There are a handful of builders in the US—and beyond—that I truly admire. Some just because of the people they are (who also build bitchin’ bikes) and some for their genuine, unique style, even if that style isn’t something I’d personally do or own myself. It’s always been easy to follow and ride the trends—but to buck the cookie-cutter slash cake decorator takes someone with a deep passion for all things two-wheeled. Jeff Wright is that someone.

Under the Church of Choppers banner, Wright has been twisting wrenches—and twisting bike themes—for as long as I can recall. When Jeff first acquired his Lowrider ST last year, I could only imagine what CoC twist he was going to give it, if any at all. Then he debuted it at Mama Tried, and the eyebrows were immediately raised. So, instead of me trying to interpret his masterful manipulation, I tossed him a handful of questions and let him run.

Hot Bike:

What was your initial inspiration to acquire and subsequently “build” your ST? (Was your intention to build a custom, or did you initially buy it just to have/ride?)

Jeff Wright:

The Low Rider ST was acquired to ride. I took it out to Colorado a few times and put about 5k flawless miles on it. One day I came home to a shitload of boxes from Harley… A friend mentioned I had a gift coming a few weeks prior. I forgot. When I started opening the boxes, I soon realized it was a complete 131 kit. Seriously I was like “Damn it!” Thank you, but “Damn!” Having an unmolested, brand-new Harley under warranty was dope AF. But, at that point, I pretty much knew the bike would get butchered.

HB:

Had you ridden the new Softail/M8 platform prior? And if so, what was your impression?

JW:

I had never ridden a new M8 before purchasing it, so no.

HB:
Let’s talk about your “aesthetic” modifications first: tell me more about the rear fender, the fairing, etc. and how you came up with the patina finish.

JW:

My wife does not ride with me, so I have no need for a rear seat and I could not look at the bike and not think its Softail. So, the fender was natural. I got rid of the inner fairing and smoothed it out. Cut a big hole and fiberglassed up an outlet for some dual headlights. Made some brackets and purchased another ST light. The paint is purely out of just being flat broke and tired. Walkers Way Paint cleared my work. It gives me the opportunity to paint it any way I like if I win the lottery.

HB:
I’m probably more interested in the performance modifications though–let’s talk about what you did, from the drivetrain to the suspension & brakes etc. And why.

JW:

It’s a laundry list. Speed Merchant aluminum swing arm with a Fox Shock. Five-spoke aluminum wheels by Jade AF and [true] Brembo radial brakes with ABS deleted. Legends fork internals inside Nitrite tubes and Custom Cycle Engineering lowers. SM Rear-sets. Leather seat by Rich Phillips. ODI Bars with Brembo controls. Gas cap from Race Component Development. Mishimoto oil cooler with some custom mounts. Front Fender and side covers from Los Angeles Fairing Co. New oil lines (Earls) routed to be off the heads. A Racefit can with CoC mids linked to Screamin’ Eagle head pipes for the exhaust, along with the 131 kit. I have been bouncing from the Screamin’ Eagle to the Alloy Art Air Box trying to find out which one I like better. Slimmed up and raised gas tank, tiny little German turn signals, and some Baxter Grips. I moved the bags forward, and narrowed the profile of them by 2 inches, and gave them a little tilt forward. Oh yeah, why … Because I want my friends to say ‘“Wow!” Or maybe I just wanted a hot rod Harley. Or because more than likely I have a problem. From the first bike I put together, I run by “If it doesn’t make it stop or go, off with it.” Less weight equals more ponies.

HB:

Tell me about the difference between dealer-fresh Lowrider ST and the CoC’d ST … I’m gonna assume much better, but how and why? Anything you’d do differently or are planning to change/update?

JW:

My honest answer is the stock ST was way better before I fucked it up. Now it snarls, spins it up, and skids to a stop. I plan to change the oil and ride it to work and shop and maybe finance another HD for cross country rides. Ha!

HB:

Lastly, why the red and blue ano?

JW:

In 1979 I watched my neighbors work on a jacked-up ‘68 Camaro and never forgot those Red and Blue fittings. I’m confident that Burt Reynolds, The Chi-Town Hustler, and Richard Petty probably used them also.

Words: Rob Fortier