Bobbers
This happy marriage of man and bobber began when Kenny ordered his bike with Jeff Cochran and Danny Loos of Sucker Punch Sally’s back when they were originally in Ohio. From date of order to ready to ride was only six weeks and Kenny had a bike that he’s ridden since 2003 with nary a glitch and requiring only a very few personal cosmetic changes to keep him happy. That’s a story I don’t hear too often. Matter of fact, the only time I’ve heard it before was from another SPS owner a couple of years ago.
What he wanted was just a cool, fun to ride around town bobber with no hassles and that’s exactly what he got. The 80” Harley Evo motor was not his first choice, but his wallet ruled the day. Lucky for him that it did as he’s had zero problems and he says that it still doesn’t leak a drop of oil. Just goes to prove how well the Evo crate motors are built and in a light rigid bike like this, they’re more than enough power. The six-speed tranny gives a nice top gear cruise that makes any vibration at speed extremely tolerable. The only thing Kenny’s done to his drivetrain is modify a Primo belt cover that features drilled holes and a satin finish and is custom mounted to the BDL belt drive. All of this was not because he had to, but that he wanted to.
By now you’re wondering what he did change and the list isn’t long, just enough to really make the bike his. The most obvious change is the gas tank with its brilliant Gold Mega-flake paint by Doug Morton of Morton’s Customs in Concord. When the sun hits this baby, it just explodes with color. Kenny also had a simple, but way cool, exposed-line fuel gauge mounted on the right side of his tank. With such a relatively small tank, checking his fuel level now requires a quick glance instead of stopping, removing the cap, and seeing how much is still sloshing around. Besides the ease of checking, it really adds a bit of asymmetrical tank drama to the thankfully graphics-free paint. The big flake gold paint speaks loudly and carries a big stick.
Handlebars can make or break your ride. Whether it’s the looks or the actual bar hand position, fine tuning this essential element can make all the difference. Originally, Kenny’s bike came with a set of 12” apes which he swapped out with a 10” rise Z-bar sitting on a tasty set of brass risers made by Danny Sullivan of Salisbury, North Carolina. Danny also whipped up a set of brass pegs for Kenny. Another little item is Kenny’s sissy bar which he made with help from his bros at the Iron Lords Car Club along with his license plate bracket. Fabbing up a sissy bar that integrates nicely with the stock fender struts and having a back pad that keeps Kenny’s better half, Lori Barnhardt, smiling on the not overly large West Eagle P-pad. All of you tough passengers willing to ride on a tiny pad on a rigid frame have a comfy seat waiting for you in motorcycle heaven someday. The last changes were again a strictly cosmetic touch like the understated pinstriping on the rear fender by Eddie Brown of Harrisburg, North Carolina, and black powdercoating the levers and S&S air cleaner by Doug Morton.
Overall these mods were relatively painful and downtime was minimal. Kenny may not look at this bike as an interstate tourer, but he tries to ride it every day possible. For those long rides, Kenny’s looking into getting a Harley that’s more touring related, but as far as this bike goes, he’s beyond satisfied and intends to keep it forever.
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