All the elements that made Larry’s bikes special are presented in the same rideable format for owner John Thompson to enjoy. “John wanted something that reflected our earlier style and to be simple and clean,” said Paul. Starting with a chromed Legacy/Paughco frame stretched 2 ¼’’ with a mild rake of 30 degrees and sporting a narrow twisted springer in chrome, simple and clean had begun. Traditional spoke wheels mount Metzeler’s best with a reasonable 180mm aft. It’s well known that Larry required his bikes to not only handle the traffic-clogged streets ofNew York City, but be able to cruise at warp speed on the highways and byways of the northeast, something you can’t easily do with tires larger than a Corvette’s. Those Wheel of Fortune-sized, famous “?” logo-ed discs are huge and super-cool, but created mounting problems with the narrow springer. “We had to offset the hub to get clearance to the caliper and built the wheel with an offset to get it straight, there’s just not much room with that fork,” Paul said. The “?” cut discs are capably squeezed by PM calipers, like changing a question mark to a period when necessary. I don’t blame Mr. Thompson for requesting dual brakes after Keino’s assembly of a 93” S&S Shovelhead. This kick-only, Morris Magneto fired mill pushes this bike easily as there isn’t much there to push. The powerplant just sits in the frame surrounded by just air it seems. The Super E carb sucks that air unabated by any paper or foam cartridge. Keino fabricated a pair of way cool pipes that snake around to the left of the heads and exit through the BDL open belt primary. “We weren’t sure how they would sound with the duck billed openings, but they sound just great,” said Paul. “We always do something different with the exhaust on every build and Keino did a great job.” The transmission’s a jockey shifted Baker 6 into 4, giving a good range of gears, and it has the aforementioned kick starter that makes me grimace just looking at it. Paul quickly corrected me though, “With the Morris G5 mag and Keino’s expertise, it just kicks to life like a dream.” I’ll just have to take his word for it. A collection of previously broken bones makes me a button boy. But listen Paul, I will gladly take it for a spin if you start it for me.

Keino fabbed the classic dished tank while Legacy’s stainless oil tank provides both pizzazz and the engine’s lifeblood. Adding to that life is the oil filter, aft mounted and accessible in true Larry tradition. A delicately curved, short sissybar also serves as a strut to the Lucky’s Choppers/Legacy fender which, along with those petroleum receptacles, is masterfully covered by Robert Pradke. The choice of cobalt blue flake compliments all the shiny bits perfectly. Robert then added the tasty silver smoke graphics to the tank’s coves. John’s night riding must take place on well lit city streets as both front and rear lights are not exactly going to burn any retinas but they do look correct and meet the letter of the law.  

Legacy Baby Apes, with PM internal controls covered by Cox Leather grips, were specifically made for this bike. “Keino made the bars to suit the narrow front end. To pick up the geometry, they’re a little boxier too,” said Paul. The gracefully arcing foot controls are Legacy made with Johnny Chop pegs. What would any Indian Larry inspired design be without the requisite seat by Paul Cox Leather?  What appears to be just a beautiful Cox leather seat directly mounted on the frame is actually a beautiful Cox leather seat mounted on Paul’s patented Rigidaire seat suspension system. The unique air-chamber design provides comfort on the go and when stopped, a sleek look for show. I would like to think John Thompson is more concerned with the go than show aspect.

I mentioned to Paul that Larry once related to me how he ran every idea past him for his input, which he valued. Paul seemed surprised, humbly answering, “He did? That’s kinda nice to hear. When there’s somebody so in tune with what they do, when it’s a part of their being to make the right choice that you just know whatever they’re inclined to feel is the way to go, well that was him. He always was and continues to be my inspiration.” Legends never die, but go on forever.

Up Close: Morris Magneto GS

Most of the time, custom builders opt for a magneto so they can run without a battery and achieve a cleaner look or to give a bike that Old School look. But, according to David Shaw of Morris Magneto, there are other good reasons to choose a magneto over an electronic ignition. The new G5 design, which has been manufactured for over six years now, has a special starting mechanism which allows the magneto to deliver a very hot spark even with a mild prod to the pedal. This same hot spark also makes it easier firing up a bike equipped with an electric starter. With all the trouble people are having keeping starters in big-engined bikes nowadays, this help should be appreciated. The magneto replaces your coil and ignition system and another pleasant surprise is that a magneto works better as the rpm’s get higher and makes your bike run even healthier than before. Applications for all big twin motors (except for the Twin Cam engines) can be ordered at www.morrismagneto.com.

Builder: Paul Cox, Indian Larry Legacy

Paul Cox is probably best known for his extraordinary leatherwork, but there’s a lot more to him than just that. As one of the founders of Indian Larry Legacy, he’s been working so hard to make it successful that his business, Paul Cox Leather, is on the backburner. Building bikes, designing parts, and touring and promoting Indian Larry Legacy has left him little time to work on seats except for a few lucky people. Coming from a fine arts background, it was only natural that a young guy with an interest in dirt bikes, Harleys, and Rock ’n Roll would gravitate to building some of the custom world’s finest creations. Having been Indian Larry’s friend and right-hand man for years didn’t hurt a bit. “I worked on builds and fabrication alongside him, sort of behind the scenes while I was doing my leather work,” said Paul. ”For the past year and a half, it’s kinda flipped to where my primary focus is the builds and prototyping new parts.” He’s not alone doing this though. Paul added, “Keino and I work together, I usually come to him with an idea and we knock it around, then move forward while John Mack backs us up. Actually everybody here has been knocking themselves out.”  Regarding how Indian Larry Legacy came to be after Larry’s passing, Paul said, “We never stopped to consider an alternative. There was no alternative.”

Check out Legacy’s website at www.indianlarry.com then surf over to www.paulcoxleather.com  for seats too nice to sit on.

SPECIFICATIONS
Owner:	John Thompson
Year / Make:	2005 Indian Larry Legacy
Fabrication:	Paul Cox and Keino
Assembly:	Paul Cox and Keino
Build time:	6 months
Engine:	JIMS120”
Cases:	S&S
Flywheels:	S&S
Rods:	S&S
Pistons:	S&S
Cylinders:	S&S
Heads:	S&S
Cam:	S&S
Ignition:	Morris G5 Magneto
Carb:	S&S Super E
Pipes:	Indian Larry Legacy
Air Cleaner:	Velocity Stack
Transmission:	Baker 2005 – 6 into 4 / kicker
Primary:	Harley-Davidson
Frame:	2005 Wishbone rigid
Rake/Stretch:	39 Degrees, 2″ up
Forks:	Legacy/Paughco, Narrow Twisted
Front Wheel:	21″ FX hub
Rear Wheel:	18″ FL hub
Front Tire:	90/90X21 Metzeler
Rear Tire:	180/55X18 Metzeler
Front Brake:	PM
Rear Brake:	PM
Fuel Tank:	Indian Larry Legacy Dished
Oil Tank:	Indian Larry Legacy/Fabicator Kevin
Risers:	Misumi
Headlight:	4″ Spotlight
Taillight:	Radientz
Hand Controls/Grips:	PM
Foot Controls:	Indian LArry Legacy
Handlebars:	Indian Larry Legacy
Painter/Graphics:	Robert Pradke
Chrome Plater:	Wilco