Showing posts with label Joe Hurst. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe Hurst. Show all posts
Pan Happy
Joe told me I need to update the blog now that his Pan's rebuild is finished.
A fresh engine. Not a bad way to start the new year.
Now he needs to get the bike done by Born-Free 5
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!
Hustler Nights
Joe Hurst and the Hustler circa 1969. 
The photo was taken around the time it won 1st Place in the Street Bike Class at the L.A. show. More on that another time. Note the high pipes. It's kind of interesting that he crouched behind it as he did for the Choppers Magazine feature 
The Goose Neck King
Here's some more cool photos from Mr. Hurst. These are of Skip Fisk's bike. If you were in the South Bay and wanted a Goosed frame, Skip was the man. Check any old magazine with a Goosed Chopper and Skip's name will likely be mentioned in the builder's specs.
The neck itself doesn't appear to be as kicked out as seen on other Geese. It's more like the intent was to lower it than stretch it. The molding is nicely done and a bit different than most others as well.
Another South Bay Original-Bob Red Beard
Joe Hurst does it again! Joe sent another outstanding photo from the origins of the South Bay Chopper scene.
Everything about this photo is bitchin! I believe it's from December 1967. Bob was one of the original chopper guys running around the South Bay in the 60's. Check out those forks. At this angle the trees almost make it look like a Vard but more likely off a British bike. If I remember correctly, Joe bought this panhead soon after in Jan.'68. It was Joe's first Harley, the one he painted purple and is doing that wheelie in that now famous photo.
Pie's Goose
A few years back I did a search for Goose Neck Choppers and came across this photo on some Harley site. It was submitted by Jim Boatman (of himself), circa 1972.
I figured this had to be a Goose Neck from the South Bay.
About a year or so later, Joe Hurst sent me the following photos of an old friend's bike. Joe remembered him as Pie.
If you wait long enough, it all shows up on the internet.
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 Originals Countinued
Here's another photo of Dish Pan Dave courtesy of Joe Hurst.
This is probably the same bike that was shown in front of the Hermosa Pier in the earlier post, but now sporting extended forks as was the hip thing to do in '68.
South Bay Originals II
As Frank Zappa once said "you want some more? ...well here's some more!"
Joe Hurst sent these photos. Ownership of these bikes are based on his recollections.
It doesn't get better than this. Filthy Frank and his trike on the Hermosa Beach strand. It just screams of the era and illustrates how drag racing and hot rods were influencing the chopper scene. That's the oil tank on the back bone and the gas tank up on the forks. This is the kind of stuff that got me hopped up as a kid. I remember seeing a trike with beer keg seats running around town back then. This might have been it.
Joe thinks this was Angel Mark's bike. If you were a Hun, one day you faced a choice, become an Angel, or be nothing. Joe believes that Randy Smith is responsible for these photographs and the last set of South Bay Originals posted.
Speaking of South Bay Originals...
...the Mermaid Restaurant at the foot of the pier in Hermosa Beach closed on July 29th. It will reopen under new management until the new owners get approval to build a hotel which could take 2 years. That means the whole block including the Poop Deck will then get torn down. The Mermaid has been there for 62 years. The step daughter of the deceased original owner Quentin “Boots” Thelen said, the family had to sell since they can't pay the 49% estate taxes on the land (from Good Stuff to the Mermaid), valued at $24.5 million. It's kind of strange since "Boots" had passed away on the same day July 29th, 5 years ago.
This is the last face of old Hermosa and it should have been designated a historical site. I hate to see it go.
Joe Hurst sent these photos. Ownership of these bikes are based on his recollections.
It doesn't get better than this. Filthy Frank and his trike on the Hermosa Beach strand. It just screams of the era and illustrates how drag racing and hot rods were influencing the chopper scene. That's the oil tank on the back bone and the gas tank up on the forks. This is the kind of stuff that got me hopped up as a kid. I remember seeing a trike with beer keg seats running around town back then. This might have been it.
Joe thinks this was Angel Mark's bike. If you were a Hun, one day you faced a choice, become an Angel, or be nothing. Joe believes that Randy Smith is responsible for these photographs and the last set of South Bay Originals posted.
Speaking of South Bay Originals...
...the Mermaid Restaurant at the foot of the pier in Hermosa Beach closed on July 29th. It will reopen under new management until the new owners get approval to build a hotel which could take 2 years. That means the whole block including the Poop Deck will then get torn down. The Mermaid has been there for 62 years. The step daughter of the deceased original owner Quentin “Boots” Thelen said, the family had to sell since they can't pay the 49% estate taxes on the land (from Good Stuff to the Mermaid), valued at $24.5 million. It's kind of strange since "Boots" had passed away on the same day July 29th, 5 years ago.
This is the last face of old Hermosa and it should have been designated a historical site. I hate to see it go.
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.
For Joe
While out of town in May, I made a point of capturing this.
I've driven this road many times, but for some reason it never clicked.
For those new to the blog, this was Joe Hurst's White Bear. Somehow this photo never got posted.
This may help you place the road's location.
I've driven this road many times, but for some reason it never clicked.
For those new to the blog, this was Joe Hurst's White Bear. Somehow this photo never got posted.
This may help you place the road's location.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Holiday Follow Up Chopper
I believe this is Doc Holiday once again with another chopper around 1973 in Lawndale, CA. I'm not sure if it's a rebuild of the bike from the earlier post. If it is, it's now more akin to other long South Bay bikes. Would like to see more of it. Photo courtesy of Joe Hurst.
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.
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.
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