Documenting a Century of Harley-Davidson History in Australia
One of the best parts of working as a filmmaker is getting access to moments and machines that most people never see up close. It’s something I don’t take lightly, and it’s a big reason I love what I do.
Through my work with Harley-Davidson Australia, I recently had the chance to spend time with a bike that genuinely stopped me in my tracks. A 1915 Harley-Davidson. Purchased the same year Harley-Davidson opened its very first dealership in Australia. Over a hundred years old, and still running.
That alone is impressive. But seeing it in person is something else entirely.
More Than Just an Old Motorcycle
Photos don’t fully prepare you for the presence of a bike like this. The wear on the metal, the patina, the mechanical simplicity. Nothing feels ornamental or over-designed. Every part is there because it had to be. You can tell this machine was built to work, not to sit behind glass.
What really stood out was how alive it still feels. This isn’t a static museum piece. It runs. It breathes. It carries the marks of time in a way that tells a story rather than hiding it.
Being around something built over a century ago gives you perspective. On craftsmanship. On longevity. On how far motorcycles and the industry have come, while still being rooted in the same core ideas.
Why This Kind of Work Matters to Me
Projects like this are a reminder of why I got into filmmaking in the first place. It’s not just about producing content. It’s about documenting real stories, real history, and moments that deserve to be preserved properly.
Harley-Davidson has a deep heritage, especially in Australia, and being trusted to help capture that visually is something I’m genuinely grateful for. There’s a responsibility that comes with it. You’re not just filming a bike. You’re capturing a piece of history that connects generations of riders, builders, and enthusiasts.
Standing there, camera in hand, it really hits you how rare these opportunities are.
Capturing the Details
When I shot the video, the focus was simple. Let the bike speak for itself.
The textures. The movement. The sound. No over-stylising, no unnecessary flash. Just an honest look at a machine that has survived wars, economic shifts, technological revolutions, and countless kilometres of Australian roads.
That kind of storytelling doesn’t need to be forced. Sometimes the best approach is to step back and let the subject do the work.
I’m incredibly appreciative of the team at Harley-Davidson Australia for the trust and access they continue to provide. Getting to work around bikes like this isn’t something I ever expected when I picked up a camera, and it’s still something I don’t take for granted. Being able to combine filmmaking with motorcycles, history, and storytelling is a rare overlap, and I’m lucky to sit in that space.
If you want to see the short video I made of the 1915 Harley-Davidson, you can watch it here:
Moments like this are exactly why I love what I do.
