Showing posts with label Dick Allen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dick Allen. Show all posts
Keeping The South Bay Torch Burning
A little over a week ago Joe Hurst called and said he was stopping by Steve Sharp's to drop off some stuff for his Panhead's rebuild. Steve is a long time Southbay Chopper builder who happens to live just up and around the corner from me and is putting together Joe's Pan. Joe needed the top end done as the bottom was already assembled. It seems a recent conversation about needing a sissy bar built turned to engine work. It's now very likely that Steve will help Joe with many aspects of the whole chrome frame bike.
The mighty harley V-twin. It's always an impressive sight when out and up on a stand.
Steve was in the process of installing a right side electric starter on this clean Panhead which he helped a local rider build last summer.
I just found out that Steve builds Dick Allen style springers based on his old friend Fats' versions. Fats used a bolt pinned lower tree and used rectangular stock for the lower spring perch, where as Dick welded his trees and used round stock for the perch. Steve has perfected them over the years and follows Dick's theory that the bike's center of gravity is the most important factor in building a long bike that handles well. This one has off set trees as suggested by Mike Torres and per the owners request. Fats' and Dick's springers were always inline. Sugar Bear's are off set.
Here's a shot of most of the bike.
I've seen Steve blasting up the street on this same bike for the last 25 years. I had never met him in all those years, so one day about 2 years ago, I dropped by and introduced myself. One of these days, I hope to do a feature of his bike. He's also a master mechanic and drag boat builder/racer and has won many races with his home built boats.
It's great to see a couple of South Bay Chopper Veterans pair up and still doing what they've always done. Build Choppers!
South Bay Bike
Shawn sent in this old photo of his late father inlaw Roger Cooke's South Bay Chopper.
Proof that not all of them had Dick Allen springers. But a Sissy Bar with a South Bay Swoop and a set of collector pipes were practicaly standard features.
Chuck's Knuck
A while back, Bruce Parrish sent these shots of a Knucklehead that was willed to a to a friend. It's a South Bay chopper that now resides in Utah. 
After talking with Joe Hurst and taking a second look, it was determined that's not a Dick Allen springer. Dick's were too narrow for probably even these small disc brakes. Plus, this has offset trees, so it's likely a Sugar Bear springer. It's hard to tell if the frame is a highly modified Harley or aftermarket. I'm going to say the collector exhaust is from Alphabet's Custom Cycles.
One of the most interesting features of the bike is the top motor mount. It's exactly like the one on Dick's Loco Motion in that it bolts directly to the rocker shaft ends and like on Loco Motion, it has open rockers.
Having a friend pass is hard to take, but what a inheritance/memorial.
South Bay Riders Late 70's
More photos courtesy of Kerry Crist.
Gary from the Dairy. His bike looks a bit like a cross between White Bear (paint style), and Earing Mike's chopper (dual seats & anodizing). Dick Allen springer, chrome rear fender, Sportster headlight, open primary, flip up gas cap, and Bruce Parrish paint, all common features among many South Bay Bikes.
Gary, Tim, Little Bob, and Big Roy on the 405. More on Big Roy's trike to come.
Gary from the Dairy. His bike looks a bit like a cross between White Bear (paint style), and Earing Mike's chopper (dual seats & anodizing). Dick Allen springer, chrome rear fender, Sportster headlight, open primary, flip up gas cap, and Bruce Parrish paint, all common features among many South Bay Bikes.
Gary, Tim, Little Bob, and Big Roy on the 405. More on Big Roy's trike to come.
Vincent Loco Motion
I have a bunch of stuff to post, but this couldn't wait.
One way cool photo courtesy of Joe Hurst.
Joe told me of this mythical experiment two years ago, but I'd never seen it, and believe it's the only photo of it. Dick wasn't happy with the gearing (too low), so he used everything but the frame and engine to build his famous Loco Motion Knucklehead. The Loco Motion gas tank and name was originally on Nasty Nez's (of Phase III), Knucklehead, then given to Dick (with permission to keep the name), then to Joe (on the Rat F**k bike), then back to Dick. That's Joe standing behind the bike.
Something tells me this photo will show up on other blogs.
One way cool photo courtesy of Joe Hurst.
Joe told me of this mythical experiment two years ago, but I'd never seen it, and believe it's the only photo of it. Dick wasn't happy with the gearing (too low), so he used everything but the frame and engine to build his famous Loco Motion Knucklehead. The Loco Motion gas tank and name was originally on Nasty Nez's (of Phase III), Knucklehead, then given to Dick (with permission to keep the name), then to Joe (on the Rat F**k bike), then back to Dick. That's Joe standing behind the bike.
Something tells me this photo will show up on other blogs.
Nasty Nesbit Choppers
Here's some old photos of Nasty Nez's bikes. The first three images are courtesy of Joe Hurst.
Nez's Knucklehead. Probably taken at Dick Allen's shop around '68-69. That's Dick's chrome frame chopper and Joe's wheelie pulling buddy Steve Drale's panhead in the background. Note, both bikes have their primaries removed.
Nez's Shovelhead. I'm guessing it's the same bike below. The twisted sissy features the "South Bay Swoop".
"Confusion". The tanks are not chromed in this version from a magazine. What confuses me is, why run almost the same angle photo twice, and the comment about '69 heads (whatever they are?).
Ladies Like'em Long Phase III style. Nez is the guy responsible for Phase III Belt Drives. This image is from one of their ads. It's probably safe to say Nez liked girders. At this point his bike is taking on a more of a White Bear/Southbay look.
Nez's Knucklehead. Probably taken at Dick Allen's shop around '68-69. That's Dick's chrome frame chopper and Joe's wheelie pulling buddy Steve Drale's panhead in the background. Note, both bikes have their primaries removed.
Nez's Shovelhead. I'm guessing it's the same bike below. The twisted sissy features the "South Bay Swoop".
"Confusion". The tanks are not chromed in this version from a magazine. What confuses me is, why run almost the same angle photo twice, and the comment about '69 heads (whatever they are?).
Ladies Like'em Long Phase III style. Nez is the guy responsible for Phase III Belt Drives. This image is from one of their ads. It's probably safe to say Nez liked girders. At this point his bike is taking on a more of a White Bear/Southbay look.
In Memory Of Dick Allen T-Shirts
Chuck Vogel and Bruce Parrish teamed up to recreate the shirt Bruce designed for Dick Allen back in the early 70's.
The back of the shirt features Bruce's original art of Dick on his Loco-Motion Knucklehead chopper.
The front of shirt has the motor company logo as did the original.
The shirts are Navy Blue and available in the following sizes: Large, XL, and XXL.
To buy, contact: Chuck Vogel at: vogelelectric@verizon.net
Tell him Chris from MC Art sent ya!
The back of the shirt features Bruce's original art of Dick on his Loco-Motion Knucklehead chopper.
The front of shirt has the motor company logo as did the original.
The shirts are Navy Blue and available in the following sizes: Large, XL, and XXL.
To buy, contact: Chuck Vogel at: vogelelectric@verizon.net
Tell him Chris from MC Art sent ya!
David Mann LA/Southbay Style
I've been thinking I'd like to post some more stuff that relates to this month's header but, have also known, I'm way overdue for posting some David Mann art. Then, as I was clearing out some files, I ran across this:
Was Dave purposely portraying a South Bay Chopper?
You might remember this from one of the Chopper Fest flyers. There's quite a few things of interest going on here. 1. Off hand, I can't think of any other of Dave's work featuring American 12 spoke mags. 2. The springer's front legs has a round perch like Dick Allen's did. 3. He's sort of revisiting the Hollywood Run with the sign and search lights. 4. It's signed Roach 1975, meaning it was done for Roach Studios, an old (t-shirt and decal), competitor of Ed Roth. Dave wasn't the only one that jumped ship. After Roth folded up shop, Ed Newton went over to Roach as it's art director. BTW Roach Studios has been rekindled and is now once again selling Newt's old designs.
All this, and the fact that my Google stats consistently show that the largest number of keyword searches are related to Dave's art, means there's a huge audience out there hungry for it.
Was Dave purposely portraying a South Bay Chopper?
You might remember this from one of the Chopper Fest flyers. There's quite a few things of interest going on here. 1. Off hand, I can't think of any other of Dave's work featuring American 12 spoke mags. 2. The springer's front legs has a round perch like Dick Allen's did. 3. He's sort of revisiting the Hollywood Run with the sign and search lights. 4. It's signed Roach 1975, meaning it was done for Roach Studios, an old (t-shirt and decal), competitor of Ed Roth. Dave wasn't the only one that jumped ship. After Roth folded up shop, Ed Newton went over to Roach as it's art director. BTW Roach Studios has been rekindled and is now once again selling Newt's old designs.
All this, and the fact that my Google stats consistently show that the largest number of keyword searches are related to Dave's art, means there's a huge audience out there hungry for it.
An All Time Favorite
This month's header creates a good reason to post the last of the White Bear photos.
If you've been reading the blog for awhile, then you know that Joe Hurst's White Bear is one of my all time favorite bikes and also a perfect example of the South Bay Style.
Dick Allen thought so too. He loved Joe's bike and his own bike (Loco-Motion), pretty much matched it feature for feature. The only big differences are the paint, the use of a knucklehead, and a traditional spoked front wheel instead of a 12 spoke American mag.
If you've been reading the blog for awhile, then you know that Joe Hurst's White Bear is one of my all time favorite bikes and also a perfect example of the South Bay Style.
Dick Allen thought so too. He loved Joe's bike and his own bike (Loco-Motion), pretty much matched it feature for feature. The only big differences are the paint, the use of a knucklehead, and a traditional spoked front wheel instead of a 12 spoke American mag.
This Month's Header-Workbench Wise Guys
Be it a project you have in mind or yourself, the beginning of the year is a natural time reflect and think about what your going to get done. For those in the colder climates, it's a natural time to fix or rebuild your bike.
This month's art was originally inspired by the art below. It's also inspired by events that may or may not have actually taken place. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely intentional.
Cool old art from something titled Workbench Wisdom. I don't recall what blog it came from.
I usually don't make resolutions but, this year I plan on getting a lot more stuff done including finally finishing a motorcycle and doing more art.
The other day I heard a study that said, 92% of new years resolutions are not kept. While that doesn't bode well, Why wait for New Years? You can decide to make a change any day of the year.
Joe in Iowa
After the last post, it only seems natural to bookend it with this shot of Joe Hurst on White Bear.
Joe (circa 1973), in Iowa on a cross country trip with Dick Allen. Note the added double sissy bar with auxiliary fuel tank. White Bear is still the ultimate South Bay Chopper in my book.
Joe (circa 1973), in Iowa on a cross country trip with Dick Allen. Note the added double sissy bar with auxiliary fuel tank. White Bear is still the ultimate South Bay Chopper in my book.
The Chrome Frame Chronicles
The story of Dick Allen's/Joe Hurst's Chrome Frame Bike is complex and varied. At one time, Joe pulled the running gear out to put in the Green Bike. A buddy with an unfinished bike then asked if he could ride it (the Green Bike), to Northern California. Joe said, "is your motor and trans done"? When his friend answered, "yeah", Joe told him he could put it in the chrome frame roller for the trip. Sometime later, Joe put it's motor and trans back in and sold it.
This is probably right before Joe sold it. It was originally fitted with a H-D Sprint tank. Here it has a larger Super -Glide tank.
After it was sold and painted blue by the new owner. Looks good. Just about any color will work with a chrome frame.
Joe got it back years ago. Here's how she sits today.
This is probably right before Joe sold it. It was originally fitted with a H-D Sprint tank. Here it has a larger Super -Glide tank.
After it was sold and painted blue by the new owner. Looks good. Just about any color will work with a chrome frame.
Joe got it back years ago. Here's how she sits today.
Chrome Frame Confusion
After seeing the Chrome Frame Lives post, Bruce Parrish sent this photo and said, " I see the South Bay saga continues. This is the tank I painted for the Chrome bike. As I remember it was for Doc . He had something similar to this eagle a few years earlier". (Note that the bike is in the house next to the Christmas Tree.)
When I posted Joe's first version of Dick's chrome frame bike, I purposely left out this cool photo and was saving it for another day. As I remembered it, Joe told me that Bruce repainted it for him based on the Eagle he did for Doc.
Joe later sent this photo showing how it looked when he got the bike from Doc in '73. It was originally pearl white with yellow tips. Bruce said he didn't do this version and did not come up with the Eagle Scallops concept but instead had traced it for the silver to black version.
Joe liked the motif so much he used it once again on his green bike. What makes things even more confusing is that this bike seems to have all the drive train components from the Chrome Frame Bike including the oil tank with the peg mounts. (Note the neck, and it's similarity to the one done later on Bruce's Funny Bike.)
Joe's thinking of using the Eagle design again on the latest build of the Chrome Frame Bike, but with a new twist.
The Chrome Frame Lives
Captain America may be the most famous chopper ever, chrome frame or not , but before Captain America there was Dick Allen's chrome frame chopper. Dick's chopper was another one of those bikes that everybody seemed to dig.
In an earlier post , I mentioned that the Shovelhead that once powered Dick's chrome bike ended up in Joe's Hurst's Hustler. Which brings up.... what ever became of the chrome frame?
This collage serves as a refresher, shows some changes, and helps to illustrate a few things.
Joe Hurst has it today. Jim Andrews got it from Dick and then it went to Doc Holiday. It had been stolen at one time too. Joe got it from Doc around 1973, kept it until '84, and then he got it back in '86. It's hard to keep all the years and facts straight but like many bikes (or parts of them), they seem to find their way back to Joe.
I posted this shot of Joe's pad before in hopes that someone would have recognized the twisted cross sissy bar and rear fender.
This first version built by Joe in the early seventies is probably my favorite of all his bikes second only to White Bear. The tall sissy bar and full fender isn't what you'd normally think would work with with the long springer, or what was hip at the time, but somehow, it all works... and to think, at one time I didn't even like chrome framed bikes.
A little later in the Mid Seventies, it got the black treatment and the forks were modified using Honda 750 rear shocks for hydraulic dampening.
Flash forward to December 2010. It's been on the back burner for about the last 20 years, but Joe is now working on it's come back. This time as a Panhead.
That's Dick's original rear fender. The seat was re-upholstered years ago, but it Dick's old seat pan too.
The modified Dick Allen springer. Joe says it's now mounted on the frame. Those Shovelhead cases on the shelf are from Joe's White Bear!
Joe still has the 6 quart oil tank that Dick made. Since all previous versions of the bike had a magneto, there was no need for a battery. Sadly, it probably won't be used this time since Joe is using a five speed with electric starter. The upper holes are for passenger pegs as pointed out in the Choppers Magazine Wheeler Dealer article.
Joe has about everything he needs for the engine and trans so hopefully he'll get it together soon. I'll keep you posted.
In an earlier post , I mentioned that the Shovelhead that once powered Dick's chrome bike ended up in Joe's Hurst's Hustler. Which brings up.... what ever became of the chrome frame?
This collage serves as a refresher, shows some changes, and helps to illustrate a few things.
Joe Hurst has it today. Jim Andrews got it from Dick and then it went to Doc Holiday. It had been stolen at one time too. Joe got it from Doc around 1973, kept it until '84, and then he got it back in '86. It's hard to keep all the years and facts straight but like many bikes (or parts of them), they seem to find their way back to Joe.
I posted this shot of Joe's pad before in hopes that someone would have recognized the twisted cross sissy bar and rear fender.
This first version built by Joe in the early seventies is probably my favorite of all his bikes second only to White Bear. The tall sissy bar and full fender isn't what you'd normally think would work with with the long springer, or what was hip at the time, but somehow, it all works... and to think, at one time I didn't even like chrome framed bikes.
A little later in the Mid Seventies, it got the black treatment and the forks were modified using Honda 750 rear shocks for hydraulic dampening.
Flash forward to December 2010. It's been on the back burner for about the last 20 years, but Joe is now working on it's come back. This time as a Panhead.
That's Dick's original rear fender. The seat was re-upholstered years ago, but it Dick's old seat pan too.
The modified Dick Allen springer. Joe says it's now mounted on the frame. Those Shovelhead cases on the shelf are from Joe's White Bear!
Joe still has the 6 quart oil tank that Dick made. Since all previous versions of the bike had a magneto, there was no need for a battery. Sadly, it probably won't be used this time since Joe is using a five speed with electric starter. The upper holes are for passenger pegs as pointed out in the Choppers Magazine Wheeler Dealer article.
Joe has about everything he needs for the engine and trans so hopefully he'll get it together soon. I'll keep you posted.
Ridondo Beach
That's Joe's Hustler. It says any extension to 15", but many of them (including on Loco-Motion), were longer. I'm guessing it was a higher price point from 15" up. From the Dec.69 Choppers Magazine.
White Bear 120
This really cool photo was among the first batch of shots Joe Hurst sent me. It was taken at Bonneville on the way home from his cross country trip with Dick Allen in 1973, hence all the gear he's packing. Joe says once they were on the salt, they just "got it on". It was taken by Dick's female passenger. Dick had Sportster gauges (speedo and tach), on Loco-Motion and said it was pegged at 120 mph.
More Loco
Dick on a their (the South Bay group's), annual cross country trip. Probably about 1973. These were some of the first photos Joe Hurst sent me, but I never got around to posting them.
Here's a pretty good shot of Dick and his Knucklehead chopper Loco-Motion. For such a well known bike, there aren't many good photos of it.
I believe this one is in Iowa.
Here's a pretty good shot of Dick and his Knucklehead chopper Loco-Motion. For such a well known bike, there aren't many good photos of it.
I believe this one is in Iowa.
Dick Allen's Blue Print Part 2
These shots of the Blue Print are from an old Street Chopper and were found floating around the blogs awhile back. I Photoshoped the top one, it was taken by camera and had a flash reflection and was distorted. I had this issue (since lost), and am guessing it's from around 1974-75. Anybody know the month and year of the Street Chopper this is from?
Except for the paint and the bars, the bike is pretty much the same as first built. Note the raised transmission. I forgot to mention that feature of the frame in the first post. It looks like this was shot near the Del Amo financial center at Hawthorne and Carson Blvd. in the South Bay.
If you can get past the model, you'll notice some of the goodies of the bike. She helps illustrate just how low this bike sits. Note the seat. Dick liked to keep them real thin.
Sorry about the magazine gutter but it's not my scan.
I wonder what became of the bike or frame?
Except for the paint and the bars, the bike is pretty much the same as first built. Note the raised transmission. I forgot to mention that feature of the frame in the first post. It looks like this was shot near the Del Amo financial center at Hawthorne and Carson Blvd. in the South Bay.
If you can get past the model, you'll notice some of the goodies of the bike. She helps illustrate just how low this bike sits. Note the seat. Dick liked to keep them real thin.
Sorry about the magazine gutter but it's not my scan.
I wonder what became of the bike or frame?
Dick Allen's Blue Print
Bruce Parrish sent me these photos of Dick Allen's Blue Print. It was called the Blue Print because it was blue, but more importantly, it was planned to be the first of a series of ground up choppers built using Dick's parts and established styling cues.
Here's Bruce prepping the ultra rare Dick Allen frame for paint circa 1973. Only a few were ever produced. Dick didn't create the frame jig. For now, Bruce doesn't remember the name of the guy who Dick got it from. This was at Bruce's paint shop adjacent to Dick's in Gardena, CA. Note the Parrish Arts Logo in the background and compare it to Dick's Logo (both designed by Bruce), shown below.
This appears to be a under construction shot. The rear fender looks to be painted at this stage. Later, as on many South Bay bikes, it's chrome. Note the use of a (then), late model oil tank. The Blue Print was built for Freaky Fred Williams.
Above and below. Two of Bruce's photos from either the Tridents or the Long Beach car show.
This bike conjures up some fuzzy memories. I seem to remember seeing a feature on it and possibly another very similar bike using one of Dick's frame in a one of my now lost Custom Chopper Magazines. I know it was later featured in Street Chopper with a lighter blue paint job. More on that to come.
Here's Bruce prepping the ultra rare Dick Allen frame for paint circa 1973. Only a few were ever produced. Dick didn't create the frame jig. For now, Bruce doesn't remember the name of the guy who Dick got it from. This was at Bruce's paint shop adjacent to Dick's in Gardena, CA. Note the Parrish Arts Logo in the background and compare it to Dick's Logo (both designed by Bruce), shown below.
This appears to be a under construction shot. The rear fender looks to be painted at this stage. Later, as on many South Bay bikes, it's chrome. Note the use of a (then), late model oil tank. The Blue Print was built for Freaky Fred Williams.
Above and below. Two of Bruce's photos from either the Tridents or the Long Beach car show.
This bike conjures up some fuzzy memories. I seem to remember seeing a feature on it and possibly another very similar bike using one of Dick's frame in a one of my now lost Custom Chopper Magazines. I know it was later featured in Street Chopper with a lighter blue paint job. More on that to come.
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