A Sporty To 20 Years Of Hookin'&Bookin'

Article By: GTP Photos By: Chris Callen

There is nothing uglier than a yellow bike. It’s an unsettling color that just screams “Look at me; I’m trying way too hard!” Just wrap that obnoxious pale pigment around any custom build, and it either comes off as a piece of construction equipment or some feminine attempt at individuality. Failing miserably, it seems to turn any bike into a bird that if you saw it, you would want to hit it full force with a tennis racket. A color so foul that it can take any bike and make it a bile-inducing pile of ugly parts, a bike so nasty that if your friends saw you riding it, they would throw rocks at you and shame your family. All yellow bikes are ugly and should be systematically removed from existence to never again leave a child quivering and scared, the images of abominable ugliness that will forever taint what would have been a splendid youth. ALL yellow bikes are ugly…. except this one. When the word came down from on high, and it was time to build a giveaway bike with collaborators, Twisted Tea, it was known that the evil yellow would be the dominant color and to pull it off would be nothing short of a miracle. Starting the wheel in motion at Flat Broke Chops and Rods the build eased forward. This was to be the bike that marked 20 years for the magazine and would end up with one lucky reader for life, so they couldn’t fail.

The project started with an excellent deal on a 1998 1200 Sportster in stock configuration. Before the wheels even hit the ground the skilled monkeys that make up the Cycle Source dream team gutted the bike, sent the motor and trans to Matt The Wrench for a good going through and reseal to make sure that the bike would be a reliable runner for the fortunate next owner. The decision was made to keep the drivetrain as stock as possible, so, except for a Daytona Twin Tech electronic ignition, all mechanical parts are in their stock configuration.

Turning their attention to the rest of the bike, the stock Sportster swing arm frame was cut to damn near non-existence and plans were made for their new frame dimensions. 6” up and 2” out with a 40-degree rake was the final decision, and the jig was set.

Over at Flat Broke, they had been messing with twisting steel and decided they would carry that theme throughout the bike. Chris and the boys didn’t want the massive amount of attention to be focused on any single part of the bike, so they decided to sprinkle the twisted pieces

of the bike all over to not have only that one element draw the focus. The plan was to build a bike for Twisted Tea WITHOUT a big stupid logo and still have it come off “A Little Twisted.”

Small sections of twists are incorporated into the frame. One section of the seat post, two parts of the rear frame section leading to the axle plates and two sections on the down tubes. Each section is simple and understated rather than elaborate and showy. This was a solid decision because with the color chosen they were already looking at a big yellow clown caresque build putting everything one extra twist away from being cheesy. Dangerous ground.

By this time the whole show was packed up and moved to RJ Powell’ss place, Cutting Edge Customs which became Cycle Source Central for the duration of the build, even producing an issue of the magazine from inside the shop.

Along with supplying the hardtail section and kicker, Led Sled Customs had a big part of the next stage of the build, the wheels. Based on a set of Led Sled Invader type wheels, Pat worked side by side with the crew. As the rest of the team were twisting the spokes, Pat would weld them in as they were made. The wheels are surprisingly light, weighing about the same as set of stock Sportster mags. They also balanced in without a problem. To fill in the gap on the roller they went with a springer front end by Twisted Choppers. The front legs are also twisted. A seat pan was tailored to fit, which they sent to Bare Bones

Owner: Twisted Tea City: Boston, MA Fabrication By: Cycle Source Magazine Year: 1998 Model: Sportster Value: Priceless Time: 3 Months

ENGINE

Year: 1998 Model: Harley-Davidson Sportster Builder: Matt The Wrench Ignition: Daytona Twintech Displacement: 80” Pistons: Stock Heads: Stock Cam(s): Stock Carb: Stock Air Cleaner: Lowbrow Customs Exhaust: Cycle Source Magazine Primary: Stock-Modified

Transmission

Year: 1998 Make: Harley-Davidson Shifting: Stock

FRAME

Year: 1998 Model:Sportster Modified Rake: 40° Stretch: 6 Up 2 Out Front end Type: Springer Builder: Twisted Choppers-Modified Extension: Way Out Triple Trees: Twisted Choppers WHEELS Front Wheel: Flat Broke Invaders Size: 21” Front Tire: Metzeler Front brake: None Rear Wheel: Flat Broke Invaders Size: 18” Rear Tire: Metzeler Rear Brake: PAINT Painter:Streets Customs Color:Yellow Type: Sherwin Williams/Paint Huffer Graphics:Casy-The Paint Chop chroming:Ride Wright Wheels ACCESSORIES bars: Rabbit Ears risers: Nope hand Controls: foot Controls: Fuel tank: Lowbrow- Modified oil tank: Led Sled-Modified Front fender: None rear fender: Trailer Fender- Modified Seat: Bare Bones Leather Headlight: Has One Taillight: That Too Speedo: None

Leather where Curt Green made it into the seat that now adorns it. The massive job of molding for paint and polishing for chrome was taken on by everyone that was working on the project as well as everyone walking through the door. Eventually, though the frame made it to Bob at Streets Customs for the paint and the rest went to Ride Wright Wheels where Sam did an exemplary job (as always) on the chroming. All the pressure in the world was on Bob Streets as he was left with the task of making the unfortunate color choice work. “I tried everything I could think of to get Twisted Tea to change their mind on the color choice, we all did. When that failed, I took the colors they had to have and after about a week of searching and comparing I finally just used my imagination and hoped for the best.” From there it was hours of custom taping and layering by all of them to get the design right.

With orange candy over silver flake top off with pinstriping from Case at The Paint Chop, the outcome looked promising. When the chrome arrived, final assembly began.

The result is nothing short of inspiring. The albatross of a color choice found itself surprisingly successful. Not too construction, not too carrying a purse. Somewhere in the dark recesses of the cosmos, a proper combination has been formulated, and the rare ‘good looking’ yellow bike is seen for one of the few times ever.

Heartfelt thanks is shared with everyone associated with the completion of the Cycle Source 20th AnniversaryTwisted Tea Giveaway bike. To everyone who gave their time and attention to the actual execution of this build and Bill Grotto at Twisted Tea for all the help with this build and all the things, this company has done for the motorcycling community. “GTP”

Article By: Xavier Muriel

well, my friends its here once again, that time of year when that jolly ol’ fellow who’s belly shakes like a bowl full of jelly to make his rounds to all of you who’ve been nice. To those who’ve been naughty, well you know who you are, so don’t be shocked when you find a lump of coal in your stocking instead of that new torque wrench you were hoping for. Not only is it the Yuletide season but it also marks the end of another year, and for many another riding season has come to a close. With a little more time on your hands hopefully you also find it a time to reflect on all that’s happened in the preceding short 365 days.

I’m not sure about you, but I don’t remember time flying by so fast when I was a kid. It seems the older we get, the quicker it goes by and the more I have to remind myself that time is precious. 2017 has been such an incredible journey, full of many accomplishments and a plethora of fond memories that I will keep close

to my heart and in the forefront of my mind coming into 2018. With each new year, I try my damndest to surpass the one before it in one way or another. Change played a tremendous part in the last year for me. Having moved back to Texas to be closer to family has proven to be blessing and a challenge at the same time. Nothing’s the same after your gone for 14 years, my sleepy ‘lil town is now a thriving metropolis of tollways, flyovers, strip malls and more apartment complexes than you can shake a stick at. Kinda reminds me of the concrete jungle I left back in So Cal. Despite all of the changes, there is always something familiar about my town. It’s an ease factor that’s hard to replicate anywhere else. The fundamental feeling is still there; it’s just under all the hustle and bustle. Once again, I am reminded to slow down and be in the presence of what and who is front of me. They say some of the greatest things are “born out of necessity’’ and I for one truly believe that now more than

ever.

Little by little, I’m setting up my shop, so I can get back to doing what I love, as well as back in the saddle with music. The oath I took for myself to take some time off from touring and music has come to an end, so now I approach both passions wide the f*#k open!!! Who knows what the future holds? After all, who ever said you can’t have it all? You just have to bust your ass to get it and know that no one is going to do it for you.

I’ve been given some great gifts this year from not only my mentors in the motorcycle industry but also the music biz, the gift of knowledge and experience. I learned and now honestly believe that you only get what you put into it. Limitations are created solely by the person who puts belief in them. I’m sure anyone who’s reading this has had at least one person in their life say, “It can’t be done’’ well, I say prove them wrong! Believe in yourself and your passion, after all, there’s only one of you. So be yourself, everyone else is taken and live with passion.

Until next time, God Bless and Safe riding... X.