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Feature Bikes

Dutch Sporty

Published In The January 2014 Issue Of Cycle Source

Article & Photos By: Grizzly

Feature 4a Jan 14 Kerri

Rene’ owned several Sportsters and a chopped Triumph before he started building this Sporty chop from the ground up. “This was my first big project and I enjoyed every second of it. I took my ideas from old big bike and chopper magazines, and tried to make as much as possible. Man, I just love these old chopper magazines! I like the stories and can drool over the photos for hours. Back in those days, choppers were mostly built by the owners themselves and they actually rode them too. That’s what I wanted as well. I wanted to build RArticle & Photos By: Grizzly myself a far-out chop, and then put as many miles on it as possible. My chopper had to be a crowd pleasing, long distance cruiser — hippy style,” says this young dude from Holland. René went on to say, “At an event called the Rocking Jalopees, I stumbled upon a basket case Sportster motor. It was taken apart and in boxes. I bought the mess and took it home. After cleaning and polishing everything, I asked Ronny from the Iron Pit shop here in the neighborhood to turn the pile of parts into a sound engine again; that is exactly what he did. In the mean time, I had started collecting. I had my wheels: a 21 inch front wheel with a tiny Hallcraft mini drum brake and a 19 inch rear wheel with a mechanical but original drum brake.I also found a narrow glide and some eight inch over legs. I took everything to Ronny again and asked him to make me a rigid frame. I knew exactly what I wanted. The rear end of the frame had to be as compact as possible — shorter than stock. I wanted some stretch in the front and a little rake, but still insisted on having the motor way up from the tarmac. By doing this, the stance of my chopper would be perfect and look just like a chop built in the early seventies. Ronny fabbed the frame and made sure the bike would handle well by getting the right trail. It c ame o u t exactly how I wanted it!”

René took his roller home. He mounted the cool gas tank which was a gift from his friend Oli. This friendly old guy is part of the Garage Maniacs, the same wrenching club René hangs out with. René then made his own sissy bar and oil bag. Two of the little taillights are also gifts from the same Oli. The other bigger light is a swap meet find, as is the tweak bar that works as a stabilizer for the narrow Harley frontend. The homemade ground plate of the seat was upholstered by Rachel Sarah in the old King and Queen style. René said, “I found a vintage chain guard at a swap meet, chopped it and made it fit. The headlight once was part of a set. The bracket for it was welded onto the cast iron lower triple tree. I tried to do most of the work myself but got some help with welding from my other buddy Chiel. A lot of hours went into making the pipes. They might seem like store bought items, but it took me a very long time to make them look the way they do. The mufflers are from a swap meet too, but modified to my taste as well.

Feature 4b Jan 14 Kerri

“After making all the parts and brackets, it was time for the molding. I learned that every chopper was molded in the old days, this way they could let parts flow into each other. I had to have that specific look and just wanted to experience what these early bikers experienced. That molding turned out be a hell of a lot of work, but I also had fun. It definitely added to the seventies look I wanted. “Now that the molding was done, the bike had to be painted. Garage Maniac and friend Maurice did the black base; the flames were then sprayed on by Dapperdan Dennis from the fifties’ car club — The Scrapers. “One of my first rides was a trip to the Kustom Kulture Forever event in Germany. That is where I got those neat and nasty duo-pegs I have mounted. They were awarded to me by Le Beef and Rigid Hips from Sweden. Since the Sportster is finally finished , I ride the hell out of it. I have done almost 8,000 miles now and will do a lot more. The bike handles real well and corners like it should. The motor has never let me down so far. So for building me a strong motor, I really want to thank Iron Pit who did a terrific job on it and the frame as well.”

Feature 4c Jan 14 Kerri

Dutch Sporty Tech Sheet
Owner: Rene
City: Holland
Fabrication By: Rene And Chiel
Year: 2012
Model: Ironhead Chopper
Time: A Couple Of Years
ENGINE
Year: 1983
Model: Ironhead Sporty
Builder: Iron Pit
Ignition: Points
Displacement: 1000cc
Pistons: Yes
Heads: H-D
Cam(s): Andrews Hot Cams
Carb: Andrews Flowmaster
Air Cleaner: Swap Meet
Exhaust: Swap Meet / Rene
Primary: Stock Sporty
TRANSMISSION
Year: 1983 / 2011
Make: H-D / Andrews
Shifting: 4 Speed
FRAME
Year: 2011
Make: Iron Pit
Rake: 36 Degrees
Stretch: 4 inches
FRONT END
Type: Narrow Glide
Builder: H-D
Extension: 8 Inch
Triple Trees: Narrow Glide H-D
WHEELS
Front Wheel: Custom
Size: 21”
Tire: Avon Speedmaster
Brakes: Hallcraft Mini Drum
Rear Wheel: Custom Rim / Vintage Hub
Size: 19”
Tire: Avon MK II
Brakes: Sportster Mechanical Drum
PAINT
Painter: Maurice
Color: Black
Graphics: Flames – Dennis “Dapperdan”
Molding: Lots! Done By Rene
ACCESSORIES
Bars: Pullbacks Mod. By Rene
Risers: Gift From Oli
Hand controls: Yes
Gas Tank(s): Mod, Wassel – Gift From Oli
Front Fender: Uhhhhh
Rear Fender: Period Perfect Swap Find
Seat: Rene / Rachel Sarah
Foot Controls: Stock / Rene
Oil tank: Rene
Headlight: Swap Meet
Taillight: Swap Meet – Gifts From Oli
Photographer: Grizzly

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