2009 Custom Chopper

What was your intended objective when you started the build?

I wanted a unique custom chopper that I had not seen before. I wanted to make sure that it was not a bike that could be built by just buying parts out of a catalog and bolting the together. I saw an ad years ago in a bike magazine that was a picture of a guy’s greasy hands with tools laying on the ground. I think it was for Bel-Ray Oil. The caption read “Some people write their autobiographies. I built mine.” That’s what I wanted!!

What motivated you to start your project?

This is version 2.0 of the bike. Originally I was motivated by a buddy of mine who was willing to teach me how to design and build a bike from the ground up. I wanted a panhead rigid chopper. I was influenced by Indian Larry’s bikes. The motivation was to learn how to build a bike and hang out with my friend while I learned. Version 1.0 of the bike took a year working part-time on it. After an electrical short that required rewiring the bike, it was decided to tweak it to achieve more custom parts and learn from earlier decisions.

What was the most unique and creative thing you did to the bike?

There are a lot of unique things about the bike. Electric starter plus kicker. Hand-stitched saddle with logo and mounted on shocks. Hand-turned brass pushrod covers. Brass bezels on headlamp and turn signals. Hidden speedo/tach/indicator lights built into handlebar clamp. Hand modified custom air cleaner cover with brass screen inserts. Sparto taillight molded into rear fender. Coil wires crossed (hence Crossfire, also close to my last name). In-frame wiring harness. Customized sissy bar/rear fender mount. Push button lighted electrical switches on coil mounting bracket. Hidden kill switch under seat on frame gusset. Customized oil tank/battery box and cover. Dished gas tank with brass fittings. Hand-made stainless steel oil lines

I think the air cleaner cover, molded taillight, oil lines and custom electricals are the most unique features of the many custom parts on this bike. They were all created by hand – from scratch.

What are you most proud of?

All the custom parts that we designed and fabricated. I’m proud to show people my two hands when they ask who built the bike. Also very proud that this was a backyard build without fancy machines, just a work table and tools for the most part. Version 1.0 was actually built using saw horses and 4×4’s!

What do other people say about your motorcycle?

Women seem to comment on the custom seat, the paint scheme and color and the chrome. Bikers comment on the engine and all the custom fabricated features.

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Submitted by: Rich Crossfield

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Specifics

Classification: Chopper/Bobber

Fondly known as: Crossfire

Time spent: 1 yr part-time

Motorcycle cost: n/a

Money spent: More than I will publicly admit

Engine: S&S 88″ customized Panhead. Machined and tuned by Accurate Engineering.

Intake: S&S Super E carburetor.

Exhaust: Hand-built 2″ drag pipes with slash cut ends.

Transmission: 5-speed kicker transmission. Rivera Primo Brute III 3″ open belt drive. Custom fabricated belt guard. ? clutch.

Frame: Mid-USA Rigid 34 degree rake

Suspension: Rigid. What suspension?!

Wheels, tires and brakes: 60 spoke chrome wheels. 21″ front wheel, 18″ rear wheel. Modified HD calipers. Floating rotors.

Finish – Paint: House of Kolor Kandy Apple Red over Silver base. Ivory inlay on dished gas tank. Custom pinstriping on tank, front and rear fenders, battery box cover.

Accessories: 12″ Buckhorn handlebars. Harley grips. Custom hand switches.