{"id":245789,"date":"2024-03-14T19:00:56","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T18:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.motorprosa.com\/?p=245789"},"modified":"2025-03-12T10:56:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T09:56:36","slug":"etschside-custom-a-portrait","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.motorprosa.com\/en\/etschside-custom-a-portrait\/","title":{"rendered":"Etschside Custom \u2013 a Portrait"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Etschside<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recently, my Harley was given a slight makeover: the team from Etschside Custom<\/a> took care of a new chassis, a customised engine tune-up and the due general inspection. I had a chat with the owner Johannes \u201cJonny\u201d Huber \u2013 Jonny is a master mechanic and has been in a wheelchair since an accident.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Das<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Before you read, please note<\/strong>: this post was translated with the help of Deepl<\/a>.
If you find any errors \u2013 please have fun first and then give me a hint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jonny, how did you come up with the name \u201cEtschside Custom\u201d?
Does the river have a special meaning for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have always been passionate about water sports, but the river itself has no special significance for me.

However, the Naturno Youth Centre has played a big role in my life since I was 12 years old. Early on, I was involved in the working group for concerts and open airs \u2013 when we renamed our open air \u201cEtschside\u201d, I thought it was such a brilliant name that I wanted to use it for my workshop too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When did you first want to ride a motorcycle?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I already had this desire as a child. I suppose because I was allowed to ride on a motorcycle for the first time at the age of five. I bought and restored my first Vespa when I was 12 and could hardly wait to turn 14 so that I could ride it legally on the road.

The next tough time came at 18, when I was already working at Harley-Davidson, but was only allowed to ride the bikes in the car park. Then finally at 20 \u2013 freedom! No more restrictions at last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Harley-Davidson:
What does the brand mean to you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freedom, life, friends, family, coolness, passion \u2026

My father always raved about Harley-Davidson. So even as a child, I realised that this was THE premium brand. I love motorcycles very much. Many friends who were in the Krampus club with me and also had other common interests rode Harleys; that’s how my youth was shaped.

When I was 16, I built my first chopper with a scooter engine and sprinkler pipes and rode it to one of our Harley parties. That was THE show!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You did your apprenticeship at Harley-Davidson.
Can you still remember your first day at work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was very motivated and naturally wanted to do my best \u2013 because this opportunity was a dream!

On the first day of my summer internship, I only sorted used screws, but I was very lucky that the internship was later converted into an apprenticeship contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jonny

From sorting screws to his own workshop<\/h3><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now you can say it:
Which jobs did you hate? \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating the inventory or tidying the cellar \u2013 those were the jobs I would have gladly done without.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Is there a dream bike?
Or do you build it yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dream motorcycle that I want does not yet exist. But that’s also what makes the Harley-Davidson brand for me: Variety and customisation. I have several ideas for dream motorcycles in my head \u2013 and I’m going to build them all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jonny

Lots of ideas for dream motorcycles<\/h3><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dream motorcycle again:
Is there a favourite motorcycle that you work on?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not really. My favourite thing is to change the look of a bike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where are you travelling to:
Route 66 or across the Alps?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I choose both 😂! But of course \u2013 travelling along Route 66 is a dream. To experience this historic road and the endless country in the saddle of a Harley \u2013 that would be great!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your dream with Etschside Custom?
What would you like to achieve with it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My dream is to develop and build every customer’s dream bike according to their ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jonny's

Creating dream bikes together with his customers<\/h3><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is the most special motorcycle in your customer base?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s difficult to answer \u2013 because every motorcycle is special in its own way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are there partner companies or partnerships?
Are you networked in the scene?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have a good network here in South Tyrol. In the area of paint work, for example, there is a co-operation with Hups from American Bikes<\/a> in Kaltern.

Of course, there is still a lot of room for improvement \u2013 international, or even better, worldwide partnerships would be cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Were you supported?
Or confronted with doubts?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I received nothing but support from all sides! I am lucky to have such a great family and circle of friends behind me. None of this would have worked without them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jonny

Jonny from Etschside Custom<\/h3><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is your biggest challenge in everyday life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting up in the morning 🤣<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Role model OCC:
How do you like their unconventional work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, American Chopper on DMAX brought me to my dream job. As life goes: We didn’t have satellite TV at home \u2013 so I used to watch the programme at my grandma’s house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hey Jonny,
Thank you for the interview. Ride on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a9 Photographs: Etschside Custom<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Das<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Contact to
Etschside Custom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jonny Huber has been running his workshop Etschside Custom<\/a><\/strong>, which specialises in Harley-Davidson, near Merano since 2022. He also looks after my Road King<\/a>. You can reach Jonny by phone on +39 388 1430122 or by email at info@etschsidecustom.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n