If one truly desires something in life, it seems like nothing could hinder him from attaining that goal. Even in undesirable situations, hope exists. When doctors reach the limit where they can not do anything more, there are companies like Design Worx that can make miracles happen. Initially, Chris Freda did not have the slightest intention of ever building a trike, but things turned unexpectedly. “One day I was in the shop, and this guy, Brian, in a wheelchair came to me with an unusual request. He wanted me to build a trike chopper that looked totally different than anything else on the market. Special customs of this type were made earlier, but the majority looked like cars on three wheels. After two years of work, I finished the trike you see here.”

It wasn’t an easy task considering Brian’s physical handicaps. At first glance, Suicide Blues does not seem to have anything extra or anything less, but the whole project had to take into account any potential operating issues. All the controls, including the brakes and the gear shifter, had to be operated by hand. The solution to shifting the transmission was solved by using a two-button, Klicktronic electric gear changer installed on the left side of the handlebar. What looks like a Jockey shift is actually the clutch. To make driving this trike as easy as possible, Chris added an electronic reverse built by Lehman Trike.

The uniqueness of this custom goes even further to include the geometry of the frame. “When I designed this frame, I had to take into account several things. First and foremost, the design had to be built in such a way as to permit the owner to get on it without help from anyone. Also, I had to make sure that once in the seat, the controls were easy to use and the steering would be easily handled even at maximum turn, without the rider having to stretch too far,” said Chris.

Starting with an Independent Cycle LOWLIFE frame, the guys from Design Worx were able to bring the project to reality. The hind part was radically modified to allow installation of an axle containing a differential built in Holland. The propulsion for this trike had to be not only powerful, but good-looking as well. They chose a 113” Patrick Racing engine with round cylinders. Power is transferred to the wheels through a 5-speed Baker transmission.

With the frame and engine done, the Design Worx team changed focus to other areas. One of the interesting features on the bike was the Goldammer Cycleworks fork. The triple trees and legs are one piece and the assembly of the whole fork was done using Goldammer-patented technology. For $5,000 you can be the proud owner of this technological wonder-fork. It’s far from being cheap, considering it’s half the price of a 1200 Sportster, but if you want the “best of the best” (all that really matters to Chris), then cost is no object.

Due to the nature of a trike’s design, they can almost not be considered motorcycles with fluid lines along the body, but that is hardly the case here. It is worth noting that the FatKatz gas tank, modified by Design Worx, has almost perfect curved lines from every angle. Contributing to this aspect is the shape of the top spoiler, attached to the frame to create an impression of a much elongated tank. The same fluid concept is also applied to the Richie Seats, stingray skin saddle. No detail was overlooked, so that each component aligns itself within the custom scheme. For example, even though the rear Budnick wheels come from the automobile sector, their design is very similar to the Performance Machine front wheel.

Nub Grafix of Walden, New York, and TV fame was called in to shoot the coarse blue flake paint and the green flame graphics and Nub did his usual outstanding job. I wondered if Brian was satisfied with this trike and according to Chris, he was more than just happy. “When you have a strong passion for a particular thing and you put every effort into it, the results are not far behind and satisfaction along with them. For me, it’s just as satisfying to know that with this trike that I built I could give back to Brian the pleasure of riding. In spite of the accident that he suffered, for a few hours he is a biker on the road, a normal person like everyone else. If I can make others happy, then I am happy,” said Chris.

It is truly moving to see that there are people like Chris Freda motivated in business not just by money, but also by compassion for others. All I can say is, thank you brother, you are my hero.