During the summer of 1960, I saw my first Mustang, in the flesh. I noticed pictures of them in cycle magazines in the past, but that day molded my first impressions with the actual motorcycle. It all began on a camping trip in the mountains of Southern California, near the small town of Julian. Some friends and I were out hiking on that very cool and quiet morning when I heard a rumbling sound in the mountains. We all froze in our tracks and focused on the narrow, one-lane road that wound around the mountains a couple of hundred feet below us. The reverberation turned into a roar as two motorcycles appeared from around the curve. As the machines neared, I saw two riders on bright emerald green Mustangs with wire wheels sparkling in the sunlight. They diced together like they were in a TT race.
The wheel that kicked the new Mustang in the ass.
Now 40 years later, let me try and retrace our current Mustang project. For well over a decade, I have enjoyed Mustang stories that Alan Wenzel and I would share on his weekly Saturday visits to my shop, Show & Go in Dallas. He dropped-off and pick up chrome and powder coating. About four years ago, Alan brought in a pair of the new, slotted aluminum wheels for show polishing. I commented on how cool they were. I recently sold a 1962 Mustang Stallion from my bike collection and missed it, so it was time for a new Mustang project. I told Alan I wanted a set of the new wheels for myself, as I had a project in mind. We always talked about if Mustang was still in business. Where would it be now? Seeing the new 12-inch wheels started the cogs in motion. I thought about the project for about a year– how I wanted to build it. I didn’t want to use a stock frame and stuff a Honda or Triumph motor into it, then just add wheels. I wanted to start fresh, from the ground up.
The project was initially based on a rigid frame models. It had to have a vertical, single cylinder that would be proportional to the bike and contain terrific power. A must was the stock sheet metal and sprung solo seat and most importantly, the black, stock-opening front end. With those elements in place as the baseline, anything else goes, as long as it stayed within the lines of the Mustang configuration. The only modification I couldn't handle was mounting the headlight high. I figured if Mustang was still in business, they would have lowered it.
After considerable thinking, planning, stupid money and a ton of fabricating and building time…I launched my one-of-a-kind Mustang!
–Ike
Specifications
Engine – new unit construction 600 cc single cyl. 60 h.p. Ron Woods Rotax
Head – 4 valves
Starter – Electric
Trans. – 5-speed
Chassis – rigid frame 4130, .065 wall, chromoly
Oil Tank – fabricated aluminum
Forks – Trac-Dynamics pro-stock inverted style
Wheels – 12-inch custom aluminum
Tires – Dunlop
Brakes – Performance Machine
Sheet metal – gas tank and fenders both Mustang reproduction
Side covers – late model Yamaha-custom fitted
Dimensions – 215 lbs., 62-inch wheelbase
Paint – Chris Rainer-Dallas TX
Fabrication/owners – Ike and Jason Shelton
Thanks – Paul Jones, Steve Jones, and Paul Davenport
