Stripped Down Pan/Shovel and Angelina the Latest Girl of Bikernet

I’ve been writing bike features for 40 fuckin’ years. Every goddamn story is different in one respect or 13 others. This one takes the cake. First the esteemed photographer, Michael Farabaugh, sent me the following hand-written sheets of paper. Then I called the Bare Knuckles shop and nobody answered.

First, I called the number on the hand-written tech sheet and the phone screamed at me. I sought out their web site and most of the links didn’t work. I was rapidly coming up with a negative vibe, and I hate negative shit, so I kept clicking until a link took me to their sharp web site. The major announcement splashed on the home pages screamed: Finally we’re moving. That was probably the reason behind the disconnected phone. I tried the new number and it went directly to message.

I dislike moving. It’s always a pain in the ass, but on the positive side, it represents a new adventure. So between their web site and the hand-written note, you get this delightful feature, complete with shots of their frames, scribbled notes and Angelina. This single-loop hot shot was originally featured in Easyriders about a year ago, but this bike is a classic single-loop with an original peanut tank and perfectly contoured lines, with just a taste of stainless steel and nickel plating.

Here are the notices about moving: NEW YEAR!!! How the F%#$ is it 2011 already?!? And a month into it at that?!?

NEW SHOP!!! The time has come! Bare Knuckle has outgrown our cozy little dump in Wright City and is in the process of moving to 21 Highway A, Hawk Point, MO. Yup, further out in the sticks just the way we like it! Our new shop is providing us with the room we needed to grow and keep production moving for state of the art, functional bike parts and choppers that you have grown to love. Bare Knuckle would like to thank all our dedicated customers for their continued patronage. We couldn’t have done this without you and we look forward to continued and improved service, production, and parts in our new building.

Please bear with us during this chaotic stage. We are still in the process of moving and are currently bouncing between two locations, and doing our best to stay on top of current workload. The machine shop will be the last and final phase of the move, and we definitely saved the best for last. Our office is moved to the new location, but we’re experiencing some technical, sporadic, difficulties with the local/long distance phone service and internet. We are working as diligently as we can to stay on top of this problem, but it is also dependent on the phone company. Email nic@bareknucklechoppers.com for fastest response if no luck on the phone.

Here’s some info on their frames: All our frames are custom-built in house. We are not limited to a few different dimensions like most so-called chop shops. Our jigs allow us to build frames to your specs, giving you a true custom-built scoot. They build frames for big twins, Sportsters and Buells. Here’s a blurb about their latest chassis configuration:

Introducing the V-Hell Frame!
A new take on the timeless VL Frames.

The V-Hell features dual 1 1/8″ D.O.M. tubes as the downtube and cradle, splitting past the transmission to form a rear section to fit either stock or 180/200mm tires.

Also featured are BKC’s new N.O.S. axle plates, allowing you to run either an exposed axle area or covered with the supplied aluminum covers. Gooseneck or straight neck, tire (size stock or 180/200mm), 4 or 5-speed, stretch and rake (up to +6 and 40 degrees) are all options left up to the customer.

As always, Bare Knuckle Frames are 100% TIG-welded in a laser-aligned frame jig, and are made of USA steel by Americans.

BIKERNET EXTREME BARE KNUCKLE TECH SHEET

Owner: Paul Wideman
City: Saint Louis, MO
Designer: Bare Knuckle Choppers
Team: Paul and Radical Randy

General

Fabrication: Paul and Rad
Model: Kill Yourself
Assembly: Paul and Rad
Time: Six Weeks
Chroming: Triangle Plating

Engine

Year: 1950
Model: FL
Rebuilder: D&C Cycle
Ignition Morris Magneto
Displacement: 80 cubic inches
Lower end: S&S
Balancing: S&S Engineers
Pistons: forged S&S
Heads: H-D modified by D&C Cycle
Cam: Andrews
Lifters: JIMS
Carb: S&S Super B
Air cleaner: Bare Knuckles Choppers
Pipes: SS by Bare Knuckles Choppers

Transmission

Year: 1950
Modifications: Polished
Shifting: Hand

Painting

Painter: Liquid Illusions
Color: Blue
Type: House of Kolor

Frame

Year: 2008
Builder: Bare Knuckle Choppers
Type: V-Hell Single loop
Rake: 33 degrees
Stretch: 2 inches
Shocks: Never
Other mods: Stainless steel

Accessories

Bars: Bare Knuckle Choppers
Handlebar controls: None, internal throttle
Fender: Bare Knuckle Choppers
Headlight: Unity Spotlight
Taillight: Swap meet score
Speedo: Never!
Pegs: Bare knuckle Choppers
Electrical: Three wires
Gas Tank: Wassell modified by Bare Knuckle Choppers
Oil System: Stainless Steel by Rad
Primary cover: None
Seat: Duane Ballard
Mirrors: Never!
Grips: Bare Knuckle Choppers