This story will hit home with old school die-hards and young guys still dazzled by metal flake dust. This bike started with a set of 4.25-inch Evo flywheels and rods. “Here’s your next bike,” Indian Larry said to Keino handing him the greasy lower end. Does that hit home or what?

Keino came from a background of building and tinkering with bikes in Japan as a kid. He grew up in southern Japan, Fukuoka an hour-and-a-half north of Nagasaki. “It’s the redneck part of the island,” Keino said. He followed his dream to the MMI School in Phoenix, and took the time to graduate in ‘99. Then, stuck in the vast Arizona desert, he didn’t know, at 27 years of age, but his life was moving fast. The MMI career counselor hooked him up with a H-D dealership internship in Brooklyn, New York. About that time he picked up a copy of Easyriders and spotted the Grease Monkey feature about Indian Larry.

He worked as a grunt at Brooklyn H-D cleaning the shop and performing basic service work, but he hungered for something more custom, with more fabrication and more wild in the streets. A year later he looked around. He was already caught up in the Manhattan Island lifestyle, the action, the nightlife and the broads. He stumbled into a SOHO bike shop, American Dream Machine, and asked about a job. He was hired as an apprentice in 2000 and discovered that the engine guy in the back was Indian Larry.

”I was so excited to see bare frames on lifts and bikes coming together from the ground up,” Keino said. He started sweeping the floors, performing oil changes and basic mechanic labor, but he dug every minute, every new metal flake paint job and every thing he learned. “I didn’t know how to weld,” Keino said. “I asked if Larry could coach me, and I stayed after work to practice.”

A year later Larry gave Keino a How-To book on sheet metal by Wolfgang publishing and he read it cover to cover. His skills were honed on a daily basis, in an atmosphere of the New York groove and creative vibe. “Each day passed in the blink of an eye,” Keino said. “I couldn’t get enough.”

This glistening green machine is all about his history with Indian Larry who moved with the shop when it became Gasoline Alley. He took over ownership in 2004. When Larry unexpectedly passed away, Keino stayed on as a partner with Paul Cox, and Bob and Elisa Seeger to form the Indian Larry Legacy and keep the spirit alive. His bike reeks of class and style. He built-up the engine from scrap parts. A friend gave him a transmission and the bottom half of a Paughco frame, which he formed into a single-loop classic with 4 inches in the single downtube and 3 inches in the backbone.

Keino split the rockers and worked in the aluminum shaped spikes. He ran the oil lines directly into the rocker arm shafts and touched off the pipe side of the engine with handmade silver pushrod covers from silversmith FIN in Kobe, Japan.

Keino studied the sheet metal book and built the gas tank by hand. Then he attempted the rear fender and “fucked-up” three attempts. “It’s tough to make a fender contour the tire all the way to the bottom of the frame,” Keino said. “I took one of the bad fenders, cut it, and worked the oil tank into the bottom of the fender. The frame was stretched almost an inch at the rear to afford the room for the oil tank/ rear fender.

Many of the parts for the narrow 39mm front end came from the shop stash, but the extended tubes were new. The long narrow glide, which was in keeping with the Indian Larry tradition, was touched of with an Indian Larry brass accessory, the dogbone risers. It’s ironic but these risers were made in Japan by Misumi Engineering. He bought the wheel components on E-bay and laced the wheels with stainless spokes himself. He hand fabbed and welded the pipes to slip over the transmission ‘cause he had the space to mess with.

Keino’s excited to return to Japan as the guest of the Moon Eyes Show in Yokohama, December 3rd 2006. The Indian Larry Legacy is alive and well with an expanding product line, and a list of customers who want bikes built by the team. “We don’t do service or repairs,” Keino said. “We just build one-off bikes for customers and work on our product line.” Talk about a young biker’s dream come true. May the Legacy never die.

–Bandit” Hey,” Keino wrote after we finished the feature, “I forgot to mention the paint job. I talked to Robert Pradke of Custom Auto Design, in Conneticut, for the finish.I wanted green. I always liked green. I know it was bad karma for bike paint job, superstition, butI didn't care. One day a soda can on lunch table caught my eye. It was Mountain Dew .

“That's it! Mountain Dew inspired paint job. But I didn't want a Mountain Dew THEME bike, so I left it up to Robert Pradke's creativity to translate my idea into reality, and he nailed it!”

Bikernet Keino Spec Sheet

Owner:Keino Sasaki
City/State:Brooklyn, NY

Builder:Keino Sasaki
City/state:Indian Larry legacy ( 718) 609-9184
Fabrication:Keino Sasaki
Welding:Keino Sasaki
Machining:Keino Sasaki, Knucklehead Steve

Engine

Year:mixed Shovelhead
Make:H-D
Model:
Displacement:88ci
Builder or Rebuilder:Keino Sasaki
Cases:H-D
Case finish:polished
Barrels:unknown
Bore:3 5/8-inch
Pistons:S&S
Barrel finish:powdercoat
Lower end:Evo from Indian Larry
Stroke:4-1/2-inch
Rods:S&S
Heads:H-D
Head finish:polished with modified by Keino rocker covers
Valves and springs:Andrews
Pushrods:stock
Cams:Andrews 2
Lifters:Solid
Carburetion:S&S B
Other:split rocker by keino

Transmission

Year:1978
Make:H-D, thanks to good friend jamie
Gear configuration:stock
Final drive:diamond o-ring chain
Primary:2-inch open belt
Clutch:Barnet

Frame

Year:2003
Make:modified Paughco by Keino
Style or Model:single down tube
Stretch:3-out, 4-up, 7/8 rear
Rake:31-degree
Modifications:a lot

Front End

Make:mixed
Model:39mm Showa
Year:mixed
Length:4-inch over
Mods:a lot

Sheet metal

Tanks:Keino
Fenders:Keino
Oil tank:built in rear fender by Keino

Paint
Painter: Robert Pradke of Custom Auto Design

Wheels

Front
Make: spoke
Size: 21in laced by keino
Brake calipers: two-piston PM
Brake rotor: Custom Chrome
Tire: Metzeler

Rear
Make: spoke
Size: 18-inch laced by Keino
Brake rotor: Custom Chrome
Tire:Metzeler 160

Controls

Foot controls:modified Sportster mid-control by Keino
Finish:polished
Master cylinder:PM
Brake lines:braided
Handlebar controls:modified XLS bar by Keino
Finish:chrome
Clutch Cable:none
Shifting:jockey

Electrical

Ignition:Points
Coils:hidden
Regulator:hidden
Charging:hidden
Wiring:hidden
Headlight:Headwinds
Taillight: Custom Chrome
Battery:hidden yuasa

What's Left

Seat:Paul Cox
Pipes:Keino
Exhaust finish:chrome
Gas caps:Custom Chrome
Handlebars: Keino
Grips:brass by Keino
Pegs:brass by Keino
Oil filter:side mount Indian Larry style
Oil cooler:hidden
Throttle:internal throttle

Specialty items:Special pushrod collars by silversmith from Kobe, Japan.''Keino, not Chica” hand engraving on master cylinder by CJ Allen.Special shift knob by Dichrome.

Credits:Special thanks to Indian Larry for encouragement and inspiration.

The KRV5 Tracker is a creative collaboration between motorcycle designer Roland Sands and racing legend “King” Kenny Roberts. Roberts’ had the idea to utilize one of his KRV5 engines for something other than the MotoGP track. Sands’ was looking for a build project that would challenge and inspire his creative talents.

With knowledge of Sands’ racing pedigree and design style unifying form and function, Roberts’ felt Sands’ would know exactly what to do with a coveted KRV5 engine. The project plans were solidified with a handshake at the MotoGP paddocks of Laguna Seca in 2005.

Sands’ promised to deliver the bike a year later. Nine months would pass before the design plans were finalized. With only two months before the looming completion deadline, the first pieces of tubing were bent and welded.

The two months were spent by the RSD team with their heads down fabricating and building at a furious pace.

The bikes’ unique makeup of RSD components, a one-off frame, and custom sheet metal; coupled with the Team Roberts V5 MotoGP engine have created a completely original 200 horsepower Boardtrack racer of the future.

Make: RSD – Roland Sands Design
Year: 06
Model: KRV5 Boardtracker
Fabrication: RSD Team
Hardware: Titanium
Assembly: RSD Team
Value: Sell all your kids and then we’ll talk

ENGINE:

Type: Kenny Roberts V5 Moto GP Spec
Displacement: 1000cc
Year: 2005
Horsepower:200+
Heads: Aluminum KRV5
Valves: Titanium
Pistons: 5, Carbon Fiber Injected
Ignition: Complicated
Exhaust: Titanium – 5 Individual hand built
Fasteners/Hardware: Titanium
Clutch: Slipper
Finish : All hand polished heads, cylinder and cases and custom hand painted carbon valve covers, transmission cover.
Builder: Team Kenny Roberts

Frame: Type: RSD KRV5 Boardtracker
Builder: RSD Team
Rake: 24 degree
Forks: Turned down GSXR 1000, Black anodized
Triple Trees: RSD Design, Available soon

Wheels Front:

Rim: 23” x 3.5” RSD Contrast Cut Judge PM
Brake: NONE

Wheels Rear:

Rim: 21” X 9” RSD Contrast Cut Judge PM

Brake: PM Contour Bracket and Radial Mount Brake
Fender: Welded in

What Connects you to the bike:

Handlebars: RSD Designed and built
Electrics: Moto GP spec Deutsch connectors
Seat: Bill Wall Leather Custom
Foot controls – RSD designed race mount with RSD pegs, Performance Machine Master Cylinders
Fuel Tank(s): Aluminum

Paint, Chrome, and other F/X’s:

Finish: Army Green Metallic with flat tan flake panels and RSD pattern
The Painter: Chris Wood at Airtrix

Roland Sands Designs
Owner:Roland Sands/Performance Machine
Address: 6892 Marlin Circle. La Palma, CA (Originated In Long Beach) 90623
Phones:800-479-4037
E-Mail:rwsands@performancemachine.com

I remember sitting in front of my computer perplexed by the strange and mysterious motorcycle that had appeared on my computer’s 19” flat screen. Beautiful, clean, yet very strange.

The picture was followed by a small excerpt from Bandit, “You want to do a feature?”

How could I say no? I wasn’t sure what the deal was with the bike, but I didn’t have to search too hard to find the designer and builder. His name is Christian Dotson of Dotson Design. I was able to find his business’s Myspace page and I liked the way he introduces himself there.

”For the longest time, it was virtually impossible to find a hot rod/ motorcycle shop that really understood proportion, lines, and consistent themes. It was almost equally hard to find designers that could personally fabricate their vision without any compromise. Until now…”

This bike, Swingshot, was his very first build from concept to final product. The engineering, creativity, and overall look landed this bike on the Easyriders Centerfold Tour for 2008, as well as a slew of other trophies.

It seems whatever show he enters, he comes away with the top honors.:
•2007 AMD World Championships Freestyle Champion
•2007 Hollister Motorcycle Rally
•2007 Grand National Roadster Show “America’s Most Beautiful Motorcycle”
•2007 AutoRama-Sweepstakes Motorcycle
•2007 San Francisco Rod and Custom Motorcycle Show
….and the list continues to grow.

The bike’s concept and inspiration began with race bikes from the 40’s and fifties. He wanted to build the bike using technology that was available for the time. The Panhead was chosen because of the visual aesthetics.

He chose a kickstart-only transmission to compliment the period correct vintage styling and functionality.

The seat is a cowhide-wrapped seat pan that sits curiously on a canti-lever suspension system utilizing engine valve springs.

Looking at the flow of the bike, it is apparent that Christian understands flow and design extremely well. I wasn’t surprised to discover he has a Bachelor’s Degree from Detroit’s College for Creative Studies in 1997. He went on with a career with General Motors as a Creative Designer from 1997 to 2002. I wonder how much he had to do with the HHR that debuted in 2005?

This bike took approximately 14 months to build. It was built as a “vintage concept bike” under a certain budget.

The handling and suspension on the bike will surprise most when looking at the profile. What may not be seen as the typical rake on a chopper, 30 degrees in this case, I would say this bike definitely qualifies as one.

He originally built this bike with several purposes in mind; one, to test the market, two, to test his skill, and three, to be used as a marketing tool for his business.

While any new business takes time to develop, Christian Dotson’s Dotson Design is making some big strides in the custom motorcycle world. While the core of his business has been in design work for other people (design, artwork, metalwork, consultation), his goal is to build unique, crazy creations from his head, unfiltered, without going through a committee.

Dotson Design is moving from it’s current home to Southern California. Christian has big plans for the future. His next couple of projects should be equally as creative as this one. He plans at least one more build before constructing the next Swingshot. This time, however, he is planning on building the same bike as it would be built today, with modern technology. CNC, waterjet, computer imaging, it will be a marvel.

So keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. Watch for this new kid as he keeps tearing up the custom platform with his fresh design ideas and concepts. I think we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg with him.

DOTSON Specs

Builder– Christian Dotson
Owner– Christian Dotson
Location– Rohnert Park, Ca.
Website– www.dotsondesign.com

Bike Name – Swingshot
Bike Year/Model – 2007 Dotson Design
Engine Make/ Size – Accurate Engineering 93” Panhead by Berry Wardlaw
Transmission Type – 5 Speed Kick-Only.

Frame Make/ Type – Dotson Design
Front End – Dotson Design hubcenter
Rake– 30 Degrees

Swingarm – It’s in the front

Wheels–
Front – 21” spoke wheel with custom hub wrapped in an Avon tire.
Rear– 19” star-hub reproduction wrapped in an Avon tire.

Brakes
Front-NONE
Rear– Hydraulic Drum
Painter– Creative Concepts

Chroming/ Plating -Sherm’s Custom Plating

Additional Information – Custom Exhaust, intake, Horn, fuel tanks, fender, handlebars, steering linkage, fuel/ brake lines, foot controls, seat pan/ suspension, and electrical by Dotson Design. Seat upholstery by Duane Ballard Leather. CNC machining by Greening Auto Company.

Not long before I started this bike project I was talking with a friend about what a Frisco style chopper was. That got me thinking about back when I was growing up in the bay area.

Growing up in Oakland and later moving to San Francisco, I was exposed to plenty of “Bay Area” choppers. It was several years before I had the opportunity to throw my leg over a chopper, but it was inevitable. Trust me, I am no expert. I have never even considered myself a biker, and I claim nothing more than being a weldor with a custom motorcycle problem.

The first person who took the time to explain to me the way a Frisco chopper is set up and why was Patty Pink. As you can imagine she was no regular gal. The first time I met her she had parked her classic bright red 1968 Norton right in front of Mabuhay Gardens, a rock-n-roll club on Broadway located in North Beach, Frisco.

Her Norton was exactly like the kind that won the Isle of Mann TT Race five years in a row, but in a heavy duty Matchless sidecar frame. Oh, and except for the Norton Commando disc brake front end, it was a race bike all the way! The bike was well cared for, but very beaten by use, and it had obviously been down a few times. The first time I saw her, she was safely chained to a light pole. (For anyone who is confused, I am talking about the bike).

The chain ran right through the sound hole and into the back side of her guitar through a hole that had at some point been accidentally smashed in the otherwise rare and beautiful vintage 1932 Martin guitar she strapped to the seat. Patty had just finished playing a gig with her metal band, Mean Machine, and it was party time for the band members after the gig. I was young, out on the street, and always looking for a good party or some kind of trouble!

Patty took a liking to me, maybe because I obviously liked both motorcycles and metal music, and invited me to hang out with her, like the kid brother she said she had always wanted. I later found out that she had also played stand up bass, jazz big band in college? WTF?

So, after that night of partying, I didn't get a chance to party with her again for a short while. By the next time we met, Patty was Vice President of San Francisco Motorcycle club (started in 1904). She was the only woman officer in the entire history of that club! She began that year and held high points rider in the club until the very last run of that year. The Prince of Darkness and his notorious Lucas British bike electrical failures lost Patty her first place rider standing at SFMC. Unfortunately she was unable to get a Zenar diode for her rare Norton race bike.( Doesn’t that sound like something that belongs in the trash anyway?)

Needless to say Patty became disgusted with the evil plague and vowed to get an American motorcycle! Chanting “No more dragging three sets of tools!” she was sick of it; Whitworth, Standard, and Metric!!! Things a rider had to carry on the long distance runs she often enjoyed on the Norton.

By the next time our paths intertwined, Patty was roaring around Frisco hills on a kick start custom Shovel with loud ass straight pipes. She sure was a cool Gal, long blond hair almost always wearing custom made heavy leather boots (over her knees) with leopard skin mini skirts. We became very close friends over the years, she even adopted me as a member of her family.

Then to her surprise, Patty became the single mother of twins and has spent the last few years devoted to her boys. They are both studying the wonders of BMW's, specializing in vintage and classic airheads. One has a completely stock 1973 kick and an electric start R90S Daytona Racer, the other has a touring 1975 R75/6 he has restored to stock condition. They both take education seriously, study hard, and plan to ride their bikes to college classes this winter. Believe it or not, this will be their second year attending college, though now 16 years of age.

To this day we still keep in touch. On a biking front, Patty is bringing her much loved Shovel back to life and getting it in order. After spending some time on the side stand waiting for Patty to get out of a wheelchair and back in the saddle, it needed some restoration and the addition of a button spinner for starting. I send a few parts, when I can to help out, and her sons have found her an electric-start, 1981 BMW R65 to ride as a parts bike, to get her around while she upgrades her 1966 Shovel. Patty must ride, or she's not happy!

Shorty! LD’s translation of a ‘Frisco chopper.

As for the bike Build, I gave it my best to build something close to what you might have seen blasting around the neighborhood back in the day. I lived in Oakland during the '70s so I didn't see too many Frisco style bikes, but sometimes I'd sneak a couple blocks out of the way, while walking to school, to check out the cool bikes parked outside the local clubhouse.

I don't think the bikes were too different from one side of the bay to the other. I do remember seeing more long bikes and slightly taller choppers in Oakland than this one here.

To the best of my memory, A Frisco chopper, according to Patty, was never to have more than about 34 degrees of rake and no more than 4-inch over on the fork tubes to make sure it'll handle, as she put it, plain and simple. So, this is my version of the Frisco style choppers that would have been burning up 101 (except for the forward controls), Frisco all the way!

OK, well, maybe they didn't have the disk brakes then either, but she is a Bay Area Babe.

The devil’s in the details, right?

Oh yeah, maybe the 3-inch open belt is not time accurate as well. But that's it; Shorty is a Frisco Chopper all the way! I think I'll go break her in so I can take her for a nice hot blast around town, in my beloved tropical home of Houston, Texas!

Now if I can keep RFR (the photographer) from stealing it. He hides it behind equipment in Lucky Devil's Metal Works shop, hoping I will forget about it.

–The Devil

Here's The Photographers version of the story:

First, Shorty here was built by one of Luck Devils’ regular customers to be a bike for his friends to use when they are in town visiting. That's a helluva friend.

Second, sometimes things happen and you have to decide if a second chance is worth the time & effort. You see, the little cutie Amy playing on Lucky Devil Metal Works latest creation Shorty was one of those.

I talked with her several times before the scheduled shoot and she was all on board and excited to be doing it. Weekend comes around, so I call on Saturday to reconfirm; no reply just goes to voice mail after ringing a few times.

(My Soapbox – people these are phones – I want to hear a ringing sound, not music. You Are Not Dangerous, I do not care if you are in love, etc. Very wrong for those of you over 25!)

Editor's Note: Shut up Richard-you’re still bitter because we all have more hair and a smaller waist than you!

I figure no problem, I will send a text message, but young folks, like this cutie, are into text messaging, so I give it a try, but still no response. Oh well, photo shoot is not until tomorrow. Sunday arrives and the calls begin, I get everything from constant ringing, to voice mail, to nothing. So come the end of the day, I leave another not-so-friendly voice mail, and start thinking of another cutie candidate to shoot with Shorty.

A few days pass, and as I walked into a business Amy jumps dead in my face, apologizing for not showing up and holding a brand new crushed cell phone. Seems she ran over her phone Friday night. Now sometimes younger folks are not known for being irresponsible, but I have never known one to crush a new phone to cover up partying too much the night before, so I figured what the hell, and gave her a second chance. Which as you can see, was worth it. Oh yeah, she still uses the crushed phone. I guess it just needed a new sim card.

–RFR

Bikernet.com Extreme Tech Chart

Regular Stuff

Owner: Big Frank
Bike Name: Shorty
City/State: Houston Texas

Builder: Lucky Devil Metal Works
City/state: Houston Texas
Company Info: Sales/Service Lucky Devil Custom Cycles 281-477-3738, 9311 Shoal Creek (77064)
Web site: www.luckydevilcustomcycles.com
Fabrication: Mr.Lucky Devil 
Welding: Mr.Lucky Devil
Machining: Mr. Lucky Devil

Engine

Year: '06
Make: S&S
Model: Shovel style
Displacement: 93″
Builder or Rebuilder: S&S
Cases:S&S
Case finish: raw
Barrels: cast
Bore: 3 5/8″
Pistons:S&S
Barrel finish: black powder coated
Lower end:S&S
Stroke: 4 1/2″
Rods: S&S
Heads: S&S
Head finish: Raw
Valves and springs: S&S
Pushrods: S&S
Cams: S&S 585
Lifters: S&S
Carburetion: S&S shorty
Air cleaner: classic S&S

Transmission

Year: '06
Make: Rev Tech
Gear configuration: 4-speed
Final drive: chain
Primary: 3″ open BDL
Clutch: BDL

Frame

Year: ?
Make: Jammer
Style or Model: Ridgid
Stretch: 2&2
Rake: 34 degrees
Modifications: yes

Front End

Make: 41 mm
Model: Hydro
Year: '06
Length: 4″ over
Mods: no

Sheet metal

Tanks: Sporty
Fenders: ribbed for her pleasure
Oil tank: classic horse shoe

Paint

Sheet metal: Black cherry candy
Molding: Chino / LDMW 
Base coat: Mike / LDMW
Graphics: none
Frame: Black cherry candy
Molding: Chino / LDMW
Base coat: Mike / LDMW
Graphics or art: none
Special effects: custom color fade
Pinstriping: none

Wheels

Front
Make: spoke
Size: 21″
Brake calipers: chrome OEM style
Brake rotor(s): polished stainless
Tire: Avon

Rear
Make: spoke
Size: 16″
Brake calipers: chrome OEM style
Brake rotor: polished Stainless
Pulley: PBI sproket
Tire: Avon

Controls

Foot controls: Pegasus
Finish: chrome
Master cylinder: yes
Brake lines: hard stainless
Handlebar controls: Ness
Finish: chrome
Clutch Cable: Barnett
Brake Lines: black braided
Shifting: standard

Electrical

Ignition: S&S
Ignition switch: Toggle
Coils: accel
Regulator: yes
Charging: Altenator
Wiring: Mr.Devil
Harness: internal
Headlight: 5″
Taillight: cat-eye
Accessory lights: no
Electrical accessories: none
Switches: toggle
Battery: 12V

What's Left

Seat: Joe / LDMW
Pipes: Mr. Lucky Devil
Exhaust finish: raw stainless
Gas caps: flush aircraft style
Handlebars: Flanders
Grips: classic rubber
Pegs: Pegasus
Oil filter: frame mounted
Oil cooler: no
Oil lines: custom hard lines
Fuel filter: clear
Fuel Lines: clear
Throttle: standard single cable
Throttle cables: barnett
Fasteners: chrome

Specialty items: Custom fabrication from one end to the other

Comments: This is one of my favorite projects, plain simple and plenty of power!

Credits: I'd like to thank everyone who helped with this project and especially Big Frank for digging out the coin to make this daydream come to life, and Mrs Devil for letting me spend so much time in the shop swinging my hammer in the pale moonlight!

”What the hell?” I shouted.

“Watch your mouth,” Dorothy “Troll” Marino, barked from the back of the shop. A hush fell over the 1,600 square foot facility, and I immediately knew who was boss and Grandma to 16 Trolls. From that point on I spoke with deep respect and admiration. I’ll try to explain.

I’ve known this family for over 30 years. Dad, Terry, and Todd, his son, have been following my bikes since the beginning of Easyriders. We’ve mingled once in a while through 30 years of building and enjoying the freedom of the road. When I called Trollworks to interview the family about the Grudge bike, Todd whispered into the phone, “I’m getting married tomorrow.” He’s just 30 and slipping into his second marriage.

”What,” I barked. “You can’t do that.” I have an aversion to marriage, like felon to the third charge. Then I discovered Todd’s link to his mom, their family and this motorcycle. Todd has a 7-year-old daughter and Lacey, and his new 23-year-old bride is pregnant with his first son. The marriage was beginning to make sense.

Mom and Dad on the Troll side, each came from other relationships with three siblings from dad and two from mom. After 27 years together, they’re getting use to it and now have 16 grandkids. Get the picture? The Trolls are taking over Hesperia, California at a rapid pace, and Dorothy, or mom runs the roost. “I fab, weld, grind and paint,” Todd said of his duties. “My dad handles the details and final assembly, and my brother, when he’s around, performs service work on client bikes. Mom runs the collection agency and the rest of the shop duties.”

This bike even has a family connection, if I remember it correctly. Hesperia kid, Paul received this bike from his dad, Ron, who built it in Missouri and rode it out West, then bought a bagger for longer hauls. Paul took it to a friend’s shop and during the build process lost that friend and took his project back. “We were riding to the Johnny Chop memorial,” Todd said, “and the frame broke.

Paul brought it to the shop, “Do anything you want to it,” he said. “I can’t sell it. It was my dad’s.” The Trolls went to work stripping it down and ultimately using only the engine and trans.

It became the grudge bike behind Paul’s relationship with his ex-friend. Todd designed the piece with motocross race flair, lotsa holes, screens, and some brass for glitz. He came from a history of attending swap meets at 10 years of age and his father building bikes, VWs, old cars, and boats. Terry is now 55 and still active in the building process. So now Paul is Todd’s best friend and they ride all over the southland. “We discovered these semi-knobby tires works well,” Todd said. The recently rode to Big Bear on these 60 percent dirt, 40 percent street Metzeler tires and didn’t have a problem. “Paul smoked us.”

Okay, I hope I haven’t fucked up this story much—sorry mom. I’ll try to post it today, while Todd and Lacey are getting hitch in the high desert, the no-man’s land between LA and Las Vegas. You’ll read this while their playing grab-ass on their honeymoon in Huntington Beach. Then you’ll spot all the corrections, when he returns, reads the article, calls and chews me out for all the mistakes. Watch for more Troll built bikes in the near future. The mad Linney man, photog, already submitted another Troll creation.

Regular Stuff

Owner: PAUL 'BAD BOY' MAXEY
Bike Name:Grudge
City/State:Hesperia Ca

Builder: Trollworx Choppers
City/state:Hesperia CA
Company Info:Trollworx Choppers-760-244-4042-Fax-760-244-5665
Web site:TROLLWORX.COM,
TrollworxChopper@aol.com
Fabrication:TROLLWORX
Manufacturing:TROLLWORX
Welding:TROLLWORX
Machining:TROLLWORX
Model: Brandi MacLaren

Engine

Year:1998
Make:H-D
Model:EVO
Displacement:80
Builder or Rebuilder:
Cases:H-D
Case finish:Black Wrinkle
Barrels:H-D
Bore:
Pistons:H-D
Barrel finish:Black wrinkle
Lower end:H-D
Stroke:
Rods:H-D
Heads:H-D
Head finish:Black Wrinkle
Valves and springs:H-D
Pushrods:H-D
Cams:Andrews EV-3
Lifters:H-D
Carburetion:S&S
Air cleaner:S&S
Other:Modified air cleaner

Transmission

Year:1977
Make:H-D
Gear configuration:Stock
Final drive:Chain
Primary:Open Belt
Clutch:Rivera Primo

FrameRigid

Year:2006
Make:Atlas-Trollworx
Style or Model:T.W. Bobber
Stretch:None
Rake:30
Modifications:Neck Gusset plate-Axle blocks

Front End

Make:H-D
Model:Narrow Glide
Year:2000
Length:Stock
Mods:Drilled Triple Trees-Drilled Headlight Visor-Turned Down Legs

Sheet metal

Tanks:Paughco Narrow Mustang
Fenders:W.C.C.
Panels:Trollworx
Oil tank:Trollworx
Other:Front Chin Panel

Paint

Sheet metal:Trollworx
Molding:Trollworx
Base coat:H.O.K. BC-04/Top Coat UK-07
Graphics:Trollworx
Frame:Trollworx
Molding:Trollworx
Base coat:H.O.K. BC-04/Top Coat UK-07
Graphics or art:Trollworx
Special effects:Variegated Green Leaf
Pinstriping:Quinn Gordon

WheelsSun Rims

FrontH-D Hub/Stainless Steel Spokes
Make:
Size:100/90/19
Brake calipers:Performance Machine
Brake rotor(s):EBC
Tire:Metzeler

Rear
Rims: Sun Rims
Make:H-D Hub/Stainless Steel Spokes
Size:140/80/17
Brake calipers:Performance Machine
Brake rotor:EBC
Pulley:Renthal
Tire:Metzeler

Controls

Foot controls:Trollworx
Finish:
Master cylinder:H-D
Brake lines:Russell
Handlebar controls:Performance Machine
Finish:Chrome
Clutch Cable:Barnett
Brake LinesRussell
Shifting:

Electrical

Ignition:Joe Hunt Magneto
Ignition switch:
Coils:
Regulator:Accel
Charging:H-D
Wiring:Trollworx
Harness:
Headlight:H-D
Taillight:Fab-Kevin
Accessory lights:
Electrical accessories:
Switches:
Battery:

What's Left

Seat:MAD TAILOR/BOMBEFF@YAHOO.COM-415-994-4299
Pipes:Trollworx
Mufflers:
Exhaust finish:Black wrinkle/Black wrap
Gas caps:
Handlebars:Renthal Fat Bars
Grips:Renthal
Pegs:Trollworx
Oil filter:
Oil cooler:
Oil lines:Trollworx-Copper
Fuel filter:
Fuel Lines:Clear
Throttle:Joker Machine
Throttle cables:Barnett

Specialty items:Fender Struts-Gas Tank Strap-Chin Panel

I unfold my best English. Lucky enough the young Belgian understands me. We’re in the middle of Belgium’s nowhere on a dusty large cattle-farm far away from towns and villages. I ask him if we could shoot a bike and a girl on his grounds as location. He looks a little puzzled because I’m all alone with my minivan but he allows me to use his barn.

At this moment a ‘56 pickup comes rumbling along the path, stopping in a cloud of dust. As it settles the young farmer freaks out about our model in the cab and the bike on the bed of the truck. Of course he knows Fred Krugger, the owner of the truck, builder of the bike that is the reason for our travel to Belgium’s outback. But he knows him by his real name, Frederic Bertrand.

“Krugger” is the name of his company, inspired by an early Harley-engineer from Germany named “Krueger”. His name gets lost in the logbooks of the mother company after a while. But still this name is part of H-D’s early history and sounds European enough to fans especially in the US of A.

While the two Belgians are speaking French and laughing about the weird idea to shoot the exclusive bike in a smelly cattle-farm we get ready for the “Goodwood” shooting. The truck, the barn, the warm sun and the styled model Swetlana create a great atmosphere of vintage spirit and old skool racing-attitude.

In fact the bike seems to be built in the ‘60s or ‘70s, hauling over Daytona’s Raceway or showing up at Ace Café in Brighton England. A look like a Norton Manx, flat and racy. And that’s the reason for the bike’s name. “Goodwood” is a traditional racing course in England, well known for the big racing competitions thru ‘50s to ‘70s, long before it was overworked and became a lousy smooth modern security-course.

But the bike has been built all new. The planning and gathering of parts and components took three months and the building took another three.Almost everything had been built by Fred himself, and he did this work all alone.

To start with the frame it is a double-sling-bridge frame, the engine attached under the upper sling to massive bridges. In between the upper slings and beneath the fake tank is located the injection and intake system, the electric with the battery and the external 3 liters oil tank. The fake tank has holes and a scoop for the intake. The real tank is two-parted and comes formed as a back hump at the rear.

Each tank section holds 5 liters. In the middle of the rear, between the tanks, the exhaust shows its ends. The complete exhaust was formed from tempered stainless steel and made by Fred himself. The pipe’s ends are wrapped with asbestos-tape to avoid too much heat radiating toward the tanks. But still the seat gets warm enough to remind the rider what bike it is.

The swingarm also is double-sling designed, supported by a single shock from FOX Motocross, that is fixed to a bridge of the frame in front of the seat. It has a center-axis bearing and is secured like a racer’s screws.

The front-end is a self-built girder-fork with another single shock beneath the front fairing, also FOX. Both shocks can be adjusted in many ways. Both swings are covered with brushed metal-sheets, outstanding fitting in the design and looking much more lacy than they indeed are.

The wheels come from a V-Rod-model, the tires are from Dunlop, a 120 in the front and a 180 on the rearwheel. The handlebar is custom, the controls a little Beringer mixed with Krugger. The brakes are Beringer, two 6-pistons on the front, one 6-piston-caliper on the rear wheel. The lines are steel braided. The far behind, attached footpegs come from a racer but are much modified and have all new cranks that even Fred can’t remember where they came from originally.

All metalwork Fred did by himself, he bowed all tubes for the frame and the bar. He welded and milled whatever was necessary. And as a gimmick in the rear part of the front fairing he attached two shift-flashers. He plans to run that bike at Bonneville–as fast as he may be able to run it. And he feels like setting a trend.

It was noted that all the best bikes from the Custom Chrome Europe-Show at Mainz/Germany had a racy vintage touch. Maybe he’s right and the bobbers are finished. So let that Belgian, with the German name, show the world how bikes can look. And maybe see him blast over the salt lake at Bonneville this summer.

Bikernet.com Extreme Tech Chart

Regular Stuff

Owner:Fred “Krugger” Bertrand (still)
Bike Name:Goodwood
City/State:Basse-Bodeux, Belgium

Builder:Fred “Krugger” Bertrand
City/state:Basse-Bodeux, Belgium
Company Info:Krugger Motorcycles
Web site:www.krugger.net
Fabrication:Fred “Krugger” Bertrand
Manufacturing:Fred “Krugger” Bertrand
Welding:Fred “Krugger” Bertrand
Machining:Fred “Krugger” Bertrand

EngineBuell

Year: 2006
Make: Buell XB 9 R Firebolt, V2, 948 ccmPS at rpm: 92 PS / 7200 rpm
Model:Buell Firebold XB12R
Displacement:73.38 cui
Stroke:38,11 inch
Carburetion: injection, new mapping

Transmission

Year: 2006
Make: Buell
Gear configuration: 6 gears
Final drive: chaindrive

FrameKrugger Motorcyles

Year:2007
Make: NBK tube, double-sling
Style or Model:70’s Café Racer (more racer than café)
Modifications: engine attached as stressed member
Swingarm: double sling swing-arm with monoshock, frame in shox absorber from FOX

Front End

Make:Krugger Motorcycles
Model:Goodwood
Year:2007
Mods: Girder

Sheet metal Krugger Motorcycles

Tanks:Krugger Motorcycles (the two bubbles in the back are the tanks=
Panels:Krugger Motorcycles
Oil tank:Krugger Motorcycles 3-liter (it’s in the front compartment where the tanks use to be together with the electric parts)

Paint
Base coat: Powder coating
Frame: Powder coating

Wheels

Front
Rim: H-D V-Rod
Tire: Dunlop 120/70-19
Brake calipers:Béringer, 2 x 6-pistons
Brake rotor(s):Béringer

Rears. o.
Rim: H-D V-Rod
Tire: Dunlop 180/55-19
Brake calipers:Béringer, 1 x 6-Kolben
Brake rotor:Béringer Aerotec

ControlsKrugger Motorcycles

Foot controls:Krugger Motorcycles
Handlebar controls:Krugger Motorcycles

What's Left
Handlebars:Krugger Motorcycles
Pegs:Krugger Motorcycles

Specialty items:The only item on this bike that is not special is the engine (Buell) and the wheels (Harley-Davidson V-Rod). These were given as a donor. Everything else is made by Fred. He’s like a real one-man-army when he is building bikes, and he is a hell of a welder.

He got support By Custom Chrome Europe, Fox, Béringer (Brakes), Arlen Ness and El Cheapo.–Joseph Wolsing

Comments:You have already featured two of his bikes in your collection the “Harper” (7th place European Championship in Mainz) and the “Speedbowl” (3rd place World Championship Las Vegas 2005 ). These Bikes show up his unique style in old school. His first bike that competed in Vegas 2004 “Hot Climbing” (3rd place as well!) brought me back into the scene of bikes, which I left for cars for more than 20 years. It hit me like a hammer. Since then I can’t wait for the next one he builds. –Joseph Wolsing

krugger motorcycles
• Rue Mionfosse n° 3
• 4983 Basse-Bodeux
• Belgique
tel.: +3280/68.45.59
• gsm: +32495/32.65.00
• e-mail: info@krugger.net

Hey, I you’ll see below, I was inspired to write this Chica story. I ran into the man at a show and told him he had to buy me lunch so I could interview him. I haven’t been able to reach him since. I’ve sent e-mails and left phone messages. I wish I was delivering more direct info on this build, but shit happens. If you want to see Chica bikes with Livia (above) you’ll need to watch for Biker Beauties. It’s published in three states, including Virginia, back east. Enjoy–Bandit

It was Saturday night and I had the barroom blues. The ATF closed my favorite watering hole and the next choice, the Foc’sle, a has-been longshoreman dive in the worst part of this ghetto, was my only escape from angry women and bad checks. I was into my second Jack on the rocks when my cell phoned rattled across the bar, “It was just my imagination, runnin’ away with me,” it sang from an old R&B tune.

“Bandit,” the voice, like a warm butter patty atop steaming hot cakes, made me lick my lips. “It’s Livia, from Biker Beauties magazine. I need a favor.” My mind raced with images shot by Sam Dixon of Livia making love to every hot chopper across the eastern seaboard. I remembered her sultry smile and the shape of her… Suddenly my night glistened.

“Anything, baby,” I snapped.

“Could you cover Chica for my next issue?” Livia smoldered over the phone. “My writer is out of touch, but the next time I’m in LA I’d sure like to touch…” The connection crashed as if a sexual grenade was dropped on the line. “I need it Monday morning,” the link returned.

“I’m all over you, I mean it,” I said and the line went dead. I had 24 hours on a Sunday morning with a hangover, and Chica’s shop was closed. I reached into my past and our Bikernet.com archives and went to work.

Chica is one of the first Japanese, All-American builders. He’s not an overnight television success. He’s built custom Harley-Davidsons for some 25-30 years. He owns a humble Huntington Beach shop, in a light industrial strip area and is a family man. Until recently he spoke limited English, but has always had an extreme work ethic, which often ran off talented shop help.

He started building bikes in Southern Japan, Kyoto, after being trained as a Honda mechanic and doing a service-work tenure. He finally broke away and refurbished old Harleys, imported from the states, and made them run and look sweet for his customer base. For nearly a decade there was Harley business shift recognized by few builders. H-Ds weren’t selling well in the states but the custom fervor spread across the Pacific and the Atlantic.

Rick Krost, president of U.S. Choppers, snagged old bikes and basket cases, around the country, or from Mexico, cleaned ‘em up or piled ‘em in steel containers and off they went to Germany, Sweden and Japan. “Between ’89 and ’94 I could sell bikes to Chica in Japan for double the U.S. market price,” Rick said. “Then the yen shifted and the Harley market in the U.S. surpassed overseas sales.” A sad vocation, but it kept many a scooter tramp and struggling shop alive.

Lee Clemens, the owner of Departure Bike Works in Richmond, Virginia, sold 20-foot container loads to Germany in the mid ‘80s. “We shipped mid ‘70s Shovelheads, which weren’t popular stateside, every 90 days for years, until ’97,” Lee explained. “Harley-Davidson recognized the market and pushed dealer sales in the late ‘90s and you could buy a new H-D in Europe for less than here.” Like many cyclical marketing endeavors the dollar value shifted, markets fluctuated and ultimately dried up.

Chica, a man devoted to his craft, watched the dollar change, and knew the vast custom market continued to expand in the United States. He mustered the cash, the fortitude and the balls to make the leap from his homeland to the fast-paced, wild Southern California lifestyle. It’s one thing to move from state to state, in your own country, but to step across the vast Pacific and make a go of life with his own hands was a considerable risk. Traditional Japanese have a business code, the code of the orient, the Asian mantra or the Samurai’s rule. It’s one that we should all respect. It involves honor, quality and building relationships. They also have an earthbound code. Even the slightest element, a rivet in a brake drum, is handled with respect, as if there’s a fleeting supply and each one is precious.

Relationships are paramount over the immediate deal. Quality is a mantra. If it can’t be built to endure, then don’t bother. And finally the honor of honesty and long-term business must always supercede immediacy and the quick buck.

That’s an element outwardly portrayed in every Chica build. He rarely builds the same style bike twice, but each machine demonstrates traditional chopper characteristics from two decades ago. The details are abundant, the fit and finish precise and the style unique.

When he moved to the states he took up residence in Diamond Bar, California and went to work for a local shop. After 1.5 years he was confident enough to step out on his own and build individual bikes for customers. He met Don Milhouse, who worked for a company exporting American parts to Japan. Don worked out of his home and Chica out of his garage in a growing partnership.

Over his flourishing years in the business, Chica built traditional long front end stretched choppers, bobbers, antique looking Sportster racers, street fighter rigids, classics, and wicked narrow, light Frisco styled customs. He goes after each component with a penchant. He’s a workaholic who strives for perfection, even if it takes making the same part several times. “Complex, as the man himself, nothing leave’s Chica's hands until it is perfect in his eyes,” said Tbear, a Bikernet.com reporter.

Tbear described Chica’s abilities with aplomb in another Bikernet.com article, “Chica represents the culture that gave birth to the Samurai traditions and the men that meticulously forged steel blades, which were an integral part of their every day lives. Gaining perfection in fabrication and strict attention to detail is engrained in Chica's DNA.”

These two bikes are terrific examples of Chica’s style range, sense of humor and craftsmanship. One bike is nearly all black and very reminiscent of Brough Superior or Vincent styling from the archives of motorcycling history. It’s clean, all black, tight, and detailed with special one-off tanks, copper lines and antique lights.

The other is Chica’s notion of a Captain Japan (America) chopper, all wild angles, extreme bars, stretch, rake, front-end length, sissybar and flash. One speaks of times and styling of old and the other hits dead center in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s hippy era. They are a helluva demonstration of Chica’s artistic eye and building versatility.

I always look forward to his bikes. They have verve, persnickety detail and originality. But that’s all you’re gonna get outta me. I’m headed to the airport in hopes that Livia will step off the next flight and into my arms. I’ll take her for a ride she’ll never forget.

–Bandithttp://www.chicacustomcycles.com

Roger Goldammer is no stranger to the world of wild custom bikes. The front of his shop in Kelowna, British Columbia is crammed full with lathes, milling machines and a huge CNC machine. Roger takes his equipment and his work very seriously. He does not follow trends in custom bike building by building the expected “Chopper” nor is he drawn in to follow the pack delving into the popular “Old School” variety that has become all the rage lately.

Together with his long time friend and mentor, master machinist Bert Kuckelkorn, Roger looks for ways to improve and innovate the mechanical design and function of the motorcycle power plant. As a recent winner of the Canadian Championship of Custom Bike Building and a two-time winner of the World Championships, Rogers bikes are on the cutting edge of technology. ” I like to challenge myself ” says Roger. So, for his entry in this year's competition he pulled out all the stops.

Not being content to rest on his laurels as the two time World Champ nor his Biker Build Off victory against Matt Hotch at the Bonneville Salt Flats riding a bike he built utilizing a racing go-cart engine, Roger went back to the drawing board to improve on his single cylinder with turbo rear design that he made famous in his TROUBLE bike that won him top World Championship honors the last time he competed.

The NORTORIOUS, at first look, brings to mind the classic lines of the very significant Norton Manx Café Racer but that's where the similarities end. The engine is a 2006 H-D hybrid single cylinder Roger built from the ground up. The 965CC engine features a lower end consisting of Merch cases rotated back 15degrees and balanced internals. The heads are custom from Engenuity and the pistons from Ross and Jims lifters were utilized. The cam is custom designed and manufactured by Roger. The rear head is used on the front cylinder, allowing the induction system to be positioned above the head and cylinder with the angle cut back 15-degrees . The pushrod tubes are also angled to accommodate this change . In place of the rear cylinder, a Rotrex Supercharger that spins at 120,000 RPM was installed. The half a v twin produces 83 rear wheel horse power at 6400 rpm.

The fuel injection uses a 54mm Zippers utilized throttle body and a special Thunder Heart ECM in a closed loop configuration and an extreamly high volume single injector. Using the Thunder Heart ECM and a Dobec module, Roger developed a fuel pump mapping program to provide correct air /fuel ratios, while running up to 20-pounds of boost to compensate for the superchargers flow. Many days and late nights were devoted to getting this set up to work like a charm. The oil system features a modified S&S oil pump and two distinct oil tanks, both cleverly hidden from view, one for engine and the other for supercharger oil.

The bikes transmission started off as a 2006 Baker six-speed unit which Roger modified by shortening main shaft as well as the Prime/Rivera clutch pack and belt drive, all narrowed from 3 inches down to 2. It's a foot shifter with rear sets and has a 24-tooth tranny sprocket shuttling power to the bikes 49-tooth wheel sprocket.

The frame is another in house Goldammer Cycle Works creation. It's a chromolly “Featherbed” style raked 29.5-degrees and de-stretched 3 inches.

The front end is a WP type cut back 1 1/2-inches for superior handling.

The wheels and brake set up are deceiving. At first glance, they appear to be stock Norton drum set ups, only larger, while in fact the drum hubs and custom milled covers hide an ingenious 4-piston disc set up both front and rear. Many days of hand milling went into this clever deception and the rear rim is put together for the 18-inch x 6-inch tire by fabricating the rim from two different Kosman rims.

The body and fenders on the Nortorious are a true work of art. Roger hand hammered the aluminum skins with such precision as to show absolutely no sign of weld work. This is pretty amazing considering that the only paintwork on the bike is the lettering and a clear coat over the raw material. You can see the masters touch in the workmanship in the fuel tank that includes the Buell internal fuel pump and regulator.

The bars are clip-on style sitting atop Goldammer Cycle Works triple trees.

The Speedometer and gauges are VDO's set like those on a vintage jet fighter. The design of the headlight also acts as a wind deflector and just for fun, Roger used the lens and bezel from a vintage Volkswagen Beetle. The taillights are incorporated in the rear of the bikes frame and utilize LED lights. The brake light is also an LED set up hidden in the rear of the seat rail. There is not one visible wire or line on the bike. Roger cleverly hid all the hydraulic lines and wires inside the frame tubes giving a fine clean look to the bike.

This shy and unassuming builder is a genuine craftsman. A close first hand look of the Nortorious lets you know why Roger Goldammer is the two winner of the World Championship of Custom Bike Building and the current Canadian champ. Taking the basic lines of a classic race bike and adding his engineering genius and fabrication talent we would not be surprise to see him walk away with a third world class championship.

–TB

Nortorious Tech Sheet

GENERAL

Fabrication:
Year and Make: 2007 GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS
Model: NORTORIOUS
Assembly by: ROGER GOLDAMMER
Time: 1 YEAR
Chroming: KELOWNA ELECTROPLATING

ENGINE

Year: 2005
Model: H-D HYBRID SINGLE
Rebuilder: GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS
Ignition: THUNDER HEART
Displacement: 965 CC FRONT CYLINDER
Lower end: MERCH
Balancing: MERCH
Pistons: ROSS
Cases: MERCH
Heads: ENGENUITY
Cams: GOLDAMMER CUSTOM BLOWER GRIND
Lifters: JIMS
Fuel Injection: INJECTION ZIPPERS 54MM-CLOSED LOOP FUEL INJECTION
Air cleaner: N/A
Pipes: GOLDAMMER

TRANSMISSION

Modifications: BAKER 6-SPEED W/SHORTENED MAINSHAFT
Year: 2006
Shifting: FOOT
Trans sprocket: 24-TOOTH
Wheel sprocket: 49-TOOTH

PAINTING

Molding: GOLDAMMER
Painter: JA DESIGN GRAPHICS OVER POLISHED METAL
Color: CLEAR COAT

FRAME

Year: 2006
Builder: GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS
Type: CHROMIUM “FEATHERBED” STYLE
Rake: 29.5-DEGREES
Stretch: 3-INCHES

ACCESSORIES

Bars: CLIP-ONS
Risers: N/A
Fenders: GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS
Headlight: VW BEETLE
Taillight: GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS IN FRAME
Speedo: VDO
Front Pegs: N/A
Rear Pegs: P.M. GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS
Electrics: GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS
Gas Tank: GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS INTERNAL PUMP
Oil Tank: GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS 2 PUMPS
Oil System: S&S PUMPS
Seat: GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS

FORKS

Type: WP
Extension: 1 1/2-INCHES UNDER
Builder: GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS
Special Features: GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS TREES

WHEELS

Front
Size: 18 X 3.25-INCHES
Hub: GCW BILLETT DRUM HUB W/ 4 PISTON DISC
Rim: BUCCANNONS

Rear
Size: 18 X 6 INCHES
Hub: GOLDAMMER CYCLE WORKS
Rim: KOSMAN
Tires: METZLER
Brakes: CUSTOM 4 PISTON DISC

Special Features

Cylinders: REAR HEAD ON FRONT CYLINDER
Push Rods: ANGLED CHANGED 15-DEGREES
Cam: CUSTOM BLOWER GRIND CAM
Turbo: ROTEX SUPERCHARGER MAKES 20-POUND BOOST

Here I am again, head pounding, eyes bloodshot, in dry mouthed hangover hell. Bandit just finished screaming at me about having to wrestle with his underlings, Renegade and Wrench, over going to lunch with Layla and Sin Wu. He was red-faced mad and not in any mood for excuses. It seems having to build a bike for the first time ever isn’t a good enough excuse for the extremely work driven Gestapo! So since his ladies stepped out with the help, he is determined to pass more work to me. Wonderful!

I no sooner put the phone down when I heard my e-mail announce that I had new mail. Unlike the 2-3 e-mails I usually get in a day. I was a little surprised to find 18!!! All were from Bandit, forwarding pics of the Gangsta Styled Softie that follows. I took a bite of my wife’s breakfast tacos and started pounding away at the keyboard.

The author claims this was his first Harley, bought new from Visalia H-D. She started life as a green and silver Heritage Nostalgia, which he kept in stock form for a while. Seems we can never just leave them alone.

Even though the bike has been through several changes throughout the years, each evolution seems to be more and more breathtaking. “It has been a lobor of love and I have thoroughly enjoyed doing most of the work myself. My dad had a 1955 Panhead that he let me help him tinker with so I always wanted to have something that had a touch of old and new plus a taste of Chicano/Lowrider heritage. I am please with how she turned out and think I accomplished what I set out to do,” states Rudy Alba, the owner.

“These are just a few pics of the different states of the bike to what it is now. After buying this bike new, I rode the hell out of it, even rode it to Sturgis and back. I have over 50,000 miles on it. I went down back in 05 and changed the style of the bike and painted it cobalt blue. Got tired of the color and painted it Candy Lime Gold. I did most of the work my self with the exception of the paint. I wish I knew how as I would have a little more change in my pocket,” he jokingly adds.

Anyways, so here’s the feature of the new California Style Softie with the Chicano/ Gangsta Flair. Enjoy the pics as I try to go back in the garage and discover the reason for my sprocket misalignments. As always, get a decent ride in! It seems the owner of this beauty understands the importance of daily rides. Check him out cruising in style at the end of the spec sheet. If any of you have a ride you feel is worth featuring, something that stands out in the crowd, send me the pics and I will contact you for more information. Until next time…

Owner:Rudy Alba
Bike Name: Vieja
City/State:Sacramento, CA.
Builder:Owner

Fabrication:James Dean Rebel Designs
Manufacturing:Harley-Davidson
Welding:James Dean

Engine
Year:1996
Make:Softail
Model:Heritage Nostalgia
Displacement:96 ci.
Builder or Rebuilder:myself
Cases:Harley
Case finish:Satin
Barrels:Harley
Barrel finish:satin

Stroke: 3.75 in. x 4.38 in
Rods:Harley
Heads:Harley
Head finish:port and polished
Pushrods:Andrews adjustable
Cams:jims
Carburetion:cv
Air cleaner:screaming eagle
Transmission
Year:1996
Make:Harley
Gear configuration:5 speed
Final drive:Belt
Primary:Roadmax 3” open belt
Clutch:Rivera

Frame
Year:1996
Make: Harley-Davidson
Style or Model:Softail FLSTN
Stretch:none
Rake:39 degrees
Modifications:raked the front end to 39 degrees. I didn’t want an upward stretch because I wanted the frame to retain a semi stock look. Cut off all unused tabs on frame including moving the regulator to bottom of motor and cleaned up the front of the frame and neck. Also cut off the struts to accommodate a strutless fender and cut off and cleaned the top of the frame to accommodate an aftermarket gas tank.
Front End
Make:HHI 6degree rake smooth top triple trees, 6 inch over fork legs, hidden axle lower legs
Model:
Year:2006
Length: 6” over
Mods:

Sheet metal
Tanks:Drag Specialties 5 gallon smooth top 2 inch stretched made for a 2000 and up model.
Fenders:rear is a 7.5 Russ Wiernemont fender that we fabricated to be strutless and cut down the length. Front is a solid one piece from diamond that I picked up at the long beach swap meet.
Oil tank: stretched the side panels and moved the oil filler to top of oil tank
Paint
Sheet metal: James Dean Rebel Design
Molding: James Dean
Base coat:House of Kolor Candy Lime Green with a pagan gold base with kameleon flakes
Graphics:Scallops with Silver and Gold leaf
Frame:House of Kolor candy lime green
Molding:yes
Base coat:Pagan gold
Graphics or art:none
Special effects:Kameleon metal flake
Pinstriping:old school pinstrip with silver and gold leaf
WheelsFront

Make:American Wire
Size:21 x 2.15 80 spokes
Brake calipers:HHI
Brake rotor(s):Pro One
Tire:21” Avon Venom Wide White Wall
Rear
Make:American Wire
Size:16 x 3.5
Brake calipers:HHI
Brake rotor:Pro-One
Pulley:Pro-One
Tire:16” 140 Avon Venom WWW

Controls
Foot controls:Pro-One
Finish:Chrome
Master cylinder:Pro-One
Brake lines:Sterling Chromite
Handlebar controls:Harley
Finish:Chrome
Clutch Cable:Sterling Chromite
Brake LinesSterling Chromite
Coils:Cane
Regulator:Harley
Charging:Harley
Wiring:moved all wiring to side of frame and to rear
Headlight:Headwinds
Taillight:Drag Specialties
Accessory lights:N/A
Electrical accessories:None
Battery:Harley
What's Left
Seat:Corbin
Pipes:Samson 2” drag pipes
Mufflers:N/A
Exhaust finish:Chrome
Gas caps:flat pop-up
Handlebars:16” Chubby Apes
Grips:Pro-One
Pegs:Pro-One
Oil filter:Harley
Oil cooler:none
Oil lines:Russell
Fuel filter:pingle
Throttle cables:Sterling chromite
:Specialty items
Air suspension by Hi-Lo.

Credits:
Rebel Designs, 2nd floor engineering, Mid-Cal Cycles and last but not least my ol lady Chelle.