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Old Trigger- Big Chris From Foundry Moto’s FXR

Originally Published March 2013

Article And Photos By: Milwaukee Mike

Feature 2aKerri

A couple of years ago, I was out in Phoenix with some of the Shed boys, Teach and his wife Amy. While there, we all went to a great little bike show at the Shriner Center in Scottsdale. It was there that I met a soft spoken, but very intense guy; he was introduced to me as Big Chris of Foundry Moto.

I was already aware of the shop. They had a reputation for having some of the baddest old iron choppers in the valley, and it’s true. But with the progression of time and the bodily abuse and frustration those older bikes can bring, as well as the limitations of time and money, it is nice to have the ability to just get from point A to point B without any hassles. This was one of the factors that have now moved Chris away from choppers being his only focus.

The way it happened for Chris was that he bought an FXR first. He then moved on to a Dyna, but was not as happy with it knowing the touring capabilities and how much better the FXR handled. He decided to get rid of the Dyna and look for a worthy replacement. Through a chance meeting with Skip Taylor and Trigger, he found what he was looking for. As luck would have it, Chris met Skip when he was dropping off his paint work for another project to Krash at Krash Daddy Custom Paint. He was floored by how nice Skip’s “old” FXRT was. After a small tutorial on Skip had redone this bike with a new engine and even an experimental six speed S&S transmission, Chris just had to have it! Unfortunately, it wasn’t for sale, but a short while later life threw Skip a curve and before you know it, he and Chris were to meet again, this time to broker the deal. Trigger would now belong to Chris, and as long as she is wearing that paint job, she will retain that title.

There were a few small alterations Chris did to the bike such as changing the windshield so it drafted air better than the shorty that was on there. Chris upgraded the stereo as well. He explained, “There is no sense in having a stereo on there and not using it or being able to hear it.” Because of the wind tunnel testing H-D did back in the day, he never has to turn it up past halfway to hear it at speed. He also installed a set of Death Squad 12” powder coated T bars and coated the dash and turn signals. He then changed the wheels to a matching set of 9 spoke powder coated mags.

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As I mentioned earlier, not that much needed to be changed because Skip had done it so well the first time around. I know for a fact that this bike is in a class by itself and eats freeway miles in a very quick fashion. On the way back to Phoenix last year from the Born Free show, a group of about 10 of us were about 120 miles away. Chris and his wife were getting short on time so they decided to hightail it. Five miles down the road they were already about 3 miles ahead of us, and in the next 5 miles they were completely gone. When I spoke to Chris the next d a y , h e said he was averaging about 95 to 100 miles an hour. The bike is so smooth and stable that you barely feel it at that speed. I would venture a guess that he has the right combination of windscreen, fairing, lowers, side covers (Skip Taylor’s own louvered style) and powerful engine and transmission to make this thing move like it does and be comfortable to do it for long periods of time.

In the fall of last year, Chris had a bike in the Brooklyn Invitational. When it came time to get to the show, guess what he rolled into NYC on? That’s right, this very bike! No matter where it sits, it always draws attention and a bit of a crowd. So he rode from Phoenix to Brooklyn and back with no effort and no problems. I would say that it is a bit of a testament to the skills of Skip Taylor and Chris Staab to show the world why so many guys still roll on these amazing machines! For those who have never been,Chris is one of the principal owners of a shop that is one of the more unique ones I have ever been to. It is called Foundry Moto; look it up kiddies! They had quite a kicking groove going for awhile, and I’m told some unreal parties. It sits in a quiet residential neighborhood and the only real giveaway was the giant Tiki carved palm trees and the wild chickens roaming around everywhere.

Recently it’s been pretty quiet, but as it sits in the city of Phoenix, I believe it will rise again from the ashes like the legendary bird always does. I think with the help of some good people out there (you know who you are), and the new ideas that Chris is developing about FXRs, I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next! When it is ready I will be honored to show all those faithful Cycle Source fans exactly what I am talking about. Chris would like to say thanks to Krash for all he does, Danny G for showing him the FXR path, Keith Cole for taking every FXR and showing people how to turn it to 11, and of course Skip Taylor for the work he did to make this beast a reality!

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Trigger Tech Sheet
Owner: Christopher Staab
City: Phoenix, AZ
Fabrication By: Chris Staab/Skip Taylor
Year: 1990
Model: FXRT
Time: Never Done
ENGINE
Model: S&S
Builder: Skip Taylor
Ignition: IST
Displacement: 124”
Pistons: S&S
Heads: S&S
Cam(s): S&S
Carb: S&S Super G
Air Cleaner: S&S
Exhaust: Thunder Header
Primary: H-D Chain Drive w/ BDL High Friction Clutches
TRANSMISSION
Make: S&S
Shifting: 6-Speed
FRAME
Year: 1990
Make: H-D FXRT
Rake: Stock
Stretch: Stock
FRONT END
Type: Stock 39mm Dual Disc
Builder: H-D
Extension: Stock

WHEELS
Front Wheel: 9 Spoke H-D Mag
Size: 19”
Brakes: Stock
Rear Wheel: 9 Spoke H-D Mag
Size: 16”
Brakes: Stock
PAINT
Painter: Krash Daddy Custom Paint

ACCESSORIES
Bars: Death Squad MC 12” T Bars
Hand Controls: PM Grips – Stock Switches
Gas Tank(s): Stock
Front fender: Stock
Rear fender: Stock
Foot Controls: Stock
Oil Tank: Stock
Taillight: Panacea LED
Headlight: Stock
Speedo: Stock

Photographer: Milwaukee Mike

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