sit in a bike rather than on top of it.
Like a bat out of hell, the custom airbrushing jumps right out to shock you. Originally, a rather bland bike, Count was bestowed with some stellar artwork courtesy of the late, great Nick Lee. A pair of wicked vampire skulls grace either side of the black 5 gallon Fat Bob tank. Lee went to the great lengths of utilizing a photo of Count’s face to shape the features of the skeleton faces. The flowing hairs of the vampire skulls transform into flame as they travel towards the rear of the bike.
These same features are repeated on the front and rear first-generation Taildragger fenders lending to the bike’s sinister look. Heavy use of chrome accents, a Cat-Eye Dash, tombstone speedometer, and a 21″ wheel and tire setup round out the remaining cosmetic features.
On top of being a gnarly ride in its own right, Koker talks about how his Harley was also camera ready. The bike was featured alongside Koker when he served as host of host of Saturday Fright at the Movies. Koker played a character named “Count Cool Rider,” naturally. His Elvis-loving, Vegas-dwelling, vampire biker who guided viewers through each week’s horror flick. Each episode opened with the Count journeying through the nocturnal streets of Vegas atop his menacing mechanical steed.
This is one rad bike anyone would be proud to own, and Koker is entertaining in the video. His passion for Harley has spawned not only an enviable collection, but a successful career. But when he thinks of his first Harley, a smile beams off his face. Try not to get excited with him, we dare you.