The way I see it, T.D. is the motorcycle equivalent of TV chef, Emeril Lagasse, famous for his “Kick it up a notch” and “Bam!!” catchphrase slogans. Working out of his St. Louis-based shop, Rides & Rods Motorcycle Company, I see T.D. mentally kicking his bobber called Golden Rod up a notch until, Bam! it became the overachiever 330mm fat rear tire bobber with a mutha of an engine he was looking for. On top of that, a striking candy gold metalflake paintjob with hot rod style black flames licking the tank and rear fender and Bam! he took it up another notch.
Somehow T.D. made what is a very wide rear tire on a short, vertical bike work and not lead to the proverbial “Does this make my ass look fat?” question. All I can figure out is his use of a tall 26-inch wheel up front balances everything out and the exaggerated proportions on a relatively small bike look right. Maybe his background in building gorgeous hot rods and drag-style muscle cars gives him the ability to integrate all the qualities that make Golden Rod look tight and right without looking cartoonish in any way. Like hot rods, a cool bobber is all about stance and attitude and this bike has it from the first look to the last.
From the springer front end kicked out at a jaunty angle to the speed holes cut into the rigid frame’s downtube, gusseting, exhaust, seat, and back at the fender stay, the design hangs together with a bit of serious whimsy thrown in. Oh you know, little things like the big block 127-inch Ultima El Bruto engine that makes sure T.D. can always “Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em” just like the famous line from WWII. That big mill should be able to light ‘em up at a moment’s notice and take no prisoners if it feels like it.
There’s a lot more here to check out and you’ll be missing out on a lot of very nice work done by T.D. if you don’t mosey on over to Barnett Magazine Online’s gallery of Rods & Rides Motorcycle Company’s Golden Rod photos by eagle-eye Jack Cofano.
After you’ve done that, be sure to punch up Rods & Rides’ web site http://www.rodsandridesbytd.com/home and peruse all the cool rides (four, three, and two wheels) that T.D. has fastidiously built over the years. There’s something there for everybody and you might just be surprised what Bams! you when you least expect it.