One Big Motor Shovelhead Chopper
Back in the 1980s this bike was originally built by Kenny Flack, the owner of The Hog Shop, which was a small bike shop in Spring City, Pennsylvania. Kenny specialized in building big motors, and this was a bike that he built for himself. The 1975 Shovel motor is stroked with a set of big-bore cylinders, and the pistons are gas ported to provide a little more compression. The heads were machined, ported, and polished on a flow bench built by Kenny. The motor is sucking in air through a modified super B carb with an accelerator pump off a Holley carb. Then, for a little extra kick, a nitrous bottle strapped to the side. The tranny had gears back cut to stop any slipping out. The frame is a Jammer attached to an early FX front end.
Kenny had the bike on the road for several years then tore it apart for a rebuild, when an unfortunate swimming-pool accident left Kenny virtually paralyzed from the neck down. His shop and all of its assets, including this bike, were sold through an auction. The bike was bought by a friend of his who actually left the bike in Kenny’s hands. Being that it was in pieces and he was no mechanic, the bike sat for several years and remained in Kenny’s garage.
I was introduced to Kenny through a mutual friend, and after several pleasant encounters he showed me this beautiful machine still sitting in his garage. It was love at first sight, and I knew we had to get this bike back on the road.
With some mechanical coaching from Kenny, I spent the next couple of months putting the ’75 back together. I was in my early 20s at the time and just getting started in bike building.
Once the motor and tranny were back together, and with a little tweaking here and there, the bike was ready to go. After adding a gallon of airplane fuel and some kicking she fired right up! I ripped around on the bike for several months while working on other bikes in Kenny’s basement, which we eventually turned into a small shop. Ultimately, the true owner of the bike (who bought it at the auction) wanted it since it was now running great. Sadly, it left my hands.
I moved on and started working for Cycle Stop in Norristown, Pennsylvania, thanks to the owner, Bob Holmes, who has had it since what seems like the beginning of time.
A few years later, with some wheeling and dealing the owner, I finally ended up buying it. I freshened the bike up, put in a new ignition, and it was back on the road again. Over the years she has been on and off the road but still hasn’t changed much. She is still lean and mean.
Specifications | |
---|---|
General | |
Owner: | Jon Ketcham |
Shop: | The Hog Shop |
Shop Phone: | (610) 476-6840 |
Year/Make/Model: | 1975/Harley-Davidson/FX |
Fabrication: | Kenny Flack and Jon Ketcham |
Build Time: | 1 year |
Engine | |
Year/Type/Size: | 1975/H-D/98ci |
Builder: | Kenny Flack and Jon Ketcham |
Cases: | H-D |
Cylinders: | S&S 3-5/8 |
Heads: | H-D Ported & Polished |
Rocker Boxes: | H-D |
Cams: | Andrews C Grind |
Throttle Body: | Super B Carb |
Air Cleaner: | S&S |
Exhaust: | Paughco Shotgun |
Transmission | |
Year/Type: | 1975/H-D 4-speed |
Gears: | Andrews |
Clutch: | Rivera |
Primary Drive: | Primo 2 in. belt drive |
Frame | |
Year/Type: | ’80s Jammer |
Rake/Stretch: | 38°/2-1/2 stretch |
Suspension | |
Front End | |
Length: | 6 in. over |
Triple Trees: | Stock H-D |
Rear Shocks: | Hardtail |
Wheels, Tired, & Brakes | |
Front End | |
Builder/Size: | H-D/19 in. |
Tire/Size: | Avon Speed Master/3.25 x 19 in. |
Calipers: | H-D |
Rotors: | Russel |
Rear | |
Builder/Size: | Kelsey-Hayes Drop Center/16 in. |
Tire/Size: | Avon Venom/150/80/16 |
Caliper: | Grimeca |
Rotor: | Russell 10 in. |
Finish/Paint | |
Manufacturer | Dupont |
Colors: | Black |
Paint/Graphics: | Orange Pinstripe |
Plating/Polishing: | Browns |
Powdercoating: | Big D Frisco |
Accessories | |
Rear Fender: | Drag Specialties |
Gas Tank: | ’70s Sportster |
Dash: | Early ’70s H-D |
Gauges: | Early ’70s H-D |
Handlebars: | H-D Buckhorn |
Grips: | H-D |
Mirrors: | H-D |
Foot Controls: | H-D Mid-controls |
Headlight: | H-D |
Taillight: | Drag Specialties |
License Mount: | Custom Side Mount |
Seat: | Corbin |