I probably mentioned several times, I'm a huge fan from the chopper era, West Coast Choppers, Motorcycle Mania, Biker Build-Off are all my heroes when I was still in school, the wild, fat rear tire, high handlebars, frisco tank, etc. Is one of those pinnacle of badass-ness in my idea of custom bikes.
So when a custom came to my shop and point at one of my softail builds, and says, "How can you top that one?" The only rule is the riding position needs to be easy, but other than that is basically an open brief. I know I have to do a fat tire chopper.
For that said, with Taiwan's super strict rule of no frame modification, it's technically can't be called a chopper since I won't be able to chop the frame. I can only do the most chopper feel with the stock geometry.
So the goal is basically "To build something with vintage chopper silhouette but if you see up close it's all top race elements through out.
As distanced as it might look, but I actually took inspiration from two of my favorite builds, Grande Moco by Roland Sands Design and Sturgis Special by West Coast Choppers in Motorcycle Mania 2. I believe Roland Sands is one of the first to push the "Performance Chopper" idea, with use of high performance parts with Harley chopper/bobber builds, still deeply embedded in my philosophy. As for the WCC bike I just can't help keep thinking of that tall riser plus street handlebars look. To 20 years ago Winston that's just pure badass!
Now back to the build, I simply try to find every top of the line pieces but everything needs to fit in the silhouette I set up to do. The new M8 Softail Fatboy already comes with 240 rear tire stock, so it's a perfect starting place, BST Carbon Fiber wheels, as a long partner they proposed a custom molding for 8.0x17' wheels instead of chopper standard 18', so it can fit the 240-17' Pirelli that designed for Ducati Diavel, and the front with 3.5x17' 5 spokes for that vintage invader style look. BERINGER once again came through with the 4D system to have those vintage chopper small drum brake look, with 4D system requires custom brackets, Ohlins provided the Universal forks so I can make my own caliper brackets. Rebuffini not only provide the CAN-BUS capable hand controls, but also the tall risers, which comes in the perfect look for what I'm looking for and also house the HD streetbob gauge.
After the base was setup, the rest is just to shape the metal works to my vision. And the signature Rough Crafts style finish now got extra special with one off silver badging by our good friend 2 Abnormal Sides, which not only include the owner's name, even his personal logos all over.
The hardest part for this over the top request is, how to add more but don't want it to be a flashing parts display. So I was very careful to pick and choose what part to use and where to be shiny and where should be subtle. But still something for the owner to be proudly riding it.
