Traditional 60s chopper,
no reduced sidevalve-bobber,
no overload 70s chopper.
2008
Ironheads, the most interesting Harleys.
You can chop them without getting the hate from your Neighbour, you can find parts for them without selling your life. You can have fun with them, as with any other Harley and they have potential, lots of potential for any of yout building ideas.
The first time I built an Ironhead like a motorcycle should look in my dreams. I feel at home on it. It fits perfectly.
The second Ironhead offered me the same and so did the third Ironhead in my life, and this is what she looks like.
A wild, fast, loud motorcycle.
When I ride her, I am her and nothing else, a seldom state.
Fast enough to lose your life when you aren't carefully. Loud enough to leave away the horn.
And she is slim like a motorcycle should be. Cars can be big.
With a motorcycle I should easily get through traffic, to be the first at the signal light during the rush-hour. No wide handlebars, no wide foot-rests, no big tires.
And when the light turns green, it should be far away before the angry guy in the car next to you shifts in first gear.
Traditional 60s chopper, no reduced sidevalve-bobber, no overload 70s chopper. It's the high time of fast street-motorcycles, without the dominance of the look. Pure.
Fotografien | Sebastian Skiba
Frame: main section: orig.'61 XLCH Harley-Davidson with a fork-stop modification on the steering-head for the newer fork, rear section: KR-style bolt-on hardtail
fork: '99 Evo-Sportster with single disc-brake
engine: orig. 55cui '61 XLCH, complete rebuild with chromed S&S-carb and homemade air-cleaner
bars: homemade out of 4 drag-bars
wheels: 21“ front, 16“ rear
mufflers: two trumpets, one on each side
seat: red metalflake solo
gas tank: 70s/80s custom ribbed
fenders: front: without, rear: british front fender, zinc-plated and polished with homemade struts
lights: front: Bates, rear: old german taillight
ignition: magneto
specials: no battery, no ignition-switch