Showing posts with label South Bay Style. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Bay Style. 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!
Big Roy & Little Bob
More photos courtesy of Kerry Crist.
Little Big Men. Little Bob cruising with Big Roy.
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 
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.
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 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.
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.
WHAT SORT OF MAN READS MC ART?
A hands on man. The sort of man who's in touch with his machine. The kind of guy who knows where to find MotorCycle entertainment that's totally in tune with his own interests and tastes.
Foreground photo of Loose Bruce adjusting Earring Mike's chopper courtesy of Kerry Crist.
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.
This Month's Header
You probably couldn't tell how much I like Flatheads based on the lack of postings on them, so I'm dedicating this month to the Flathead Harley. There is just some 'thing' about them.
The Header's art is from this Bic pen drawing, sketched while day dreaming in class. A sharp eye will pick up some similarities with Joe Hurst's White Bear. I love the look of these engines. I've probably doodled more 45's than any other bike.
South Bay Originals
Joe Hurst told me some of the old South Bay group has been sharing photos and sent me these. They are from before he was involved in the south bay chopper scene and are probably from around 1966. They were shot at the foot of the Hermosa Beach Pier. I don't know the photographer. I think they rate up there with those by Bill Ray or Irving Penn.
Dishpan Dave. He was a local builder at the time. This bike is classic.
Steve Drale sporting a semi coy flip off . He's the guy along side Joe pulling wheelies in those now famous photos. Dishpan Dave also built this scooter. The Anderson pegs mounted highway style are an interesting detail. For those that may not know, Panheads were once AKA Dishpans.
Dishpan Dave. He was a local builder at the time. This bike is classic.
Steve Drale sporting a semi coy flip off . He's the guy along side Joe pulling wheelies in those now famous photos. Dishpan Dave also built this scooter. The Anderson pegs mounted highway style are an interesting detail. For those that may not know, Panheads were once AKA Dishpans.
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.
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.
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