Zach Reybold's Drag Racing Ironhead
Born an heir to a Tobacco fortune who lived life with a daredevil attitude is a man that would build a drag racing Harley like none before.
1. Hometown Hero
Within motorcycle circles outside Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the Zach Reynolds name is not what you would consider a household name. When asked about prominent motorcycle collectors, many people would blurt out “Jay Leno” who, indeed owns and proudly displays an impressive motorcycle collection. As much as an avid collector and a motorcycle enthusiast as Mr. Leno, is he is no Zach Reynolds. Why is that you ask? Well, even though both had fortunes to finance their motorcycling and other hobbies, Zach was from a young age, a true daredevil.
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2. In the Fast Lane
Zach Reynolds lived a life that most of us could only dream of: He was a pilot, a car and motorcycle racer, a builder, and a speed record setter. Considered by many locals (I’m sure law enforcement as well) as a hell-raiser for his dedication to street racing on two and four wheels. He was also well respected in the community as a mentor and a good role-model despite the speed addition. Being the heir to the RJ Reynolds tobacco fortune didn’t hurt and certainly allowed him to live his eccentric lifestyle comfortably. He was known for his affinity to everything red making him hard to miss with his motorcycles, some cars, his airplane, and even his trademark jumpsuit, always red.
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3. The HOG 2
Dr. Zach, as he was known to many, built and modified his own vehicles. On four wheels, a very notable example was his rocket-powered, 1964 Ford Galaxy, affectionately called the “Tobacco King”. On two wheels, however, one of his most impressive builds was a 1960 XLCH (yes, it's a Sportster), known by some as HOG 2, and to some as the flying pig.
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4. A Collection Widespread
His overall motorcycle collection is no longer together as it was pieced apart through estate auctions in 1982. Today, there are some who are trying to bring this collection together again but is unlikely that it will in the near future.
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5. From stock to drag racer
The 1960 Ironhead started as a stock Sporty (likely blue) which in order to become the street-and-strip drag machine that Zach envisioned underwent a complete transformation. A set of custom exhaust, S&S L series carburetor, the drag bike forks from a Harley-Davidson hummer, a front bubble front fairing, and a skinny racing slick are the most striking changes. Not much is known about the internals of the engine but after being passed around the country through estate sales and auctions, the bike is now restored back to as-close-as-possible to its original glory after it was acquired by Will Spencer, owner of JKS Incorporated in Winston-Salem, NC and is on display at the Winston-Salem Motorsports Museum, keeping the bike close to home. Will, who personally knew Zach, took on the challenge of restoring this blast from the past mostly from memory. This latest incarnation of the HOG 2 is worth a look, photos are exclusive to the Winston-Salem Motorsports museum but if you are in the area it's definitely worth a look.
>>Join the conversation about Zach Reybold and his Drag Racing Ironhead right here in HDForums.
6. Legacy Reborn
Among other interests, he dedicated time to local youth and supported their ambitions through mentoring and coaching. By 1979 Zach’s flamboyant lifestyle was far from over but it had tamed down a bit. On October 4th of that year an eager young pilot, just 18 years old excitedly invited Zach to fly with him. It is not certain what led to the fatal accident, but the small aircraft went down in a wooded area near Pinnacle, NC. Today, people like Will Spencer do what they can to ensure Zach's legacy is unearthed and restored back to its former glory.
>>Join the conversation about Zach Reybold and his Drag Racing Ironhead right here in HDForums.
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