Pre-Paint Bike Feature

This is another Bikernet first, a full bike feature on a running but unpainted chop. Could it be that the owner is hoping for a feature shot at the Horse or Cycle Source? He didn't want to blow his first bike feature opportunity just on Bikernet.

“That's not it at all,” said owner/builder Michael Boen. “I just can't afford a three grand paint job.”

The more I got to talk to 47-year-old, Michael, the more I recognized a true Michigan biker. He's been riding since he was a kid in Alabama, scooting around farmlands and through cornfields on his 1970 350 Honda.

Michael used an old paper cutter as a press to form his seat pan.

“Harley didn't have a strong reputation back then,” Mike said. “I still wanted one, but I couldn't justify the expense. Jap bikes were cheap and Harleys unreliable.”

This was his original seat design with the notch, so he could see the gage on his oil tank.

He did the family bit, got married, raised two sons, and found a daughter through marriage, while working for a major property management company. His job calls for maintenance, including electrical, roofing, plumbing, air conditioning, vault repairs, ATMs and security mends.

Here's Mike sewing his final seat. He made the seat pan, designed a pattern, cut the thick leather, and stitched the final seat with this heavy duty vintage sewing machine. Not bad.

“We manage some 25 banks, and I've learned to repair almost anything,” said Mike.

Once his girls were educated and off to jobs out of state, Mike sat back with his wife Jackie and pondered their future.

Mike cut out the stock stress plates and replaced them with one traditional plate, and then he made this template, but decided not to step on the signature logo without checking with the Indian Larry home office.

“I would like a career in custom motorcycles,” Mike continued, “so I took two years off and attended the MMI Harley course in Orlando. I loved it, but it focuses predominately on dealership jobs. I wanted more.”

Fab Kevin, took care of the Iron Cross laser cutout.

This is actually a heavy, solid brass door handle. Mike welded brackets to the frame for mounting, then he used Scotch Brite to remove the chrome finish and allow the brass to show through.

He was also aware of the sliding motorcycle business and respectful of his property management longevity. He went back to work in the PM firm and built this bike, while honing his design and fabrication skills for the future. I'll let him tell you about the build.

I mentioned that Michael works in banks. He discovered a fancy discarded leather desk blotter, with engraved brass sheet inserts. “I can make them work,” Mike said and hauled the brass inserts home.

“I must say doing this build was a lot of fun and very relaxing. Everything went together well, and fit and finish were planned to the last detail. Always start with a plan and stick to it. There were times I thought I should change this or change that, but sticking with my plan worked out for the best. I did, however, go through four gas tanks before getting the look I wanted. The first seat I made was way too small for any kind of long distance trip, so I went with a totally different style based on comfort more than looks.

“The overall look I was trying to achieve was reminiscent of the bikes Indian Larry built. (The best bike builder, I know, along with many others, won’t go into detail). But I was on a budget. I had to change a few components to fit my body at 6’3” and 200 lb. I wanted it to fit me. The seat had to be higher and back a few inches more. I needed taller bars, and extended forward controls, while keeping the flow and lines in proportion without looking weird from the side view.

“The bike tracks well at 3.5 inches of trail (sweet spot), goes like an arrow, and hugs the corners like a sport bike. I wanted to stick with good quality parts for reliability and function. I built her to ride. Taking long trips on a rigid frame, and knowing I can get there and back with little or no problems was essential. (Of course we all know how that works, don’t we?) I also wanted to be able to stop on a dime and give change back, so I contacted Kevin at Fabricator Kevin’s and acquired his TOKICO calipers builders kit. A stock H-D bike only wishes it could stop this good!

Mike tried several tanks before locking onto the right one. I believe these two were build by Paughco, and the Indian Larry Legacy folks sell the dished one.

“One is never really done with a bike, and there are several things I want to change. I want to have her professionally painted (picture enclosed) with brown and gold metal flake scallops. Maybe I'll add a front fender. I have never been as wet in my life than riding in a rainstorm with no front fender. Not fun.

I like the look without it, but I am still deciding on whether to add it or not. Shoot me an e-mail, and let me know what you think. MadeNtheUSA@hotmail.com.”

Mike made a comment about raked triple trees. Raked trees cannot be used to fix a design flaw. He started with 5 degrees in the trees and it dropped his trail to .75 inch. The front end was sloppy and didn't want to track, a disastrous mixture. He backed up to 0 degrees to afford him the proper trail, and it handles like a dream.

Fab Kevin also helped with the sissybar laser cut Iron Cross, after Mike spent weeks trying to align the bar with the frame. “That was the toughest task of all,” Michael said.

He looked at the motorcycle industry for a way to avoid the daily grind, but he's sticking with his 25-year career. That's not stopping Michael from making plans for long runs and this is the year of the 10th Anniversary of the Smoke Out.

“I'm making that run and maybe Sturgis,” Mike said. “I still owe the government $25,000 for my MMI training, but I'll handle that.”

He's also looking into building his wife another bike. She rode until he had an accident and almost lost his foot. She sold her bike and buckled down until he was back on his feet. Her build is coming up.

Michael's first bike show was a charity effort at Rogers High School to raise funds for school athletics. Way to go, Mike.

“Then I'm going to build a bagger for the long hauls and restore a military 45 before they're all gone. The best MMI class was the vintage H-D training. They had an amazing array of classic motors to work with. ”

There you have it, the life and times of Michael Boen, a man and his machines. He did it right, and I'm sure we'll see his chop painted in the near future, plus a few Boen products and his restoration projects. It's as if life is just beginning for Mr. Boen.

Bikernet.com Extreme Boen Tech Chart

Regular Stuff

Owner: Michael Boen
Bike Name: GRACE
City/State: Grand Rapids, MI

Builder: Michael Boen
City/state: Grand Rapids, MI
Company Info: No Company, Just garage
Address: 1978 Radcliff Ave. S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Phone: 616-949-0370
Web site: Wild-at-Heart Custom Cycles.com (not yet up and running)
E-mail: MadeNtheUSA@hotmail.com
Fabrication: Michael Boen
Manufacturing: Me just putting parts together
Welding: You Bet
Machining: Just a little

Engine

Year: 1999 (NEW) H-D Smart Start Evo
Make: Harley Davidson
Model: Evolution
Displacement: 80 cu. In. (1340cc)
Builder or Rebuilder: Harley Davidson
Cases: H-D
Case finish: Silver
Barrels: Stock
Bore: Stock
Pistons: Stock
Barrel finish: Silver
Lower end: Stock
Stroke: Stock
Rods: Stock
Heads: Stock
Head finish: Polished
Valves and springs: Stock
Pushrods: Stock
Cams: Stock
Lifters: Stock
Carburetion: Keihin 40mm CV Carp (re-jetted)

Air cleaner: 1998 Dyna Lowrider FXDL Air box W/K&N Filter
Exhaust: Paughco 1 ¾” Up Sweep W/Fishtail, Chrome
Mufflers: NOPE
Other: Exhaust Wrap (copper color) W/Hand Made Copper Heat Shields (Antiqued)

Transmission

Year: 2006
Make: JIM’S
Gear configuration: 5 Speed Gear Set W/23T Sprocket
Final drive: DIAMOND Chain – 530/120 Gold O-Ring
Primary: BDL Dry Belt 1.75”
Clutch: BDL Dry Clutch, Lock-Up

Frame

Year: 2006
Make: Paughco, Inc.
Style or Model: Wishbone Rigid Chop
Stretch: None
Rake: 30 deg.
Modifications: Seat Post to Accept Jims 5-speed Trans, Custom Neck Gusset W/Iron Cross @ 45 Deg., Gas Tanks Bungs added to Backbone and Exhaust brackets

Front End

Make: MidWest
Model: 41mm Wide Glide Single Disc.
Year: 1999
Length: Stock
Mods: Ball Milled Triple Trees & Lower Legs

Sheet metal

Tanks: Indian Larry Legacy – Dip Dish, 3.5 gal.
Fenders: Rear – WCC 7.5” Front – None yet?
Panels: None
Oil tank: 3.5 qt. Round Chrome W/Center Fill, W/Battery Box
Other: Handmade Battery Top Cover

Paint

Sheet metal: Rustic Umber Multicolor Textured
Molding: None needed
Base coat: Primer
Graphics: None
Type: Rust-Oleum #239122
Frame: Powder Coated (Chocolate Brown)
Molding: None
Base coat: None
Type: I don’t know, Some kind of Powder?
Graphics or art: Brass Carved Tank Cover (Eagles In Fight) Acquired this piece, made it fit
Special effects: Could be if I’m going really fast!
Pinstriping: None

Wheels

Front
Make: Custom Chrome 40 Spoke Laced
Size: 3.5” x 16”
Brake calipers: TOKICO – Fab Kevin’s Builders Kit W/Stainless Brackets
Brake rotor(s): 99/H-D Chrome Stainless 2 Piece Front 11.5”, 2” hub
Tire: 130mm x 16” DUNLOP

Rear
Make: Custom Chrome 40 Spoke Laced
Size: 3.5” x 16”
Brake calipers: TOKICO – Fab Kevin’s Builders Kit W/Stainless Brackets
Brake rotor: 99/H-D Chrome Stainless 2 Piece Front 11.5”, 2” hub
Pulley: Sprocket – Dish Type, 51 Tooth, Chrome
Tire: 150mm x 16” DUNLOP

Controls

Foot controls: Supreme Legends USA, Premium Flat Top +2” Billet
Finish: Chrome Billet Aluminum
Master cylinders: FRONT – 9/16” Bore, REAR – 11/16” Bore
Brake lines: Custom Stainless, Braided (Barnett)
Handlebar controls: 2006 Harley Davidson
Finish: Chrome
Clutch Cable: Custom Stainless, Braided (Barnett)
Shifting: Handmade Shifter Linkage (Large Antique Wood Drill Bit) Powder Coated
Kickstand: H-D 2004 Softtail (new)

Electrical

Ignition: Crane Cam’s Fire Ball – HI 4 Single Fire Ignition
Ignition switch: Side Mount Elect. Box W/Key Switch, Chromed
Coils: Crane Cam – Single Fire
Regulator: Crane Cam
Charging: H-D 32 Amp
Wiring: Custom
Harness: Custom
Headlight: Tradewinds &’ Hi/Lo, Bradley Billet
Taillight: Iron Cross, L.E.D. Vertical mount
Accessory lights: Added a Bright Light Indicator mounted on Headlight, Natural light indicator
Electrical accessories: HORN
Switches: 2006 H-D Chrome
Battery: Drag Specialties, 310 cca, 12 volt High Performance

What’s Left

Seat: Handmade, Pan, Pad,& Cover (Blk. Leather) w/4” Springs
Mirror(s): 2 – H-D 2006
Gas caps: 1 – Chrome Vented
Handlebars: 16” Apes, 1 ¼” Bars, 2006 Chrome Hand Controls
Grips: V-Tech ISO
Pegs: Chrome, Ball Milled
Oil filter: Stock H-D
Oil cooler: None But, 30 MPH + works good
Oil lines: Blk Rubber Oil Lines
Fuel filter: EMGO W/Brass Filter Element
Fuel Lines: PINGEL High Flow Shut off Valve W/Res. W/Blk Rubber Gas Line
Throttle: 2006 H-D
Throttle cables: Custom Stainless (Barnett)
Fasteners: Stainless Steel, Grade 5’s, Grade 8’s

Specialty items:

Handmade Brass Risers 3”
Handmade Brass Primary Inspection Covers W/Brass accents
Handmade Shifter Linkage (Wood Drill Bit) turned out pretty cool
Handmade ½” Square Steel Sissy Bar W/Cross Insert, rimed with Brass accents — a bitch to get lined up & straight
Tag and Tail light Bracket W/Handmade Document holder (Brass)
Handmade Regulator Bracket (Stainless Steel)

Here's one of his first efforts at a point cover with a Jones brass plumbing drain cap and a polished concho. Not bad. I talked him out of it, and you might see it used on a Bikernet project.

Credits:I would like to thank the following companies and people for there support and products during this build and always remember: Buy American whenever possible.

1.Fabricator Kevin’s – Brakes, tag/taillight mount, and the laser-cut neck gusset he made for me. Kevin, your welds are works of art.
2.East Side Radiator Service, Holland, MI for the treatment inside the gas tank (not that white cream shit)
3.DMC Chops – For the handmade brass risers (awesome work)
4.Iron Eagle Motorcycles, Grand Rapids, MI for all the misc. parts needed. (Barb, Bimbo, Mike, and Taco,) Love you guys

5.Indian Larry Legacy – Gas tank and cool brass points cover
6.American Iron, Inc. – Grandville, MI – For the start up Dyno run & Tune.
7.Leather Express, Grand Rapids, MI – Donation of the fine black leather for the seat cover (616) 243-1441. Thanks, Bob
8.My wife, Jackie, for keeping the beer cold and putting up with my sometimes crabby ass.
9.Last but not least, Keith Randall Ball at Bikernet.com for allowing me to do this post.

Next Project: Full Restoration of a 1976 CB750 Honda (Did I just say that out loud?)