Unlike a human transition, the only transition period this 1966 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead belonging to Kevin Persons of Battle Creek, Michigan, was from stock to custom with an added twist. I look at this bike and all I can think of is that it’s one cool ass Shovelhead hot rod. But then I began to notice subtle changes, oh you know things like a laid-down bat wing-style fairing that might be better termed as a fender as well. There’s even a little upswept windscreen as well so maybe it does break the wind a bit for Kevin at speed. I’m not sure if the fairing is more spoiler than fairing as it looks like it could just slice through the wind, not block it.

  Either way, it’s a statement and I think it’s a pretty far out one at that. I like it, wasn’t sure at first, but I really like what the guys who built this did. And, that would be Gary Maurer of Kustoms Inc. in Grand Ledge, Michigan. Matter of fact, this is Gary’s fourth feature in Barnett’s Magazine Online and every bike is unique in its own way. We had Gary’s bright yellow Rislone Racer, an Indian bobber, and an Old School-style Triumph show chopper and again, they couldn’t have been more different from each other, but when I found out they were from Gary and his lovely wife Julie (who is the company’s other half), it made sense. Gary’s builds are chock full of personality and you can certainly say that about all the Kustoms Inc. bikes we’ve featured.

   The other part of this custom gender bending is that this sidewinder missile of a hot rod Shovel could technically termed a bagger ─ specifically a custom bagger. No, no, not in the big wheel/ acres of plastic way, just technically. You might’ve noticed there are two very attractive leather solo bags sitting on the rigid frame about where fiberglass bags hang out. And I think that technically makes this hot rod a custom bagger of sorts. Yeah, it’s not an interstate traveler, but then most of the big wheel custom baggers aren’t either. I don’t know what the show rules are, but if I were a judge I’d have to check and make sure what class it was entered in.

   As for the rest of the build, the rigid frame sits low, short and tight with a short springer steeply angled for zippy handling through turns. Yah, zippy handling, but that’s what fun riding I envision this Shovel to be ─easily flickable yet reassuringly so. The way the fairing hangs over the front of the bike you might not even pick up there’s a springer under there at first glance. I think that was purely intentional and I like the result. The brakeless five-spoke black front wheel with machined highlights gives off a flavor of being the strong silent type who could stand alone if it had to, but would rather just be a part of the overall design. Whacky nice choice of wheel whoever chose it. 

  Same goes for the back wheel that features the same design but in a shorter and wider size. The stance on this bike is perfect in my opinion with wheels and tires that look serious and right for the bike. Oh, there is a disc brake as the solo brake back there too in case you were wondering about the old stopping thing. Chain drive, just like God intended, spins it up and looks mechanically right in the process.

  In case you didn’t know, 1966 was the first year of the Harley Shovelhead and this fifty-year-old Flatside looks nicer than new. Gary stayed with the satiny aluminum finish like a stocker but cleaned up except for the always lovely black cast iron cylinder barrels. The rockers were split and it always adds a more vintage look to an already vintage motor. Don’t you just love the copper tubing detail that swoops around the rockers from fitting to fitting like it’s a tiny roller coaster of oil? It’s a neat bit of mechanical frivolity after the tedious work of splitting the rocker boxes.

   A big mouth frog of an S&S carb sends the fuel mixture through the Shovel’s 72-cubes before sending the exploded remnants directly out a set of DEI Titanium exhaust wrap headers that you have to look hard to see. The front header quickly disappears under the engine while the rear header hugs close and tight shooting straight down to meet the front pipe under the engine before snaking out to the rear axle plate just under the saddlebag. There’s a feeling almost of a Lakes Pipe exhaust but without all the glitz. That’s no Shovelhead tranny the Evil Engineering open belt primary is turning, but what looks like a late model six-speed box. With no provision for kick starting, it’s gotta be a lot less than 50-years old and I’m sticking with it being a six-speed as nothing was shortchanged on this build that I can see.

   Other than the fairing, the rest of the bodywork is good, clean, design nostalgia that you can’t help but like. The tank’s a peach and flows into the fairing so perfectly it had to be predetermined rather than chance. The way the top of the tank is the same height as the top of the fairing base is perfecto. The flow down and back to the dual shock suspension seat is seamless and the slim and simple rear fender creates its own dichotomy of harmony with the saddle hanging out in the breeze. The horseshoe-style tank couldn’t be a better choice as far as I’m concerned. For instance, this is one time a beautiful MOONEYES spun aluminum tank would have looked out of place for trying too hard and the smooth tank side panels tie the whole paintjob together.

   Now I don’t know if this was intended in any way and I doubt it was as this was my initial reaction to paint. And, don’t get me wrong, I like the paintjob. But, the front view reminded me of something I don’t like to see in my mirrors ─ it looked like a police bike paintjob on the batwing fairing. Maybe I’m just reading things to far and delving into my own blue light paranoia. I particularly loved the paintjob from the side, though, and I’ll say it again, I like it from any view. It was just from the front it looked kind coppy to me. Okay, I’m though with that. 

   This bike is loaded with lots of other nice bits from the bars with small master cylinders that I’m not sure what exactly (and how) they’re up to and the cool set of floorboards with nary a foot control in sight. To paraphrase those rock geniuses from the ‘60s, Bob Dylan and the Grass Roots,  I know there’s something happening here but I don’t know what it is. Do you, Mr. Jones?  Suffice to say there must be a way to clutch, shift and stop, but it’s on a need-to-know basis.

   So it’s another swing and a home run for Gary and Julie Maurer that again brings their talent and workmanship to the front of the pack. I would have never thought of doing it and would have never thought it could be done successfully, but those two pulled off a bat wing fairing hot rod Shovelhead that looks like it has the aerodynamics of a  Shovelhead destined to be stripped of its leather bags (or not) and head straight down the black line on the salt at Bonneville. Between Kevin, Gary and Julie there had to be some interesting discussions about the design, but it couldn’t have worked out better.

  For more info on Kustoms Inc. you’ll have to venture out socially on Facebook or whatever platform makes you comfortable.