First off, I didn’t know Michael before seeing the photos and getting to speak with him, but he’s a pretty nice and I think pretty humble young guy who’s really found his way in life building beautiful bikes that are meant to be ridden, yet still capable of winning awards if that’s your thing. Even the back story behind this bike is damn interesting. “This ’71 Shovelhead engine was in my first ‘running’ Harley that I ever owned. My father, Rickey Lewis of Rick’s Cycle Parts in Rainsville, Alabama, gave the basket case to me as a high school graduation present,” said Michael. “This bike is the sixth motorcycle that I’ve had that engine in. The previous bike that it was in was Pimp Status, a bike I built in 2010 that helped get me where I am today.”

And, where he is today is in his shop in “beautiful and historic downtown Fort Payne, Alabama” knocking out one nice ride after another (there’s not a bike he’s done so far I don’t really like) at a pace that makes him pretty damn happy with life. “I live in the mountains of Alabama which are rich in super curvy country back roads. I always try to keep my bikes nice and agile with nothing hanging low to interfere with blasting through curves,” he said. “I also enjoy riding on dirt roads and this bike has been covered in mud multiple times even before you guys got these pictures. I wouldn’t say that I just beat on it, but I expect a motorcycle to take me wherever I want to go, whatever terrain that may be. This bike handles like a dream, and loves to split lanes in heavy traffic.”

Explaining his motivation behind the build, Michael said, “I actually built this bike as my entry to a Pro Chop Off hosted by The Horse magazine in 2011. It’s a competition where three shops are put head to head to not only build their ideal chopper, but it had to be RIDDEN from New Orleans to Rockingham, North Carolina, where the crowd determines the winner.” Note that it’s a hardtail ride of about 800 miles.

Michael continued, “This bike has brought me tons of joy blasting it all over the country. It won the The Horse Chop Off, it won Best of Show at the Charlotte Easyriders, it won best bobber in the Invitational Class at Columbus Easyriders, it was on display in Michael Lichter’s Motorcycles as Art exhibit in Sturgis, and it won multiple shows in Daytona. But, the best part is riding it with friends. I put around 5,000 miles on it this summer alone with some of the best friends a man can have. That’s what motorcycles and motorcycling is all about to me! The success of this bike and a couple others to roll out of the shop this year help to earn me the title of Builder of the Year chosen by Cycle Source Magazine readers.

Maybe it’s time for a little information on the bike itself. Michael found a swapmeet special 1978 frame to once more shove this Shovel into, but not before making some changes. “I made a hardtail section using Panhead-style axle castings, a fender, gas tank, pipe, bars and tons of other parts because when you are on a tight budget and a tight schedule, you make it happen,” he said. “The gas tank on the bike is the sixth gas tank that I built for it. I just couldn’t make up my mind what style I wanted to do. I would make one and two or three days later, come in the shop and absolutely despise it and start all over.” Personally, I don’t know exactly why I like the tank so much, but I really do and that’s just fine with me. It just looks right and has a tender touch to the design.

When I asked Michael what was his favorite aspect of the bike, he really had to think about that before finally answering. “I think that the lines of a motorcycle should flow like the lines of a classic country song. Everything on the bike has purpose. While building it, I was drawn to the stock half-moon-shaped casting on the neck. I ended up carrying on the peak all along the frame to the axle plates and also matched up the molding on the gas tank to that casting. I guess that would be my favorite aspect, if you’re gonna make a man choose!” There are a lot of really nice thoughtfully designed parts of this bike and I’m not gonna bother you pointing them out as the photos do a way better job than I could ever do.

As far as that “humble” part I mentioned about Michael earlier, well it’s true as when I asked him if he had anyone he’d like to thank for help on the build, it only took him a millisecond to answer. “Everyone involved! First and foremost, my old man’s shop, Rick’s Cycle Parts, that does all of my engine and trans work. You know, all the stuff that doesn’t need metal shavings inside it,” said Michael with a laugh. “Also my machinist, Ron Krukenberg, is always on point and the paint by Larry Morrison of Bad Boyz Customs turned out great.”

After one of his show wins, Michael got a ridiculous offer for the bike, but surprisingly, he eventually, after a lot of thought, turned it down and has kept the bike as his rider until the right, not just rich, person comes along. Hopefully he’s going to get a line on another motor so he won’t have to pull this one for a new build. I think he’s got that under control now as he told me what’s in store for Violent Choppers. “I have a few customer bikes in the works and have about three bikes for me built in my head! Be sure to check me out at http://www.violentchoppers.com/ for more info and updates.”

You betcha I will Michael and I look forward to showing more of your work right here on Mark Barnett’s personal pride and joy website. The only question I have and one I forgot to ask about was the name of your bike ─ Rosie Palmer. When I Googled that up, here’s what I found in the Urban Dictionary.

“Rosie palmer”

A term someone uses when they are dateless and staying at home to wank off instead of going out with a girl. Refers to the palm of one’s hand. Nah guys, I’ll have to pass… me and Rosie are going to stay at home tonight and watch Pay Per View.

I guess that’s just another question for another day, but in the meantime you could always explain that in the comments section. I’m guessing you’ve got a pretty damn good sense of humor too.