McQuiston's Chopper Design Cone Shovel

in a sea of flaked out Panheads and million dollar Knuckles, it’s refreshing to see what the cone Shovelhead guys are doin’. While everyone is trying to emulate those builders from the past or assembling bikes that look like farm tractors those Shovel guys are taking their bikes and making them cooler and improving on the original without the constraints that accompany one of the more choppular genny bikes.

The acquisition of a cone Shovel is usually just something that happens instead of getting a second mortgage just to buy a set of blown apart cases.

They are either a “deal too good to pass up’ or

‘thrown in with a bunch of other shit.’ You never hear of anybody going into financial ruin over a cone

Shovel, and when they’re dialed in, they are the most power capable of all the iron cylinder models.

But Shovelhead guys don’t care about all that, they just like their Cone Shovels.

This one belongs to Ryan McQuiston of

McQuiston’s Chopper Design on the left coast in Long Beach California. He scored this from a customer who wanted to go the genny route. Yeah, thrown in with a bunch of other shit…sorta. The bike had fallen victim to some ham-fisted hardtailing and was as crooked as a Clinton. A revamp of epic proportions was in its future and as the sparks flew the frame was cut apart stripping it of everything sans the engine cradle.

This wasn’t Ryans first build and he knew what he wanted out of this bike from the start. Knowing that he wanted a hardtail with some ground clearance that would handle great and be as comfortable as possible with the rigid frame.

Mounting the M&H ribbed drag slick on the rear the enormous sidewall was twofold. One for the ground clearance as stated before and to improve the overall ride. Having the ass end that high allowed the rake to be set at 43° with a 14 over 41mm front end.

The single 2” downtube sets the neck 6” up with 1.3” out all to keep the bike radical but ridable. The frame was then molded. The axed alien tank is heavily molded into the backbone with only a skim-coat of putty on the all steel construction.

Although they weren’t reinventing the wheel on this bike, Ryan wanted to use it to show off what can be done inhouse at the shop. Everything, according to Ryan, except chroming and upholstery was done on site. That includes the simple cream and black paint that will look good on this bike for years to come.

The 80” motor was given a complete rebuild replacing all the worn parts creating a fresh streetable motor. With an electronic ignition, an S&S Super E and appropriate Jim’s cam; the bike starts first or second kick all day long. Speaking of kickers, the rebuilt four-speed kick only

ratchet top trans is connected to the motor via a Primo ProClutch and narrow belt drive configuration.

Like I stated before, above all this is a bike that is ridden and this one is ridden hard. A fist full of throttle is great but if you can’t stop it’ll do more than ruin your day. Enter the appearance of good brakes. One of the endless upsides to building a Shovel chopper is that you aren’t limited to antiquated brakes stopping every once in a while when the moon is full. Nope, Ryan went with the Performance Machine brake ensemble front, and rear attached to 80 spoke wheels on both ends.

Ryan says this might be the most comfortable hardtail he’s ever ridden. With the geometry

Owner: Ryan McQuiston City: Long Beach, CA Fabrication By: Ryan McQuiston Year: 1970 Model: FLH Value: Time: 5 Months

ENGINE

Year: 1970 Model: Shovelhead Builder: Ryan McQuiston Ignition: Dyna S Displacement: 80” Pistons: CP Heads: Harley-Davidson Cam(s): Jim’s Carb: S&S Super E Air Cleaner: Velocity Stack Exhaust: V-Twin Primary: Rivera Primo

Transmission

Year: 1970 Make: Harley-Davidson Shifting: 1 Up 3 Down, Go Fast FRAME

Year: 1970 Model:H-D Shovelhead, Molded Rake: 40° Stretch: 6 Up 1.5 Out Front end Type: Wide Glide Builder: Ryan McQuiston Extension: +14” Triple Trees: Harley-Davidson WHEELS

Front Wheel: 80 Spoke Size: 21” Front Tire: Firestone Front brake: Performance Machine Rear Wheel: 80 Spoke Size: 16” Rear Tire: M&H Rear Brake: Performance Machine

PAINT Painter:Ryan McQuiston Color:Black & Cream Type: Graphics:None chroming:None

ACCESSORIES bars: 14” Ape Hanger risers: Flanders hand Controls: Performance Machine foot Controls: Harley- Davidson Fuel tank: Alien Axe oil tank: Harley- Davidson Front fender: None rear fender: McQuiston’s Chopper Designs Seat: McQuiston’s Chopper Designs Headlight: Taillight: Speedo: None

set from the start, the 14 over telescopic Wide Glide front end set with the proper numbers still functions even with the extension and rake. Reports have it that there isn’t even any front-end flop and that goes to show you what is possible if you do your homework.

Ryan has nothing but good things to say about his choices on the bike both aesthetically and mechanically. So happy in fact, he has plans to reuse this design on future bikes. The only complaint he might have is that with the slightest moisture on the road the rear tire (drag slick) the sudden lack of control is downright horrifying.

This bike will be making the rounds on the show circuit as well as being ridden hard every chance he gets. Keep your eye out if you’re around Long Beach for this slick ride and if you have any interest in this or future builds hit up Ryan at McQuiston’s Chopper Design.

Hello Friends, I hope your Holidays were filled with family and friends and oh, let’s not forget all the of fantastic food. Man, if I don’t see another sugar cookie till the next holiday season it will be too soon... Don’t get me wrong,

I’m a lover of the sweeter things in life just like the next fella, but when everyone you know shows up to dinner with those round tins full of cookies you know, they will break them out right after dinner and BAM your off to the races. This year was entirely different for me because in years past I would be here just long enough to spend Christmas with my family and then quickly head back on the road to finish out the year. But not this year. I got to spend some great quality time reminiscing with friends I hadn’t seen since high school about the good old days when all we really worried about was having enough money for gas and which girl we were gonna ask out that weekend.

My how things have changed. In all those travels down memory lane I realized that the golden nugget of my timeline is that I have friends all across the United States that have touched my life; I also like to think I’ve had a positive effect on theirs as

well. After all, isn’t that what they say, “the greatest gift is Friendship’’.

During the holiday season, I was asked by my pal, Krystal Hess, to stop by Voodoo Vintage here in Austin Texas, makers of frames and front ends for Import and American motorcycles. Krystal heads up a nonprofit organization called “Motorcycle Missions” that help Veterans and First Responders with PTSD find hope and healing through motorcycling. This was the first I’ve heard of this organization and was very honored and excited to see what they had going on. When I arrived, I was greeted by Krystal who made me feel right at home and wasted no time introducing me to Dave, owner of Voodoo Vintage, and all the amazing men and women who were veterans and first responders. These men and women, under the guidance of Chris Moos from Misfit Industries and Dave from Voodoo, are given hands-on experience learning the ins and outs of bike building. Kyrstal, Chris, and Dave teach them everything that a ground-up custom bike build requires.

The night I was there the crew was busy mocking up the exhaust using one of Chris’s fantastic systems. I have never

seen such a bitchin’ and flawless way to create an exhaust from scratch. I stood and watched with amazement as a veteran, who hours earlier had no concept of how to build an exhaust, created a set of pipes. I had several excellent conversations with the other men and women who share the same love and passion for Motorcycles that I have.

Being able to connect with complete strangers, who day in and day out place their lives on the line so that we can be safe and free is a feeling I will never forget. Watching the joy in their eyes as they connect with not only the machine but other humans, made me feel a bit of shame that sometimes I take for granted the blessings and talents I have. Let’s just say the little time I spent with those folks had a very lasting impression on me and I walked away from that experience with a whole new perspective on a great many things...

Thank You, Krystal, Chris, Dave and all the Veterans and First Responders I met that night. You have helped me look at life through a fresh pair of glasses. If you want to learn more, keep up with or better yet support the mission check them out at motorcycle-missions.org

Until next time Brothers and Sisters be kind to one another and ride safe...God Bless X.