2002 Harley-Davidson Ultimate Road Glide - One Mean Green Glide

Kevin Olson's Ultimate Bagger
During the '08 Sturgis rally, Kevin Olson, the proud owner of this Road Glide, had a chance to meet Baggers editor Toph Bocchiaro through a bit of luck. Strangely, Kevin had read in these pages about how some of the featured bikes here are found at rallies: by placing a business card on the seat of a parked bike. When Kevin read that, he wondered and wished what it would be like for that to happen to him and his sweet Road Glide. As luck would have it Toph saw Kevin's bike parked on Lazelle St. Not seeing anyone around, he left a business card between the seat and tank. A couple of hours later Kevin called Toph from Spearfish Canyon, about 20 miles away. The sun was getting low and Kevin was scheduled to leave early the next morning. Toph hopped on his Victory and high-tailed it to Spearfish to meet up with Kevin and his good friend Kelvin (March's cover bike). Kevin couldn't believe that his wish to have his bike "found" actually materialized. That one business card yielded two of the sweetest rides in all of South Dakota that week.

Rewind a couple of years. Kevin and Walt Niesen met one Monday evening at Bike Night at Whiskey Junction, a local biker bar in Minneapolis. They had a few beers together and a lot of conversation. At the crux of the evening and the conversation, Kevin took a ride on Walt's 120hp '04 Road King that he uses as a demo bike. That was it! Kevin was immediately hooked on power.

During the next two years, and after a lot of engine work and chrome on his '02 Road Glide, Kevin decided that he wanted an 'ultimate bagger.' From then on Kevin explored a lot of different avenues. He called builders, compared prices, studied their work, all the while still keeping in touch with Walt. Walt finally convinced Kevin that whatever he could afford Walt could do. By then the two had become good friends, which made Kevin's choice even easier.

In May 2008, the bike was finished and took home a second place trophy for best paint (pearl category) at the prestigious Dave Perewitz-Sturgis Paint Show. He had success at numerous Donnie Smith ride-in shows too.

Whenever Kevin's bike is ridden it draws a big crowd. One comment often heard from his friends is, 'I sure wish Kevin would leave the green bike at home (he has others) so someone else could get some attention.'

Walt's credentials include building all his own race engines and dragsters. He was a nine times points champion and twice Mechanic Of The Year during his AHRA racing stint. That has more than qualified him for his current H-D building and modifying occupation. We surely won't argue with that.