This may sound crazy, but like every other bike builder in the country, I’ve been dying to be featured on Hugh King’s Original Productions, Biker Build-offs. I called Hugh numerous times, sent flowers and postcards, nothing. So we decided that we would show Hugh and the gang what Bikernet was truly capable of, over a 6-month period.

We didn’t want to stress ourselves.

I bugged the Bikernet team so much they all abandoned me and applied for jobs working for Russell Mitchell. I was stranded alone in the cold shop. I also needed a customer, a sponsor, someone with the big bucks to float a bike build for national television. My grandson came to visit. His 13-year-old budget was slimmer than our bank account, but when a man wants to be on Television, he’ll do anything, right?

Frank and I immediately hit the next Bike Swap Meet at the Long Beach Vets stadium. Everytime I stumble up and down the asphalt isles looking for that one golden Harley-Davidson part, every other booth contains various mini-chop frames. We didn’t find shit, one decent Sportster tank and one frame. The frame was stretched and raked too much for a kid’s first chop, so I passed.

Four three months I scoured connections all over Los Angeles and finally stumbled across the guy from the swap meet booth, again. “This is the last frame my manufacturer will ever build,” He said rolling out a complete chassis. It included that same goddamn stretched frame, a front end with a wheel and drum brake, a rear wheel with the sprocket welded to the hub and a mechanical disc brake that was set up like a Russell Mitchell hydraulic disc to sprocket job.

“He’s turning his attention to strollers for seniors,” my connection said and gave me a price of $350.00 for the roller. We took it, as if it would be the last roller on earth. Then I ordered a new 5.5 horse, Tecumseh engine, ideal for go-karts, from Northern Tool & Equipment. It had electronic ignition and recoil starter, cast iron cylinder bore and flywheel. It weighed 38 pounds and had a 2-year consumer limited warranty. I dug through all my shit and started to pull throttles, pegs, lights and more bullshit than I would build into one of my Panhead desks.

Frank came over for a weekend and we went to work. First we set up the engine-mounting base. We hooked up the chain and Torq-A-Verter belt centrifugal clutch primary drive from Comet Industries (TAV3-30 Asymmetric). It’s a torque converter system for final drive. We did our best to align the chain, engine and wheel sprocket. Then we welded the motor mount plate in place. Even at an anxious 13, Frank stayed focused and helpful. I told him it was for the Discovery Channel and he watched the shop door closely for the film crew to come busting in at anytime.

Scrambling around the shop I found some Custom Chrome tank mounts and we set up the Sportster Tank and tacked the tabs to the frame. It would be rubber mounted. Then we set to work on the Frank Kaisler seat mounting system for a smooth ride. We needed a rear fender, pegs mounts and a kickstand. Since I planned to powder coat the frame black and use the stock 5-Ball orange Sportster tank I dug around the shop for lights to accent the orange aspect. I was sure Hugh King, the executive producer of Biker Build-offs, would be jazzed.

Frank had to get back to school and peeled out. For months the chassis collected dust. My mission was to scour the city for a trailer rear fender, hook it up and ship the lot off to Foremost Powder Coating in Gardenia. Frankie didn’t call. His dad, my Son, doesn’t like me, for all my previous outlaw ways. I was felt the distance increase. Soon a motivating factor hit like a sledgehammer to my thumb. It was Christmas, and the Biker Build-off series was picked up by Discovery once again. I called the daughter-in-law and she needed a holiday break from the kids. I volunteered.

I hit Lomita Trailer for a fender, the smallest one they had, that didn’t exactly fit the radius of the wheel but the width was cool. I went to work with rebar and my MIG welder and John Van Trump, our Bikernet Product Manager, stepped in. He couldn’t escape. He had orders to fill. We mounted the fender, made a kickstand, narrowed the bars to fit the 7/8-inch controls, and designed a bogus headlight and Buell taillight mount. Off to the powder plant went the parts in the nick of time.

The kids were due to roll into the Bikernet Headquarters on Thursday after we completed the news. I prayed for a Friday Powder delivery. Esmeralda, from Foremost, made good, and the powder was ready Friday morning. We picked up the goods and by midnight the mini-chop was fired up and ready to rock.

Saturday morning Franky bounded out of bed, like a kid on Christmas morning with his sisters in tow, Olivia and Maxine. We loaded the bike and hit the harbor for a private test run. John, an experienced biker, rode it first, then adjusted the brake cables. It was Frankie’s turn. He wobbled, dipped and pulled her into line. Within two laps he was an old salt and ready for his first run.

Well, whatta ya tink? Will Hugh King be impressed? Will Bikernet challenge Russell Mitchell on the next Discovery Build-off program? “Hugh,” I said into the receiver, “are you there, man?”

Editor’s note:This bike comes at an interesting time. We’re about to launch the Girls of Bikernet and brothers have been fighting over the Japanese influence in our lives. I ran across this bike sometime ago at an event and told the builder how knocked out I was about the paint, the white base and smooth look of the machine.

I had it shot by Don Rogers in Florida, because I knew Don would pick the right girl and do the classic Japanese warrior artwork justice. The paint is incredible, the girl beautiful and Don’s photography excellent. Watch for more shots of the girl on GirlsofBikernet.com in March. And regarding the Japanese art on an American Motorcycle, as far as I’m concerned all bikers are warriors. This art shows warriors a great deal of respect. The art on the girl was crafted by the same artist who masterfully adorned the bike.—Bandit

Imagine jumping on your bike with absolutely no destination in mind. Visualize riding for hours on end, only stopping for gas and the occasional burrito washed down with a coke. You enter a town after riding for several hours and just want to find a place to stay for the night. As you are checking into the town, you realize how small a place this really is. Two stop lights, a hotel, a gas station, and lots of God’s country. I’ll bet these people have never seen a bike like the custom painted Heritage you blasted into town on. As a matter of fact, I’ll bet these people still ride horses.

There is absolutely nothing here….then you hear it. The unmistakable sound of a big twin resonates as familiar as the sound of your alarm clock. Instantly you find your senses peaked to just see the maker of this familiar sound. Cresting the ridge above you, with the horizon glazing his back, is a bike unlike any you have seen before. As it coasts past you, the image of fine china chased by thunder is all you can associate with the splendor of the beast.

You see her, the beast only known as Munewari.

Whatever has happened before doesn’t matter. You have to find out about that bike. Such is the case for everyone the first time they have laid eyes on her. Here is the story of Munewari, a Japanese word for split chest tattooing, or the name of a bike that makes the gods of Valhalla nod with approval.

Matt Kraft started working with his hands as many have before him. He usually broke something and had to discover a way to fix it. He bought his first car when he was 14 years old and started on a journey that brought him to present day owner/operator of Kraft Custom Cycles in Kamas, Utah.

Always one to start with a bang, Matt goes all out on everything he does.

“I got my license on Wednesday, and crashed on Friday. You know the story of trying to impress your friends by showing them how fast your car is and how well you can drive,” he claimed. I could tell I was going to like this kid already. Honest and not scared to tell when he screwed up.

“I worked for several shops, but I was never truly happy with what I was doing. I decided to sell my house in California, and move to Kamas to start my own deal. This not only gives me the opportunity to build my bikes, but I get to spend the time with my family doing things we used to have to wait all year to do.”

Well, so much for the theory that bike builders don’t live “the life”. I spend half my time trying to discover ways to escape my family and this guy sells everything he has to have more time with his family. Maybe there is something to the suspicion of half crazy guys running wild.

Two years ago, Matt decided to leave California to pursue his dreams of being a bike builder. He seems to be among the new breed of bike builders. He doesn’t have the “biker look”. Like builders such as Jesse Rooke, Joe Martin, and Matt Hotch, Matt would look more at home playing X-box than designing custom motorcycles

Munewari’s concept actually originated with the owners father, Dennis McQuire Sr. He had the bike built and then gave it to his son to remind him of the legacy his family believes in. This bike represents all things honorable represented by the Bushido symbols that adorn the bike.

The symbols are actually versions and concepts of “the way of the warrior”. Each part of the bike has a different belief, such as honor, honesty, and bravery. Jonathan Pantaleon, award winning airbrush artist, used House of Kolor paints for the entire bike.

The paint job on the gas tank is done in the same style as it would be on a man’s chest.

That’s where the name, Munewari, came from. The bike was originally scheduled to be a more flesh tone color, but Matt decided against it, as he didn’t really want to build a bike that could be compared to a big tattooed dick. The owner was blown away when he saw the bike for the first time.

“If I would have known you were going with white, I would have talked him out of it. But once I saw the bike, I couldn’t imagine it being any other color,” stated the elder McQuire incredulously. The white appears with an immaculate glow that seems to illuminate the whole area around it. Dennis McQuire Jr. could not have received a better adaptation of the warrior’s way than a bike as kick ass as this one. The paint is laid down in a way that reminds me of the tattoos I used to see on my Dad’s Vietnam buddies.

Seems all war veterans have tattoos representing where they have been, and Munewari looks to be at home on everything from a man, a bike, or even a woman. No doubt one of the classiest and cleanest paint schemes to come down the pike.

When I asked Matt how often the bike was ridden, he laughed and explained that the owner wanted a chalice. He didn’t spend 12 grand on a paintjob to be scratching it running around town. This bike is a leisure rider that was built for show. People can say what they want, but I wouldn’t mind something like that being parked in my living room as a centerpiece. The quality of the bike and paint are second to none, winning several awards along the way. She won “Best Street Custom” at the Easyriders show in San Diego, Ca. in 2004. Matt also entered her in The Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, Ca. in early 2005.

“Growing up in San Diego, I always looked at this show as the biggest and best of them all. If you win here, you really did something because the competition is phenomenal,” Matt enthusiastically beams like a proud papa. “We walked out of there winning ‘Outstanding Motorcycle of the Show’ and ‘Best Paint’. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

For a shop that’s been open for only two years, Matt has began to rack up the trophies. He won numerous times with several bikes and looks to be gaining momentum. I look for Matt Kraft and Kraft Custom Cycles to be a major player in the years to come. Anyone who truly knows about bikes will be able to appreciate the no nonsense style and clean lines Matt’s bikes display. Don’t take my word for it, check out the pictures or go online to www.kraftcustomcycles.com.

“I just wanted to give my thanks to Jonathan, as he was an immeasurable help with my project and I look forward to working with him for years to come,” insisted Matt. It sounds to me like Jonathan has made a partner worth having for the long haul.

Today’s bike industry has become so cluttered with bike builders copying one another and each claiming to do his own thing, making this encounter a refreshing one. It is cool to see a couple of guys collaborate ideas to build a slick and mean ass ride such as this beauty. It’s not every day you see a 600 lb. piece of china rolling down the tarmac being powered by a thunderous v-twin whose sound is so penetrating you have to look twice to be sure of what you just saw.

Take a few minutes and admire the look of Munewari. It is unlikely you have ever seen anything quite like her, and seemingly impossible to expect to see another again. This bike is a true representation of what a custom should be. A bike with unique lines that represent the philosophy of the owner reminds people around him what he stands for. I don’t think Dennis Jr. will ever forget the power of his family beliefs, or be able to deny the strength and craftsmanship by which his ride was built.

The next time you see another carbon copy “custom” rolling down the strip, try to compare the bike to this beauty. Look at the lines and the style. The cleanliness of the bars down to the fat rear tire; this is why we started customizing bikes. The desire to make each bike unique and styled to our own personal tastes and beliefs drives each one of us to make our own look. Lucky for this kid, he will never have to change a thing on this beauty.

Man, talk about starting with a leg up.

Keep your eye out for more from Matt Kraft and his custom bikes. If you’re ever in Florida, don’t be surprised if you see this monster fly past you on the freeway. Maybe you can catch the guy and get a closer look at the bike; this is one paintjob you will never forget.

Munewari Spec Chart

General

Owner-Dennis McQuire Jr.
Year/Make-’04 Kraft Custom Cycles/ Munewari
Fabrication-Matt Kraft
Assembly-Matt Kraft
Build Time-4 Months
Web Site-www.kraftcustomcycles.com

Engine

Size/Type-121” TP Engineering
Cases-TP
Flywheels-TP
Rods-TP
Pistons- TP

Cylinders-TP
Heads-S&S
Cam-TP
Carburetor-Mikuni
Ignition-Crane Hi-4
Pipes-Martin Brothers

Transmission

Year/Type-2004 Baker RSD6
Case-Baker
Clutch-Barnett Scorpion
Primary
Drive-Billet 4 U

Frame

Year/Type-2004/Xtreme
Rake-42 2004/Xtreme degrees
Stretch-4 up and 3 out
Molding-Matt Kraft

Suspension

Front
Builder-Perse
Triple Trees-Perse 6 degree

Rear
Type-Legend Air Ride

Wheels, Tires, and Brakes

Front
Size/Type-21” PM Wrath
Tire Make/
Size-Metzeler 80/90/21
Caliper-PM
Rotor-PM

Rear
Size/Type-18×10 PM Wrath
Tire Make/Size-Metzeler 280/35/18
Caliper-PM Drive Side
Rotor-PM

Finish/Paint
Color- House of Kolor
Painter- Jonathan Pantaleon
Graphics-Jonathan Pantaleon
Chrome Plating/Polishing-Orange County Plating

Accessories
Front Fender-Fat Katz/Kraft Custom Cycles
Rear Fender-Xtreme/Kraft Custom Cycles
Gas Tank/Caps-Independent/ Hotmatch
Handlebars- Kraft Custom Cycles
Hand Controls-PM

Foot Controls- PM
Foot pegs- PM
Headlight-Headwinds
Tail light-Billet 4 U

Seat-Bitchin Stitchin
Electrical-Kraft Custom Cycles
Coil-Nology
Starter-Spyke

No jive, New York City or Manhattan, as is the case for Nick Genender, of New York City Choppers, is a heaven on earth. We have this notion of NYC as the ultimate crime capital, teaming with druggies, homeless and narrow streets. Old tenement buildings crumble while the traffic screams past, fulla shouting drivers, and the population spills over the banks of the scurvy-filled island. Thugs and mugs hover on every corner, mafia running every block and gangs ruling the alleys at night.

For New Yorkers it’s a different scene. It’s home to the arts, the entertainment industry and Broadway. Every fuckin’ thing is within a quick bike blast from nightclubs to the best pizza on earth. It’s a place folks call home, know their neighbors and fight for both. Nick’s lived there most of his life working Wall Street computers when they were gigantic mainframe jobs and he took home $400-500 a week at 16. He ditched the glitz for more schooling and worked part time in the garment district at $150 a week. He told ‘em to fuck off and started his own garment biz. He ran it for 20 years.

But a buddy bought a Harley and Nick had the notion that if a brother rides, he had to step up. He bought a ’93 Heritage and watched his partner’s back. “I made it look like a ’57 Duo Glide within a year,” Nick said. That was 1994 and in 1995 he rode to Sturgis for the first time. On his way out he ran into another rider, Robby Paster. Robby, a Hamster, asked ‘em, “You guys got a place to stay?”

“Nope,” was the answer.

“Crash at my place,” Robby said and they were set up in a Deadwood dump.

The next morning during breakfast Robby said, “Whatta ya doing today?”

“Nothin’,” Nick said.

“You’re comin’ with me,” Robby said and lead them to the street drags in Beulah, Wyoming. The next day they hit the Burnouts in Sundance, Wyoming in front of the Dime Horse Shoe Saloon, then they blasted to the pig roasts.

“I was hooked,” Nick said. “I’ve been back every year since.”

So let’s get to this low-slung Softail Knuckle. It started with a friend's project collecting dust in the back of his shop. “I need a Knuckle motor?” Nick asked.

NYCC Oil Bag.

“It’s yours,” came the reply and so the project began.

NYCC risers.

Nick’s business revolves around a growing product line like this radiused frame. He offers a wishbone rigid, straight leg classic and this radiused 2-under Softail job. It’s ideal for quick-response, demanding city streets and pothole-dodging abilities. The NYC Choppers wide glide springer is 2 inches under. The gas tank, risers, grips and oil tank are also apart of their product line. Nick’s machinist cuts even the front 7.5-inch rotors.

He builds 12-15 of these classics a year with his frames and 93-103-inch Shovels, Flathead Power Knuckleheads (all 103-inchers), or 98-103 Accurate Panheads. It’s rock ‘n’ roll in Nick’s brick Hell’s Kitchen shop, although he may move to a new location with more space in the next couple of months. “They built parts for Hudson automobiles outta this building,” Nick said. He’s two blocks for the Harbor and nine blocks from the Intrepid WWII Aircraft Carrier museum.

Those 7.5-inch rotors.

I asked him about riding in Manhattan and he said, “It’s cool, but loud pipes saves lives. The cops are also cool, unless you’re stupid. There’s nothin’ like riding in the city.”

New York City Choppers Spec Sheet

Owner: YOU (it’s for sale)
City/State: ANY WHERE USA

Builder: NEW YORK CITY CHOPPERS, 212-643-6200
City/state: NEW YORK CITY, NY 10019
Fabrication:MATT K
Manufacturing:NEW YORK CITY CHOPPERS
Welding:MATT K
Machining:MATT K

Engine KNUCKLEHEAD

Year: 2006
Make:FLATHEAD POWER & RANDY RANKIN
Model: NYC KNUCKLE
Displacement: 103
Builder or Rebuilder: FLATHEAD
Cases: S & S
Case finish: POLISHED
Barrels: RED
Bore: 3 13/16-inch
Pistons: ROSS
Barrel finish: POWDER COAT
Lower end: S & S
Stroke: 4.50-inch
Rods: S & S

Heads: FLATHEAD POWDER
Head finish: POWDER COAT
Valves and springs: DIAMOND
Pushrods: S & S
Cams: S & S
Lifters: S & S

Carburetion: S & S
Other: GOODSON AIR CLEANER FOR NYC

Transmission

Year: 2006
Make: BAKER
Gear configuration: 6 SPEED KICKER IN A 5 SPEED BOX WITH HYDRAULIC
Final drive: CHAIN 24/51 TOOTH SPROCKET
Primary: TECH CYCLE FOR NYC CHOPPERS
Clutch: TECH

Frame

Year: 2006
Make: NYC CHOPPERS
Style or Model: SOFTAIL
Stretch: 2-inch
Rake: 33 degrees
Modifications: RADIUS BACK BINE & RADIUS DOWNTUBES 2 UNDER

Front End

Make: NYC CHOPPERS
Model: WIDE GLIDE SPRINGER
Year: 2006
Length: 2-inch UNDER
Mods: DUAL DISC

Sheet metal

Tanks: NYC CHOPPERS
Fenders: NYC CHOPPERS
Oil tank: NYC CHOPPERS

Paint

Sheet metal: VISUAL IMPACT, MIKE T
Molding: VISUAL IMPACT, JIM
Graphics: NONE
Frame: VISUAL IMPACT, MIKE T
Molding: VISUAL IMPACT, JIM
Graphics or art: NONE

Wheels

Front NYC CHOPPERS
Make: NYC CHOPPERS
Size: 21 X 2.15 DUAL DISC
Brake calipers: JAY BRAKE/NYC CHOPPERS
Brake rotor(s): NYC CHOPPERS 7.5
Tire: METZLER 90/90 21

Rear
Make:NYC CHOPPERS
Size:18 X 5.5
Brake calipers: HHI
Brake rotor: HHI SPROTER BRAKE
Pulley: NOPE
Tire: METZLER 180/55/18

Controls

Foot controls: PM CONTOUR
Finish: BLACK ANO
Master cylinder: PM
Brake lines: PRO LINE ,DRAG SPECILITIES

Handlebar controls: PM CONTOURS
Finish:BLACK ANO
Clutch Cable: HYDRAULIC
Brake Lines DRAG SPECIALTIES
Shifting: FOOT HYDRAULIC

Electrical

Ignition: CRANE HI 4
Ignition switch: NYC CHOPPERS
Coils: DYNA MINI
Regulator: DRAG
Charging: DRAG

Wiring: MATT K
Harness: NYC CHOPPERS
Headlight: ALLOY ART

Taillight: STOP
Accessory lights: NONE
Electrical accessories: NONE
Switches:NONE
Battery: DRAG

What's Left

Seat: DBALLARD FOR NYC CHOPPERS

Pipes: NYC CHOPPERS
Mufflers:NONE

Exhaust finish:POLISHED STAINLESS & WRAPPED
Gas caps: NYC CHOPPERS
Handlebars: NYC CHOPPERS 12 IN MINI APE
Grips: NYC CHOPPERS SPADE BLACK POWDER & POLISHED
Pegs:PM

Oil filter: K&N
Oil cooler:NOPE
Oil lines: COPPER HARD LINES
Fuel filter: NOPE
Fuel Lines:COPPER HARD LINE
Throttle: NYCC
Throttle cables:DRAG, PULL ONLY
Fasteners: PM THROTTLE HOUSING

Specialty items: 2 INCH BELT DRIVE, 7.5 INCH MINI BRAKE ROTORS & CALIPER MOUNTS ,HAND TOOLED SEAT, GIMP BARS,SPADE 13 OIL TANK, TEXAS STAR RISERS, CUSTOM EXHAUST

Credits: RANDY RANKIN FOR THE USE OF HIS MOTOR. TECH CYCLE FOR BUILDING US A NEW 2 INCH BELT DRIVE & CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.

It was a really warm morning in Cave Creek Arizona when I was to meet John Shope of SSinster Choppers with the Copperhead 2 and my model, Chainsaw Chelsea, to shoot a feature for Bikernet.com. You can find that feature in the Girls Of Bikernet section, in Bandit’s Cantina. If you’re not a member, you’re missing out big time. It’s cheap. Right now the Winter 2006 deal is a measly 10 bucks for a whole goddamn year. That’s right 10 bucks for biker entertainment 24/7.

John also brought out his COP bike and wanted to know if I would shoot it as well. Chainsaw was up for anything, so you get to experience her twice. If you desire a few less clothes, don't forget to head to the Cantina and look up the Girls of Bikernet. We had time to spare, so we decided to shoot it. Besides I found out later the Cop Bike was one of Bandit’s favorites from the 2006 LA Calendar Show. As I looked over this sleek black and white beauty I became more and more impressed with John’s skill as a builder. This bike exudes CLEAN. Not only was this a novel and creative effort but John’s expertise in finish work and detail can only be appreciated close-up. For what it’s worth, and it’s worth a lot in the Bikernet.com scheme of things, you can actually ride John’s bikes. His wife sped off on this one just as soon as we were done with the shoot.

Shooting Chainsaw on this bike made for an interesting dichotomy. Though Chainsaw is really into bikes, this COP notion gave her a brief chill as she looked around to make certain that she wasn’t going to get busted for overexposing her bust. The chill she got worked to my advantage and that wasn’t all bad, given what I had hoped to get out of her. As you see we got just what we needed.

John is a very talented and creative guy. His next bike is a Captain Morgan theme bike that I saw at the Smoke Out West before it was finished but I assure you it is worthy of another trip to Cave Creek.

Keep your eyes open for much more from John Shope and Ssinster…

That’s the end of the Scooter’s feature, but I’ve got more questions. This bike was built in Phoenix, but it has “California Highway Patrol” on the tanks. What’s up with that? Maybe Phoenix or Arizona Highway patrol have goofy looking cop color schemes. I don’t know?

During the ‘70s I bought Los Angeles cops bikes at auction, before they cost $1000.00. As soon as they reached the one grand number, I thought they were out of my league and went looking in the classifieds for basket cases and wrecked bikes. Times have changed.

I’ll let you know, if I find out more about the scheme behind this hot number. Not Chelsea, the bike.–Bandit

Don’t forget to join the Bandit’s Cantina, for more of Chainsaw Chelsea.

Ssinister Choppers
Scottsdale, AZ
Phone: (602) 309 – 3352?
E-mail: John Shope – OwnerJS@ssinisterchoppers.com

Fabricator Kevin Verkest is the well-known “Sultan of Steel”.At his shop in Clinton Township, Michigan, Kevin takes hunks of steel and turns them into fantastic parts and accessories for just about any type of bike. This year, Kevin was chosen to be one of the builders in the Horse Magazines “CHOP OFF 2006” at the Smoke Out Event in Salisbury N.C.

Kevin was up against some tough competition but he took the build in stride. Building a cool chopper for under the $10,00 limit is no easy task. Add to that going head to head against the likes of Chopper Dave, Roadside Marty, Ian Staudt and Maddog just made the task more intriguing for Kevin.

We sent our covert Bikernet operator, Bob T. into the state department to “borrow” some shots of an X-15.

Kevin hates to use the word “THEME, when it comes to his bikes, so we won't. The “idea” for the bike’s look came from the American X-15, a rocket-powered research aircraft that bridged the gap between manned flight in the atmosphere and space flight. After its initial test flights in 1959, the X-15 became the first winged aircraft to attain hypersonic velocities of Mach 4, 5, and 6 (four to six times the speed of sound) and to operate at altitudes well above 100,000 feet. There were 199 flights beginning June 8, 1959 and ending October 24, 1968. The initial eight flights were made by test pilot Scott Crossfield. Neil Armstrong flew seven times. Kevin's first experience with the X-15 came at three years old when he piloted a 3 wheeled pedal car version and was hooked on speed ever since.

Kevin started off the project by scoring a beaten up 1975 FXE on the cheap. He stripped the bike down and tossed everything except for the frame, motor and tranny. After spending a ton of quarters at a coin-op car wash de-gunking the frame, he decided that he would chop off the rear section and hard-tail it on his new frame jig table. With the frame cut just behind the forgings at the seat post, Kevin fit a rear section from an old Panhead frame he picked up from Dragon in Northern Fla.

Jason from Paughco kicked in a killer new tapered leg stock length Springer front end for the project. That set the look off just right.

The front wheel is a 19-inch Dual Disc H-D fitted with custom Fab Kevin 7 ½-inch rotors and the rear is a 16-inch H-D mechanical Drum brake. The wheels were painted by Hot Gun Customs and then sent to Doug's Customs in Georgia to be laced and trued. The mechanical rear-brake set up fit well into the frame.

Kevin had to come up with a way to connect the motion of the brake pedal stroke on the right side of the frame, to mesh well with the drum brake unit on the frames left. Kevin opted for a series of “bell cranks” to transfer the action and it worked like a champ and looked good while doing it.

Once the rolling chassis was together it was time to get to work on the engine. Kevin called on his buddy Dan Roedel to help bring the 1975 74 cu. inch Shovelhead back to life. The motor was torn down, the cases de-greased and with the surface blasted and all the imperfections ground out it was put back together with new sprocket shaft Timken bearings. The right side case was drilled and plugged for the new S&S oil pump.

The cylinders were bored for new .050-inch over-sized cast pistons and moly rings. The bottom end got a new JIMS crank pin, had the rods lapped .0006 oversize to clean up the roller marks and new wrist pin bushings were installed and reamed to size. I was re-balanced to 58%. An Andrews Cam and 34mm Mikuni “Roundslide Carb” set off performance. The drive train gets its power via a Karata 1 ½-inch belt drive filled with Energy-One Clutch plates.

Kevin fab'ed up the sleek oil tank and dropped a mini battery inside it.He wanted the gas tanks to be really low slung on the frame. He started off with standard 5-gallon Fat Bob tanks and narrowed them, then lowered the mounts to accomplish the look. The rear fender is a cast off from a Britt bike of unknown origin. Eric Gorges of Voodoo Choppers donated some time to fuse in the ribbed center section.

The handlebars are Fab Kevin Clip-Ons. The headlight is a Unity Fire truck spotlight while the taillight and mid-controls are also from the hands of Fab Kevin. The bitchin paint job was handled by Bob Trunowski while the powder-coat work was baked by QC Coatings.

Kevin's pals Hector and Zoe accomplished all the detail work. As an added bonus, master Engraver CJ Allan lent his masters touch to some of the bikes killer engraving. George Paul of Soft Trim Specialties built the cool seat. Kevin wants to personally thank The Prick, Poolboy, Anbo, Jason, Dragon, Kutter, Johnson, Dale and especially his ever patient and long suffering bride, Carla, for putting up with him during the build.

To make a long story short, all the hard work paid off . Kevin walked away with the People's Choice First Place Trophy at this years Smoke Out for his rendition of the X-15. If the classic had wings, I believe it could fly.

If you want any parts made from stainless steel for your project, contact FabricatorKevin.com
Address: 44306 Macomb Industrial Drive
Clinton Twp, Mi 48036
Phone: 586-465-2600
Email: fabkevin@sbcglobal.net

X-15 TECH SHEET

Owner: Kevin Verkest
Fabrication: Fabricator Kevin
Year and Make: 1975 Harley FX
Assembly: owner & Dan Roedel

Engine year: 1975
Model: Shovelhead
Ignition: Dyna 2000i
Displacement: 74” + .050”
Lower end: HD
Balancing: Dan Roedel
Pistons: Cast HD
Cases: HD
Heads: HD
Cam: Andrews
Carbs: 34mm Mikuni Roundslides
Air Cleaners: Dan Roedel
Pipes: Hand made
Engraving: CJ Allan

Transmission: 1975 H-D 4-speed
Trans sprocket: 24T
Wheel sprocket: 51T
Shifting: Hand!
Primary: Karata
Clutch: Energy One

Paint: Hot Gun Customs
Color: Blood red and Cream
Powdercoating: QC Coatings
Pinstriping: Russ Plotzke

Frame: 1975HD Hardtailed with Panhead Axleplates
Rake: stock
Stretch: stock
Color: black powder-coat

Accessories:
Bars: Fab Kevin Clip-ons
Fender: Voodoo Choppers
Headlight: Unity Fire Truck spotlight
Taillight: Fab Kevin
Foot controls: Fab Kevin mid controls
Gas Tank: Fat Bobs – modified
Oil Tank: Fab Kevin
Seat: Soft Trim Specialties

Special team behind the build.

Forks: Paughco Tapered leg Springer

Wheels
Front: 19-inch H-D Dual Disc
Brakes: Fab Kevin 7 ½” Rotors

Rear: 16-inch H-D
Brake:HD Mechanical Drum
Wheel Builder: Doug’s Customs

Address: 44306 Macomb Industrial Drive
Clinton Twp, Mi 48036
Phone: 586-465-2600
Email: fabkevin@sbcglobal.net

SPECIAL thanks to:
Dan Roedel for a beautiful, reliable motor and trans, hard lines, hand spun air cleaner, and more help and support than I deserveBob Trunowski for a bitchin’ paint job
QC Coatings for perfect powdercoating on everything that needed it, and no powder where I didn’t want it!
CJ Allan for the engraving, and “constructive” criticism…George Paul of Soft Trim Specialties for the exact seat I had in mind
Hectar and Zoe for the detail work
And to: The Prick, Poolboy, Anbo, Jason, Dragon, Kutter, Johnson, Dale, and especially Carla for putting up with me!

Even an X-15 had a breakdown.

We hired special security for this feature.

When my amigo, Tom “The German”, told me that his company, Demon’s Cycle South, had just finished a new project bike, I figured it’d be special. I’ve seen their work before, and I’ve never failed to be impressed, but this time they’ve outdone themselves. Not only that, as you can plainly see, they got the infamous and gorgeous Nikki to pose with it! Now, before ya get me started on Nikki, let me tell ya about the bike. (Yeah, there’s a bike there… Just to the right of Nikki’s cute little ass.)

It’s a 2007 Demon’s Custom chopper, an’ it’s damn sure one of a kind!

It’s a rigid, with no hidden suspension to soften the hit, and no little bicycle shock under the seat to help save yer ass either. In fact, the seat is just what ya see in the pictures: Steel bars! This is NOT a candy-ass motorcycle, but a true blue ball-buster! If ya let a little air outa that Avon 300 mm rear tire, it might help a little, but I doubt it. How about power, Ya ask? The Demon’s folks chose a 110” Rev Tech engine, then put the baby on the bottle! Yep… NOS.

It’s coupled to a 6-speed tranny by a fat-ass 3-inch BDL belt drive, an’ to make sure ya hear this bad bitch comin’ at ya, Demon’s made the custom pipes that’ll not only announce yer arrival, but burn all the hair off of any dog dumb enough to chase ya.

With a ride like this, not just any ol’ wheels would do, so it’s restin’ on rims by Weld Racing, wrapped up all snug in Avon rubber.

Inverted front forks give the leadin’ end some serious bling, an’ sets off that wild lookin’ headlight and custom bars an’ risers from Demons.

Tom wanted somethin’ unusual to set off the 8-inch stretch custom fuel tank, so he had his best friend Chris Nichols of Kaos Kustom Paint up in Rhode Island lay on the snake skin graphics to make this evil Twin look even more sinister. It’s what ya call “dressin’ for success”.

In case ya were wondering, yeah… This bike’s for sale.Even if ya want to build yer own, or just dress up what yer ridin’, give Tom a shout down in sunny Florida. He sells quality parts at rock bottom prices, and the whole Demon’s crew are great to work with. That’s why I buy so much stuff from ‘em. You can contact ‘em at:

DEMONS CYCLE SOUTH
378 SW 14th St.
Pompano Beach, Fla. 33069
Their phone number is 954-943-0000, but if yer a cheap ass like me, an’ don’t want ta pay Ma Bell for the air time, you can get ‘em on the net at: www.demonscycle.com.

Bikernet Demon’s Cycle Spec Chart

General

Owner: Demon’s Cycle South
City/State: Pompano Beach, Fla.

Builder: Demon’s Cycle South
City/state ( or company contact info): www.demonscycle.com
Fabrication: Demon’s
Manufacturing: Demon’s
Welding: Demon’s
Machining: Demon’s

Engine

Year: 2007
Make: RevTech
Model: Evolution
Displacement: 110 cid
Builder or Rebuilder: RevTech
Cases: RevTech
Case finish: Polished
Barrels: yep
Bore: yep
Pistons: got them too
Barrel finish: Completely
Lower end: RevTech
Stroke:
Rods: 2
Heads: 2
Head finish: completely
Valves and springs: yep
Pushrods: 4
Cams: Andrews EV72
Lifters: Andrews
Carburetion: Mikuni
Other:

Transmission

Year: 2007
Make: RevTech 6 speed
Gear configuration: close ratio
Final drive: chain
Primary: BDL 3” belt
Clutch: Kevlar

Frame

Year: 2007
Make: TC modified pro-street
Style or Model: pro street
Stretch: 6”
Rake: -1”
Modifications:

Front End

Make: Euro
Model: inverted
Year: 2007
Length: stock
Mods: no tabs

Sheet metal

Tanks: Demon’s
Fenders: Demon’s
Panels: Demon’s
Oil tank: Demon’s
Other:

Paint

Sheet metal: Kaos Kustom Paint
Molding: Kaos
Base coat: Kaos
Graphics: Snake skin by Kaos
Frame: Kaos
Molding: Kaos
Base coat: Kaos
Graphics or art: Kaos
Special effects: Kaos
Pinstriping: Kaos

Wheels

Front
Make: Weld Racing
Size: 21”X 3,25”
Brake calipers: Euro
Brake rotor(s): Euro
Tire: Avon

Rear
Make: Weld racing
Size: 18” X 10.3”
Brake calipers: Euro
Brake rotor: Euro
Pulley: Euro
Tire: Avon

Controls

Foot controls: Demon’s
Finish: chrome
Master cylinder: chrome
Brake lines: chrome
Handlebar controls: Demon’s (Internal)
Finish: chrome
Clutch Cable: chrome
Brake Lines chrome
Shifting: foot

Electrical

Ignition: self contained RevTech
Ignition switch: hidden
Coils: dual fire
Regulator: CCI
Charging: CCI
Wiring: Demon’s
Harness: Demon’s
Headlight: Demon’s
Taillight: Demon’s
Accessory lights: Demon’s
Electrical accessories:
Switches: Demon’s
Battery: Big Boar

What's Left

Seat: none- ass fat cushioning
Pipes: demon’s
Mufflers: Huh?
Exhaust finish: Chrome
Gas caps: demon’s
Handlebars: demon’s
Grips: Demon’s
Pegs: Demon’s
Oil filter: CCI
Oil cooler: CCI
Oil lines: Demon’s
Fuel filter: Demon’s
Fuel Lines: Demon’s
Throttle: Demon’s Internal
Throttle cables: Demon’s
Fasteners: yep. Lots of ‘em

Credits: Custom paint, molding, and graphics by Chris Nichols, owner of Kaos Kustom Paint, in Rhode Island

We have all seen them, upsets. An upset can take a stale situation and breathe fresh new life into it like the sound of a V-Twin roaring to life for the first time at 5 o’clock in the morning. Epic battles comparable to boxing’s Ali-Foreman, Tyson-Douglas. Or take a subjective sport like bodybuilding where just this year, 4 time Olympia runner-up, Jay Cutler, finally defeated 8-time Ronnie Coleman. Sometimes it’s just the way the cards fall. Some will laugh, some will groan, but the truth is, upsets are what makes competition bearable. Why compete if the winner is predetermined?

An upset is exactly what happened at the 2006 rendition of the Artistry in Iron show held in Las Vegas. For the first time, someone has beaten Roger Goldammer of Goldammer Cycle Works. Goldammer’s run has been so dominant, he even beat 2-time champion Matt Hotch at this year’s Biker Build Off. To say he is cutting edge, would be a great understatement. Who knocked him off? None other than California’s Greg Westbury and his bike “Lucky”. And lucky for you all it is, because we have exclusive coverage of the build from the conceptual drawings, to mock up, to finished bike. Check it out!

Greg Westbury is the owner/operator of Westbury Hot Rods, Inc., in Concord, California. Blowing away the competition with new, fresh ideas since 1989, Westbury Hot Rods, Inc. is now developing a reputation as one of the best in the industry. The cool thing about them is they are as well respected in the car industry as in the bikes. Kind of like Boyd Coddington’s shop and Jesse James all rolled into one. Cars and bikes, neither more than the other, just a world-class hot rod shop.

From concept to final build, this took 5 months. Greg’s name is so hot right now, he was recently approached with an offer from The chopper king himself, Hugh King, about appearing in a Biker Build off. Greg accepted and will begin filming before the end of the year. Keep your ears to the street, this guy is making his mark and looks to be around for a long time to come.

I talked with Greg and was shocked to learn he is a bit different from the young guys who have been banging their gums on the television lately. First of all, he started with a thank you for the interview, which is a first. Some of these guys act as if they are doing me a favor by talking with me. Not Greg, he was very personable and polite.

He also stated, “I was honored just to be invited to the Artistry in Iron Show. I don’t normally do the shows”

When I asked about the concept of this bike, he explained his direction from the beginning. “I’m done with chrome and billet. I wanted to build the opposite of what everyone else has been doing. You know, the stretched frames and fat rear tires.” Yeah Greg, I know exactly what you mean. I call the fat rear-enders beach ball bikes because that’s what they look like they are riding on. “Honestly, it’s just a bike with clean lines and clean assembly. It’s just a bike, anyone can do it.”

I’ll tell you, it’s refreshing to talk to someone who is as humble and laid back as me. Yeah, right! I’d be blowing my horn so hard; the brass would bubble at the end of the trumpet!

Greg Westbury, of Westbury Hot Rods, Inc., was as much as much a pleasure to interview as anyone I have talked to, including Donnie Smith and Dave Perewitz. I think he will be around a long time, and I look forward to seeing his next creation on Biker Build Off early next year. So enjoy the exclusive, first-printed, build of Greg’s cycle “Lucky”. As far as the win at the show was concerned, I don’t think luck had anything to do with it. Take care everyone, and Ride Hard!

General

Owner: Westbury Handcrafted Motorcycles
City/State: Concord, CA

Builder: Greg Westbury
City/state ( or company contact info): www.westburyhotrods.com 925-682-9482
Fabrication: Greg Westbury
Manufacturing: Greg Westbury

Welding: Greg Westbury
Machining: Darrel Hayes, Dan Tong

Engine

Year: 2006
Make: STD
Model: Panhead
Displacement: 80″
Builder or Rebuilder: Mike Baker
Cases: STD
Case finish: Polished
Barrels: Revtech
Bore: stock
Pistons: Revtech
Barrel finish: Black Paint
Lower end: Revtech
Rods: Revtech
Heads: STD
Head finish: Polished
Valves and springs: S&S
Pushrods: Crane
Cams: Crane
Lifters: Crane
Carburetion: S&S
Other: Blueprinted by Mike Baker of Westbury's

Transmission

Year: 2006
Make: Revtech
Gear configuration: 5spd
Final drive: Westbury sprocket with W logo
Primary: BDL Heavily modified by Westbury's
Clutch: BDL

Frame

Year: 2006 rigid
Make: Westbury
Style or Model: Westbury Shorty Bob
Stretch: 0
Rake: 37 degrees
Modifications: Completely Handcrafted by Westbury's

Front End

Make: Westbury
Model: Stiff Rider
Year: 2006
Length: Short
Mods: Indy car style bell crank with Rockshox coil cover……brushed nickel finish

Sheet metal

Tanks: handcrafted by Greg Westbury

Fenders: D&D fat Katz
Oil tank: Oil is held in frame tubes, oil filler is under gas tank tunnel

Paint

Sheet metal: All molding, paint & body is by Marcos Garcia and the crew @ Lucky 7 auto body

Wheels

Front
Make: Westbury's “Hot Rod” model
Size: 21×2.15
Brake calipers: none
Brake rotor(s): 52 tooth sprocket rotor by Westbury’s
Tire: Avon 21×80-90

Rear
Make: Westbury's “Hot Rod” model
Size: 21×3.5
Brake calipers: Westbury's one off with integrated taillight
Brake rotor: rear sprocket/rotor waterjet cut 304 s.s. with “W” logos
Pulley: none
Tire: Avon 120-70-21

Controls

Foot controls: Handcrafted mid controls by Westbury's
Finish: brushed nickel
Master cylinder: P-M
Brake lines: Russell nylon
Handlebar controls: handcrafted by Westbury’s
Finish: brushed nickel
Clutch Cable: Barnett’s
Brake Lines
Shifting:

Electrical

Ignition: dyna
Ignition switch: key
Coils: nology
Regulator: spyke
Charging: spyke
Wiring: Westbury's
Harness: none
Headlight: headwinds
Taillight: 1926 model T ford
Accessory lights: none
Electrical accessories:
Switches:
Battery: odyessy

What's Left

Seat: Duane Balard
Pipes: Westbury's S.L.F. [short loud fuckers]
Mufflers: what ?
Exhaust finish: brushed nickel
Gas caps: Westbury's ” Big Baller”
Handlebars: Westbury's
Grips: Westbury's “Hollow Points”
Pegs: Westbury's “Hollow Points”
Oil filter: Westbury's “beehive”
Oil cooler: none
Oil lines: s.s. hardlines
Fuel filter: none

Fuel Lines: s.s. hardline
Throttle: internal
Throttle cables: barnetts
Fasteners: Chrome hardware supply – arizona

Specialty items: If the credits read like I'm taking all of the “Credit” for everything – I AM !!! The only thing i bought was tires, engine, and tranny everything else was build by me – that's no bullshit !!

Comments: What a lot of fucking work, I'm glad it's finally done !!!

Credits: Thanks the P.P.G. paint Custom Chrome Inc. Mike Baker and Fama Metal polishing

Rollin‚ Sixes Choppers was formed by family and friends and is run by family and friends. We are third generation bikers who know our way around the shop. We are real bikers who build real bikes for bikers who love to ride. We specialize in custom builds that people can truly afford and also in high-end custom rides. We pride ourselves on building affordable, custom, top-notch motorcycles

.

The response from our customers is overwhelming.

They can’t believe the asking price of our bikes. Our best compliment yet is that our existing customers tell potential buyers that we treat all customers like they are part of the family. Motorcycling used to be a workingman’s release. We’re proud to be part of the culture that has grown from it. We strive to build motorcycles the average man can still afford and be proud of. There’s a difference between someone who builds from the heart and someone who does not.

To bring even more fun back into your life Rollin Sixes Choppers and Rods has expanded to include custom built rods to bring you “one off” really cool custom rat rods citizens will even envy. Once again we will prove to be cool. It’s not about how much money you spend, it’s how you spell it.

We get asked a lot by what we mean when we say “no apologies” on our logo and t-shirts. Every time we pick up a newspaper that has an article about Bikers they always stress how they’re doctors, lawyers, etc., but not like the Bikers of old. We have no grudges against any Bikers because real Bikers don’t judge. We’re not ashamed of who we are or where we come from. No Apologies.

Bikernet Rollin’ Sixes Spec Chart

General

Owner: Rollin' Sixes Choppers (Could be yours)
City/State: U.S

Builder: Rollin' Sixes
City/state ( or company contact info): www.rollinsixeschoppers.com South number-(239) 707- 6024North number (216)375-3644
Fabrication: Rollin' Sixes
Welding: Rollin' Sixes

Engine Ultima El bruto 100 c.i.

Year: 2005
Make: Ultima
Model: El bruto
Displacement: 115 LB FT Torque at rear wheel
Builder or Rebuilder: Ultima
Cases: Ultima C355 Aluminium a common US Military alloy known for its stability over multiple heat cycles
Case finish: Polished
Barrels: Ultima C355-T6 Casting
Bore: Bore: 3.875-inch
Pistons: Forged
Barrel finish: Polished
Lower end: Ultima
Stroke: 4.25-inch
Rods: Ultima
Heads: C355-T6 Casting
Head finish: Polished
Valves and Springs: 2.100 Stainless Int Valves1.700 Stainless Ex ValvesManganeze Bronze guidesHigh Silicon WireValve Spring w/ Chromoly Retainer
Pushrods: Crane
Cams: Ultima 248 Duration 625lift
Lifters: Ultima
Carburetion: S&S Super G

Transmission

Year: 2005
Make: Chrome Horse
Gear configuration: 6-speed
Final drive: Exile Sprotor
Primary: BDL with oil filter
Clutch: BDL

Frame

Year: 2005
Make: Ultima
Style or Model: Rigid
Stretch: 2-inch
Rake: 34
Modifications: Molded and Webbed

Front End

Make: DNA
Model: Springer
Year: 2005
Length: 2-inch over
Mods: Flaked

Sheet metal

Tanks: Penut
Fenders: Low
Oil tank: Round

Paint

Sheet metal: Rollin' Sixes
Molding: Rollin' Sixes
Base coat: Black with lots of Old School Flake Green you can get from Rollin' Sixes
Graphics: Rollin' Sixes
Frame: Rollin' Sixes (Old School Flake Green)
Molding: Rollin' Sixes
Base coat: Black
Graphics or art: Rollin' Sixes
Special effects:
Pinstriping:

Wheels

Front Spoke
Make: Ultima
Size: 21-inch
Brake calipers: None
Brake rotor(s): None
Tire: Avon

Rear
Make: Ultima
Size: 16-inch
Brake calipers: Exile
Brake rotor: Exile
Pulley: Exile
Tire: Maxiss

Controls

Foot controls: BDL
Finish: Polish with flat black
Master cylinder: BDL
Brake lines: Very small
Handlebar controls: BDL
Finish: Polish with flat black
Clutch Cable: Long
Brake Lines: Rubber
Shifting: Foot

Electrical

Ignition: Crane
Ignition switch: Marine
Coils: Crane
Regulator: Crane
Charging: 12v
Wiring: Rollin' Sixes
Headlight: Paughco
Taillight: 1930 Ford
Accessory lights: Nope
Electrical accessories: Nope
Switches: High/Low
Battery: Small

What's Left

Seat: Rollin' Sixes
Pipes: Paul Yaffe
Mufflers: Nope
Exhaust finish: Flat black
Gas caps: Round
Handlebars: Mini apes
Grips: Rollin' Sixes
Pegs: Rollin' Sixes
Oil filter: Black
Oil lines: Rubber
Fuel filter: Pingel
Fuel Lines: Rubber
Throttle: Internal
Throttle cables: Yep
Fasteners: Grade 8

Specialty items:

Comments:We would like to say thanks to Bandit and everyone at Bikernet.com for all the help they have given us.

Credits:Family and friends that stand behind us with all the support. Frank and Redd for all the help and letting us use the paint booth.

Damn, the bikes coming out of this industry are amazing, and Gard Hollinger is one of those builders who dazzle me every time I see one of his bar blasters. No wonder Saxon chose Gard as their custom bike and accessory designer and he was the co-star on the Build-or-Bust television series. But let’s back up and cover his past. He’s too busy to talk about today, ‘cause Hugh King was hanging out at his shop shooting a Biker Build-off. He’s up against Jason Hart, and they are building two hot rod customs. The plan includes bitchin bikes raced at the drags to test performance.

Gard grew up in Southern California tinkering with dirt bikes and hot rods until his mom uprooted his young ass and hauled him to a small island off the coast of Washington. He thought for sure his life was fucked. It was.

Wait, maybe I need to stay focused on this board track tribute built for Carrie Rep’s Seminole Roadhouse event series that took over for the Camel Roadhouse a few years back. She picked four builders every year and hauled them to Daytona for Bike Week, Austin, Texas ROT Rally, Laconia, Biketoberfest, Sturgis (until this year) and Ft. Lauderdale for the grand finale at the Seminole Hardrock Casino (Hollywood, Florida).

The cool thing about this series includes partying with your pals at all these major events and with Carrie who is a knockout Florida blonde. Plus she attracts hot-looking chicks at every venue. Number two on the cool scale, for all the spectators, is the Roadhouse sign-up at any venue for a chance to win one of these wild-ass machines. At the end of the year, in Fort Lauderdale, a winner will be chosen and he or she gets to pick whichever bike they want. Then the builder receives a check for $75,000. Not bad all the way around. You, too, can enter by heading over to the Seminole Hardrock Web side from the Bikernet Home Page.

Click on this image to vote on the bike of your choice.

The RoadHouse Crew from left: Eric, Aaron, Gard and Paul.

This year Gard hung out in good company with Paul Cox, Aaron Greene of Paramount, and Eric Gorges of Voodoo Choppers. Last March 3rd was the deadline to haul this wild custom to Daytona Beach from Torrance, California. Three days prior to the deadline his paint wasn’t complete and he had no Baker tranny. He built the bike around the brand new Baker Torque-Box transmission. Scheduled to receive serial number 1, he paced the concrete deck of his shop, while Jason Brown, his right hand man, drove north out of LA to San Jose to pick up all their steel parts, being piston coated with a unique finish, at R&S. He worked with them through the night, loaded the truck and drove back the next day.

The Baker trans hadn’t arrived so he used another one for set-up.

They made it, had the opportunity to ride on the Daytona Speedway, ride in a Texas ROT parade that overlooked the Capitol of Texas, and will soon head to Biketoberfest. He didn’t relish in all the master-builder attention without destroying up his truck and blowing tires on the LA ChopRod trailer, navigating his way from one end of the country to the other.

Studio shots by Ernie, the Black Widow, Lopez.

Let’s jump back into the past once more and cover some of Gard’s history that lead up to this bike. In true outlaw fashion Gard stole his first bike from the teenager who introduced him to the sport at 8 years of age. “Wanna ride this thing,” Rick Paulfreman said. He bought his first bike from Paul and tried to stiff him on the deal. You know, those kids.

His mom grabbed him by the ear and dragged him to Friday Harbor off the coast of Washington, after turning her van over in the Oregon snow. He thought for sure he was going to hell and mailed Paul the $20 plus interest. He was enrolled in a 250-student strong school that sequestered kids from kindergarten through High School. Gard cut his hair, went to school and worked as a boat mechanic, hoping someday to escape.

He enrolled at Yakima College in the Center of the state of Washington and escaped with an associate degree in automotive tech. At 21 he owned his own business manufacturing protective parts for off-road bikes. Some years later, Russ Tom, who just past away a couple of days ago (October 2006), introduced Gard to the V-twin market. He bought a basket case ’79 FLH, dresser with a fairing and whip antennas. It was still painted factory cream and antique white. He cleaned it up and sold it.

Gard bought another one from Russ and stripped it to the ground and took it to the next stage, polished the engine, ground all the welds and made it glisten like never before. Russ built amazing bikes for a dealership, Downtown Seattle H-D. He helped create rides and events in the Seattle region and established the “Dave’s”, a club of custom bike owners. Annually the gang got together and hauled a truckload of bikes to the Love Ride to escape the northwestern frost in November. “We started with 20 guys,” Gard said, “and in a few years we were shipping 150 bikes to Los Angeles for the Love Ride weekend.”

So he came to Los Angeles for his third time, partied constantly, rode to the Rock Store, the Sage Brush Cantina, to the Malibu Inn and stumbled into a girl, moved to LA and eight months later got married. “I’d never been married and didn’t think about it much, but when I saw that girl,” Gard said, “I said to my partner that she would someday be my wife.” He was 34 at the time.

Okay, so he sold his house and business in Washington, moved to LA got married and his wife said, “This is your opportunity to do whatever you want.” No wonder he married her. He roamed the streets of LA looking for shit to do. He approached Bartels and then fabricated parts for Bad Bikes. Shortly he found a partner in Gary, an ex LAPD officer, and started building bikes and fabricating for other builders.

So he’s been tinkering with motorcycles since 8 and you’re looking at one of his latest creations. “I took an motorcycling era as a base,” Gard said, “then added a racing influence with the frame style, the performance front end, the oil in the frame, the Baker Torque trans, $800 of 12-point fasteners and worked with Rick Pruse at PM to pull the wheels and brakes together.” These were Performance Machine blanks that received the parkerized looking R&S piston-coat then were machined.

Gard also used some of his own products, the gas and oil caps, the ISR hand controls and his handmade frame brought out the mechanical aspects to enhance the modernized Board Track character.

His billet knuckle gas and oil caps come with bungs.

There you have it. His bikes are tough, lack traditional metal flake flash and chrome, and have a mechanical appeal. We will bring you reports from the build-off project and perhaps a ground up build for Keanu Reeves in the near future. Hang on.

He distributes the complete line of ISR controls, brake calipers and rotors on his website.

LA ChopRods/Bikernet Tech Sheet

OwnerLA County Choprods
Shop Phone (310) 353-2467
Shop Website www.lachoprods.com
Make/Model 2006 Choprod / “Gard Rock”
Fabrication Gard Hollinger
Assembly LACC / Special Thanks to Keith Ball & Bikernet (we gave them some final hour assistance)
Build Time 3 weeks

ENGINE

Year/Size 2006 93 CI
Type S&S Generator Shovel
Builder S&S
Flywheels S&S
Rods S&S
Pistons S&S
Cylinders S&S

Heads S&S
Valves S&S

Rockers S&S
Rocker Boxes S&S
Pushrods S&S
Pushrod Tubes S&S
Cam(s) S&S
Lifters S&S
Carburetor S&S
Air Cleaner S&S

Ignition S&S

Handmade stainless exhaust system by Gard.

Exhaust LACR
Finish Raw

TRANSMISSION

Year/Type 2006 Baker TB5
Case Billet
Top/Side Billet

Clutch Performance Machine
Primary Drive Performance Machine
Final Drive Chain
Gears 5-Speed

Braided steel oil return lines to the frame.

FRAME

Year/Type 2006 LACC One Off
Rake 32 Degrees
Stretch 0
Molding N/A
Swingarm N/A

SUSPENSION

FRONT
Year/Type 2006 Trax Dynamics Inverted
Modifications N/A
Triple Trees Billet

REAR
Year/TypeAvon Tyre

WHEELS, TIRES, AND BRAKES

FRONT
Size/Type 19 X 2.15 Performance Machine “Judge”
Tire 19 X 2.50 Avon Speedmaster
Caliper(s) Performance Machine 2 Piston
Rotor(s) Performance Machine

REAR
Size/Type 16 X 3.5 Performance Machine “Judge”
Tire 16 XD 5.00 Avon SM Mk II
Caliper(s) Performance Machine 2 Piston
Rotor(s) Performance Machine

FINISH/PAINT

Colors Ceramic Piston Coating
Painter RS Performance Coatings
Graphics “Thick’s Pinstriping”
Molding N/A
Chrome Plating/Polishing N/A
Powdercoating RS Performance Coatings

ACCESSORIES

Front Fender N/A
Rear Fender N/A
Gas Tank(s) and Cap(s) LACC / LACC
Oil Tank In Frame / LACC
Gauges N/A
Handlebars LACC

Hand Controls ISR from LACC

Foot Controls Performance Machine / LACC
Footpegs Performance Machine
Electrical LACC
Headlight PIAA

Taillight LACC
Turn Signals N/A
Seat Bill Wall Leather / LACC

Damn seat is amazing.

Please give special thanks to the following:

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
S&S Cycles / James Simonelli
Performance Machine / Ted Sands / Rick Pruse
Baker Transmissions / Stretch / Bert Baker

Bill Wall Leather
Goodridge USA / Dale Berg
RS Performance Coatings / Bob & Bob
MarkKings / Danny Sutton
Trax Dynamics
Miller Welding Company
Thick’s Pinstriping

I recently had the pleasure of judging a Canadian show, along with Master Builder Chica, Sweden's Peter Jonsson, from MCM magazine, and Canada's own top builder Tom Langton. We reviewed Canadian Championship of Bike Building contestants during Labor Day Weekend in Wembley, Alberta. Spending a weekend in the vast Canadian prairie together helped me gain a glimpse into the mind and talent of one of the Worlds top builders, Chica.

We've all seen Chica's blue UNICORN creation on the Discovery Channels Biker Build Off and were blown away by his vision and craftsmanship, but his newest creation, the TWO-FACE BIKE is something straight out of dreamland.

Born in Kyoto, Japan, Chica represents the culture that gave birth to the Samurai traditions and the men that meticulously forged the steel blades that were an integral part of their every day lives. Gaining perfection in fabrication and strict attention to detail is engrained in Chica's DNA.

Chica's philosophy is simple yet unique at the same time. Complex, as the man himself, nothing leave’s Chica's hands until it is perfect in his eyes. I took a ride with him to a place that was right out of the rugged Canadian West to shoot his newest creation to try mimic the contrasts, or Ying & Yang if you like, that are incorporated in the TWO-FACE bike.

Built for a man who has completely turned his life around, Chica wanted to show the dark nature of the man’s past, and the flip side was dedicated to the redemption that the owner has now achieved in his life.

Heavy theme there!

The bike is totally unique from one side to the other, as is quickly evidenced by the bike’s gas tank. The right side of the tank is smooth and fairly stock looking while the left side has undergone a drastic modification, frenched in then blown back out in the center. The same opposite detail is carried through out. From the single twist on one side of the 12-inch over Springer, back to the same twisted detail on the sissy bar. The bike is totally different on each side.

The bike’s rigid frame that was raked 38 degrees and stretched 4 inches, started off as a Santee that Chica heavily modified. The addition of adjustable Chica rockers helped the bike achieve perfect trail and handling.

The 2006 S&S 93-cubic-inch Shovelhead motors fins were ground down and Chica hand fab'd the new extended fins, not only for a cool look but to help it run cooler…attention to detail again. He also hand fabbed the wild fins on the rockers and split them for a distinctive flair. The Baker 6-in-4 tranny is a old style tank shifter that runs the power to the rear wheel via a Primo Belt Drive through a 23-tooth engine sprocket, to a 48-tooth rear wheel sprocket. Giddy-up.

The oil bag, handle bars, fenders, taillight, twisted steel front pegs and all the other essential details and do-dads are by Chica's own hand. With the exception of the leather seat by Saddleman, the bike’s electric's by Spyke/Odessey, the wheels by DNA, the hub by Wheel Works and the 1.85×21-inch front and the 5.5×18-inch rear tires by Avon, this bike is entirely built by the Master himself.

Chica now lives and works in Huntington Beach, California. His shop continues to carry out the centuries old tradition of the Master Sword Makers of his native land. If you meet Chica at a rally in the future, you will be struck by his calmness and gentleness of spirit.

He is a humble man who puts a part of his soul in everything he does. You can't help but admire his workmanship, and if you get the chance to sit down and spend some time with him, you'll come away with the feeling that his culture has a lot to do with true craftsmanship.

http://www.chicacustomcycles.com
Tell 'em Bikernet sent ya.

Chica Two-Face Bike Tech Sheet

GENERAL

Fabrication:CHICA CUSTOM CYCLES
Web site: http://www.chicacustomcycles.com
Phone: (714) 842-9587
Year and Make:2006
Model:RIGID
Assembly by:CHICA CUSTOM CYCLES
Time:1 YEAR
Chroming:SOUTH BAY CHROME

ENGINE

Year:2006
Model:S&S SHOVELHEAD
Rebuilder:CHICA
Ignition:JOE HUNT MAGNETODisplacement:93 CU IN
Lower end:S&S
Balancing:S&S
Pistons:S&S
Cases:S&S
Heads:S&S
Cams:S&S
Lifters:S&S
Carb:S&S
Air cleaner:CHICA CUSTOM CYCLES
Pipes:CHICA CUSTOM CYCLES

TRANSMISSION

Modifications:BAKER 4-IN-6
Year:2006
Shifting:TANK SHIFT
Engine Sprocket:PRIMO BELT DRIVE
Trans sprocket: 23-TOOTH
Wheel sprocket:48-TOOTH

PAINTING

Molding:BUCK WILD PAINT
Painter:BUCK
Color:ICE PEARL

FRAME

Year:2006
Builder:CHICA/SANTEE
Type:RIGID
Rake:38o
Stretch:4-inch

ACCESSORIES

Bars:CHICA ONE OFF
Risers:C.C.I.
Fenders:CHICA C.C.
Headlight:V-TWIN
Taillight:C.C.I.
Speedo:N/A
Front Pegs:CHICA C.C.
Rear Pegs:N/A
Electrics:SPYKE/OD3SSEY
Gas Tank:CHICA C.C.
Oil Tank:CHICA C.C.
Oil System:CHICA C.C.
Seat:SADDLEMAN

FORKS

Type:CHICA SPRINGER
Extension:12-over
Builder:CHICA
Special Features:ADJUSTABLE ROCKER

WHEELS

Front
Size: 1.85 X 21
Hub:DNA
Rim:WHEEL WORKS

Rear
Size:5.5 X 18
Hub:DNA
Rim:WHEEL WORKS
Tires:AVON
Brakes:CHICA C.C.