The Best of Henry's St. Chopper Show, Part 4, Not a Bobber Panhead

If you've gone way back on this blog you probably know that I have a problem with the way the "B" word is thrown around these days.

Now, just because this bike has a fat 16 incher up front, that don't make it a "Bobber". For that matter, if it had a 21, tons of dudes would still be calling it one. Seems like folks think a bike needs to have at least 15" over forks to be a chopper ...No Sir!

This bike is an example of early '60's style chop that just also happens to have a fat tire in front and that's cool.


Now here's a custom that maintains a rough and tumble look.


In many ways it's a very practical street chopper.


You might have noticed the finned dishpans, carb cover, magneto, kick pedal, classic oil filter, and Bates foot pegs but, how about that foot shift linkage on the brake pedal and the pushrod keepers that are spun to the back?


Cocktails anyone? A simple sissy bar, bullet tail light and cloth wiring are all nice touches.


The early style of nearly vertical up sweeps has been absent from the custom bike scene until lately. I'm glad to see it's back. Nice vintage tuck and roll Bates seats. P-pad is being put to proper use, keeping the riders tail bone supported.


The custom handlebars (sans risers), connect to the top tree like the stock bars do. You tend see this done in Japan much more than the states. I'm a big fan of the internal throttle. Keeping the mirror off the bars helps keep them clean too. Chroming only the front of the springer was the right decision. Steering dampeners are usually missing on customs. The fat tire may be the reason to have retained it.


One last peak. The bike has a good tight stance. Frisco mounted tank, seat and pipe angle, handlebar height, and matching wheels, all contribute to the look.

The Best of Henry's St. Chopper Show, Part 3 John Edwards '52 Panhead

It would have been just too easy to start this series with this bike. Anybody who has been scanning the blogs should recognize it.

What sets this bike apart from many "newly built", traditional chops is not only the tasteful integration of vintage parts but, it seems like John is the only guy with the grit and style to employ the once common practice of molding and painting the frame and tank to match.


A good balance of paint, chrome, and polished aluminum... plus good ingredients makes for one tasty chopped stew.


Vintage Bates provides the seating. Vintage sixties up sweeps and fender are ribbed for your pleasure.


The bike features several of Randy Smith's delectable delights. Finned Dish Pans, Roth carb cover and Holy Pegs. Also, note the California stomper pedal and the seat's hinge, looks '20's -'30's vintage. St. Christopher provides traffic surfing protection.


Angled risers were more often seen on 50's bob jobs. They serve two purposes. You can run narrower bend bars but more importantly, just hack your stock bars off the top tree.


Narrow front wheel sans a brake matches the alloy out back. Headlight looks to be a vintage mini Bates. "The Man" says you gotta have a horn.


Good from any angle. Thoughtful restraint. Nothing is over done.


Truly a classic. You'll never improve on this basic form of bike.


The midget behind the helmet is your esteemed photographer/author. How'd I take this trick shot?... easy, I stole it from Blue Collar Moto blog.

The Best of Henry's St. Chopper Show, Part 2 Black Sporty

There are lots of cool Knuckles Pans and Shovels but, when it comes to Sportsters it takes a lot more finesse to get one right. Most dudes miss the mark. Here's one done with globs of class. As a matter of fact it made a big splash all over the internet after it was shown at the Grand Nationals in Pomona.

The key to this bike is keeping the lines simple and clean. Straight laced spokes and a tiny spool ad to the effect.


You just can't help but love that big SU with velocity stack not to mention the mag.


This qualifies as Engine Art. Clear braided oil and fuel lines takes one back to the seventies. Did I mention that this thing is clean?


Notice how the sissy bar's fender mounts nicely echo the lines of the forks, handlebars and risers?


In many ways this bike is understated. It just proves you don't need wild paint and wacky parts to knock'em dead.


You just don't get tired of looking at that SU. Clean lines, an Ironhead, and a big carb. Makes me think I'm looking at an old issue of Custom Chopper magazine.


It could have been featured in this issue.

The Best from Henry's St. Chopper Show, Part 1 Mike's Bike

First up, Mike D's (Born Loser blog), clean '54 Pre-Unit Triumph. Mike collects and sells only the coolest and rarest period parts on the planet so, his bikes get the Royal Treatment. Looking at this bike, you can't help thinking back to the days of the early 60's custom car/bike show scene.

Old Rules/NewRules: Keep it clean and simple! Webco fork covers, narrow 21, and finned spool hub are helping with the mission.


Engine features: RARE Finned timing cover, nickel plated cylinder, polished '59 Bonnieville head, twin chrome 930Amals, Lucas competition magneto, Wassel pipes, Superior trumpet tips and Chicago MC kicker pedal.


In Trumpet land, the pre-unit rigid is tops.


More Stuff!: Stelling & Helling bars, White tuck and roll Bates style seat, Chrome ribbed fender, Sissybar by Chica, 50's vintage airplane tail light, Superior side stand, and a primary cover w/inspection cover.


Vintage 4.5" KD head light. "We don't need no stinking risers". The stock U-bolt bar clamps do a fine job holding the bars down.


Wassel tank with paint by his bud J.Edwards.


The beauty of balance and symmetry.

I'll post more bikes at the show from time to time. Some of the best will be first and then we'll sort of trickle it down.