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.
Showing posts with label Feature Bike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Feature Bike. Show all posts
1965 Panhead De-Rusteration
My friend Larry Settle purchased a reallly rough condition 1965 Harley Police bike something like 12 or 15 years ago with the plan to restore it one day. Larry has a shop in Harbor City, Ca and since customer's bikes come first (plus some other personal bikes), he didn't get to the Pan until maybe 4 years ago. While he had finished it a little more than a year ago, and I had witnessed it's progress, I never saw it completely finished until recently.
I didn't get any before pictures before the tear down, but the following pictures pretty much illustrate how rough it was. It was possibly one of the worst condition 1965 Electra-Glides out there.
As rough as the outside was, Larry said the internal parts look as though they had little use.
Larry tried to salvage as many of the original parts as possible, but all of the sheet metal had to be replaced. If I remember correctly, the bike spent many years outside under a tree slowly leaning and sinking more and more into the earth.
Strangely, the original tanks were 3.5 gallon which you never see on a '65. Larry found some 5 gallon tanks which were a first for '65.
I didn't get any before pictures before the tear down, but the following pictures pretty much illustrate how rough it was. It was possibly one of the worst condition 1965 Electra-Glides out there.
As rough as the outside was, Larry said the internal parts look as though they had little use.
Larry tried to salvage as many of the original parts as possible, but all of the sheet metal had to be replaced. If I remember correctly, the bike spent many years outside under a tree slowly leaning and sinking more and more into the earth.
Larry chose to restore it to a civialian mode. The bike's speedometer was marked BHPD. Beverly Hills Police Dept.?
Strangely, the original tanks were 3.5 gallon which you never see on a '65. Larry found some 5 gallon tanks which were a first for '65. 
Another one saved from the ravages of time.
More Earring Mike
In the Blue Velvet post, I mentioned that Kerry Crist had sent me some old photos from the South Bay scene. First off, more of Earring Mike and his Sano Shovel.
This profile shot shows off how the bike sits. That's one beautiful springer.
What a Jewel! It bears repeating just how nice the details and metal work is on this machine.
This is truly Engine Art. The big chromed out SU carb is beautiful. I find it interesting how the early cam cover looks high tech when anodized gold. I really like this (the original version), of the winged gas tank. Paint by Bruce Parrish.
A bit of frame stretch can really keep a bike low. From left to right, Gary from the Dairy, Mike, and Big Roy.
Click Here to see all Earring Mike Posts.
This profile shot shows off how the bike sits. That's one beautiful springer.
What a Jewel! It bears repeating just how nice the details and metal work is on this machine.
This is truly Engine Art. The big chromed out SU carb is beautiful. I find it interesting how the early cam cover looks high tech when anodized gold. I really like this (the original version), of the winged gas tank. Paint by Bruce Parrish.
A bit of frame stretch can really keep a bike low. From left to right, Gary from the Dairy, Mike, and Big Roy.
Click Here to see all Earring Mike Posts.
Born Free 4 Part III -Blue Velvet- A South Bay Survior
So I'm headed towards the Ride In Bikes and an older guy says, You're Chris, of MCart, right?" After acknowledging, he continued, "I'm Kerry, I really like the blog, especially reading all the old South Bay stuff." He then explained how he use to hang with Bruce Parrish and Earing Mike in the South Bay back in the late 70's. Then he mentions how his bike was featured in Easyriders (Dec.'89), and that he rode it in today. I told him, "there's a really good chance I'll know it, since I bought a lot of issues of Easyriders around that time.... lets go take a look".
The second I saw Kerry's pan, I knew it and totally remembered the feature.
Later, I went through all my old issues, but was puzzled to not find Dec. '89. Then remembered it had to be in my scrap file. A few years ago too many magazines were pilling up, so I threw out all the old ER's that didn't have enough cool stuff in them to keep.
I figured I would save a lot of room by cutting out anything from those issues that was worth saving and keep it in a reference file. Well, Kerry's Panhead and David Mann's art was probably the only things that made the cut from that issue.
The 2 page spread from Easyriders. There's no way I was going to forget this bike. Especially when you compare it to the kind of bikes that were starting to get featured. Blue Velvet was the name ER came up with, not Kerry.
When I saw Kerry's bike at Born Free, this is the image that flashed through my head. I like the shorter mufflers, tall risers with drag bars, and (since I'm old school), the front drum brake.
Since his bike was in the magazine, it qualified to be in their bike show that year and placed 2nd in it's class. Kerry's looking very late 80's in his B-2 Bomber shirt.
Kerry has owned his pan since '76. Here they be in '78. Sporty tank and up sweeps look good too. Risers were made from Schwinn bicycles until a set of Flanders were found. By the 80's most guys were going back to fat bob tanks and it seems Kerry did as well.
Kerry (center) reunites with a couple of his long time buds, Trav Goldworthy and Paul Laquier. Both of these guys were crew members on Bob George's stream liners in the 70's.
Since Born Free 4, Kerry has kindly sent some very cool photos from the 'old daze' and you can be sure I'll be posting some soon.
The second I saw Kerry's pan, I knew it and totally remembered the feature.
Later, I went through all my old issues, but was puzzled to not find Dec. '89. Then remembered it had to be in my scrap file. A few years ago too many magazines were pilling up, so I threw out all the old ER's that didn't have enough cool stuff in them to keep.
I figured I would save a lot of room by cutting out anything from those issues that was worth saving and keep it in a reference file. Well, Kerry's Panhead and David Mann's art was probably the only things that made the cut from that issue.
The 2 page spread from Easyriders. There's no way I was going to forget this bike. Especially when you compare it to the kind of bikes that were starting to get featured. Blue Velvet was the name ER came up with, not Kerry.
When I saw Kerry's bike at Born Free, this is the image that flashed through my head. I like the shorter mufflers, tall risers with drag bars, and (since I'm old school), the front drum brake.
Since his bike was in the magazine, it qualified to be in their bike show that year and placed 2nd in it's class. Kerry's looking very late 80's in his B-2 Bomber shirt.
Kerry has owned his pan since '76. Here they be in '78. Sporty tank and up sweeps look good too. Risers were made from Schwinn bicycles until a set of Flanders were found. By the 80's most guys were going back to fat bob tanks and it seems Kerry did as well.
Kerry (center) reunites with a couple of his long time buds, Trav Goldworthy and Paul Laquier. Both of these guys were crew members on Bob George's stream liners in the 70's.
Since Born Free 4, Kerry has kindly sent some very cool photos from the 'old daze' and you can be sure I'll be posting some soon.
Ironhead Ron's Born (Free) Again XLCH
This story is much like the tale of the mythical Phoenix and it's ability to be reborn from its own ashes.
Ron pays tribute to his new incentive. A fitting coincidence since the colors of the bike match the Born-Free logo.
Ironhead Ron built this '58 XLCH several years ago (in this basic form), but dumped it while goofing around off road. Later, he took it's heart, and around it built a rigid frame blaster that ended it's riding days in a much worst fate. The kind of episode in which one wakes up in a hospital with many months of rehabilitation to look forward to.
Not your typical Harley's set of bars. Ron has no qualms about borrowing from other sources.
Once well enough to turn a wrench, Ron returned to building 3 of his other bikes. He hated the reminder, so the wrecked '58 rigid sat at one side of the garage under a blanket for about 3 years. The original damaged swing arm roller sat at the other side.
Maybe we should call him Socket Head Ron. He definitely has a thing for Allen head bolts
Since three other projects were in the works, he figured one day he would throw the engine back into swinger and sell it to help fund the other projects. Then, two things happened. 1. Ron can't just throw a bike back together without a ton of additional mods. 2. Born-Free 4 became a great incentive to get it done.
It's hammer time!
Cool oil filter (pun intended). Did I mention Ron likes Socket Heads?
Ron likes to file, shave and detail every inch of his machines. Note the socket head axle and drilled axle spacer.
It's an easy bet scenes like this are taking place in numerous garages (in the wee hours of the night), right up to show time.
The Mythical Phoenix
For Ron, Born Free 4 represents a double rebirth. Sort of a coming out celebration of man and machine, since both haven't seen the wind for 3 years.
Ron pays tribute to his new incentive. A fitting coincidence since the colors of the bike match the Born-Free logo.
Ironhead Ron built this '58 XLCH several years ago (in this basic form), but dumped it while goofing around off road. Later, he took it's heart, and around it built a rigid frame blaster that ended it's riding days in a much worst fate. The kind of episode in which one wakes up in a hospital with many months of rehabilitation to look forward to.
Not your typical Harley's set of bars. Ron has no qualms about borrowing from other sources.
Once well enough to turn a wrench, Ron returned to building 3 of his other bikes. He hated the reminder, so the wrecked '58 rigid sat at one side of the garage under a blanket for about 3 years. The original damaged swing arm roller sat at the other side.
Maybe we should call him Socket Head Ron. He definitely has a thing for Allen head bolts
Since three other projects were in the works, he figured one day he would throw the engine back into swinger and sell it to help fund the other projects. Then, two things happened. 1. Ron can't just throw a bike back together without a ton of additional mods. 2. Born-Free 4 became a great incentive to get it done.
It's hammer time!
Cool oil filter (pun intended). Did I mention Ron likes Socket Heads?
Ron likes to file, shave and detail every inch of his machines. Note the socket head axle and drilled axle spacer.
It's an easy bet scenes like this are taking place in numerous garages (in the wee hours of the night), right up to show time.
The Mythical Phoenix
For Ron, Born Free 4 represents a double rebirth. Sort of a coming out celebration of man and machine, since both haven't seen the wind for 3 years.
Chopping Then and Now
Lance sent this picture of his uncle from the glory days of chop 'in.
It's a really nice home grown chop and swing arm chops are harder to do. Note the lowered shock mount on the swing arm. All work including the paint was done by his Uncle. Lance says it from the late 60's but from the looks of several things (like the bobbed shirt), I d guess it's more likely from around 1970-72.
I guess it's in the family blood. Lance has his own plans and says he'll build a Buzzard/David Mann inspired bike with this recent find.
It's a really nice home grown chop and swing arm chops are harder to do. Note the lowered shock mount on the swing arm. All work including the paint was done by his Uncle. Lance says it from the late 60's but from the looks of several things (like the bobbed shirt), I d guess it's more likely from around 1970-72.
I guess it's in the family blood. Lance has his own plans and says he'll build a Buzzard/David Mann inspired bike with this recent find.
Black Bear Now
Here's how Black Bear sits today. It's had various dodads added since the time Joe owned it. It really just needs some TLC and tweeks to get back on the road. Needs some of those dodads removed too.
Could use a better fitting seat.
That tank panel has to go!
Could use a better fitting seat.
That tank panel has to go!
In the Pink 1972
Crowned, Americas Best Chopper (I believe at the Oakland Roadster Show 1972). The bike pretty well somes up the early 70's chopper ideal with features not all that common today. Stuff like pull backs and very long forks. In this case, rigid forks. Forks were getting so long and raked that many decided front suspension didn't work well anyway. Small brakeless 16 and 17 inch front wheels were the craze. No self respecting chopper didn't feature a molded frame. You had to have as much chrome as possible which sometimes (like here), included touches of gold. Pinks, magentas, and violets were much more common than on bikes seen now. Riding 2 up seemed a lot more common too. Oh yeah... rider and passenger in slick dress.
The Force Was With Him
A while ago, Joe Hurst sent me some scans (magazine unknown), of one of Nez's bikes he really dug.
While diggers or Crazy Frank fenders aren't at the top of my list (I might get flak for that), this thing is pretty damn cool. Especially when you consider when it was built.
Joe likes performance so it's natural, he likes it. One thing he really liked, is the VL style ibeam forks with the dampened springs. It probably doesn't hurt that the paint job is sort of White Bearish in color and style.
This almost identical photo from the Kid Duece' collection looks like it was taken during the magazine shoot. What's up with that?
While diggers or Crazy Frank fenders aren't at the top of my list (I might get flak for that), this thing is pretty damn cool. Especially when you consider when it was built.
Joe likes performance so it's natural, he likes it. One thing he really liked, is the VL style ibeam forks with the dampened springs. It probably doesn't hurt that the paint job is sort of White Bearish in color and style.
This almost identical photo from the Kid Duece' collection looks like it was taken during the magazine shoot. What's up with that?
Enquiring minds want to know. The Force, obviously built after Star Wars (1977), shares a number of similarities with this bike built earlier by AEE in 1974. Digger style chassis, check... Bodywork, check... Supercharger/Blower, check... Springer, check. Now, I like Nez's bike much more but, it begs the question, was he influenced by the AEE bike?
Joe Hurst's Black Bear
Anyone who has been following the blog has seen several of the bikes that Joe built over the years. I always tell Joe, you need a program to follow what bike was what, which version, and the years to keep track of them all. As a matter of fact, between this bike and the last few versions of the chrome frame bike, there were a couple versions of his red bike which I haven't posted yet. Except for having H-D 9 spoke mags and a Sportster tank, the red bike was very similar to this black bike.
If I remember correctly this is from 1995. Joe never call it Black Bear. That's just what I think is an appropriate name for it.
It's a very purpose built bike. That purpose being function and performance. It was sold to a friend many years ago yet still exist and for the most part, is totally intact.
To see all of Joes' bikes, photos and related stories, click on the Joe Hurst label below.
If I remember correctly this is from 1995. Joe never call it Black Bear. That's just what I think is an appropriate name for it.
It's a very purpose built bike. That purpose being function and performance. It was sold to a friend many years ago yet still exist and for the most part, is totally intact.
To see all of Joes' bikes, photos and related stories, click on the Joe Hurst label below.
A Different 45 Magnum
Normally I don't like posting photos from other blogs but you got to see this 45 that's on magnetozoo.com
When was the last time you saw American 12 spokes on a 45?... or at least what started out as a 45.
There's no info on the build so I'm going to guess at a few things. The frame is a WR or has been modified to look like one. Same for the WRTT oil tank. The top end sure looks like it's from a factory overhead hill climber but is likely Sportster with fabed up exposed rockers. I also noticed a small thing. The guy who built it, used chain links for the clips on the exhaust springs. My buddy Ironhead Ron likes to use them in such ways.
Use the link at the top of the post to see more neat details of the bike. Stuff like a Linkert mounted on the left side and a belt drive.
When was the last time you saw American 12 spokes on a 45?... or at least what started out as a 45.
There's no info on the build so I'm going to guess at a few things. The frame is a WR or has been modified to look like one. Same for the WRTT oil tank. The top end sure looks like it's from a factory overhead hill climber but is likely Sportster with fabed up exposed rockers. I also noticed a small thing. The guy who built it, used chain links for the clips on the exhaust springs. My buddy Ironhead Ron likes to use them in such ways.
Use the link at the top of the post to see more neat details of the bike. Stuff like a Linkert mounted on the left side and a belt drive.
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.
The Joe Hurst Blog presents: The Blue Bike
Since becoming friends, Joe has sent me a lot of cool photos and for awhile there, the blog was in danger of a coup d'état. Since it's been awhile, and the threat has subsided, it's time to share some more from his archives.
Circa 1970. Joe just calls it the Blue Bike but, it's actually the Hustler redone with less rake, a shorter springer, a Harley Sprint tank, and of course, blue paint.
Great roadside shot. I'm loving the pan too.
A bit later with fish tail up-sweeps.
Joe out on the road. This photo is interesting for two reasons. 1. Joe's wearing one of those cool Harley shirts with the psychedelic font from a page in a 1970 parts and accessories catalog as posted here in Dec. 2009. 2. He's also wearing one of those heavy duty wide leather wrist/watch bands. Joe says he had it made with a cover to protect his watch, and as far as he knows, was the first to wear one. Did Joe invent them? At one time they were quite the rage. I could easily see how they might make a comeback... at least within the retro chopper scene.
Circa 1970. Joe just calls it the Blue Bike but, it's actually the Hustler redone with less rake, a shorter springer, a Harley Sprint tank, and of course, blue paint.
Great roadside shot. I'm loving the pan too.
A bit later with fish tail up-sweeps.
Joe out on the road. This photo is interesting for two reasons. 1. Joe's wearing one of those cool Harley shirts with the psychedelic font from a page in a 1970 parts and accessories catalog as posted here in Dec. 2009. 2. He's also wearing one of those heavy duty wide leather wrist/watch bands. Joe says he had it made with a cover to protect his watch, and as far as he knows, was the first to wear one. Did Joe invent them? At one time they were quite the rage. I could easily see how they might make a comeback... at least within the retro chopper scene.
Prescription For A Bob Job
Dr. Sprocket (aka Rich Ostrander), recently set a couple of photos of a knucklehead he just finished for his old friend Chuck V. He didn't give any info but it looks to be a '47 with various rare sourced vintage parts.
Note the front twin leading shoe brake and at the rockers suspension dampeners. Aluminum tool box and taillight are both Crocker parts.
Hollywood bars, 18" wheels, front hub cap, 6" inch air cleaner and rectangular foot boards from the late '30's are all nice touches. I'm guessing that the pipes are vintage Superior.
Being stripped down and yet retaining so much of a Harley's vintage styling just might make Bob Jobs the best all around bikes of them all.
Bobber!
Bobber!
Bobber!
Note the front twin leading shoe brake and at the rockers suspension dampeners. Aluminum tool box and taillight are both Crocker parts.
Hollywood bars, 18" wheels, front hub cap, 6" inch air cleaner and rectangular foot boards from the late '30's are all nice touches. I'm guessing that the pipes are vintage Superior.
Being stripped down and yet retaining so much of a Harley's vintage styling just might make Bob Jobs the best all around bikes of them all.
Bobber!
Bobber!
Bobber!
Doc Holiday's Witch Street Chopper May 1970
Back in November of 2010 I posted The Witch as featured in Roth's Choppers Magazine (click Here to view it), and also used it for this last October's Header. Therefore, I figured some of you might like to see the Street Chopper feature since it has better details and shows how the bike changed some. I reformatted the article so that it would fit the blog and make it easier to read the captions.
Once again it was also the cover bike. Instead of the original metal flake, the bike was repainted a candy orange. I like the former better.
Check the custom touches like the peanut tank's chromed side panels, the hex down tubes and pin striping as you view the photos. Very much like the stuff you'd see on a Von Dutch custom.
Custom Cycle Engineering Finned Dish Pans were now installed.
Randy of Gardena as in Smith repainted the witch again but I like his first witch better. Go back to my October 2011 header post to compare.
Note the very high position of the brake pedal. Back in the 60's, a lot of guys liked the radical (but not very practical), look it gave. The small photo shows a high clutch pedal as well.
The sissy bar now sports what I call the South Bay Swoop. Again, the paint and the metal work looks Von Dutch inspired.
The bullet taillights are cool, but note the broken license plate frame.
This bike may relate to more posts than any other to date. As evidence, check the Labels/links below.
Once again it was also the cover bike. Instead of the original metal flake, the bike was repainted a candy orange. I like the former better.
Check the custom touches like the peanut tank's chromed side panels, the hex down tubes and pin striping as you view the photos. Very much like the stuff you'd see on a Von Dutch custom.
Custom Cycle Engineering Finned Dish Pans were now installed.
Randy of Gardena as in Smith repainted the witch again but I like his first witch better. Go back to my October 2011 header post to compare.
Note the very high position of the brake pedal. Back in the 60's, a lot of guys liked the radical (but not very practical), look it gave. The small photo shows a high clutch pedal as well.
The sissy bar now sports what I call the South Bay Swoop. Again, the paint and the metal work looks Von Dutch inspired.
The bullet taillights are cool, but note the broken license plate frame.
This bike may relate to more posts than any other to date. As evidence, check the Labels/links below.
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