Of course, unless Discovery Channel comes calling with a challenge that’s too god to pass up and that was how Porky’s got on BikerLive’s Rust Belt Challenge. What you’re looking at here is the stunning end result of that impossible build time and two-thumbs up to Andy and all the other builders who made the impossible into reality. Andy couldn’t have dome it without the help of Porky’s crew consisting of Paul Vicory, Jim Marshall, Andy Wetsig, Michael Sieber, Taylor Ricks, and the legendary motor man and partner in the original Sucker Punch Sallys, Donnie Loos. Together they came up with a design that owes nothing to nobody in particular and definitely is a one of one. Maybe it’s not your motorcycle cup of tea, but you gotta appreciate the thought, hard work, and imagination that went into this build. Especially in the silly time frame TV chopper drama requires.

 

  Like all his projects, Andy starts with a pile of tubing that he cuts, bends, and welds into a one-of frame before taking a step further. In this case it’s a radically low and long, swingarm/monoshock frame built around a set of 30-inch Ride Wright spoked wheels. Notice I said “wheels” as in front and rear. Strangely, Andy’s overall design keeps them from overpowering the bike like they often do on big wheel baggers. They are not the focal point, but one of the many integrated points throughout the bike. Harmony and proportion can coexist with gigantic wheels if it’s designed thoughtfully and in Andy’s case, it was. I’m not saying they don’t stand out, but they’re not a sore point. Personally, I think the huge brake rotors help keep things in proportion along with all the mechanical spindliness that keeps things interesting. Maybe the monster-long swingarm adds to the stretched out, low look keeping excessive wheel height in visual check.

 

   Up front, there’s a vintage-looking leaf spring fork that slips right into this build and after seeing it, I can’t imagine anything else that could have been used as successfully. It’s simple, clean and provides a place for the sexy sweep of the unadorned except for glittery grips handlebar. The connection of the two pieces into one flowing object consists of a delicate looking small tube that adds mechanical interest in an arty way. It’s just one clean sweep that makes you want to get your hands on them. Out back, the vertical monoshock is not hidden, but becomes a part of the billet jewelry that holds the seat while also providing an upper shock mount. A different, but really imaginative take on two different potential problems that are solved by one impossibly shiny piece of metal and a lovely focal point of the build to me at least.

 

    Bodywork consists of a handmade tank and rear fender made from aluminum and left finished, but in the raw. There was a bit of World War II bomber inspiration behind this build called Miss Understood and raw aluminum fits the bill perfectly. Just like the name Miss Understood that adorns the seat leather covering and painted on the top of the tank is reminiscent of the names WWII bomber crews painted on the noses of their aircraft. The Flying Tigers’ famous shark mouth graphic adds a touch more aviation graphics feel to the build. Jessie Barge sprayed on the frame paint while Andy really went out of the normal air brush artist comfort zone when it came time for graphics.

 

   He wanted someone who could hand-paint all his graphics with a brush Old School-style and went with someone who never painted a motorcycle before. Taylor Ricks was working as a manager in a rib house when Andy walked in and admired her chalkboard- specials drawings. Although she turned out to be a competent artist, she had never painted a motorcycle before and some how Andy convinced her to do it. This improbable scenario turned out to be a win-win for all concerned and I personally like the look of the hand brushed graphics especially the pin-up bomber girls.

 

   The masterpiece of an engine involving many Old School custom tricks is the work of Donnie Loos. There’s just something too impossibly crazy and cool about different cylinder and head setups on one engine block. It’s not the first time it’s been done nor will it be the last, but it gets to me every time I run across one. I can’t stop staring and wondering what went into this. There’s a lot of work involved to say the least and it will never be on my bucket list of things I gotta do, but I sure as hell love to admire the skills of others. Donnie, I love what you’ve accomplished.

 

  Taking that a step further, I love what the whole Porky’s crew did under a stupidly intolerable timeframe. This bike is not only mechanically interesting with lots of lovingly made bits and pieces, but it’s just fun to look at. Plus it’s not just about looking at as Andy already has over 1500 miles on the bike and it’s still spending a lot of time on the show circuit. It’s even nicer to know that this bike is not simply a garage queen although it was built in Andy’s 1800 sq.ft barn next to his house. I guess that fact takes it out of the garage-built category and into a whole new category – barn-built. If garage-built is the new point of honor, where does barn-built fit in with this new line of thinking? Maybe they’ll have to make a whole new category at bike shows where the rival garage and barn builders duke it out on national TV. I’d watch that in a heartbeat.

 

 For more information on Porky’s Chopper Company, visit

http://www.porkyschopperco.com/ or check out his Facebook page