My first memory of highway addiction came even earlier from the short lived, but much remembered show, ‘Route 66’ starring Todd (Martin Milner as the boringly straight, ex-rich guy) and Buzz (George Maharis as the troubled, but tender guy).  Week after week, they hit the road to anywhere in a  baby blue 1960 Corvette, supposedly the only thing left to Todd by his dead, ex-rich father (Actually, that wasn’t that tough to understand, what was hard to comprehend was how they always got the newest Corvette every TV season while only working odd jobs for road money).  Anyway, I was lost in an asphalt induced stupor as they drove that beautiful Vette on new road trips with Todd always hogging the wheel. That car represented freedom and adventure to me, not financial status or class snobbery. I could never afford a car like that when I was young, but I could afford a motorcycle to do the same thing which I did. I never forgot that gorgeous car though.

Forty-five years later, Paul Teutul Sr. from upstate New York (he’s on some TV show too, I just can’t seem to remember its name…) has not only acquired one of these American icons, but has built a bike to honor its timeless beauty.  Simply called the Corvette Bike, Paul Sr. has combined the old school motorcycle look with an equally old school car look to create an eye catching modern ride that begs to be ridden to places unknown.

Enlisting a couple of guys named Vinnie and Rick to help make this dream a reality, Paul Sr. started with a V-Twin Manufacturing H-D Reproduction rigid frame as his foundation. Leaving a stock rake and stretch would lead to an undemanding, fun, real world rider, unlike the corporate theme bikes OCC is famous for. When you want a classic springer front end for your old school ride, there’s one guy to turn to if you want the real thing. Mondo of Denvers Choppers was called upon to supply the elegant, six-inch over twisted forks to not only give it that right shark tooth grill look, but also to really work out on the open road.

Complimenting this fork are the super airy, twisted spoke Invader wheels (attn. young ‘uns –

Invader wheels were a must have way back when and are still prized, by those who know, today). Mounting modern, powerful PM disc brakes front and rear may seem out of character with the classic look, unlike the sometimes terrorizing, rear-only brake of real old school design, but there’s nothing wrong with having a future to relive the past in. One of the first Corvette elements to fall in place was the skinny Avon whitewalls in classically acceptable sizes of 21” front and 16” rear.  Did you know that over 90% of new 1960 Corvettes were delivered with optional whitewalls and those tires were skinny by modern standards too. Style-point #1 accomplished. The custom OCC gas tank has incorporated the famous “coves” carved into the side of the Vette, including the three strakes which were like designer speed lines, and is outlined in a slender chrome trim just like the real thing (tastefully done V+R!).  Topping the tank are the famous Chevy crossed flags and a spinner gas cap that looks like it’s made from an old Vette hubcap. Style-point #2. A simple rear fender is held up by chromed struts that create the same feeling as those delicate Corvette bumpers. Style-point #3.

Corvettes in 1960 were powered by a second generation 283” small block, revered for its high winding usable power. Paul Sr. chose not to go the mega inch route with this bike, instead using a relatively small, by current custom standards, 88” S&S cased Knuckleheadengine as his power plant. Much like the hallowed small block Chevy, the Knucklehead is considered to be Harley’s prettiest engine and looks as cool as the Vette’s finned aluminum valve covered classic. No modern electronic ignition here, providing the spark to make this engine bark is a hip Morris magneto much like the ancient points ignition on the Corvette.  Meanwhile, OCC fabricated the frame hugging, straight back exhaust with delicately designed heat shields aft, reminiscent of the Vette’s through the bumper dual exhaust. Style point #4. An open belt, Primo Brute IV primary is connected to a RevTech five-speed tranny which supplies the more than adequate Knuck power to the rear wheel. Wisely not copying the plastic Chevy’s floor shifter, Paul Sr. specified H-D foot controls with OCC custom floorboards built large enough to accommodate those famous size twelve’s, instead of the expected (but much harder to use) jockey shifter and suicide clutch. Remember, this one was built to really ride, not gawk at.

Period correct styling touches include the Mooneyes front mounted oil tank, which could be correctly applied to both cars and bikes or almost anything from that era with its spun aluminum beauty and the neat sprung saddle by Crime Scene Choppers. Finishing it off are the almost mandatory ape hangers, with funky white grips, hovering over the classic Bates headlight (Note to Paul- Why not mount two of them horizontally to copy the Vette’s duals?).

Paul Sr. made the usual call to the guy who doesn’t appear to own a pair of long pants, Nub (Hey Nubbie!) of Nub Graffix,  to apply what appears to be his easiest OCC paint job ever.  The Corvette’s Ermond White and Silver Blue colors were laid over the tank and fender and the rich red leather interior supplied the tint for the frame. Style-point #5.

Final assembly was done by Vinnie and Rick and the Corvette bike was now ready to prowl old Route 66 looking for adventure, just like my black and white TV buddies Todd and Buzz did. Today, the toughest part would be deciding whether to take the bike or car. As for me, I think I’d take the bike, that way I could leave that painfully preppy, little whiner Todd at home. 

SPECIFICATIONS
Owner:	OCC/Paul Sr., www.orangecountychoppers.com
Make/Year:	2005 Rigid
Fabrication:	Vinnie & Rick
Assembly:	Vinnie & Rick
Build Time:	3 weeks
Engine:	88″ Knucklehead
Cases:	S&S
Carb:	S&S Super E
Ignition:	Morris Magneto
Pipes:	OCC
Transmission:	RevTech 5-speed
Primary Drive:	Primo Brute IV
Frame:	2005 H-D Reproduction
Builder:	V-Twin
Rake:	Stock
Front End:	2005 Springer by Mondo of Denvers Choppers, 6” over
Front Wheel:	21″ Twisted Invader
Rear Wheel:	16″ Twisted Invader
Tires:	Front-Avon 110/90, Rear-Avon 130
Brakes:	Front-PM, Rear- HHI
Fuel Tank:	Custom OCC
Mooneyes	Oil Tank:
Rear Fender:	Custom OCC
Hand Controls:	OMP
Foot Controls:	H-D w/Floorboards
Sissy Bar:	Custom OCC
Bars:	Apes
Risers:	Dogbones
Headlight:	Bates
Taillight:	Primo
Electrical:	OCC/Vinnie
Chrome Plater:	Chrome Masters
Painter:	Nub Graffix
Color:	Ermond white/ Silver blue
Seat/Builder:	Crime Scene Choppers