Actor Jason Momoa Finds Harley-Davidson Love Runs in the Family
Diehard Harley rider finally fulfilled a lifelong dream to build his own Harley, with some help from his family and friends.
Jason Momoa plays larger-than-life characters and superheroes in his day job. But when he’s off the clock, he’s a deeply down-to-earth guy who loves his family, and has had a lifelong passion for Harley-Davidson. And now his two great loves have come together.
Momoa posted a video on his You Tube channel for Father’s Day that shows how his family helped him build a custom Harley, a dream he had for thirty years. The video is a loving tribute to his children Lola and Nakoa-Wolf as well as his wife, actress Lisa Bonet. His family not only helped him with the build, but also share his love of riding.
Momoa reflects on his early roots, and what sparked his love of motorcycles.
“I was six the first time I rode a motorcycle,” he says. “I remember it looked like a beast. Fierce and proud. I put my hand on the throttle and with a twist it rumbled and howled…that was my first ride. The moment was bigger than me. It chose me to be there.”
As he got older, he became a dedicated rider. He picked up his first motorcycle, a vintage 1957 Harley Panhead when he was 19. Which he named Mabel, after his grandmother.
“I became obsessed with the spirit of the ride,” he recalls. “It was the first time I truly felt speed. It was the awakening…I knew I’d always chase that open road.”
And he did, his trusty Harley took him on adventures all across the country. “She was my America,” Momoa says of his bike.
He came across an old knucklehead engine, and bought it. Even though he didn’t know how to build a bike, he was determined. He found a new dream.
But along the way, life happened. Work, family, not having the time. His dream was deferred. Until now.
“It has taken three decades,” he says. “It’s the longest dream I have ever held onto.”
Now, at 40, Momoa’s dream has come to fruition. And best of all, this dream was shared by the whole family. His son and daughter became involved in the project, and with it have an emerging love of motorcycles. For now, they ride in a sidecar. But they are honing their chops on sport and dirt bikes.
He built the bike using a motley crew of Harley parts. “Beneath the rust and aging of time, each one has a story,” he says. “Every bike has a story…Together, we built a Harley.”
Momoa’s custom build became a project they all worked on together, with dad at the helm, loving spending time with his children and teaching them along the way.
It’s a great video, and Momoa nicely articulates what is feels like to be a true-blue Harley man. His bike is impressive, and will no doubt become a treasured member of his Harley-loving family.
Photos: YouTube