I found „the chopper“ 10 years ago sitting in a barn. She was covered with a thick layer of dust. The owner had last ridden her years ago, during his wild biker days. But he never thought about selling „the chopper“. I was looking for the new Bonneville in a shop and there I found her in the edge of that barn. A scaffolding, a wooden roof, a gravel floor and her. The dirt, the bad condition and the missing parts couldn't hide her beauty. From this moment I knew it was my task to bring her back to life. She looked like a princess which fell asleep many years ago. And three years later she began her second life. I don't know who built her, but I know it wasn't easy to bring an uncompromising chopper leagaly on the german streets in those days. But he made it. Nowadays it is hard to imagine how difficult it was, where you can order anything anywhere and go for a registration. In over 30 years bikers, or rockers as we call them in Germany, have come and gone, much has changed, but she is still there and hits the road. Loud and fast, to fast for the hardtail, the springer, the tires.
I don't know how fast she is. One time I tried to find out. At 140 km/h I saw the eyes of the devil and never tried to go faster on her again. Even though this was only ½ throttle.
The journey is the reward. She is a trafficlight-hero and a second-read-beauty.

frame: 70s US chopper aftermarket, unknown manufacturer, fully molded
fork: long, narrow 70s springer, unknown manufacturer
bars: 2 piece directly bolt on the triple trees, 70s custom
engine: mid 70s 750cc Kawasaki-twin with open K&N-aircleaners and two turn-out mufflers, the engine is fully chromed and engraved
gas tank: Mustang
wheels: 19“ single-disc front, 16“ drumbrake with 6.10“ tire
paint: two-tone blue metalflake
specials: car ignition-switch with eletric-start-function, speedo and control-lights molded into the gas tank
last words: The paint, the molding, the chrome, the springer and the frame are best work, lasting for more than 3 decades now, and there's no end in sight.

Fotografien | Sebastian Skiba