The majority of Hank’s motorcycles, including his latest, ACES and EIGHTS, take their inspiration from the past. “This bike is a little different than what I normally build. I had a customer, Jon Bateman from Bakersfield, California, who was really interested in the late Sixties era of drag racing,” said Hank. So with a neat idea to build on and a client who was thinking on the same page, it wasn’t a big surprise that Hank was more than happy to oblige building Jon his dream bike.
Starting with a 2005 Young Choppers rigid frame that spec’d with a minimal 30-degrees of rake and a mild 3” stretch, this would be the basis of a bike that would be fun to ride with handling that didn’t border anywhere near silly. Many of Hank’s previous creations have incorporated a leaf spring front end reminiscent of Indians of the 30s, and this happened to be a design element that appealed to Jon also. Hank collaborated with the Kiwi Motorcycle Company of Riverside, California, on a design of a leaf spring fork with a 2” extension. In a bike that pays homage to days gone by, what could be more retro than the classic fork having the 70s icon of custom wheels stuffed between those willowy legs? Yup, Hank chose a 21” chromed five-spoke Invader mag and just to be sure it was retro enough, it’s run sans any type of stopping mechanism. Hey, brave men rode those old bikes so why shouldn’t that aspect continue too? Things are different out back; Hank wanted an appropriate disc-style drag wheel, but none were available anywhere, so he took a sixteen-spoke wheel and made it look like a solid wheel by attaching a ribbed aluminum cover on the drive side and a smooth disc on the other. Besides wanting the look of a 60s drag bike, there was another unusual reason for this mod. Hank said, “This guy owns a detail shop and he really is a stickler about keeping the stuff clean, and he hates spoke wheels. That’s why I used a spoke wheel and I came out with these billet aluminum covers on each side.”
If the inspiration comes from racing, then it has to be powerful and fast, right? Hank didn’t kid around here with the H&L 113” engine he chose to power this relatively lightweight bike. The flowing teardrop-style S&S/Young Choppers air cleaner tops an S&S Super E, mixing it up for the Crane Hi-4 ignition to fire so Hank’s graceful set of twin megaphone exhausts can get those pesky kids safely off the streets before someone gets hit by a car. Hey, Jon’s only doing the community a service by riding around his neighborhood. Those cool megs end with caps that mimic the ribbing of the rear wheel cover and look like a set of plugged lake pipes. By the way, this mill makes a claimed 125 horsepower, so it shouldn’t take long to clear the streets. To make this bike move, Hank chose a six-speed Roadmax transmission and PM anteed up one of its many primary drives to spin the chain-driven Flyrite Sprocket Brake which does the yeoman duty of stopping the fat 240 Metzeler when Jon wicks up the throttle. Jon, you have to be a tough guy with only one stopper, ‘cause Hank says you ride the bike constantly.
PM hand controls are fitted to a one-piece handlebar that actually looks like a set of clip-ons. PM was also called upon for the mid-mount foot controls, which provide a comfortable riding position from the tractor-style sprung saddle with leatherwork by Outlaw Customs.
Another nostalgic touch is the squared-off gas tank, which looks similar to the one on the Lakewood Special, Young’s Discovery Channel Biker Build-Off winner. Not only is this the fuel receptacle, but the oil tank as well. Oil lines run externally and flow with the frame’s curves, not looking like an afterthought, but a compliment. If you are wondering what the two small clear tubes coming out of the tank are, here’s Hank’s explanation: “ The gas tank needs to be vented and reaching back to the old days, drag bikes and dirt bikes had external vents on the gas cap. I just drilled the hole and threaded a fitting in the top tube, which is open at the back. Both the gas and oil tanks are vented through the frame tube.” One of the first things to grab your eye is the squared-off rear fender with its aero flip at the back, which not only mirrors the flat panels on the gas tank, but was a common style on drag bikes of yore. Terry Southern sprayed a flashback-inducing paintjob that Bill Abrams laid the ACES and EIGHTS moniker on in a silver leaf Frontier font for a finished look straight off a 60s funny car. Finally, hitting the extensive Ness catalogue for a headlight and taillight allowed Jon to troll the boulevards of Bakersfield legally.
ACES and EIGHTS was first seen not only by the public this year at Daytona, but also to Jon, who was flying in from California just to see his dream bike in its final form. Was Jon satisfied with the finished product? Hank relates, “I was afraid that there would be something about it that he didn’t like, but he loved it.”
Just like an artist, every custom builder desires to reveal his vision and to express himself through his creation. ACES and EIGHTS is the expression of the creativity of a true visionary, a motorcycle with a clearly defined message: Stay Young – Forever Young!
Builder: Hank Young, Young Choppers & Hot Rods, Inc.
Hank Young is a third-generation machinist and builder who has carved out a name for himself with a recognizable style that screams “Young Choppers.” He started building bikes in 1991 strictly as a hobby, but like so many similar stories, his passion became his business with the opening of Young Choppers and Hot Rods in Marietta, Georgia, in 2002. Riding since he was just four-years-old when he raced motocross bikes, he has always been into bikes since getting his license at 16, but his business still finds the time to carve out a cool traditional hot rod when the time’s right. His now famous vintage-style look combines his interests in hot rods, choppers, and board track racers with modern elements that cross the lines of design. On average, he builds about 7-8 bikes per year that are contracted out before he even starts to build them. “A customer comes to me with an idea of the style he likes and after finding out what he plans to do with the bike, I present my concept to him,” said Hank. But, there’s always a compromise somewhere that keeps every bike from being his perfect bike, like requesting a fat tire for a vintage-style when a skinny one would look better. He’s yet to build his perfect bike, but I don’t doubt he will soon. Young Choppers has an extensive list of very different parts available ranging from leaf spring forks to his perimeter brakes and tons more in-between. Check out his website www.youngchoppers.com or call 770-425-1305 for more info.
This bike feature originally appeared in Barnett’s Magazine issue #52, Nov-Dec 2006.
SPECIFICATIONS | |
---|---|
Owner: | Jon Bateman |
Year / Make: | 2006 Young Choppers |
Fabrication: | Hank Young |
Assembly: | Hank Young |
Build time: | 2 Months |
Engine: | H&L Performance |
Cases: | Midwest |
Flywheels: | S&S |
Rods: | S&S |
Pistons: | Wiseco |
Cylinders: | H&L |
Heads: | H&L |
Cam: | Andrews |
Ignition: | Crane Hi-4 |
Carb: | S&S Super E |
Pipes: | Young Choppers |
Air Cleaner: | S&S/ Young Choppers |
Transmission: | Roadmax 6-speed |
Primary: | Performance Machine |
Frame: | Young Choppers |
Rake: | 30 degrees |
Stretch: | 3″ |
Forks: | Kiwi Indian |
Rear Suspension: | N/A |
Front | Wheel: 21″ Invader |
Rear Wheel: | 18 X 8.5 Young Choppers |
Front Tire: | 90/90 X 21 Metzeler |
Rear Tire: | 240 X 18 Metzeler |
Rear Brakes: | Flyrite Sprocket Brake |
Fuel Tank: | Young Choppers |
Oil Tank: | Young Choppers |
Fenders: | Young Choppers |
Handlebars: | Young Choppers |
Risers: | Young Choppers |
Headlight: | Arlen Ness |
Taillight: | Arlen Ness |
Hand Controls: | Performance Machine |
Foot Controls: | Performance Machine |
Chroming: | Pro Plating/ Decatur, Georgia |
Paint: | Terry Southern/ Southern Paint and Body |
Graphics: | Bill Abrams/ American Paint and Body |
Polishing: | Pro Plating/ Decatur Georgia |
Molding: | Terry Southern |
Seat: | Outlaw/ Young Choppers |
For sale? | Sold |