With four months remaining until Born Free 3 fires up this summer, interest in the prize bike Yoshi's Garage Company has been commissioned to build is at a fever pitch. Grant Peterson from FMA is one of the men behind the Born Free collective, and this is his story and behind-the-scenes photos of the bike everyone is talking about.
The bike a 1946 FL Harley Davidson Knucklehead built by Kiyo at the Garage Company in Los Angeles. The frame is an original knucklehead that Kiyo brought back to life. Kiyo has added one inch to the front downtubes to go along with the 4-over Harley springer to give the bike a unique stance and profile. Kiyo modified an old set of risers and H-D handlebars with an internal throttle to fit the look and feel of the build, which has its emphasis on comfort, longevity and style. These three things are the basis of this motorcycle, and hopefully the guy who wins it will feel them for years to come.
Of course there is a 21-inch wheel up front, but not just a typical catalog wheel. The original H-D star hub has been rechromed and laced to a rare narrow WM-1 Jones rim for just the right look. There is also a springer brake up front to help slow down this sled.
The motor is rebuilt original 1946 Harley knucklehead mated with a rebuilt early 4-speed H-D transmission. The rear wheel is a tried-and-true 16-inch Harley rim laced to another rechromed/rebuilt H-D star hub with a chrome mechanical brake. Kiyo's fabrication tricks are all over the bike from the sissy bar, to the trick chain guard, to the pipes, For this latter piece Kiyo made two old MCM style fishtail tips from scratch. Other hand-built bits include the coil cover and ignition switch as well as some original '53 Harley tanks Kiyo axed to make one tank that harkens back to the glory days of choppers.
Everyone who buys one of the limited-edition Born Free 3 posters will be entered into the drawing for this masterpiece. To buy posters with raffle tickets, click here. Keep in mind, the proceeds from this project go a long way towards things like keeping the admission free, so this is a good way to support the event as well as get a chance to win this knucklehead.
For dates, venue info, sponsor listings and other details on this year's event, visit the Born Free blog.
BornLoserMD
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Crabman
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revmike
Oh well, I guess if I win it, I would ride it around, I guess.
Actually, I'd give McGoo's left nut for that. That is if anyone knows where McGoo's left nut is...
Nice, very nice work fellers...
-Rev
Nosebleed
ZGerman