First Harley Davidson motorbike convention in Cuba

(15 Apr 2012) 1. Pan right of couple on Harley Davidson motorcycle with Cuban flag on back performing handling ability test
2. Pull out of test
3. Medium parked motorcycles and poster reading (Spanish) "First Gathering of Cuban Harlistas"
4. Wide car park in Varadero Beach with classic Harley Davidson motorcycles
5. Medium of Juan Carlos talking with another biker
6. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Juan Carlos, Harley Davidson enthusiast:
"I''m from Atlanta, United States. I was born and raised in Cuba and I''m very proud that they are doing this. It''s the first time this is being done and it''s very exciting because over there we see it every day, but here they have a harder time maintaining the bikes in order to hold these events. It''s something that is very nice and I''m glad they''ve been able to take this step."
7. Close up of engine cover reading (English) "Live to Ride, Ride to Live"
8. Various of bikers arriving at event
9. Pan right bikers greeting each other wearing leather member''s vests
10. Medium Harley Davidson sticker on motorcycle windscreen and Cuban flag in background
11. Tilt up from front fender with picture of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara
STORYLINE:
Hundreds of Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts descended upon Cuba''s renowned Varadero Beach on Saturday for a first-ever national event in the Communist state involving the classic American motorcycles.
Dubbed the "1st National Concentration of Harley Davidson Motors of Cuba", the two-day festival opened to crowds of fans whom travelled from all corners of the island to Varadero''s downtown district in order to see first-hand the classic bikes.
"I was born and raised in Cuba and I''m very proud that they are doing this. It''s the first time this is being done and it''s very exciting because over there we see it every day, but here they have a harder time maintaining the bikes in order to hold these events," said Juan Carlos, a Cuban ex-pat and Harley enthusiast who now lives in the US.
Events of this sort are new to Cuba where most large outdoor gatherings are reserved for political rallies and cultural events more to the liking of the ageing Communist leadership.
On Saturday, however, this touristy beach resort took on a new role in what many are saying is a different and changing Cuba.
During Saturday''s biker festival, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, mostly from the 1940''s and 50''s, roared on the streets of this generally quiet resort town.
According to national vehicles registrations in Cuba, there are approximately 200 vintage Harley-Davidsons on the island.
Many owners belong to an informal club and are affectionately referred to as the "Harlistas".
Harley-Davidsons began arriving on the island in the 1920''s and by the 40''s were the official motorcycle of the Cuban police and army.
The newest models to arrive at Saturday''s show had been manufactured in the 1950s and 60s - the communist revolution in 1959 resulted in a vast reduction in American imports.
The US has maintained a 50-year trade embargo against Cuba, and has demanded political and economic openings before it lifts the sanctions.
Cuban leaders say the embargo is cruel, and that America has no business telling them what kind of government they should have.
President Raul Castro has in recent months instituted sweeping economic changes designed to inject a measure of capitalism into Cuba''s tottering socialist economy.
The changes have been met with lukewarm approval in Washington, where officials have said they would like to see evidence of more concrete action.
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