Long-Running Rigid | Custom 1976 Harley-Davidson FL Shovelhead
The bike started out as a 1976 FLH basket case but still a runner. I always liked the look of a crazy Frank fender and never had a chance to build one with split tanks. That’s when I decided that this was going to be the one. The whole thing started by throwing the frame in a jig and getting to work on the hardtail. Once that was finished I had the top end freshened up on the motor.
My original plan was to make it an electric-start with a stock ignition. Well, that didn’t happen. Jesse from Raw Iron called me out and said, “If you are going on the Hot Bike Tour you got to do kick only, with magneto, in a ridged shovel, with a foot clutch.” There was no way I was going to be called out like that, so after that it was on.
I had to build a 2-into-1 exhaust with a hooker muffler that fit the bike just right. Then after setting up the foot clutch, Fab Kevin hooked me up with one of his pistol grip jockey shifters. Next, I dug up a set of Invaders and had to machine the rear hub to make the juice drum work properly. For the front end I used a Narrow Glide dual disc sporty and spun the legs down with a set of +2 tubes. Fortunately, they already had a double-up head light assembly that just fit right.
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“If you are going on the Hot Bike Tour you got to do kick only, with magneto, in a ridged shovel, with a foot clutch.”
When it came time for bars, I had to go between a six bends and rabbit ears, but with a Chop Doc’s twist. Once I had a roller it was time to build the fender. I took the idea I had in my head and cut all the templates out of poster board and then plasma-cut it out of sheet steel and started welding. Next I put three Chop Doc’s sinker taillights in the backrest once it was finished.
Finally, I welded onto the seat I had made. The pan was made out of out of fiberglass, and then I sent it out to Kurt from Bare Bones Leather. When it came time for paint, that’s where Chop Doc’s shines. I laid out a fuchsia metalflake with white inlays and AMF tank stripes that turned out bitchin’.
After the bike was finally assembled, I added a quick wire and fire for ignition, and it was off to the Hot Bike Tour. This event was the best event I have been to in years.
Specifications | |
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General | |
Owner | Ron Harris |
Shop | Chop Doc’s Choppers |
Shop Phone | (248) 255-5095 |
Website | chopdocschoppers.com |
Year/Make/Model | 1976/Harley-Davidson/FL |
Fabrication | Chop Doc’s |
Build Time | 4 months |
Engine | |
Year/Type/Size | 1976/Shovelhead/80 in. |
Builder | O.G. |
Cases | H-D |
Cylinders | H-D |
Heads | H-D |
Rocker Boxes | H-D |
Cam(s) | Andrews J |
Carburetor | S&S E |
Air Cleaner | Swap-meet special |
Exhaust | 2-into-1 to a Hooker muffler |
Transmission | |
Year/Type | 1976/4-speed Cow Pie |
Gears | 4 |
Drive | BDL 1-1/2 drive |
Frame | |
Year/Type | 1976/hardtailed H-D FL frame |
Rake/Stretch | Stock |
Suspension | None |
Front end | Dual Disc Narrow Glide |
Length | +2 |
Triple Trees | H-D |
Swingarm | Rigid |
Wheels, Tires, and Brakes | |
Front | |
Builder/Size | Dual Disc Round Bar Invader/19 in. |
Tire/Size | Dunlop/19 in. |
Rear | |
Builder/Size | Round Bar Invader/16 in. |
Tire/Size | 16 |
Drum | Bendix Juice |
Finish/Paint | |
Manufacturer | Matrix System/HOS |
Colors | Fuchsia with metalflake |
Paint/Graphics | Super white inlays with AMF stripe and faded pinstripe with five white on tailsection around |
Powdercoating | Powder Kote Plus |
Accessories | |
Rear Fender | Chop Doc’s molded fender |
Gas Tank | 3.5 H-D split tanks |
Handlebars | Chop Doc’s roll backs |
Grips | Bottle caps |
Hand Controls | GMP |
Foot Controls | GMP |
Headlight | Dual |
Taillight | Chop Doc’s Sinkers |
License Mount | Molded Chop Doc’s |
Seat | Bare Bones Leather |