This super-clean, sleek, stylish, one-off custom from Pyrotec Customs, Alton, Illinois, won second place in it’s category at the Louisville, Kentucky show in August, 2005. The Horse Power Promotions show was sponsored by Bikernet.com and HOT BIKE. This bike wasn’t picked up to be featured in the mag, but the Bikernet Staff loved John Beck's (owner), slim, Evo rigid. So here comes the feature from the ground up, Bikernet style. John and his wife Melissa hauled it from Edwardsville, Illinois, 270 miles away to compete.
“This would have never started, if it had not been for my Aunt Karen’s boyfriend, now husband, Don,” John Beck said. “The first time I heard his 1972 Super Glide I was only 6 years old. From that day forward, I knew I had to straddle a Harley of my own, if it was the last thing I did. Every ride on that Glide, from 100 mile an hour sprints (no handed by the way), to the time he let me ride it on my own around the block at the ripe age of 15, further reinforced my desire.”
“Fast-forward 30 years and by chance I met Steve and Lee from Pyrotec Kustom Cycle Fabrication and Finishes and quickly became friends,” John said. “After listening to me bitch for months about wanting a bike, they bluntly told me ‘buy a fucking frame and we’ll help you get the rest’. If you ask my old lady, that’s all it took. I bought the Midwest frame from a friend, in need of cash, and started scouring Ebay, swap meets and the Pyrotec parts bin, until over a 6-month period I had enough parts to begin building.”
“Pyrotec, like many builders I’m sure, have a million ideas just waiting to try on their next build so understanding that some pretty cool shit can from those situations we sat down and gradually came up with a general design,” John said. “After that I let the guys go crazy, occasionally adding my opinion, ideas and strict design direction to the recipe. Steve hates it when I say that about the directing!”
“The guys have several hundred hours in this build and it really shows,” said John. “Some of the unique features include:”
Shaved and powder coated fork legs
Polished trees
Custom gas cap made from an oxygen cylinder handle with a custom brass insert
External gas “gauge”
The gas tank is made from Sportster tank sides and a section of 1966 Volvo hood for the center
All cloth braided wiring
Custom made foot controls
Hand made leather seat.
Twin Cam oil lines
An old ART support bracket connecting the transmission and engine. Super simple Custom Cycle Engineering push-button electric starter.
A kick ass “chrome knuckle” sissy bar
Unity headlight with an 05 Harley bulb and lenses that’s upside down
’50s Ford Stepside taillight with handmade licenseplate bracket.
Fantasy In Iron Air Cleaner from Dennis Goodsen.
Powder coated engine covers.
John and Melissa were kind enough to send us lots of shots of the build and the above list of special components. We also attempted to add to the list. This bike deserves it.
There were even fine shots of the assembly process.
”I’m sure I missed some stuff on my list,” John said, “but it was almost overwhelming.
”I have to give everyone, who put up with this shit, a huge thanks,” John said, “including my wife and kids, Trizo, the Pyrotec guys (and their old lady’s) and of course Uncle Don.”
GENERAL
Owner -John Beck
Make / Year -05 Pyrotec Rigid
Fabrication -Steve Nash & Lee Ebrey
Assembly -Pyrotec
Build Time -11 months
ENGINE
Engine -H-D 80ci Evo
Pipes -Pyrotec
Transmission -RevTech 5 speed
Primary -H-D
FRAME
Frame -Midwest Motorcycle Wide Tire Rigid
Rake -34 degrees
Stretch -4-inch
Swingarm/Suspension -Nope
Forks -39mm H-D
Trees -H-D
WHEELS/BRAKES/TIRES
Front Wheel -DNA 21-inch 60 spoke
Rear Wheel -DNA 18-inch 60 spoke
Rotors -Russell
Calipers- F/R -H-D
Front tire -Avon
Rear tire -Avon 180/18
FINISH
Molding -Pyrotec
Painter -Pyrotec
Polishing -Pyrotec
Powdercoating -Pyrotec
Color -HOK Burgandy & Pearl White
ACCESSORIES
Bars -Pyrotec
Risers -None
Hand Controls -PM Contour
Headlight -Unity Spotlight
Plate bracket -Pyrotec
Taillight -50's Ford Stepside
Gauges -Pyrotec wouldn't let me have any
Electrical -Pyrotec
Fuel Tank -Pyrotec w/built in fuel level
Dash -None
Oil Tank -Pyrotec
Front Fender -None
Rear Fender -Massaged WCC
Sissy Bar -Pyrotec/Fab Kevin
Regs -Pyrotec
Foot Controls -Pyrotec
Seat -Pyrotec/Suede Leather
Passenger pegs – Pyrotec
PYROTEC PROFILE
Pyrotec was founded in January 2000 by long time friends Steve Nash and Lee Ebrey. After a bike accident left Steve with time on his hands, and Lee ready to move on from his current job at a local custom motorcycle shop, they decided to try things on their own. The two began in a pole barn behind a friend's house, which they quickly outgrew, and moved to their current location in Alton, IL, just 1 mile from the famous Fast Eddie's Bon-Air.
Lee is responsible for all the custom paintwork that rolls out of Pyrotec, which he learned working side-by-side with his Dad. Realizing he had a talent, he's been at it for over 15 years and is a true “flame perfectionist”. Steve handles all the meticulous in house polishing and powder coating that helps to set the shop apart from others. Together the Pyroboyz (as they are known locally) create unique works of art from frames, sheet metal, handlebars, sissy bars, motor mounts and damn near everything else that makes a custom bike a true custom.
The shop puts out 5 to 8 complete customs a year and several factory HD customs. They also handle countless paint jobs on everything from traditional old school to new school-old school, spraying everything from super detailed flames to the hottest House of Kolor candies.
The shop has a good assortment of metal working tools including and English wheel, shrinker & stretcher, planishing hammer, mig & tig welders, plasma cutter, frame table and various other custom part making jigs. The paint and finishing work is what sets these apart from other shops. It's only 2 guys putting out work that would rival some of the best. Shit so clean you could eat off it.
Shop address:
2820 East Broadway
Alton, IL 62002
618-465-7170
