El Pasoan Dan Barker’s MIA/POW tribute chopper, Little Toad, is both a labor of love and his way of showing ultimate respect. “I’m a disabled Navy SEAL, from 1973 to 1982,” Dan explained, “and I built this in memory of my fallen bros.”

Navy SEALS are known for making it through one of the toughest special operations training programs in the world, covert operations, and being sent in when “unconventional forces” are called for. It’s a mini chopper for sure, but with its serious silhouette, clean and simple lines, Little Toad, in its own way, exemplifies a no-nonsense attitude. Clean and simple with a sparse, series silhouette, Little Toad is seven-feet in length with a Robin six-horsepower overhead-cam engine, the bike clocks at 50mph. “This bike was an idea of mine that I’ve had for a long time,” Dan said. “It’s my way of remembering my fallen brothers. It’s also my way of saying thank you to our vets fighting around the world today. God bless you and keep you safe. I know it’s only a mini chopper, but it says LIVE LARGE.”

The build took place in Dan’s home garage over the course of a month. He started with a used Hardtail frame and a Robin six horsepower single overhead cam/overhead valve. “I completely tore down everything. Rebuilt the engine, reworked and painted the frame. Then I reassembled and replaced the worn out carb and restored it to its current condition,” said Dan, who had no problems with the modifications.

His favorite aspect of the bike is the paint job. “I wanted to give her a military look and I think she turned out BAD ASS. This is my first bike that I’ve built. In the future I want to build a full size Harley with the same theme,” he said. Little Toad gets plenty of use. “I tear up the neighborhood, I ride her everyday so she doesn’t get lazy,” he said. When asked how it rides, Dan, who also owns a V Star, added, “What can I say, it’s a hard tail!”