This build was one that we at Bonneville Baggers are very proud of. We started with a 2001 Road King FLHRI that we bought unsure of what we were going to do with in the beginning. My right-hand man Jared “Dirty” Dursteler and I are always having brainstorming sessions, but we still didn’t have an idea that stood out. That got me thinking, and the thought of a lowrider tribute bike came to mind. I was talking with Pete Macias from Pegasus Car Club about the idea of a tribute bike to a sick-ass lowrider. The car I picked was a 1961 Chevrolet Impala convertible called “Stairway 2 Heaven.” I started talking with Pete and exchanged ideas back and forth for months through the entire build.

First thing I did was place a call to the mero mero master of pintura and striping king “El Jefe” Danny D. in Baldwin Park, California. I explained to him what I wanted to do and he thought it was a sick idea. With the master on board, we were off to do what we do: OG gangster lowrider-style Viclas. Danny enlisted the help of the fabrication team at Engle Bros. from Fountain Valley, California. They stretched the fenders 3-1/2 inches in the front and 5-1/2 inches in the rear.

This lowrider draws inspiration from a 1961 Chevorlet Impala convertible called “Stairway 2 Heaven.”

John Zamora

Now to order the parts. After they arrived, it was time to crack the engine open and see what we were working with. Stock is no good, so we tore it all down and did a fresh engine rebuild with new cams and 95ci pistons jugs as well—sent out to be diamond cut for that extra bling. We like to say our Viclas don’t just look good but they move too. Therefore, they’re both show and go.

Pinstriping was done by striping king “El Jefe” Danny D.

John Zamora

Next, we redid the front end with a single caliper conversion, 13-inch spoke-cut rotor, HHI six-piston caliper, 21 x 3.50 twisted spoke wheel, and new Metzler rubber front and rear. We added Carlini 18-inch Gangster Apes with internal throttle from Exile Cycles with Arlen Ness controls for that clean look. Engle Bros. made a custom set of slip-ons with 42-inch-long clamshells. We also had Joe from California Upholstery make a custom seat with the exact same material and pattern as the car.

A stock engine is no good, so it was rebuilt with new cams and 95ci pistons jugs as well.

John Zamora

When Danny D. said the paint was ready, we jumped in the car to drive to California. We don’t trust shippers, since something always happens. A few weeks later we killed it at the Torres Empire Show in Los Angeles. Everyone, including my dad, came out to support me.

Joe from California Upholstery matched the material of the seat of the lowrider to the Impala’s.

John Zamora

I would like to thank my boy Pete “Stairway 2 Heaven,” El Jefe/el mero mero/the master of pintura Danny D., my lovely wife Yolanda, my kids, my right-hand man Jared “Dirty “Dursteler,” and the Bonneville Baggers guys Paul and Digger for all the help and support at the shows. Also thanks to John Z. for always looking out and shooting our builds.

“We like to say our Viclas don’t just look good but they move too. Therefore they’re both show and go.”

John Zamora

Specifications
General
Owner	Manny Armendarez
Shop	Bonneville Baggers
Shop Phone	(208) 881-2517
Website	bonnevillebaggers.com
Year/Make/Model	2001/Harley-Davidson/Road King
Fabrication	Engle Bros.
Build Time	9 months
Engine
Year/Type/Size	2001/H-D/95ci
Builder	Bonneville Baggers
Cases	H-D
Cylinders	H-D
Heads	H-D
Rocker Boxes	H-D
Cams	H-D
Throttle Body	H-D
Air Cleaner	Arlen Ness Stage 1 Big Sucker
EFI Controller	H-D
Exhaust	True Dual Headers with custom fabricated 42-in. clamshell slip-ons By Engle Bros. Fabrication
Transmission
Year/Type	2001/H-D
Gears	5-speed
Clutch	H-D
Primary Drive	H-D
Frame
Year/Type	2001/H-D
Rake/Stretch	Stock
Suspension
Front End	H-D
Length	Stock
Triple Trees	H-D
Swingarm	H-D
Rear Shocks	Bonneville Baggers Air Ride
Wheels, Tires, and Brakes
Front
Builder/Size	DNA/21 x 3.5
Tire/Size	Metzler ME 880 MH90 21
Calipers	HHI 6-piston
Rotors	13-in. custom-cut spoke
Rear
Builder/Size	DNA/18 in.
Tire/Size	Metzler ME 880 130/90/16
Caliper	H-D
Rotor	H-D
Pulley	H-D
Finish/Paint
Manufacturer	Axalta
Colors	Danny D. Special Blend
Paint/Graphics	Danny D.
Plating/Polishing	Rayco Plating
Accessories
Front Fender	Custom Stretch Engle Bros Fab 4-1/2
Rear Fender	Custom Stretch Engle Bros Fab 5-1/2
Gas Tank	H-D
Dash	Road King Custom
Gauges	H-D flush-mount gauges and caps
Handlebars	20-in. Carlini Gangster Apes
Grips	Arlen Ness
Hand Controls	Arlen Ness Rad III
Foot Controls	Eddie Trotta Diamond Cut Spiked
Floorboards	Eddie Trotta Diamond Cut
Headlight	H-D
Taillight	Shot Gun LED
Turn Signals	Shot Gun
Seat	Big Joe California Upholstery