Deano explained that his little Italian Momma likes the look of gigante rear tires, so even though he prefers to put about a 180-200 series on his bikes, he decided to indulge her with the 310. “That’s the kinda’ kooky background behind the big tire. I wish it was a more macho story but it’s not,” said Deano. Family man Deano is a humble guy, and fond of saying, “I’m not trying to...

Click here for more photos… This bike feature originally appeared in Barnett’s Magazine issue #64, September-October 2008. SPECIFICATIONS Owner: Dracula Year/Make: 2005 Victory8-Ball Fabrication: Kent Weeks/Lucky Devil Metal Works Assembly: Kent Weeks Build time: Just in time Engine: Victory 100″ Cases: Victory Flywheels:...

  Dave Welch, owner of Chopper City USA in Orange Park, Florida, must have had some similar experiences as his cool looking creation for Ian Scott addresses the issue of how to make a really-hot, hot rod motorcycle that’s a pleasure to actually ride. “I’m so sick of big-inch V-twins that vibrate so much that when I get on it (throttle) my mirrors are vibrating and my eyeballs are...

Click here for more photos… This bike feature originally appeared in Barnett’s Magazine issue #55, May-June 2007. SPECIFICATIONS: Year / Make: 2006 Rigid Old Style Fab/ Assembly: AQG Build time: Two months Engine: 93″ S&S Shovelhead Ignition: S&S Carb: S&S Super E Pipes: AQG Air Cleaner: S&S...

  If you aren’t familiar with the Rocket III, let me give you a little background. It’s a tall 2300cc, three-cylinder in-line motor mounted length-wise with shaft drive in a stubby bike with cartoon-ish features. Not a particularly handsome lump of Ol’ Blighty to start with compared to the Bonneville-based choppers of the Sixties and Seventies. Mike called upon John Triplett of...

  With a hunger for speed, Graves Customs specializes in anything with wheels and a motor. Maximizing the shop’s exposure with multiple features in a variety of custom magazines with a style designed to impress and awe, Graves isn’t afraid to build bikes that blend voluptuous curves, big-inch motors, and loads of flashy metal. Current trends suggest future finishes and frame...

  BBC’s latest model, the Athena chopper, comes directly from Kevin’s Biker Build-Off winning design, which was named after the late daughter of his best friend, Mike “The Greek” Aspiotes. This one-off design for the TV show was built with more than just winning the Build-Off, but ultimately being a production bike from the get-go. “We built the Athena for a reason, which was to...

  David called this bike Epitome because it was the culmination of all his knowledge and skill at that time. “One of my best customers, Ken Kelly, wanted to see what I was capable of,” David explains. “He didn’t want me to limit myself and told me not to worry about any of the costs. I didn’t have to compromise on any materials and was able to hand-fabricate and modify almost every...

  Located in Lake Villa, Illinois, north of Chicago and just south of the border of Wisconsin, DD Custom Cycles wasn’t far from Jay’s house. When he made the trip to the shop to check out what his friends said about Dave, Jay was thrilled with what he found. “I was impressed with the detail Dave put into each bike. Over the years his style has evolved into low and long, with a wide...

  So how do you decide what to build after taking over three decades off? “It’s the bike I always wanted to build. It was always in my head,” said Russ. “It’s a combination of 60s, 70s, and rolls clear on up to the present.” The basis for this bike was Russ’s love of the custom Edward Bohlin silver saddles he saw his western movie idols riding in the Rose Parade when he was a kid....