While Bandit is off in Australia humping Kangaroos, I am getting bombarded with rampant e-mails and incessant death threats. Here’s one small example:
Dear sir,
Bandit is ten times the writer you are. How the hell do you think you could ever fill his shoes? You’re a pathetic loser, so eat shit and die. I have been riding longer than you have been alive so you ain’t shit. If you don’t ever visit the site again it will be too soon. Die you irrelevant little asshole, die!”
Dick Boxell, a regular gearhead and former drag racer, wanted something different. He picked up a used 883 Sporty and immediately knew he would change the bike into something unique. He was after a fat assed beast that would leave a footprint behind it as wide as the tire tracks of a Formula One racer’s screaming skid marks. He wanted a 330 rear tired monster to terrorize the streets and give himself the type of bike that makes old women shriek with fear and young women shudder with excitement.
He scoured the boards for all the information he could find and was given some sound advice.
Hiwayman, one of the local moderators told him, “You gotta build it with a strong base and have a serious plan. Whatever your plan, you have to stick to it, but don’t be afraid to bend the rules a little.”
Vagabond, a regular on the boards, told him, “Hey man, make sure it has lots of chrome! Everywhere I take my bike, it draws a crowd and it has to be because of the shine. There is something about a bike that is well put together that makes the crowd stop and stare. Nothing is finer.”
His story was featured here on Bikernet in the garage section. At the time he was recovering from a slight addiction to Mini-Thins, Mountain Dew, and chocolate brownies. The pictures he took looked similar to those of someone from the 50’s classic, “Reefer Madness”.
Although the pics were a little fuzzy, he had formed a wide tired beast in his very garage using his own tools and talent. You see, he bought a 330 tire, matched a 17 inch wheel to it, and built the ass end of his frame to fit it.
He was going to buy a frame for his conceptual beast, but he decided against letting them hold him hostage over the price. “Fuck it, I’ll do it myself,” he stated as he slammed a handful of white crosses and took another drink of Jack.
That my fellow scooter tramps, is what a biker should do when he wants to modify. Use what you got and learn what you can. Here are a few sharper images of his very individual ride followed by an in depth spec sheet. Check it out, you just might learn something.
Bikernet Tech Chart
Owner:Dick Boxell
City/State:Huntington Indiana
Builder:Dick Boxell
Fabrication:Dick Boxell
Welding:Dick Boxell
Machining:Dick Boxell
Engine
Year:1993
Make:H-D
Model:Sportster
Displacement:1200
Builder or Rebuilder:Unknown
Cases:HD
Case finish:HD/Stripped ClearCoat Scotch Brite
Barrels:HD
Pistons:HD
Barrel finish:HD
Lower end:HD
Rods:HD
Heads:HD
Head finish:HD/Stripped ClearCoat Scotch Brite
Valves and springs:HD
Pushrods:HD
Cams:Stock HD
Lifters:HD
Carburetion:Stock rejetted With drill bits
Other:
Right rear.
Transmission
Year:'93
Make:HD
Gear configuration:Stock
Final drive:23/48 Chain Conversion
Primary:Stock
Clutch:Stock
Low, lean up front and then WHAM!! A big assed tire out back! Kind of looks like a drag bike.
Frame
Year:1993/2006
Make:HD/Boxell
Style or Model:Sportster Rigid Conversion
Stretch:2-1/2Up 4″ Back From Seat Tube
Rake:34
Modifications:2-1/2 Up 4″ Back From Seat Tube Rigid Conversion
Front End
Make:HD
Model:Sportster
Year:1993
Length:Stock
Mods:Dropped 2″
Sheet metal
Fenders:Front Shorteded Stock / Rear Fabricated
Panels:Aluminium Diamond Plate
Oil tank:Rolled Steel Diamond Plate With Cooling tubes and Alum Diamond Plate Covers/Scoops
Paint
Sheet metal:Kevin “Fuzz” Gill
Molding:None
Base coat:SW Black
Graphics:Kevin “Fuzz” Gill
Frame:Black Powder Coat
Molding:None
Wheels
Front
Make:HD
Size:3.25×19
Brake calipers:HD
Brake rotor(s):HD
Tire:Bald
Rear
Make:Black Bike (thanks Bandit for the tip)
Size:11×17 Spoke
Brake calipers:Exile
Brake rotor:Exile
Tire:333-30VR17
Controls
Foot controls:Boxell
Finish:Black Powder Coat/Raw Aluminium Pegs
Master cylinder:HD
Brake lines:SS Braided Teflon
Handlebar controls:HD
Finish:HD
Clutch Cable:HD Modified for Foot Clutch
Brake LinesHD
Shifting:Foot
Electrical
Ignition:HD
Ignition switch:HD
Coils:HD
Regulator:HD
Charging:HD
Wiring:Hacked HD / Boxell
Harness:Boxell
Headlight:HD
Taillight:J&P Cycle
Accessory lights:J&P Cycle Mini Rear Only
Electrical accessories:
Switches:HD/Hardware
Battery:HD
What's Left
Seat:LePera EBAY Find
Pipes:Santee / Boxell
Mufflers:None
Exhaust finish:ScotchBrite
Handlebars:HD Drag Bars
Grips:HD
Pegs:Machined Aluminium / Boxell
Oil filter:HD
Oil cooler:Boxell
Oil lines:HD
Fuel filter:Pingel
Fuel Lines:Rubber
Throttle:HD
Throttle cables:HD
Fasteners:Grade 8 SHCS
Specialty items:Custom modified frame Rigid rearraised neck 2-1/2″ moved rear axle back 4″3-1/2″ Offset Sprocket fabricated from PBI sprocket / BoxellOutboard Support Fabricated for the offset Sprocket / BoxellBattery Box Fabricated from Aluminium Diamond Plate / Boxell
Comments:The only major cash out for this build was the rear tire/wheel/Exile SproterThe rest was a lot of garage hours
Credits:Kevin “Fuzz” Gill for the rear Fender paint and graphicRyan Stalf For Some Welding While I held shit in placeComplete Maintenance (Ashley Indiana) for the powder Coat.
