10 TOOLS YOU
SHOVELHEAD
NEED
PLUS GROUND-UP SPORTY BUILD PART 2 > BLINGIN’ BAGGER FRONT-END TECH DIY HI-FLOW AIR CLEANER BOLT-ON > FXR/DYNA POLICE SADDLEBAG INSTALL
MODIFIED
GRANDDADDY’S
HOLY GRAIL 2016 HOT BIKE TOUR EDITORÕS PICK
32 / HOTBIKE.COM
WORDS: BOB KAY PHOTOS: JOHN ZAMORA WORDS: CHRIS “TICE” THEIS PHOTOS: CHRIS MCMORROW
G
rowing up, my grandfather owned a 1929 JDH that he ordered from the factory—all white with gold stripes. At the time it represented the holy grail of motorcycles for me. A couple years ago my youngest brother passed away, and I had built him an FL-style bike out of a 1979 FX I picked up from another buddy, Dave Perewitz. About 30 years ago my buddy Lou Trachtenberg, the founder of STD, was working on alternator/ generator cases. I bought a setup for an EVO top end, and he gave me a setup for a Shovel top end. So with all the parts I had been saving for the past 30 years I now had a frame, the top end, and crank assembly and could begin this tribute project to my granddaddy’s 1929 JDH.
MAY 2017 / 33
ICONIC
Super Surprise Goes Flat CARISSA ROCKWELL’S 1947 FLATHEAD CUSTOM
HOT BIKE: HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THE BIKE? CARISSA ROCKWELL: Since 2013. HB: WHAT MADE YOU BUILD THIS BIKE? CR: My father and his crew, specifically Mr. Richard Linn from Groton Cycle Center, built the bike for me. It was a surprise gift for me that was put in a local motorcycle show at the Syracuse, New York, swap meet. When it took first place, they called my name to collect the plaque. That’s when I found out about the surprise build. HB: WHAT KIND OF LOOK WERE YOU GOING FOR? CR: Old-school bobber look of the 1960s. HB: WHAT IS DIFFERENT RIDING A FLATHEAD? CR: Of course the look and sound are different, but so is the feel. It’s a nostalgic feeling you get; it forces you to focus on the ride, the road, and yourself. There’s no interruptions, no worries. Just you and the opportunity for whatever the open road brings.
38 / HOTBIKE.COM
HB: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THIS BIKE? CR: The short history I have with it so far. I can’t say that I don’t enjoy the looks, questions, and surprises on people’s faces when I lift my leg around it and pull my helmet off. Not to mention its pretty color. HB: HOW DO PEOPLE REACT WHEN THEY SEE THE BIKE? CR: All smiles, of course! It’s a bike you can’t resist asking questions about. I welcome the curiosity and conversations.
RIPPER
WORDS: KENNY PIEFER PHOTOS: JOHN ZAMORA
SINBAD BOULDER CHOPPERS’ PART HARLEY, PART SUZUKI CUSTOM FXR
46 //HOTBIKE.COM HOTBIKE.COM
3/4 SOLO SEAT FO R
I ND IA N
®
S COU T
®
FEATURED SEAT ~ DIAMOND STITCH CUSTOM THREAD COLORS AND COVERINGS AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR CUSTOM SEAT PROGRAM. SEE YOUR DRAG SPECIALTIES DEALER.
Manufactured by Drag Specialties in the U.S.A.
seats.dragspecialties.com