BLUE HAZE: 1978 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SHOVELHEAD CHOPPER
She makes you dream, she makes you dizzy... Blue Haze was born in a small
town in Italy called Latina by the hands of custom builder Mirko Marinelli and commissioned by Lorenzo Cisi.
It’s an aggressive yet elegant chopper built using a 1978 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead 1340cc engine.The inspiration comes from 1960’s psychedelic designs and the work of builders such as Tom Fugle.
BUILDING A SHOVELHEAD CHOPPER
Starting from a blank Pauchgo frame Mirko worked intensively to shape the lines of the bike, creating unique molding features directly onto the frame, gas tank, oil tank and fender. All has been achieved using only but pure metal.
The result is a stunning design which features lines that reminds the ocean’s waves and manta rays. The build took around 9 months and was completed only a day before her first appearance at the Eternal City Custom Show held in Rome.
Lorenzo testing out some bars and how the controls feel. 
Mirko Marinelli getting ready to install the oil tank. 
Installed an S&S oil pump onto the motor.
HARLEY CHOPPER TRIP FROM ITALY TO LONDON, ENGLAND
Right after the Italian show Lorenzo rode the bike from Latina, Italy all the way to London where she attended the Helter Skelter 101 show in Margate, taking part of the ride out from Margate.
During COVID Lorenzo relocated to the Canary Islands and rode Blue Haze all the way to Lanzarote (in the Canary Islands) and crossing from north to south the entire country of Spain.
Blue haze enjoyed burning rubber on incredible coastal roads and volcanic landscapes of Canary islands for almost one year and took part of an awesome ride out happening every year in Gran Canaria called: “Deal After Death”.
In the sun that blue pops into a teal.
Rolling heavy in the Canary Islands.
Lorenzo relocated to Los Angeles recently and couldn’t live with the thought of not having Blue Haze in his garage, so he immediately flew to Canaries, brought the bike back to Rome and shipped his machine to California where finally she can enjoy the coast and desert roads she’s meant to explore.
Now, Lorenzo’s dream is to ride with Blue Haze the entire Route 66.
Check out more of builder Mirko Marinelli's work on his Instagram feed here!
Photos by Lorenzo Cisi (unless otherwise stated)
25,000 miles and still rolling strong.
TECH SHEET FOR BLUE HAZE
GENERAL INFO
Owner: Lorenzo Cisi
Year/Make/Model: 1978 / Harley-Davidson / FLH
Fabrication: Moto Mirko Marinelli
Build Time: 9 months
1340cc Harley-Davidson Shovelhead Engine. Photo by Mikey Revolt at Parts and Labor 2023 show.
ENGINE
Year/Type/Size: 1978 / V-Twin HD Cone Shovelhead / 1340cc
Carburetor: S&S Super E
Exhaust: Fishtails Custom Made
Air Cleaner: Velocity Stack Custom Made
Look at all the metal molding on this frame, its insane. Photo by Mikey Revolt taken at Parts and Labor 2023 show.
FRAME
Year/Type: Year N/A – Paugcho
Rake/Stretch: 30 degrees rake / Zero Stretch
The handmade springer by Mirko is incredible. Photo by Mikey Revolt at the Parts and Labor 2023 show.
FRONT END
Type / Brand: Handmade springer by Mirko Marinelli
Rear wheel 18" with a Shinko Super Classic 270 Tire. Photo by Mikey Revolt at the Parts and Labor 2023 show
21" front wheel with a Avon Speed Master Tire. Photo by Mikey Revolt at the Parts and Labor 2023 show
WHEELS
Front Size: 21” front wheel / 21" Avon Speed Master Tire
Rear Size: 18” rear wheel / 18" Shinko Super Classic 270 Tire
In the paint booth.
FINISH/PAINT
Paint by: Federico Miliucci
Plating/Polishing: Mirko Marinelli
Powdercoating: N/A
That custom made Italian leather seat, high class! Photo by Mikey Revolt at the Parts and Labor 2023 show.
ACCESSORIES
Front Fender: N/A
Rear Fender: Custom Made
Gas Tank: Custom Made from stock wassel tank
Handlebars: Custom
Grips: Found on Ebay
Mirrors: N/A
Hand Controls: Kustom Tech Deluxe Clutch Lever and Throttle Housing
Foot Controls: Custom Made
Headlight: Found on Ebay
Taillight: Found on Ebay
Turn Signals: N/A
License Mount: Custom Made attached on Sissy bar
Seat: Custom Made in Italy
Prime example of how the whole frame was custom molded with metal.
CUSTOM & SPECIAL DETAILS OR ACCESSORIES:
All molding has been done with metal, no fiberglass used to create the shapes. Risers were custom made. We used a Nissin Piston caliper for rear brake and a Kustom Tech Mini Rear Master Cylinder.
The engine mount was custom made along with the oil Tank. There's also an S&S Oil pump in the motor and a Prism Supply Petcock for the gas tank.
Custom made Wassel gas tank.
MORE PHOTOS OF BLUE HAZE
A rolling work of art.
Theres no bad angles.
Extremely clean lines.
Seat fits perfect in the molding.
Snake bite exhaust tips just add to the flair of the rear fender and axle plates.
Even with miles put down this beauty is clean.
One kick, let'r rip.
Golden hour with the Blue Haze.
the tiniest tail light. Photo by Mikey Revolt
The coast of England.
Glowing in the sunlight.
In the middle of nowhere.
Seeing the vast nothingness.
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