I bought this bike as a hammered roller with the trans in a box from my friend Joel. I rode beside Joel while he flogged this machine through mainland Mexico and up the entire Baja peninsula. He knew it inside and out and I knew it was fast, because that's the only way Joel rides. When he was struggling to sell it I convinced myself it would be an easy flip project and documented the process in a thread on ChopCult about it.

Well, life as they say got in the way and this project dragged on for almost two years to the day. I didn't want to spend a fortune, just do the basics; powdercoat the frame, new tank, paint, seat, sissy bar, some bolt-ons and a bunch of maintenance. I'd work on it in spits and spurts but would always hit some little stumbling block and it'd get pushed into the corner.

Finally when my friend Lou showed some interest in a trade/cash deal I put it into overdrive and got it whipped into shape. What I mean is, I gave up and went to Rico at Hi-Bond Modified in Pamona. We'd worked on it together before but at this point it was still a bitch to start, though it ran great once she was running. Not wanting to deliver Lou something that was going to break him off, I built a battery box and we swapped out the mag for an electronic ignition.

Now mags are the holy grail of cool and I dug the reduced wiring, but screw it, this thing starts easily now and should be a great first big twin for Sweet Lou. I've always preferred a short chop, but hand-jammin' this machine around for a couple weeks before sending it off to Ohio has me thinking maybe it's time for a similar laid back project in the near future. Have fun with it, Lou!

Owner: Sweet Lou; Columbus, Ohio

Engine: Rev Tech 88"

Frame: Paughco

Fork: 35mm Wide Glide, CCE trees

Chassis mods: Various mounts and what-not

Tire/wheel size and style: 16"/21"

Favorite thing about this bike: Laid back style is fun to ride

Next modification will be: Install the leather battery box cover that Fredo at Star Leather made for it and throw it on a trailer

Other mods, accessories, cool parts, etc: PM calipers; Biltwell Sanderson pegs, Apes and Thunder riser; Afterhours titmouse tail light and shift knob; Lowbrow Alien gas tank; handmade sissy bar, battery box, oil tank mounts, gas tank mounts, switch plate and headlight mount

Thanks to: Rico at Hi-Bond Modified for helping me get it dialed; Duane Ballard for covering the seat; Jimi at Ma Deuce for the paint; Fredo for the battery cover