Pro-Street
Thunderin’ Cycles and Martha’s Bike
Story by Wendy Manning
Photos by Sedrick Mitchell
When Martha Jones, of Watertown, New York, wanted a bobber that was a good representation of her style, she immediately turned to her local full service and custom bike shop, Thunderin’ Cycles. “It was my idea to build the bike, I had an H-D Sportster that I personally customized but no matter what I did it wasn’t unique enough,” Martha said. “I enjoy having a bike that is uniquely my own.”
She got the bobber idea from another bike at Thunderin’ Cycles. “I first saw a bobber for sale at Thunderin’ Cycles that was originally a EV0 Sportster and it seemed to fit me real well but again I wanted something more uniquely me.”
But Martha soon discovered that choosing exactly the right the right parts isn’t as easy and you’d think. “Building the bike was difficult because I had to pick everything, from the frame to the front end, wheels, motor etc. It was difficult to choose,” she said. “Initially we had a problem with the ignition right out of the box, and it was exhausting as I would foul plugs and the bike wouldn’t idle properly. We have also had some issues with things loosening up because the big 113 S&S vibrates a lot.”
Her favorite aspect of the bike is the paintwork done by Jim Goodberry of Body FX Grafix. “That’s probably my favorite aspect, as well as the unique look of the Softail bobber frame and the custom seat,” she said. “I was initially concerned about handling the bike and had some issues with the seat and sliding back when I accelerated, but the builder, Paul Ramos, was able to fabricate the chrome piece that you see on the seat now.” A custom seat is über important, especially when Martha decides to take those long trips to Sturgis, and also Nova Scotia. “But much of my riding lately has been weekend trips and day rides,” she said. Customizing her 2001 Sportster gave Martha her first taste of mods, and the bobber you see here is her is first experience with a build. “This is the bike I ride the most, although I still have my Naughty Nurse Sportster,” she said.
So far, Martha has about 10,000 miles on the bike and is very happy with it. “Everyone was very supportive during this build process,” Martha said, “especially my husband and Kent Spencer, Paul Ramos and of course Jim “Painter” Goodberry.
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