I don’t know when it first started, but I sure know that it’s fairly recently (in that giant scheme of things) that Sporties were being referred to as a “girl’s bike” or some other needlessly silly derogatory term (to both Sportsters and women). One look at my stack of pictures of Foundation Customs Ironhead Sporty had me riveted and mentally traveling back to a simpler time. A time when these powerplants practically ruled the streets, kicking ass and taking no prisoners. I don’t know why, but when I see a simple, clean design like this, I really want to hop on and ride it. Kinda like the reaction I always get from people wishing they could ride one of Indian Larry’s bikes. They just look so fun and approachable, just like this bike. No slow putt down Main Street, but grabbing a big handful of throttle and going somewhere, anywhere, loud and fast.  We all have different objects of desire and this one hits home hard.

Foundation Customs of Huntington Beach, California is the brainchild and business of two cool young guys, Justin Levassiur and Chad Edwards, who built this affordable beast of a bike for owner Hung Lam as his daily rider. Starting out with a beefy single loop rigid frame built by Fred Hernandez (with a reasonable rake of 30 degrees) and coupled to a six–inch over H-D Narrow Glide front end, the simple and clean basic design parameters were set. Less is more pervades the whole build, Foundation’s own Gassir wheels with sensible (probably a bad word to use, but they are sensible) Avon rubber and readily available and inexpensive H-D disc brakes provides the rolling stock. The minimalist bodywork consists of a Foundation built gas tank (sitting just right), a CCI oil tank in classic round style please, and a chromed Bossley rear fender supported by Foundation’s own strut/sissy bar combo. Like the old Cert’s commercials used to say,“Two, two, two mints in one,” same with this combo. The small CCI headlight, a swap meet tail light, and an offset license plate holder handle the legal requirements when you’re swapping papers with the Fuzz (sorry, it just seems like you’d have to call them that when you’re riding a time warp machine like this).  

Following a recent re-build of the 900cc Ironhead to basically stock specs, Foundation added their own pipes, an S&S carb, a Dyna ignition, and it was a done deal. These old Sporties were actually pretty quick when they were running right and this bike runs right. A well set up carb and a good ignition seemed to be the key to an easy starting, strong running bike back then and it still applies today. Remember, this is an everyday rider.

The straight drag bars and minimalist ass perch compliment each other and provide the minimum daily requirements for a rider cockpit. Foundation’s mid-mounted foot controls give Hung’s feet a place to be and provide a good position for fast riding, which he likes to partake in as often as possible.

Installing the correct patina on this project was left to Specialized Powdercoating and West Coast Colorworks for that red flake with black panel paint job, all tied together by Bob Iverson’s graphics. I have to admit I love the contrast of the old school paint, nice use of chrome, and the au natural finish of the old engine-a true survivor placed in a new setting for another go-round. Justin informed me that this old piece of H-D history is about to undergo another change as Hung wants to either stroke it or turbo it. Apparently his riding buddies are invading his space, man. Foundation is more than willing to help him and I can only assume that Chad and Justin would be more than willing to help you too. Make it a point to browse their website, www.foundationcustoms.com, for tons ‘o pics of affordable and imaginative bikes. To speak with them in person, use your telly to call 714-893-1805. One-off, useful, and way cool rides at affordable prices, you can’t go wrong.   

Builder

Two years in the custom motorcycle business isn’t considered a long time, but when you tie many years of previous experience in the motorcycle industry along with the working knowledge of the specialized machine skills necessary to create true customs, you’ve got a great start to begin with. Chad Edwards and Justin Levassiur have nine years as a Harley service manager and being a skilled machinist to pull from their butt when quizzed as to their backgrounds. Quitting those day jobs to form their own company, Foundation Customs, came naturally and they’re having a blast doing it. Their stated goal is to make affordable, fun to ride bikes for real people. No megabuck, show polished, million inch engines here, but “historic” powerplants that kick ass when mounted in the right bikes. “We love these old Sportster engines,” said Justin, “they look good, run really strong, and still can be pretty cheap too.”  Yeah, they’re right up front about making affordable customs Job One, but as Justin says, “The most important thing for us is to make it cool.”  Now that’s a mission statement I can live with.

SPECIFICATIONS
Builder:	Foundation Customs
Owner:	Hung Lam
Build Time:	4 months
Frame:	Fred’s Frames, Single Loop Sporty
Rake/Stretch:	30 degrees, 5 up, zero out
Forks:	1999 H-D Narrow Glide +6
Engine:	1972 Ironhead Sporty
Pipes:	Foundation Customs
Transmission:	Attached
Wheels:	Foundation Customs
Oil Tank:	CCI
Brakes:	H-D
Fuel Tank:	Foundation Customs
Sissy Bar:	Foundation Customs
Bars:	Foundation Customs
Headlight:	CCI
Hand Controls:	Foundation Customs
Foot Controls:	C.W.E. Exclusive, Foundation Customs
Paint:	West Coast Colorworks
Graphics:	Bob Iverson
Polishing:	Speedway
Powdercoating:	Specialized Powdercoating