An international prize-winning custom-built Harley-Davidson is the latest motorcycle with a story to arrive at the Customising, Culture & Harley-Davidson exhibition at MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester).

The Strike True II won Modified Harley class of the AMD Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building at Sturgis last year, and it is on display to the public for the first time. The stunning customised 2010 Harley-Davidson Softail Crossbones motorcycle was built by Shaw Harley-Davidson Speed and Custom, in Sussex.

Strike True II will be displayed in the MOSI exhibition, which runs until 11 September and spans early Harley-Davidsons to the very latest in customised motorcycles. The victorious bike features a number of modifications, including a hand-made rear fender, fabricated petrol tank, 1940s style speedster handlebars and custom paintwork.

Customising, Culture & Harley Davidson exhibition features over 30 motorcycles, including models from the UK, Germany, Japan and the US. Each bike has its own story, from a rare 1909 model built in the first decade of Harley-Davidson’s production heritage,  to the 1956 KH like the one Elvis rode, to the 1948 Ice Road Panhead, which defied motorcycle capabilities in conditions of minus 53 degrees, to complete an expedition to the Arctic.

Harley-Davidson Dealer Principal Steve Willis said: “Winning at the Sturgis World Custom event was a great accolade for us, particularly as it was the first year we entered. We’re delighted to feature in the world premiere of the Customising, Culture & Harley-Davidson exhibition, which spans over 100 years of this iconic motorcycle, so we really have gone down in history!”

Exhibition organizer Chris Scott of Claridon said: “We are delighted to have Strike True II as a guest in the exhibition. It is the first time this award-winning motorcycle has been on public display, so this is a chance to see some of the incredible engineering and design skill involved in customised Harley-Davidson motorcycles. We are extremely grateful to Shaw Speed & Custom for the loan of their amazing motorcycles but also for working with us on the monthly rolling bike programme which will bring added enjoyment to visitors of the exhibition.”

Customising, Culture and Harley-Davidson was created by the Claridon Group and MOSI and features many motorcycles which have never been displayed to the public before. It is the first time ever that an exhibition has showcased the historic and radical customs of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, and the culture surrounding them.

The exhibition includes a section on customised Harley-Davidsons, such as the incredible Jaguar Bike, built by Polar Cycles, the Air Bike by Richard Taylor and the High Roller Trike (Destiny Cycles). It also looks at the distinctive culture of Harley-Davidson, including the tattoos, music and film associated with this of this iconic brand.

All Harley-Davidson motorcycles are manufactured in Milwaukee, USA, but the almost endless array of available aftermarket parts and accessories worldwide provides radical customisation opportunities and enables owners to realise their own personal dream machine. A full list of all motorcycles in the exhibition is available.

Customising, Culture and Harley-Davidson runs until 11 September at MOSI, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4FP. Get Rhythm is on display until the end of June.

Adults £8, Concessions £6.50, HOG Members £6.50, Children (5-16) £2; Under 5s Free; Family £20 (2 adults, 3 children). Tickets can be bought from the MOSI Information Desk in the Great Western Warehouse or at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling 0844 847 2261 (24 hours)*

*order processing fee applies to telephone or online sales

For more information on MOSI look up www.mosi.org.uk