Some of you may know Tim from The Tail End Comp, an online Sissy Bar competition from last year. It was a saviour for many people going through a difficult time with COVID-19 lockdowns and a really cool concept. Around September last year Tim then started up SMALL BATCH SHIFTERS, making top quality shifters for Harleys. Warning: The photos of his shed may give you shed envy. We are not responsible for any erratic spending or countless hours of daydreaming that may follow. Hah
Name: Tim Regard
Age: 31
Location: Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia
Day job: I'm in my 11th year of tattooing. I work at The Grand Illusion Tattoo in Malvern, Victoria
Current Bikes: It's the first time in quite a few years that I can say I only have 1 bike currently! It's a 1974 HD Shovelhead Chopper that I built out of a basket case project lot.
When did you get into bikes and why?
I got into riding about 10 years ago, but I think I feel in love with motorcycles a few years later when my friends and I started a Wednesday bike night and got out on camping trips soon after.
First Road Bike?
I had a fancy little 125cc cafe racer styled bike which I promptly low-sided a few weeks after I bought it and figured it was a pretty good time to tear it down to the frame and do a few modifications.
How do you approach building bikes? What is your process?
I think my approach is mainly about wanting to create a functional bike that will start off looking nice, then get ridden long and far. I got some great advice years ago to not muck around using thin material that will fail on a rigid bike. So I try my best to keep that in mind whenever I fabricate parts.
I'm a pretty visual person, so I generally start with a sketch of the overall stance I'm trying to achieve. It's a really nice way to nut out proportions and pin it up in the shed as something to work towards!
Where did you learn to work on bikes?
I'm mainly self taught through trial and error, with the rest from good friends that have graciously answered dumb questions over the years.
How would you define your style?
My style of build is ideally a 60's/70's rigid frame chopper, but I'm pretty open to anything with a bit of class!
What's your workshop setup like?
I built my current workshop last April (2020) through the pandemic lockdown to help keep my mind occupied while off work for 10 months. It's a 40sq/ft space with a bike lift and some machinery to help make all my projects a little more achievable.
You started Small Batch Shifters a little while ago? How did that start?
Small Batch started while I had the time at home to work on a side business. I was inspired to make shifters after a few conversations with my buddy Jerk @hypnicjerkcustoms when he offered to provide the knobs for them. It’s been a super cool response and I‘ve been lucky enough to do some custom pieces for international and local builds that have come up great!
What parts do you make?
At the moment I’m mainly focused on HD ratchet top shifters and knobs, but have made a few rotary top shifters, wheel spacers, riser adapters, dog bone adapters, mid pegs, handlebars and other little bungs and spacers for folks. I’ve got some fun small part ideas coming up that I’m excited to share soon!
Any projects in the works?
Projects on the go at the moment are a crazy frank fender for a good mate, searching for a decent big twin frame to start my next build and figuring out how to be a dad to our 2 month old boy, Waylon!
What's your dream bike?
I consider Panheads to be the most beautiful motor Harley ever made. It would be awesome to have one in my collection and make a classy show bike from it.
If you are interested in checking out more photos of his bike or checking out the parts he makes head over to his instagram pages (link below).
Instagram: thelongroadhome
smallbatchshifters