Choppers
I first met these guys at an Easyriders show in Albuquerque back in 2005 and was totally smitten with their display bikes that stood head and shoulders above anything else there because they weren’t like any of the other “show” bikes which looked just like all the other generic “show” bikes. And so on. Plus, they were honestly-cool-without-trying-to-be-cool young guys bubbling over with enthusiasm for their passion of building motorcycles their way, not cloning or adapting what others were doing. That principle still is as strong as ever, if not stronger, today. L 30 is a perfect example of that. “Our company motto is ‘Contribute to the culture, don’t exploit it,’ ” said Jimmie Lee. “We’re not trying to be the opposite of what the current fad is. We just build what we think is cool and if you like it, great, and if you don’t, well, eventually you will.”
L 30’s name is actually a reference to the steep 30-degree rake on the Dirty South Choppers-made frame that Jimmie Lee designed with real world riding in mind. “We decided to do something different. The front end ended up being super short with a compact wheelbase and even though it has a wide rear tire, it still performs like a nimble bike,” he said. Making sure this bike handles well and looks good doing it is an always gorgeous Jeri’s Springer front end that has a 21” Pickard USA solid wheel in black surrounded by a skinny 80/90 Avon Venom tire. At the other extreme, another Pickard USA solid wheel hosts a dichotomic 300mm of Avon rubber, the chopper world equivalent of Yin and Yang. QTM Brembo four-piston calipers perched on Three Two custom-made brackets front and rear work their pads off via Brembo hand controls and Jaybrake foot controls. “This bike stops well, really well,” said Jimmie Lee.
The heart of a hot rod is the engine and the 96” S&S workhorse, the V-twin equivalent of a rodder’s favorite, the Chevy 350 crate motor, in L 30 is a gem of a mill with more than ample power, reliability, and honest American looks. “We actually had plans for it to be an old Panhead, but the supplier couldn’t come through. We changed gears and put the 96 in it which is the perfect motor. It doesn’t rattle you to death and you can ride it,” said Jimmie Lee. When I asked if the sinuous, wrapped pipes had baffles, Brother JC immediately jumped in and said, “If the law is listening ― Yes!” I interpret that as “No!” It ain’t a hot rod if it isn’t constantly telling you it is.
Minimalist bodywork consists of a clean, but elegantly handsome Three Two tank and a rear fender that “Instead of having a rear fender that just rolls over the tire, there’s a little lip at the end.” Other Side Customs in Dallas shot the High Fleck Silver paint and did the tank graphics. “We don’t paint ‘em so they follow a fad. All our bikes are classic silver/red, black/red, silver/black, just real hot rod colors,” said Jimmie Lee. If that’s the case, where the hell did the sorta ode to the ‘90s neon green seat spring come from? “The green spring? Where does that come out of? That’s just left field,” said Jimmie Lee laughing. “It’s actually from a sprint car and the whole seat unit unbolts from the frame. There’s probably 10 or 12 pieces in that whole thing.”
The most traditional, but always enticing hot rod touch is the authentic MOONEYES aluminum tank doing duty as an oil bag hanging off the left-rear side. “It not only makes it run a bit cooler, it looks cool as hell and you can see all the oil lines running back into the bike. We want to see that stuff, we like the mechanics of it,” said Jimmie Lee. “That’s our style; we try to build classic hot rod bikes. Something that when you pull it out of the garage in ten years, you’re gonna go, ‘Man! This bike is still badass.’”
Up close: Jeri’s Springer Front Ends
You gotta love springers even if you’re not crazy about them. If two bikes are exactly alike other than a hydraulic front end and a springer, I can almost guarantee that you might walk by the hydraulic fork bike, but you’ll definitely stop and check out the springer. They just have a way about them. Springers are a way-cool nostalgic tie to the past that really work just peachy in the real world. But, like everything else, a few springer builders are head and shoulders above their Pacific Rim el cheapo copy-cat counterparts. Jeri’s Springer in Clearwater, Florida, is one such company to consider when you want more than just a springer, but a great springer with high-quality construction, superior materials, and classic good looks.
All of Jeri’s springers are made from chromoly tubing instead of generic steel and TIG-welded to your exact needs. Jeri says, “Chromoly tubing has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than regular steel so I don’t need to save weight by hollowing out the triple trees. Solid triple tress equals greater strength.” He uses Oilite bushings (oil-impregnated powder-metal bushings) to provide smooth and reliable rocker action with easy replacement. The axles, spring rods, and all necessary hardware are made of tough and long-lasting stainless steel.
Style-wise, Jeri offers a traditional springer in different styles and an inverted fork with the springs mounted behind the fork legs at the axle for a totally different springer look. Forks are available in raw, chromed, and powdercoated finishes with options like internal brake lines, tribal top and rocker designs, and brake mounts at extra cost.
Be sure to check out Jeri’s website for more info and fork advice at www.jeris-springer.com or call 727-449-2058.
Builder: Three Two Choppers
Talking to Three Two Choppers’ Jimmie Lee and JC Cohen, you’d never know that there’s a downturn in the motorcycle industry. “People are starting to know who we are and what we’re doing. We’re real busy with eight bike builds going on in our shop,” said Jimmie Lee. “Jon and I carved our niche out and we knew what we wanted to build and focused on our ideas rather than chasing other people’s ideas.”
A backlog of builds isn’t stopping them from seeking even more, but with their own twist. “We’re letting guys come into our shop and say you want an L 30, you come to our shop and build it while we mentor you through the whole process from the ground up. We’ve got three guys doing that right now with another coming next month,” said Jimmie Lee. “We’re showing every possible thing to do from welding to wiring to building a tank, everything. We are doing the welding so it stays certified, but we’re showing them all the lathing, the milling, and everything that needs to be done. It’s real rewarding to me to watch these guys grow and it’s almost like going to chopper college.”
A big part of their success has to be their take on what makes a good looking, good riding chopper and Jimmie Lee has it figured out. “Our bikes flow from the front all the way to the back, I’ve never had someone say, ‘Man that paint is bitchin’ or the something on there is bitchin’.’ The whole package is cool. We let the bike speak for itself,” he said. “It’s simplicity in its form, yet the complexity is there. For instance, you look at our handlebars and they look just like a pair of bars, but there’s actually ten pieces or more in those bars to get the look.”
If you’re looking for the look, look no further than www.threetwochoppers.com.
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