2006 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic And 2001 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail - Father & Son Customs

On the contrary to being raised around motorcycles like his son, times were tougher for James, and it wasn't until the '80s when he could finally afford a Harley. "I had a Harley that was stolen and never found or returned," James said. "With three teenaged children at the time, I could not afford to have it replaced. In the spring of 2000, I had a massive heart attack that required open-heart surgery. I told my wife while recovering in the hospital that I was going to get another Harley before I die." And that's just what James did.

In the fall of 2000, James purchased an '01 Heritage Softail and was back on the road again. Unfortunately, more health problems occurred, and although he recovered from the operations, James is currently a Disabled Vietnam Marine and can no longer work. Making the best of his circumstances, James started to learn how to work on and customize his bike with Jimmy's help and skills. "I started to chrome my bike with the help of my oldest son Jimmy," James said. "My goal was to create a Heritage Softail that did not look like all the others."

The Doyles built the Twin Cam 88 engine and had it diamond-cut by Diamond Heads, and from there it was one chrome piece at a time. "If the part wasn't available to buy, then I took the original piece and had it chromed," James said. "I put in a set of cams, got solid Fat Boy rims, which I had chromed, added easy disconnect saddlebags, and a lot of blue LED lights." With all the time and hard work that James feels went into his bike it's all been worth it considering how proud he is of it and the recognition it's received. While he was at Daytona Bike Week 2007, his bike was chosen by Xsighting Lighting, the aftermarket division of Valeo Sylvania, to be painted by the artist Perego on the wall of Bruce Rossmeyer's Harley-Davidson. So if you're ever in the area, stop by the Dealer in Ormond Beach, Florida, and take a look at the mural.

In 2007 during Daytona Bike Week, Jimmy took First place with his ride in the Rat's Hole Show in the dresser/bagger class. Shortly thereafter during Biketoberfest, his dad won First in the same show in the 1,000cc over stock class. Whether it's "like-son-like-father" or vice versa really doesn't matter between either Doyle, as Jimmy and Jim Sr. simply enjoy working with each other (with the occasional one-ups), and riding and being proud of bikes they built together.