Seeing builds that have a historic bent when the harder core the better was the way to go for a true chopper almost makes more sense now than then. If you saw a rider on a bike like this back in the day, you assumed it was not only the owner, but the builder too. Plus it most probably was their only street ride too. Back then nobody I knew or ever heard of owned two motorcycles. It was a blue-collar game with any motorcycle proceeds being whatever might be left over from a weekly paycheck.
A bike built as well as this particular bright green example would’ve kicked ass on the street which was the only show I knew of. In the ‘60s, a pilgrimage to Laconia every Father’s day was the closest equivalent to an organized show with a steady flow of customs day and night and rows of bikes parked alongside the road leading to the old raceway. To enter, you just needed a license plate and you were good to go. Plus the parking lots were a good place too and I saw a lot of crazy custom stuff, but I don’t think I ever saw anything finished as well as this encased lace custom.
Barnett’s Magazine Online’s fleet-footed lensman, Jack Cofano, captured this captivating bike at the recent Cherokee Blue Ridge Run and unfortunately there was no owner or bike info. But, that doesn’t mean we know nothing about the owner as I’d say the bike speaks for itself and for him. Obviously the owner/builder has a good knowledge of the era when men were men and the bikes they rode were men, er, this isn’t going right.
What I’m trying to say is the person behind it is very knowledgeable of what constitutes the overused term Old School today. This guy’s got a genuine feel for the times that he uses, not abuses, to build a cool traditional chopper that’s sassy, but not too brassy. It’s not a reproduction, more of a reinterpretation and careful modernization of an old style. It’s just built in the same spirit of what came out of garages and basements years ago, but with a bit (quite a bit) more polish.
The hardtail frame looks the proper biz being not too slick or molded into oblivion. It looks like a motorcycle frame. The black leg springer sits at not too rakish an angle, but more than enough to pass the Buchen chopper test. There’s nothing going on with the basics to make this unrideable like some l-o-n-g fork bikes I remember riding that were too much like the horses I dealt with as a kid. A machine or animal that has a mind of its own can be a scary even deadly proposition. Not the case here.
Wheels are traditional laced items with a vintage-style spool front hub but with a bit of a twist. The builder stayed with similar-sized vintage tread “fat” tires front and rear instead of the expected skinny hoop up front. Personally I like this look better so maybe I’m not the right judge, but I’m completely on board with this approach. Out back a modern, but certainly vintage disc brake provides the stopping power. As always, I would have been happier with a brake up front too, but that wouldn’t stop me from at least riding it if I had a chance.
Yes, that’s a Harley-Davidson Sportster engine sitting there where your first impression might be a big block with modern Panhead covers. Oh it’s got a little jazzing going on, but nothing to dislike as it’s okay with being a new build with an old flavor and not trying for a purist-pleasing finish. It does have some serious history licks with the ‘70s-style extravagant exhaust and a real kicker serving as the apex for the exhaust pipes. Then there’s the ubiquitous S&S tear drop air cleaner that nobody knows when it was first invented it’s been around so long. Plenty of snot to push this rather lightweight chop to light speed and beyond.
There’s nothing unusual with the body work on this build and that’s just peachy. A Sportster tank just looks good and here mounted more Frisco-style than most, it’s got its own look. A cylindrical oil tank mounted under the diamond pleated seat that continues on over what I’d guess is a trailer fender is all appropriate stuff. Chuck in the mandatory sissy bar and passenger pegs (nobody I ever saw didn’t have passenger pegs then) and he was almost good to go.
Yes sir, the only thing left was paint and even though I’m Old School-scared of green bikes, this one might be an exception. The unusual shade of atomic green just sparkles on both the frame and bodywork, yet somehow it’s muted and bright at the same time. Yeah I know that’s doublespeak but that’s what I get from it. The black lace on the tank is sharp and really stands out, but it’s not overpowering. It’s a nice, simple solution to coming up with something old and new at the same time. Yes I’m stupidly superstitious, but I’d give this green machine a ride if I ever got a chance and I think I’d enjoy the crap out of it too.
So whoever you are who built or commissioned this bike, I’ve got to give you a thumbs up for making a retro bike that has the distinct flavor of days gone by with modern twist. It could be a fun in-town bopper for someone who has more than one Harley in their garage. It may not be Old School to park it next to your new Street Glide, but some modern changes are for the better. Two or more bikes in a garage these days is a huge improvement and a plague I wish on everybody.