Coming up with the perfect chopper formula was probably quite a bit easier (and tougher) when the owner is none other than The Horse Backstreet Choppers’ editor, David “Englishman” Gregory. For some funny reason, I’d dare venture a guess that Englishman, with all his exposure to vintage choppers over the years, had quite a bit of say in what and where this build was going to go. Nothing wrong with that, he knew what he wanted and how to get it. That’s where Doomstown came in.

 

   Christopher Phillips has been banging away making tasty tidbits into cool custom bikes at his Port Huron, Michigan, shop for a bit over ten years ago. Barnett’s Magazine Online featured another Doomtown bike called AntiRub that was heavily influenced by another Michigan lad known for thinking outside any box ever made, the irrepressible and irreplaceable, Ron Finch. I’d guess that it was not only a wise choice by Englishman, but a convenient one too as he lives in Macomb. Michigan.

 

   Starting with a ’53 Panhead engine is a perfect start just by itself. When I think classic chop, I gotta go with a Panhead and obviously so does Englishman. After a thorough re-build with an S&S Panhead top end replacing the too-tired-to-ride Harley bits, a 12-volt upgrade, and a Morris magneto to name a few, the kick-only Pan was ready for its final touches. I mean, what’s a classic chopper without an outrageously long dual exhaust spewing out spent combustion through a set of fishtails? I know this may seem like an oxymoron, but they don’t look as outrageous to me as they did in their day as much as look pretty as hell now. Things may not change, but I guess I do in spite of my proclamations to the contrary. Either way, it’s a beautiful exhaust that lets the Panhead knock out what only a Panhead can knock out, a syncopated symphony of classic V-twin rumble unlike any Shovelhead, Evo, or Twin Cam. Score one for the good guys on this one.

 

  Christopher wrapped it all up with a slim exposed belt drive twisting not a newfangled 6-speed tranny, but a simple 4-speed that changes gears via a short jockey shifter and foot clutch. Less is more with a hand shifter/foot clutch and you can’t get much more choppery than that in my opinion. The kicker hanging off the tranny is for real and not just a bit of Old School decoration, although it is a neat-looking piece by itself. Final drive was a no-brainer as chains ruled then and they still do now to a lot of us. With new chain technology, they’ve become pretty damn easy to maintain and they looked mechanically lovely doing it.

 

  The frame is an important part of any chopper build as it has to casually, yet strongly flow from one end of the bike to the other while still providing a chassis to hang everything else from. One of the seriously major flaws of the ‘70s bikes was the handling that ranged from sloppy to downright scary at times. Looks, not proper dimensions, were what was important and everybody just accepted these “flaws” as being part of the chopper experience. That’s where the now-legendary Sugar Bear springer pops into this new equation and eliminates the problems that old long springers or telescoping forks with seriously extended tubes brought to the equation. Sugar Bear’s famous for making springers with his own formula of what works in the real world and he’ll challenge (very nicely as he’s just about the nicest guy ever) anyone who says otherwise. Legions of Sugar Bear springer-owners will back that up as will Englishman himself. With Mr. Bear’s springer, to paraphrase Meghan Trainor’s recent top 40 hit, “It’s all about the looks, about the looks, no trouble.”

 

   Perched between those springer legs is a 21-inch spoked wheel that doesn’t do anything but roll around and look cool as it’s brakeless. Not jumping out of period required a rear drum brake sitting inside another spoked wheel for braking which actually is kinda brakeless too. Obviously it’s fine for show duty and the occasional thumping around that this bike will probably be required to do after its time on the show circuit. I’ll have to assume the wide spacing between gears plays a big part in slowing this chopper down although that’s still a lot of action directed to only one wheel. Englishman and Christopher probably would both wonder what the hell I’m job-jabbering about, “It’s a drum brake, live with it.”

 

    Everything’s long on this bike including the towering sissy bar which fits right into the whole ancient chopper scheme. It also serves a purpose as a seatback frame for the stunning king & queen seat. The absolutely incredible leatherwork of Curt Green of Bare Bones Leather in Bethlehem, Georgia, stands loud and proud with many different techniques employed from hand tooling to suede inserts to braided edging. It really is beautiful and you just want to run your hand over the whole thing to feel all the different textures. I didn’t even mention the twin leather belts on the backside of the seat between the sissybar rails. I just love that touch for reasons I can’t explain. Like so many other things on this bike, it’s a work of art just by itself. And it’s not just for looks alone as there’s a set of passenger pegs in case Englishman’s significant other wants to hop off her bike and onto the back for a love ride or whatever the kids do now.

 

   When it came time for paint on the minimalist bodywork consisting of a dual-cap fuel tank, a Paughco oil tank, and a simple, but right rear fender, Christopher turned to fellow Michiganian (or Michigander –that’s a whole ‘nother kettle of fish), Ron Harris of Chop Docs Choppers in Waterford, Michigan. I don’t have the slightest idea who was responsible for the final outcome, but it’s a ‘70s knockout if there ever was one. Blow up Jack Cofano’s photos in the gallery and you’ll see what I mean. Like the ‘70s themselves, words can’t describe the feelings this glorious paintjob evokes. Love it, love it, love it.

 

  Christopher built a hell of a chopper and Englishman must be kicking himself in his lucky ass every time he just looks at this bike. I have no doubt he’s waiting for winter to end in Michigan so he can just fire this baby up and putt around the back roads like time was somehow screwed with. The final result of this nostalgia-fueled trip on two wheels is one for the books. There’s not a line or a part out of place anywhere you look. Is it the ultimate modern template of a ‘70s chopper? I know of two guys, Christopher and Englishman, would take on any comers who thought otherwise. I’m with them.

 

   For more info on Doomtown Choppers, visit http://www.doomtownchoppers.com/ or check out their Facebook page.