Eight years ago Danny started building beautiful Harley customs that retain the stock profile, but raise it to a new level. “I wanted to have it look like a stock Harley-Davidson to give people who are looking at it as a reference point, a starting point that everybody has, everybody rides a Harley,” says Danny. “It’s easy for them to recognize and say, ‘Oh look what he did here, oh look at that.’ “

Stock is what it’s not, though, and after taking the new ’04 Springer off the showroom floor Danny says laughing,” I had to put a good sixty miles on it before I tore it down.” Most people customizing a Harley add a bunch of chromed bits and end up with a “custom” that looks like a P&A catalog picture. “I planned this bike out before bobbers became so chic. I had a vision in my head of what a motorcycle should look like,” says Danny. “I always start with the engine ‘cause I think the engine is the heart of the bike.” His plan involved a big-inch mill with a Panhead-look, so he headed straightaway to STD Development in Chatsworth, California, where he presented his ideas to head engine builder, Marty Harrison, who built all Danny’s previous engines. “We sat down and I told him I wanted to keep a Twin Cam bottom end, but modified,” says Danny. “I wanted a 124” motor which was pretty rare back in ‘04.” Marty used the best parts available to produce an engine that makes one horsepower per cubic-inch and even more torque. Tay Herrera outdid himself with his stunning 3-D engraving on the Goodson air cleaner. It’s up to BDL’s open belt primary and clutch to handle the gobs of Twin Pan-power before passing the buck to a JIMS 6-speed tranny with a period-correct Sharp-Eye kicker. The upswept Paughco exhaust is deliciously reminiscent of a ‘60s Bay Area chopper and header wrap seals the deal.

With the drivetrain in order, Danny began disassembling the springer and powdercoating the forward legs and inner springs.” You can just see a hint of red inside,” says Danny. “It’s a subtle touch that makes it work.” Frame dimensions were left stock, but not the frame itself. The tube from the seat to the top of the tranny was removed allowing a chromed MidWest oil tank to find a retro home. The rear frame-mounted oil cooler was an inspired complement to Indian Larry’s oil filter setup. Progressive Suspension Airtail shocks can be slammed at rest and pumped up to stock for a comfortable, cornering clearance back road ride. Danny’s use of a 160mm Metzeler on a classy 18” 60-spoke American Wire wheel does the job without unnecessary hassle with a 21“ wheel up front., “Sometimes I wish I went to a 180. When I’m coming out of a turn and roll the throttle on, I can feel it wanting to get away from me.” PM four-piston calipers with floating rotors scrub speed on command from the Supreme Legends foot controls and Joker Machine hand controls mounted on black powdercoated J&L mini-apes.

The bodywork is stock in silhouette (except for the Headwinds Vampire headlight), but touches like Cyclesmith’s fender struts and the Cateye dash change the look without changing the tin. Buckwild Designs did a paintjob that looks oh-so-right. The Candy Apple Red has different size flakes that give it a depth and what appears to be black on the paneling is actually Black Cherry flake with 24-karat gold leaf striping. Buck created high-style without high-flash. Touches of red and gold throughout the bike tie it all together into a cohesive design. The gold drive-chain is replicated in the latigo chain design that Bitchin’ Rich stitched onto the solo saddle and in the shift linkage made from chain that Danny had welded solid and plated gold.

Possibly the ultimate compliment TwinPan’s received was from Karen Davidson who said, “You know what? This is the kind of bike we need to build.”