Patu 1942 Knuckle

Here's a strange one from the Sheriff in Sweden. As it turns out these shots were taken in Finland. The Sheriff shoots bike features and events all over the world. He's one of those guys who never sleeps unless he's resting on a trans Atlantic flight.

When we quizzed him for the tech chart or copy for the article, he was enroute to England for a bike night at the Ace Café in London. He had no time.

“Found this old text really bad Swedlish. But the bottomline Patu live oldstyle 100%,” said the Sheriff in a text message from his blackberry as he ran from one airline to another connecting flight. “He's a great mechanic and a friend.”

So, here's the fugacious remnants of a past article, but they will give you some insight into the man's love of American style and the custom culture in Finland:

Logic could be very strange, what is the risk/chance to see a bike that looks like it came right out of a David Mann painting from an old EASYRIDERS copy…in Finland

The answer is, no problema. The heritage of Éd Big Daddy Roth and Von DutchIs quite healthy on the border to Russia . Patu really wanted to live some decades earlier.

Patu, owner of the green knuck is living old US style 100%. He owns a truck company, but on all his spare time wrench on old US iron.

His place 15 miles from Helsinki (capital of Finland ) is filled with old trucks muscle cars and a handful of Milwaukees best. But NO yuppie he does the work.

When he became owner of this custom it was (as usual) in some boxes.The first stuff he found was the odd wheels, 180 spokes front and 160 at the rear. It is really tiny spokes but do the work. A stock wishbone frame received a “marine cut” to fit the project. The powerplant is fitted with '42 Knuck cases and Panhead cylinders. He also found a Sifton cam and S&S B carburator with aircleaner of old AEE style.

Sound middle of the road….well how about the taillight from an Imperial '69 car. It was a present from the Chopfather Billy Lane . He knows Patus “sick” building brain.

The front light came from a Olds '55, god bless old cars. Hurst shifter, cheramic-eye and a microphonehead this is a RECYCLE bike.

Gastank lowered,shortened and narrowed, the suicidal position of the oilfill gave the bike it`s nickname Rodeo(the girls love it).

Bodywork by Minna, 9 out of 10 girls in Finland goes by that name.

Paint by Mike, then Patu added some pinstriping . He lost thesissybar on his way to a Swedish Custom show, his bros riding behind managed to avoid the harpoon going backwards. For next year longer fork wilder paint, and some new odd stuff from his local container.