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Feature Bikes

Steel Town Rigid

Article And Photos By: Chris Callen

Originally Published In The June 2014 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

Feature 4a June 14 Kerri

Nick Lombardo is the proud owner of this fine little machine and local to my parts so when a mutual friend brought him around the office to show me his first ever ground up custom, of course I was happy to do a photo shoot with it. As a union carpenter from the Pittsburgh area Nick is the type of man that makes this area so great. I suspect it is part of the reason that he took the approach of “Yeah, I can do that” when it came to his build. Although Nick’s dad bought a bike when he was in Jr. High School, it was a different path that would lead him to his own. He did g e t a little street beater for like $1800 but his sights were set on a much more righteous sled. Actually he is one of those lucky bastards that really won a bike from the raffle tickets you always buy. He won a wide glide from a gun show in West Virginia but that wasn’t his speed. Instead he took the cash option and used the money to start stock-piling parts.

He knew that what he was looking for was unlike anything the guys around home were riding but in his mind’s eye, he was building the perfect bike. A lot of Nick’s time back then was being spent on the computer. Through the forums and blogs where he generated ideas and got tips along the way to make it all come together . He also told me that one of his biggest and most helpful resources was Billy Lane’s Chopper Book. He said that t o get through he had to come to grips with the idea that no one at the parts companies would be able to help him figure it out, it’s a custom bike and whatever you have to do to make things fit or make parts work together is just part of the build. The only real obstacle in the end became the clutch and getting it to work right.

Feature 4b June 14 Kerri

For first timers Nick and his dad Dave, oh yeah the old man was in it up to his eyes now too, were knocking out some great work. They made the fender themselves, did all the welding, made their own bungs and brackets, all and all it became a great crash course in custom bike building and one that they have continued to do together since, with a sportster this time. Just like I have mentioned in previous articles, in our part of the country you reach out to your friends in the middle of a project like this and that’s what Nick did too. When it came to the powdercoating his buddy Matt Shearer took care of it. They had been friends since 8th grade so Matt was in! Don and Steve Senze, two other friends handled the paint work that was left and as usual, everyone that stopped by the old man’s garage got to lend a hand in completing the bike.

From front to back this is a solid build and a great job especially for the first ground up. To look at it you might think that it was a Sucker Punch bike or another of the aftermarket choppers that you can buy from a dealer. That’s a pretty good compliment if you consider that the best work you can do on a custom bike is to make someone believe it was made that way. Since the bike was finished it’s really been a blast for Nick. He’s ridden it all over hells half acre and even uses it like his work truck through the summer. He packs a little rain suit on it and splits. He’s since been a constant riding buddy with his dad and he, along with his girl Rachel have become so obsessed by riding that they have since bought a roadglide. The two can’t wait till they get any spare time so they can hit the road. They travel all over the damn country now and it all started by building this Steel Town Rigid.

Feature 4c June 14 Kerri

Steel Town Rigid Tech Sheet

Owner: Nick Lombardo

City: Pittsburgh, PA

Fabrication By: Nick & Dave Lombardo

Year: 2011

Model:

Time: 9 Months

ENGINE

Year: 2010

Model:

Builder: Ultima

Ignition: Ultima

Displacement: 127

Pistons: Ultima

Heads: Ultima

Cam(s):

Carb: 45mm Mikuni

Air Cleaner: Wimmer

Exhaust: Basani

Primary: Ultima 3” open

TRANSMISSION

Year: 2011

Make: Ultima

Shifting: 6 Speed

FRAME

Year: 2011

Make: Kraft Tech

Rake: 34 degrees

Stretch: 2”

FRONT END

Type: Springer

Builder: DNA

Extension:

WHEELS

Front Wheel: DNA

Size: 21”

Tire: Avon Venom

Brakes: PM Machine

Rear Wheel: DNA

Size: 18”

Tire: Avon Venom

Brakes: PM Machine

PAINT

Painter: Steve & Senge

Color: Blue Metal Flake

Type: House of Kolor

Chroming:

Graphics: Matt Shearer Powdercoating

ACCESSORIES

Bars: Roland Sands Knock Offs

Risers: Found ‘em at Butler Cycle Warehouse

Rand Controls: Jay Brake

Gas Tank(s): Malibu Motorcycle Works

Front Fender: None

Rear Fender: Butler Cycle Warehouse

Seat: Choper Shox Springs & Pan Wrapped by Anvil Customs

Foot Controls: KD Engineering

Oil Tank: Malibu Motorcycle Works

Headlight: Lowbrow Customs

Taillight: No School Choppers

Photographer: Chris Callen

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