Bobbers
Built entirely in Okazaki, Japan, the guys from ZERO Engineering decided to use one of their production bikes as a basis for the bike that was to become what they referred to as the Iron Man bike. Starting with their top of the line Type 6, they customized and swapped out some of their production parts but kept true to their distinctive style. The Type 6 is based on a low, gooseneck rigid frame with 38-degrees of rake that is just the right angle to run a stock-length springer front end. In fact, they use a black powdercoated version modeled after one used on Harleys in 1974. Sixteen-inch steel hoops were laced with 40-spokes that measure 3.5-inches wide and were each fit with balloon-style, five-inch-wide Firestone tires. Stopping the front wheel is a mechanically-operated drum brake made by V-Twin. The rear brake and final drive appear old because of the chain drive and incognito caliper, but it’s actually a newer design manufactured by Ktech. The sprotor cleans up the rear end by combining the final drive with the brake rotor and a cleverly-mounted 2-piston caliper makes it seem more simple and archaic than it really is. When they were finished with the chassis, the seat height was kept low at 27” off the ground (just over two feet!) yet it maintained four-inches of ground clearance.
Maeda wanted to use an older-looking motor like a Knucklehead or Flathead, which would have been post-WWII period correct, but because the really old motors are hard to find and the reproduction motors are so expensive, they went with an 80” S&S SH alternator motor that strongly resembles Harley’s engine built during the ‘70s. A Primo/Rivera’s three-inch open primary and Brute 4 clutch were made to work with a RevTech 4-speed transmission (fit with a starter coated in a stealthy black-wrinkle finish) and a kick starter add to the nostalgic appearance of the bike.
No crazy pointed sheet metal or fiberglass on this bike, not that ZERO is known for that kind of thing. The ZERO crew kept the tanks and covers as simple and small as possible. They hand fabricated a tiny 1.6-gallon gas tank that fit with the smaller dimensions of the bike (no, the bike is not designed for long-distance touring), along with a standard-sized horseshoe-style oil bag that holds 3-quarts. The narrow rear fender only covers a quarter of the circumference of the tire and is attached to the rear section of the frame with custom-fabbed struts. Low, drag- style handlebars were welded to the top bridge of the springer and keep the bike’s front end looking aggressive. ZERO Engineering manufactures the headlight with the yellow lens, plus the taillight, but a company called Backdrop made the seat. ZERO used one of their Cobra seats, so-called because of the side-to-side ribbing that resembles the belly of a cobra.
The shop was satisfied with their custom and its numerous nods towards World War II-era styling like the front end, balloon tires that appear to be for riding out of a trench, mechanical drum brake, rigid frame, spoke wheels and kick starter. It met the hot-rod requirement because it looks fast due to its low stance and sharply angled front-end created by the generous amount of steering rake. The bike’s total weight is only 528 lbs so it doesn’t need much motor to begin with.
ZERO delivered the bike to the prop guys for placement in the movie, and once it left their hands, they assumed it would appear in the movie as it left their shop. “The people that set up the garage backgrounds didn’t think the bike was Iron Man-enough so the prop guys coated the bike in flashier red and gold colors. When we got the bike back we were shocked to see the bike in a different color than we had sent it, but we quickly discovered that a special paint was used that doesn’t permanently adhere to the surface it is covering. They were able to peel it right off with their fingernails without damaging the original paint,” Hiro said.
The Iron Man bike might be worth more money than one of their custom bikes that hasn’t been in a movie, but they’ll probably hold onto this bike for a while. “We take this bike to all the events that we can. We use it to show people an example of the customization potential for the Type 6 production bike,” Hiro said.
If you do decide to catch Iron Man, don’t forget to look closely for the ZERO Engineering bike in the garage scenes.
This bike feature originally appeared in Barnett’s Magazine issue #63, August 2008.
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| Owner: | ZERO Engineering |
| Year / Make: | 2007 Samurai Chopper Type 6 |
| Fabrication: | ZERO Engineering |
| Assembly: | ZERO Engineering |
| Build time: | 2 months |
| Engine: | S&S SH80 |
| Cases/ Flywheels: | S&S |
| Rods/ Pistons: | S&S |
| Cylinders/ Heads: | S&S |
| Cam: | S&S |
| Ignition: | S&S |
| Carb: | S&S Super E |
| Pipes: | ZERO Engineering |
| Air Cleaner: | S&S |
| Transmission: | RevTech 4-speed w/kicker |
| Primary: | ZERO Engineering/ Primo/ Rivera Belt |
| Clutch: | Primo/ Rivera Brute IV |
| Frame: | ZERO Engineering Rigid Gooseneck |
| Rake: | 38-degrees |
| Forks: | ’74 H-D springer-style |
| Wheels: | 16″ Excel |
| Tires: | Firestone 5.00 x 16″ |
| Front Brake: | V-Twin drum |
| Rear Brake: | KTech Sprotor |
| Fuel / Oil Tank: | ZERO Engineering |
| Fender: | ZERO Engineering |
| Handlebars: | ZERO Engineering |
| Headlight/ Taillight: | ZERO Engineering |
| Hand/Foot Controls: | Zero Engineering |
| Electrical: | ZERO Engineering |
| Painter: | ZERO Engineering |
| Color: | Red, Gold, Green |
| Graphics: | Pinstriping by MK Design |
| Seat: | Backdrop Cobra |