Today there’s a such an interest in bobbers that the style has mutated and changed from an original stock frame with factory castings to a more simple to produce, steel- tubing affair. Miles would have none of that and hooked up with Big Al Wilkerson at Bitter End Old School Choppers in Scottsburg, Indiana. “We decided that in order to accomplish this, we would use as many original-type castings in the fabrication of the frame as possible and keep the tube size as close to original as we could as well as the single-loop downtube,” said Miles. “I do think in all honesty that this is the first time anyone has tried to duplicate a completely new frame from scratch and done it successfully.”

What to fill the frame’s 30-degree rake neck with was easy; a stock VL-style I-beam fork was the obvious, period-correct choice. Rolling stock had to be 16” wires, with tasteful star hubs and “grab a big handful” mechanical drum brakes. Black powdercoated rims surrounded by immense Coker whitewall tires. They really give the bike a jaunty look and set the fun dial to high.

Which engine to use was a no-brainer for Miles, “I always knew that the engine of choice would be a Knucklehead,” he said. Today the choice is so much bigger and possibly better with the reproduction engines that are being made. Nothing’s cooler than an original Knuck that’s totally restored and re-built, but sourcing one and making it work well in today’s driving climate is asking a lot. Miles chose to pick up a V-Twin Manufacturing replica Knucklehead engine that looks authentic in every detail. The 84” long block was equipped with a Joe Hunt magneto and nestled between the cast iron cylinders is an S&S Super B topped with a Goodson air cleaner. Miles fabbed a set of high/low wrapped- headers and installed a pair of Superior Motorcycles vintage mufflers shooting straight back. Next a 3” BDL open belt primary, with a small Art Deco-style belt guard, delivers power to a jockey shifter, 4-speed kicker tranny with Andrews gears.

Picking a tank to fit the curved backbone and still flow with the bike was next. “We needed a gas tank that would give a guy some capacity, yet not so big as to be overbearing and take away from the smooth lines. The Wyatt Gatling tank pretty much fit the bill except for the tunnel, so we changed it, fabricated the appropriate receiving hole for the Ford Model A gas gauge and had a really cool tank with an awesome fuel gauge unlike any we had ever seen,” said Miles. A classic Moon 4-quart oil tank fit comfortably under the frame’s seat stays and keeps things cool while looking cool. Miles fabbed a simple rear fender held up by a holed fender strut which doubles as a sissy bar with a hand-formed brass knuckle topping it off. Paint for this bobber was by Precision Auto Body and Miles explains his choice of color, “What the hell would a guy do for color if he’s a hardass and fresh out of the service? Damn green!” Actually, it’s Spruce iridescent pearl with the bike’s moniker, Hoodlum, by Juniper Emblem on the tank. Speedster bars, classy lights front and rear, and a Tedds V-Twin solo saddle finish it off tastefully. Oh, and one last thing, if you don’t know what the ball peen hammer is about, you ain’t Old School.

Builder: Miles Brown
E’Ville Twin Motorsickle Company

Situated around 400 miles north of the USA/Canadian border is the tiny town of Eckville, Alberta. The town website lists it as being only 400 acres with a population of just over a thousand and that it’s a prosperous, growing community with agriculture, oil, gas, and lumber as its main assets. Well it’s time to update that website with the addition of Miles and Lorrie Brown’s E’Ville Twin Motorsickle Company as a new attraction for central Alberta. Miles has been building customs since the 70s and he’s got the time capsule chopper pictures to prove it. It couldn’t be a faked picture ‘cause they don’t make bell-bottoms that wide anymore. E’Ville does a wide range of customs though, from outrageous choppers to bobbers to makeovers. Miles and Lorrie have also been getting out there and mixing it up at shows with some of the big shots of the industry and are getting due recognition for their fine work, The Hoodlum always draws a crowd wherever it’s shown. One of the reasons could be Miles’ staunch belief that, ”Less is more.” Check out his groovy bikes (and pants) and the upcoming retro parts line at www.evilletwin.com.

This bike feature originally appeared in Barnett’s Magazine issue #54, March-April 2007.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Year/Make:	2006 Hoodlum Bobber
Fabrication/ Assembly:	E’Ville Twin Motorsickle Co.
Build time:	24 Days
Engine:	84″ V-Twin Mfg. Knucklehead
Flywheels:	Truett & Osborne
Pistons:	8.5 to 1 cast/ Hastings rings
Cylinders:	cast iron
Heads:	Knuckle/ parkerized valve cover tops and cover cups
Cam:	Sifton Lightning
Ignition:	Joe Hunt magneto
Carb:	S&S SUPER B
Air Cleaner:	Goodson (thanks, Dennis)
Transmission:	4-Speed/ Andrews first and third gear
Primary:	B.D.L/ E’VT belt guard
Clutch:	Kevlar dry
Pipes:	Superior Motorcycle/ Headers by E’VT
Frame:	E’VT / Bitter End Old School Choppers single-loop VL style
Rake:	30-degrees
Forks:	Stock VL Style I beam
500×16	Wheels:
Tires:	Coker Tires 500×16
Brakes:	mechanical drum
Fuel Tank:	Wyatt Gatling/ E’VT
Gas Cap:	Ford
Oil Tank:	Moon 4-quart
Fenders:	E’VT
Handlebars:	Speedster
Sissy Bar:	E’VT
Headlight:	Springer
Taillight:	Tedds V-Twin
Hand Controls:	Stock
Foot Controls:	H-D/ foot clutch E’VT
Electrical:	Battery eliminator/ 12-volt 2-brush generator/ cloth covered wiring
Chroming:	Supreme Plating
Painter:	Precision Auto Body
Color:	Spruce iridescent pearl
Tank Emblems:	Juniper Emblems
Powdercoating:	Metal Strip & Coatings
Seat:	E’VT/ Tedds V-Twin
Special thanks to:	Matt Epp (My son-in-law and trusty assistant), Bitter End Old School Choppers, Joe Hunt Magnetos, and Boss & Thor