We were intrigued by this bike and reached out to the builder, Dar and Sam, from Brass Balls Bobbers. Dar builds tight, bobber styled bikes and decided to switch up and build a classic chopper. “Actually Bandit had a pal who built a bike very similar in ’71,” Wilburn Roach said. Wilburn is the Bikernet.com official motorcycle historian. He lives in a small shed, built out of a welding truck, behind the Bikernet World Headquarters.
”The owner’s name was Kenny Nelson,” Wilburn continued, even though I didn’t ask. “Even the candy apple red color was similar.”
”That bike was the epitome of the classic chopper,” Wilburn rambled. “It was stripped, long, low and light.”
Regardless, Bandit asked us to look into this chopper built by Darwin Motorcycles, the creators of Brass Balls Bobbers. “How could we not cover the essence of our lifestyle,” Wilburn interjected. “It’s a classic. Nothing represents the biker lifestyle more thoroughly than a tight archetypal chopper.”
I called Dar, in Edmond, Okahoma, just to get the hell away from the rambling Wilburn. “How many choppers do you plan to build this year?” I asked.
”Hard to say,” Dar said. “We are only planning to do a few on spec, to take to shows, i.e.. Sturgis. The rest will be built to order. I would guess less than 30. Our bobbers are our big draw.”
”Where did the inspiration come from to build this bike?” I asked.
”People have been asking us to build a chopper,” Dar added. “And frankly, some bigger/taller people are just disproportionate in size to our bobbers. Our chopper fits them better, though it is not a huge bike. It also fits the average size person great. I am 5’ 10” and it is a perfect fit.”
”Basically it’s a slightly stretched and raked version of our bobber. We wanted to keep it clean, cool and simple in its lines and appearance. It’s simply a very cool bike. We wanted it to be a compliment to what we offer. Not a monster chop with radical this and that screaming look at me… Look at all my bondo and big-ass, over compensating tire size and wheel base.”
”I here you, on that one,” I said as I’m not a beach ball tire kinda guy.
”If our bobbers are cool bikes with a unique style, then this chopper says it with a bit more attitude,” Dar said. “Our bobbers pay homage to the bikes of ‘40s and ‘50s. The chopper pays homage to the bikes of the ‘60s and ‘70s, when people expressed their sense of personal style with more attitude, and it really launched the custom bike phenomenon.
“A chopper is attitude. Our choppers pay homage to those original choppers. And Like our bobbers, there’s nothing on them that is not necessary. No extra crap. Just a cool, great looking, great running bike.”
”Motorcycles and women,” I said thinking about the redhead at the Smoke Out last year.
“You know, bikes are personal to people. Many have described bikes as a metaphor for a lady,” Dar added. “I agree with the metaphor. However, who wants their dream lady to have a rear end three times the size of the rest of the bike? Or what if she’s splashed with so much paint that you can’t make out the real surface?”
”For me, its about pursuit of perfection. Not the biggest this or that. It’s about perfect sizes and shapes that flow seamlessly together in concert without drastic exaggerations or too much overcompensation.”
”See,” Wilburn said listening in on our conversation. “He knows the code, the experience and the essence. That’s why Bandit told you to feature his bike.”
”Fuck you, Wilburn, you old fart,” I said. “Let’s Ride.” We took off for Walker’s Café on the coast for a couple of Coronas and to arm- wrestle away the remaining hours of the afternoon, arguing over what’s cool and what ain’t.
–Renegade
Bikernet.com Extreme Tech Chart
Regular Stuff
Owner: Dar Holdsworth / Sam Wills
Bike Name: Brass Balls Chopper
City/State: Oklahoma City, OK
Builder: Darwin Motorcycles
City/state: Oklahoma City, OK
Company Info:
Web site: www.BrassBallsBobbers.com
Fabrication: Darwin Motorcycles
Manufacturing: Darwin Motorcycles
Welding: Darwin Motorcycles
Machining: Darwin Motorcycles
Engine
Year: 2007
Make: Crazy Horse
Model: V-Plus
Displacement: 100”
Builder or Rebuilder:
Cases: Crazy Horse
Case finish: black
Barrels: Crazy Horse
Bore: 3-5/8”
Pistons: Crazy Horse
Barrel finish: black w/ polished tips
Lower end: Crazy Horse
Stroke: 4-3/4”
Rods: Crazy Horse
Heads: Crazy Horse
Head finish: Polished
Valves and springs: Crazy Horse
Pushrods: Crazy Horse
Cams: S&S
Lifters: S&S
Carburetion: Mikuni 42
Air cleaner: Goodson Little Breather
Other:
Transmission
Year: 2007
Make: Ultima
Gear configuration: 6 speed
Final drive: chain
Primary: Wet Primary
Clutch: BDL
Frame
Year: 2007
Make: Darwin Motorcycles
Style or Model: Brass Balls Chopper
Stretch: 6” up
Rake: 40 degrees
Modifications:
Front End
Make: DNA
Model: Springer
Year: 2007
Length: 8” over
Mods:
Sheet metal
Tanks: early sportster style stretched
Fenders: round rear
Panels:
Oil tank: Brass Balls Bobber
Other:
Paint
Sheet metal: Airwerks Custom Paint
Molding:
Base coat: Candy red
Graphics: Black and Gray
Frame: Powder coated candy red
Molding:
Base coat:
Graphics or art:
Special effects:
Pinstriping:
Wheels
Front
Make: Darwin Motorcycles
Size: 21” x2.15” front
Brake calipers: Jay Brakes
Brake rotor(s): Jay Brakes
Tire: Avon
Rear
Make: Darwin Motorcycles
Size: 18” x 5.5” rear
Brake calipers: Jay Brakes
Brake rotor: Jay Brakes
Pulley: Sproket
Tire: 180 Avon
Controls
Foot controls: Billet
Finish: chrome
Master cylinder: Billet
Brake lines: steel braded
Handlebar controls: Jay Brake
Finish: Chrome
Clutch Cable: Barnetts Steel braded
Brake Lines: steel braded
Shifting: linkege Darwin Motorcycles
Electrical
Ignition: Crane HI-4
Ignition switch: Marine
Coils: Crane
Regulator: chrome
Charging: 32 amp
Wiring: Darwin Motorcycles
Harness: Darwin Motorcycles
Headlight: 5-3/4”
Taillight: LED Diamond Tag Bracket
Accessory lights: rear LED’s
Electrical accessories:
Switches:
Battery: H-D Buell
What's Left
Seat: Darwin Motorcycles
Pipes: Brass Balls Race Tuned Step Pipes
Mufflers:
Exhaust finish: Ceramic coated
Gas caps: round
Handlebars: Darwin Motorcycles : Drag Bars
Grips: Old School grips
Pegs: Darwin Motorcycles
Oil filter: Chrome
Oil cooler:
Oil lines: Black Rubber/chrome ends
Fuel filter: yes
Fuel Lines: black rubber
Throttle: PM
Throttle cables: Barnetts
Fasteners: Chrome
Notes: They are offered with three different motor packages:80-inch H-D EVO,100-inch Crazy Horse, orS&S 93-inch Shovel generator.Prices start at 17,995. The company is Federally Licensed and National Financing is available.
