Following up on our phone interview with Bug Hall from the upcoming Discovery Channel miniseries Harley and the Davidsons, we recently had the opportunity to interview Alex Wheeler by phone from his Apocalypse Production studio in South Africa. Here, Alex clears up a few misconceptions we had about the bikes themselves and how they were built, transported and maintained during the filming of the three-part series.

HMN: Today, we are speaking to Alex Wheeler, who was in charge of building the many bikes used during the shooting of Harley and the Davidsons. Alex has built vehicles and sets for film and television in the past, including the Lawmaster motorcycle in Dredd, and has worked in the Art Department on dozens of television and movie projects. Alex, thanks for taking the time to speak with us at Hemmings Motor News. Do you have any previous motorcycling background?

AW: No I don’t actually, I never owned a bike before I was picked to do this project, although I have subsequently purchased a 1930 Harley-Davidson VL and I am just beginning to enjoy it. I now have an even better understanding of how the founders felt about their creations and the enjoyment riders get from owning and riding these bikes.

More from the mastermind behind motorcycles of the Discovery channel series.