1958 panhead chopper7/7/2023 The blackened calipers are PM four-spotters squeezing on the H-D discs rear brake is the same caliper breed only single disc format. Nestled between the fork legs is a 21-inch, Akront, alloy, chrome-spokes-laced-rim shod with Metzeler rubber.īringing this ride to a halt is where the twin disc brake set up earns its keep. They’ve been accessorised with Avon knurled rubber grips and H-D levers. The Wide Glide front-end has several additions starting with the 6-inch risers that hold down the 70’s style, flat drag-bars. Rear rim is a Genuine 16 inch Centerline-now they’re hard to find-and it suits this bike to a T and shod with Bridgestone 150/80 rubber.Ībove that is the modified H-D duck-tail guard fitted with a cats-eye tail-light. He told me, “There’s a fine art to getting this bike ready to rumble and ride.” If the position of the lever ain’t at 9-10 (o’clock) then he could see himself becoming a human dart ending up in his roller door… head first!Īn early H-D-type, open-belt primary-drive adds to the transferring raw power and presentation of this rigid chopper. Knowing the potential to bite back, Freddy is well aware of this engine’s demand of respect. The cog-cruncher is an H-D, four-speed, ratchet-lid fitted with a Pro clutch operational via a jockey shift and it’s a kicker. It all adds up to a 93 cube output which is an impressive figure for a Panhead powerplant. “Keeps the Jappas honest!”Īnd emitting the spent gasses into the atmosphere is via the custom drag pipes. “It gets used on a regular basis,” says Freddy. A good addition in getting there quicker when called upon. The nitrous bottle is simply throttle-in-a-bottle. Spark duties are fulfilled by the Mallory electronic distributor. Juice extractor is more from S&S in the shape of the E-series Shorty carby fitted with chrome tear-drop air-cleaner. Cases are by House of Horsepower valves and springs are by Black Diamond. Andrews hydraulic cams were married up to the Panhead barrels having a 4 1/2 inch stroke and 3 3/8 inch bore. It’s got 1958-62 genre heads that are as far away from stock as possible. The engine was taken to H-D Development where Steve pulled it down and gave it a new life. He’s more of the go-with-a-little-bit-of-show no saturation of bling or boutique eye candy! He’s not a fan of the fancy street custom stuff but respects each to their own. Regardless, when he purchased it, Freddy planned on getting it to a new level of performance with respect to its history not being forgotten.įreddy likes his rides hard and fast and expects his rides to be able to perform at peak performance without any excuses this is no exception to that policy. This hard-edged performance, old-school ride was put together over a period of time which Freddy eventually got on the road without too much stress attached… Yeah right! Any bike rebirth is never a stress-free situation. He’s a straight-up type without being arrogant and very content to throw the leg over and trundle around or go for a hard slog regardless of the roads and conditions… a real rider. And just for some extra riding points… it’s foot-clutch and jockey-shift operated! That’ll give you an idea as to what this traditional styled chopper is capable of doing be that on the strip or street!įreddy is the owner he’s had it in his possession for some time now. It used to run 11-seconds through the traps 124 mph on the quarter-mile drag -strip. Here’s a question… “How many road registered bikes do you know have been in a world drag-racing championship?” Well many years ago this one was! THERE IS a lot of history in this ride, stuff that makes its owner wear a badge of honour… and very proud to own! Over time it’s been a sand dragger and also seen plenty of bitumen at the drag strip.
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