Nekked Hayla

February 24, 2016

Article By: Matt Reel

Photos By: Kerri Schindler

Originally Published In The January 2013 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

When Daniel Donley of Pandemonium Choppers found himself with a little extra time and some extra parts, he decided he would put together a bike to take to West Virginia’s Mt. Fest. He wanted something simple and clean that W would showcase some of his parts and his ability as a builder. What he didn’t expect was how quickly this clean little XS would grab attention and help out his business. Any one who reads Cycle Source regularly knows Daniel’s name from his tech articles and previous features. His builds are super clean with an amazing attention to detail and this bike is no different. The more you look at it, the more subtle touches you will notice.

Daniel started out with a stock 1977 Yamaha XS650 frame. He then added one of his weld-on hardtails with 4 inches of stretch. The factory neck gusset was then removed and replaced with one of Pandemonium’s “Boomerang Neck Tie” gussets. The original front forks then received a quick shave (fender tabs), a rebuild, and a little height adjustment. One of Pandemonium’s headlight mounts was then added to finish off the front.

With the frame and forks ready, it was time to get this thing rolling. Daniel’s girlfriend, Kerri, who the bike is named after (I’ll explain that later), then picked out a set of Avon Distanzia tires and ordered them. Daniel actually remembers when the tires came, holding them and asking, “What style bike am I supposed to build to go with these tires?” Not being one to sweat the small stuff, he took the new tires and started putting wheels together. Daniel used a set of aluminum high lip rims that he lightened with speed holes. Now if you have ever wondered how speed holes are done, I’ll give you a quick lesson. First, a little math was done to figure out the circumference of each rim. Next, a little more math was done to figure out proper hole spacing. Finally, each wheel was marked and drilled on a drill press; that’s right, a drill press. No fancy computer controlled CNC thing-ama- bob. When all was said and done, the front wheel had 116 holes and the rear had a 108. The wheels were then powdercoated and the new tires mounted. Now that things were ready to roll, it was time for some brakes. Up front a Pandemonium Brembo brake adapter was used with a Nissin master cylinder mounted to a set of motocross bars. The rear drum brake was cleaned up, drilled with some speed holes and put back into service with a Pandemonium Knobby Knob adjuster.

The original engine was in good working order so it was given a good cleaning and a few upgrades. First, a Pamco ignition was added with a capacitor eliminating the need for a battery. A PMA charging system was then sourced from Hugh’s Handbuilt for a dependable electrical system. A Ya Mamma exhaust was then pulled from inventory and wrapped with heat wrap. The original chain drive was then used to tie things together with the assistance of a Bare Knuckle tensioner. With everything coming together, it was time for some sheet metal. A Pandemonium Fristr gas tank was modified with relocated petcock and cap locations. A rear fender was ordered from Led Sleds then shortened up and aired out with more speed holes. A sissybar was bent up by Big John to hold the fender in place. A Pandemonium E-Bomb electronics tank was then hung in the frame to hide the wiring. An A-Bracket vertical tag and taillight mount was bolted on to bring up the rear.

With everything together it was time to decide how to finish things up. Daniel decided to name this bike after his girl Kerri. It might have had something to do with the whole tire thing. So he used the name her childhood neighbor used to call her: Hayla. It was also decided to just Scotch-Brite the metal and leave it bare, so while at Mt. Fest, Mr. Oz added a couple stripes and a fitting name: Nekked Hayla. Daniel Donley put together a very fine representation of his skills. That’s not all Hayla did. Of course it made its way into this fine magazine, but also while at Mt. Fest, it helped convince someone that instead of building a Sportster they should have Daniel build them an XS of their own. Finally, after finding a new owner, Hayla helped in Daniel’s decision to expand his shop. Not bad for 3 ½ short weeks of work.