Article By: Fenton “Hammy” Fadeley
Photos By: Holly Marcus
Originally Published In The April 2016 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine
You meet the nicest people on a motorcycle.” may be the quintessential cliché but resonates a resounding truth. It was in September of last year when me and my buddy Bert were blasting east on our choppers bearing down on Ocean City, MD to stop in to check out two local Virginia boys dismantle the competition in the O.C. Bike Week Custom Bike Show. One of the guys, a friend of mine for a few years now, the very humble Jeremy Cupp of L.C. Fabrications. The other, a young cat whom I would soon come to realize is the future of the custom bike building scene, Ross Latimer. At only 24 years old Ross is wise beyond his years and damn talented to boot! You see, the beautiful thing about getting old these days, other than the occasional discount at the local Denny’s, is my wisdom and keen perception of an individual. Ross, like so many of us with the motorcycle affliction, started his two wheeled journey as a young buck riding dirt bikes at eight years old. Riding just wasn’t enough, though, he was motivated to push things to that next level beginning an amateur racing career. Along the way finding sponsors like Fox and MSR to accommodate his numerous wins. This would be the catalyst of things to come.
The bike featured here in these pages isn’t Ross’ first build by any stretch, try seventh! You read that correct.lucky number seven with his very first one at nineteen. What were you doing at that age? As I spoke with Ross he told me his first build was a CB750 and it was the farthest thing from a practical ride. Being stretched with an unnecessarily raked out frontend his friends swore it couldn’t be ridden, Ross called bullshit and proved otherwise. Although Ross is a union pipe fitter by trade and welding is now second nature he says that first CB750 build was boogered together with a mig welder over paint and oil and any other contaminants that lay on the metal. That bike was ratty and where Rat’s Customs was born. He admitted naiveté early on with that bike, but with each build thereafter, knowledge and progression were evident. Now that we are acquainted with the man let’s take a look at the machine. Before landing in the possession of Ross’ good friend and fellow Union brother, John Higbee, this bike you was a far cry from its current state. Starting life as a 2000 Twin Cam Softail it soon morphed into an aborted attempt at a 90’s style pro street chopper by it’s previous owner. Complete with stylish billet flamed accessories, to die for tomato red paint, and the hauntingly familiar raked out neck, Ross thought it was hideous. It did have one thing going for it and that was the Twin Cam motor with S&S 117 top end kit, Zipper’s Performance heads, and hot cams. With no attention needed other than Rat’s Custom’s own detailed touch, the motor was safe, but the same could not be said for the rest of the bike.
Ross was given free creative range by John to bring back some dignity to this machine. Deconstruction began and the stock degree rake was reintroduced and the build was underway. “The greatest part of this build was the freedom my buddy gave me to be creative…I wanted a classic look.” The use of brass tastefully, as not to create the ubiquitous overkill that can become pervasive in other builds, is apparent. All of the machining was done on an old mill in the family’s shop using only a micrometer yet the finished product rivals that of any high tech machinery found in today’s high end shops. Only the powder coating was out sourced. Big thanks to Bert’s Cycles for handling that. There was a level of fluidity that accompanied the build that Ross really enjoyed as it appeared to come together effortlessly. I asked Ross if he had any intention of taking bike building to a pro level, his response was timeless, “I’m having fun with this…when it becomes a job the fun gets lost and besides there is no pressure, I get to build what I like.” Words of wisdom my good man! So what is it that he enjoys most about the art of two wheeled construction? “Learning. That’s the reason I build bikes. I love the opportunity to learn new stuff on every build. To be able to learn some of that stuff from the builders I look up to makes it even sweeter!” Ross says that none of these successes in his brief 24 years would be possible if it wasn’t for the amazing guidance from his father growing up. It’s evident in his character and his craftsmanship that value and integrity were instilled by Dad through the formative years and live on today as they remain a fun tight knit family unit. Ross Latimer of Rat’s Customs your success is evident and will continue to grow. I look forward to your future builds with anticipatory enthusiasm.
Stale Twinkie Tech Sheet
Owner: John Higbee
Fabrication By: Rats Customs
City/State: Virginia
Year: 2000
Model: Softail
Value:
Time:
ENGINE
Year: 2000
Model: Twin Cam
Builder:Rats Customs
Ignition: Twin Tec
Displacement: 117”
Pistons: Weisco
Heads: Zipper’s Performance
Carb: Mikuni
Cam: Zipper’s Performance
Air Cleaner: Rats Customs Stainless Stack
Exhaust: Rats Customs Stainless
Primary: Performance Machine
TRANSMISSION
Year: 2000
Make: Harley Davidson
Shifting: 5 Speed
FRAME
Year: 2000
Make: Softail
Rake: Stock
Stretch: Stock
Forks
Type: Hydro
Builder: H-D / Rats Customs
Extension: Stock
Triple trees: Sportster
WHEELS
Front Wheel: HD Wheels
Size: 21”
Tire: Dunlop
Front Brake: Galfer / Hawg Halter
Rear Wheel: HD Wheels
Size: 18”
Tire: Dunlop
Rear Brake: Galfer / Hawg Halter
PAINT
Painter: Rats Customs
Color: Flat Gunmetal
Type: Hot Rod Flatz
Chroming:
ACCESSORIES
Bars: Pro Taper
Risers: Custom Pro Taper
Hand controls: Euro Components
Gas Tank(s): Cole Foster
Front fender: N/A
Rear fender: Led Sled
Seat: Rats Customs
Foot controls: Rats Customs
Oil Tank: H-D
Headlight: Crime Scene Choppers
Tailight: Crime Scene Choppers
Speedo: None
Photographer: Holly Marcus