IronWorks Magazine » Featured Bikes

A Super Glide

Snakebit Sam — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:45:28 +0000

This featured bike is a true classic. This is a prime example of Willie G’s influence on the motorcycle world. The 1971 FX was a true factory “custom” bike that was lean and mean but not a ‘chopper.’ It was the start of a trend that continues to this day. To see and learn more about this bike get your hands on the March 2012 issue of IronWorks and check out Margie Siegal’s ‘Seasoned Citizens’ feature story on it.

Source: IronWorks Magazine
Posted by Sam Kanish

DP Customs “Top Fuel II”

Snakebit Sam — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:32:08 +0000

This little hot rod is a product of the guys at DP Custom Cycles out in Arizona. It started out as a 1981 Sporty before the Del Prado brothers got their hands on it. Now rehabilitating the torquey old “ironhead” Sportster motors and building classic looking custom bikes around them just happens to be the Del Prado’s forte. The vintage look was achieved by using a 4” under springer front end, a Firestone 5 X 16 back tire and 60’s era Ford Racing blue paint. This baby just looks like its ready to roll. BTW it is up for sale. For more images and info about the bike go to: www.bikeexif.com/harley-davidson-ironhead-sportster .

Source and images: Bike EXIF
Posted by Sam Kanish

East Meets West Cross Bones

Snakebit Sam — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:00:06 +0000

This highly customized Softail Cross Bones was built by Charlie Stockwell, of Warr’s, the Harley-Davidson dealer in London, England. The bike was built in collaboration with Evisu, a pioneering Japanese denim company. Most of the bike’s sheet metal has been polished and nickel-plated. It features Japanese art that was hand-engraved into the parts by a London gunsmith. Another custom touch is that the brake lines and clutch cable have been wrapped in Evisu denim and there’s even more denim on the gas tank and battery cover. The cover on the battery cover is covered with denim and features the Evisu’s trademark ‘Kamome’ (seagull) design. All in all it’s a tasty looking bike from across the pond. For more info got to: www.bikeexif.com/harley-softail?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Bikeexif+(Bike+EXIF) .
Source and images: Bike EXIF
Posted by Sam Kanish

The Great Escape

Snakebit Sam — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:00:34 +0000

That’s right this 1956 Triumph Thunderbird has escaped being restored for all these years. It may look familiar because this is the same model that Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins (McQueen’s stunt double) rode as McQueen’s character tried to elude capture in the movie “The Great Escape”.

I think owner Tom Wise has been wise to leave it in this unrestored condition because its a survivor. Sure there’s rust and patina on the bike but that just gives it more character. Due to some of the parts on it, Tom believes that the bike was originally used by the British Postal Service or British Army. No matter where it came from it now it runs around the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania and I know Tom won’t try to jump it over any barbed wire fences with it to try to get into Switzerland.

Images and post by Sam Kanish

The “Punisher”

Snakebit Sam — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:07:40 +0000

No, this isn‘t your basic XR 750. Bruce Baxter wanted a race bike themed street machine so he had Richard Pollock of Mule Motorcycles build this beast which he dubbed, “The Punisher” (after a character in Marvel Comics). Famed tuner Dan Baisley started by mating Axtell cylinders onto a set of S&S cases. Then a pair of dual-carb heads with Keihin carbs (modified by Bob Woods) were bolted onto the engine. With 130-horsepower and 130-foot-pounds of torque coming out of the 100-cubic-inch engine the XR1660 street-tracker lives up to its namesake.

Meanwhile Pollock had to cut the C&J frame they used because the new motor was over an inch taller than stock. He lifted the frame’s backbone while keeping the steering head in its normal position. Racetec hand built the 3 gallon gas tank to fit the modified frame. A&A Racing triple-clamps hold the 45mm Honda CBR900RR forks with a Yamaha XS650 front hub laced to a sun rim. In the rear Öhlins shocks are bolted to a modified C&J swingarm. The rear hub is a XR-750 style from A&A Racing laced to a Sun rim. The bike sports 19-inch Goodyear dirt-track tires. Naturally you want the bike to whoa up real quick so Brembo titanium-pistoned Monoblocs brakes were used.

My guess is that this bike will punish some unsuspecting riders at every stoplight. To see more of this bike go to: www.bikeexif.com/mule-motorcycles-2?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Bikeexif+(Bike+EXIF)

Source and images: Bike EXIF
Posted by Sam kanish

Homemade Chopper

Snakebit Sam — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:08:17 +0000

I happened upon this bike as I was riding near Butler, Pennsylvania. I spotted it sitting along the road with a pick-up truck underneath an overpass. I was thinking it was strange that a bike would pull off there since it wasn’t raining out so I figured he might be having trouble. As I got closer I could see it was a very unique machine. The rider and another gentleman were just finishing up pouring some gas in the tank when I pulled in. The guys chuckled and said it wasn’t broke down, it just wouldn’t run without gas.

Dave Ellenberger of nearby Chicora, PA said he had built the machine using a Honda industrial engine for power. The bike has lots of cool handmade copper and brass parts on it. Its got a special construction tag on it and is completely street legal. I wanted to get more info about it but Dave was in a hurry so I had to settle for these few quick shots.

Images and post by Sam Kanish

2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler

Snakebit Sam — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:49:32 +0000

What would you do if you wanted a vehicle with the looks of a classic English sports car, but with the feel and sound of an American V-twin. Well you‘d probably want to check out the new 2012 Morgan 3 Wheeler. The original Morgan three-wheeled “cycle cars” began back in 1909 using a succession of V-twin engines up until 1946. By the time production ended in 1953 they were using a 32 hp four-cylinder Ford engine.

The 2012 Morgans have decidedly more power. Once again they are using a V-twin motor, an American made S&S X-Wedge engine that pumps out 115 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. Matched up to a Mazda MX-5 Miata five-speed manual transmission the powertrain can launch the lightweight, 1,090 pounds, Morgan to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds. Even with so much power Morgan 3 Wheelers are expected to get 50 miles per gallon with a range of
400 miles.

Morgan 3 Wheeler Ltd. intends to produce 500 units per year with a possible increase to 1200 units per year. If you want one of the first batch you’re out of luck. Even with a price tag of $50,000, the first 500 have already been pre-sold. If you’d like to learn more about the Morgan 3 Wheeler check out this story: www.autoblog.com/2011/07/12/2012-morgan-3-wheeler-first-drive-review/#continued

Source and image: autoblog
Posted by Sam Kanish

Gas Cap From Spain

Snakebit Sam — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:50:35 +0000

This sweet little Sportster bobber is “Gas Cap“, owned by Alex Ramon who happens to live in Spain. Built by Lluís Casbon of L.A. Motorcycles in Barcelona, the machine is based on a 2006 Sportster 883 Low. It sports pre-WWII Harley VL style springer forks with a matching Phantom headlight. The custom tank is from Salinas Boys while the rear suspension uses 11” shocks from Progressive. A “Flat Bob” rear fender and a replica pre-War taillight complete the look. Avon Speedmaster tires on 16” rims put the rubber to the road. “Gas Cap” is a clean and understated bobber, don’t you think? More info at: www.bikeexif.com/sportster-bobber

Source and Images: Bike EXIF

Posted by Sam Kanish

“Two Knuckles” VFD Bagger

Snakebit Sam — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:17:13 +0000

Thomas “Two Knuckles” Barker is the Chief of the North Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department. To honor Volunteer Fireman, he took his Ultra Fireman’s bike and made some pretty substantial changes to it. The most obvious is the outstanding artwork. “Two Knuckles’“ friend Bo Pitman, of Montgomery, Alabama completely repainted it. Other upgrades to the bike included adding ape hangers, an alligator seat and new wheels.

“Two Knuckles” made a tremendous investment in his bike and the efforts have reaped more attention than he could stand in Panama City Beach. He and his wife, Susie, entered their first ever bike show at Thunder Beach. The Barkers’ bike won the fan favorite award and took second in the bagger division In order to get the full effect, Susie rode the bike and showed it for Tom.

Source: IWMC

Post by Sam Kanish

Sundance QuickSilver XR1200

Snakebit Sam — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:35:13 +0000

I bet your XR1200 doesn’t look like this, but if you’re into the cafe racer styled bikes I’ll also bet you wish it did. Sundance may not have the name recognition that other Japanese custom motorcycle builders have, but with its newest machine that may change. Sundance focuses just as much on a machine’s performance as its looks. The “QuickSilver” is based on a heavily modified Harley-Davidson XR1200. A stock XR1200 puts around 90hp at the back wheel, the “QuickSilver” produces considerably more. There are new pistons, cams, heads and S&S connecting rods inside. A modified Keihin FCR and Sundance exhaust let the machine breath. With output now closer to 120hp a Barnett clutch was fitted to handle the extra power. Gold finished Öhlins front forks, a custom swingarm and wheels from Dymag helped improve the performance and handling of the bike. This beauty comes with many custom Sundance parts, including the tank and race inspired tailpiece. More info at: www.bikeexif.com/harley-xr1200

Source and images: Bike EXIF
Post by Sam Kanish

Laura Klock’s Memphis

IronWorks — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 15:36:43 +0000

Some machines demand to tell their stories in their own way, and so it is the case with Memphis, a special chopper built by Laura Klock and the friends and crew of Klock Werks, a small shop located in Mitchell, SD. Perhaps you’ve heard of them.

Memphis, the machine you see here, was debuted at Michael Lichter’s Eternal Combustion Show in Sturgis this past year. Both Athena Ransom and Laura were paired up to collaborate and present machines in tandem, but circumstances of life prevented Athena from finishing her machine and showing her work. Laura and her Mountain Dew drinking team busted major butt to finish up Memphis in time for the show. Every challenge known to man but locusts, plagued this team, trying (unsuccessfully) to keep them from finishing…

read the rest in the April issue of IW……

images: Stephen Berner

Dawg’s “Barter Bike”

Snakebit Sam — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:25:56 +0000

Who says you have to spend big bucks on a beautiful custom motorcycle that someone else really built? Well Mike “Dawg” Bradley of Suffolk, Virginia certainly didn’t think so. Using his multiple talents he assembled the components, built and painted this bike in his garage, in 30 days, and only has $1100 invested in it. It helps when your family owns a salvage yard.

First of all he traded a Chevy truck bed for the custom wheels and tires; a jet ski for the frame; and a 1993 Mustang for the motor, tranny and sheet metal. He then used his mechanical and painting skills to assemble this 2005 Custom Softail with an S&S 110 motor, a 6-speed tans, 200 rear wheel and tire plus 20″ ape hangers. Now that’s real old school bike building.

Info and images courtesy of: Chip Wright

Posted by Sam Kanish

Walt Siegl Motobe

IronWorks — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:14:49 +0000

The Motobe came into my life through my friendship with Roger Miret (The lead singer of Agnostic Front; he is also the Rumblers president…just in case you do not know the guy). I think it was 1989 or 90 when he dragged the sporty in milk grates into my shop in Long Island City. He picked it up in Miami. Soon enough he found himself a shovel project and sold the mildewed parts to my friend, the artist Arthur Sordillo. His wife needed a bike to tool around on, so he asked me to make it pretty.

It stayed a sporty for many years until Art decided to turn me loose on it again. Only this time he wanted a sporty that was not a sporty anymore. Those were his requirements. That’s how it became what you see now. – Walt Siegl

images: stephen berner

Shaw XLST3

Snakebit Sam — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:56:12 +0000

Does your 2011 XL1200N look like this? I didn’t think so. This little beauty was built by Shaw, Speed and Custom. They started out with a 2011 XL1200N but then added titanium forks, Progressive Springs, 883 fork lowers, PM brakes with Roland Sands rotors and an in-house built exhaust. I must not be the only one who likes it since it top honors in the Modified Harley Class at the recent London International Custom Bike Show. look for it at Sturgis in the AMD World Custom Bike Building Championships. More info at: www.bikeexif.com/harley-davidson-sportster-2

Source and images: Bike EXIF

Posted by Sam Kanish

Walt Siegl Four Speed

IronWorks — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 12:11:39 +0000

I wanted to build a bike with the parts Harley Davidson became so famous for: The springer fork, the four speed frame with its low seat height, tall tires on black rims, knuckle head exhaust, and big primary hanging out. To exaggerate all those visually important components, I kept the tank and fender as small as possible. -Walt Siegl

images: stephen berner

Walt Siegl Fitzcarraldo

IronWorks — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:08:04 +0000

The owner wanted a bike for the city that was light and nimble. These were his only wishes. A small group of us built inner- city bikes throughout the 80s and 90s, so it was an easy task for me. Our bikes were completely purposefull with no frills attached: Narrow bars on tall risers to white line and clear the car mirrors. Fold up foot pegs mounted as close as possible to avoid car tire contact. Exhausts tucked in and empty so drivers could hear us scream up. Small stroker motors with torquey cams to jump from light to light. – Walt Siegl

images: stephen berner

Walt Siegl Erics Bike

IronWorks — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:04:32 +0000

One of my last friends still in New York until recently, Eric had a lot of parts for this bike on a shelf for a long time, and never got to putting the bike together. He’s my friend; I buttoned it up for him and he just last week loaded it in his van, strapped between surf boards and tool boxes, and headed for the West Coast. End of story. -Walt Siegl

images: stephen berner

Daddios Road King

IronWorks — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 12:58:30 +0000

Taking a gander at the machines of those who have mechanical, hands-on experience with our favored marquee is always elucidating and entertaining. Chances are these folks have their pick of the litter, big, small, fat or thin and what they select in the end, reflects mightily upon their personal values and what they like most and demand from a two-wheeler. They ride what they want and they like what they ride. Most often these bikes have some unusual touches, be they performance or aesthetic – sometimes both, as in the case of Daddio’s Red Hot Road King.

to read the rest of this hot tale, pick up the March 2011 issue – NOW!

Images & Words: Stephen Berner

OCC Trike

IronWorks — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:52:07 +0000

Bill Johnson knew what he wanted and during Thanksgiving 2009 he got it, in spades, and he got it delivered to his door. After three left knee replacements and two left hip replacements, it was damn near impossible for Bill, a confirmed bike nut to ride his two-wheelers, forget about hauling a passenger.

Never having ridden or really considered a trike before this challenge reared its head – this was new territory for Bill. Being a collector of fine two wheelers, he wasn’t simply going to go the easy route and buy a trike off the floor of a fine retail establishment, no he was going to have a ground up custom trike built, with his ideas and to his specs.

read the entire sordid tale in the March 2011 issue of IW

Images & Words: Stephen Berner

Driscoll’s Flathead

IronWorks — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:45:04 +0000

Sometimes the job just makes you crazy. You want to stay in bed, thinking it’d be a good idea to use up all your sick days as mental health days. The only thing you can think of (because quitting the job is not generally an option) to cope was to find a way NOT to think about work – to create a diversion. The owner of this ‘47 WL 45, found himself needing a distraction; a motorcycle project to immerse him in, to ease the stress of the job.

find the March issue to read the rest of the story!

words: Paul Holdsworth

images: Stephen Berner