2016 Hard Runner

After watching several re‑runs of biker build off, I really wanted to try my hand at building a bike. I spent the next few weeks searching the internet for a donor bike to get me started. Pretty soon I came across a bare bones rolling chassis that was just what I was looking for. Knowing I didn’t have the skills to fully complete the build on my own, I called Jere Boher at Hellbent Custom Cycles to see if he would partner with me on this project which he quickly agreed.

We took a couple of days to put our thought together and get a clear vision of where this build was going to go. The next step was just gathering parts: First came the 117ci motor and a BDL three inch open primary, then came a 6 speed transmissionTransmission The system of gears and chains by which power is transmitted from the engine to the driving wheel.. Now Jere could begin mocking things up while I looked for the remainder of the parts, which included Martin Brothers exhaust, DNA calipers, Tail End Customs tail light, Chubby Drag bars, and a list of other parts. I planned to ride this bike so we decided on a hand tooled Nomad leather seat with 3/4 inch memory foam and TC Bros dual air bags to soften the ride. Now it was time for the tins. Having already deciding on a black and red color scheme, we felt it needed something more to really make it stand out.

Wanting to keep with the old school look, we agreed on a classic pinstripe and just a touch of gold leaf. I took the tins to JDeez Customs Signs and was amazed as he started free handing the pinstriping onto them. Now the bike was starting to exceed our vision of just a cool rider and quickly becoming more of a show stopper. During the final assembly, Jere thought it would be a good idea to enter it in the Easyrider Bike show in Nashville only a couple months away, so we did just that. The bike got a lot of attention during the show, and much to our surprise took 1st place in the modern Chopper class.

Over the next three months we entered the Chopper in three more shows and a bike rally (ridden not trailered), all of which awarded us four more 1st place trophies! The bike came out better than I ever imagined and I couldn’t be prouder of the finished product.

I could have never gotten here without the help of Jere & Dan at HellBent Custom Cycles.

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