Reflections

July 7, 2016

0Points

Article By: Jimmy Frizzell

Photos By: Sean Bowe

Originally Published In The January 2016 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

ike building is an art that takes years to fully understand. And at 24 years old Zack Conway of Diamonds N Rust Cycles is way ahead of the curve. He started building his first shovelhead at the age of 15 and he hasn’t let the fire burn out yet. Zack went from turning wrenches in the driveway, to building his own fully functional shop in his parents’ yard. He is a man of few words and lets his bikes do most of the talking for him. With a love of the California chopper style and an unintentional influence of the unforgiving roads and weather of his hometown in Lower Burrell Pennsylvania his minimalist approach to building starts with a solid plan and an open mind to create his own perfection. Still, while he may be considered to be among the newer generation of motorcycle builders his old school values and appreciation for quality craftsmanship shows promise for the art of choppers.

A self-proclaimed scrap hoarding guru with a stubborn head to stay on track is never a force to be interrupted. Zack says he prefers to work alone locked away in a blissful chopper purgatory, freeing his mind of hunchback distractions as he deconstructs and constructs his next monstrous creation. Building a legacy perched atop a foundation his father instilled in him at a young age he continues to devour any information needed to achieve the task at hand humbly making everything work seamlessly. And when your building motorcycles on a “less is more” attitude, your less has to be more than anyone could possibly imagine. You may remember the Diamonds N Rust “Twisted Shovel” from 2014’s September issue. As part of his “build ‘em, ride ‘em, fl ip ‘em,” business plan the beautifully evil shovel found itself a new jockey and Zack was able to fi nance the new bullet in his addiction. This build would go towards fulfi lling a life long goal of building a hard edged aggressive all chrome bike. After acquisitioning a rebuilt motor from a friends own fortunate fi nd he snatched up a V-Twin replica frame in order to achieve a somewhat original feel. He had already made the conscious decision to run a 23 inch spool front wheel, never once considering the rumored safety that heinously ugly brakes tend to produce. The rear was originally intended to grace a sixteen but the bikes esthetics called for something just a little larger to balance the over all look and a nineteen inch wheel with mechanical brakes was substituted. The gas tank was chosen for optimal capacity between cigarette brakes and glazed in a blinding sheen of chrome. The sissy bar and shifter were hand bent over an old rim while the exhaust was formed from scavenged donor pipe that gathered dust in the corner of the shop.

Nestled in the sissy bar rests the brake light conceived from an antique glass door knob. The housing was machined by Zack to accept a more modern LED for an eclectic feel. Zack makes his own seat pans to fi t his personal riding position and believe it gives the bike a more original feel. The bike is set up perfectly with fl owing endless curves and a styling that is right on point, making the 52 Panhead a choice lane splitting bobber. The aggressive tires offset the black powder coat and chrome motif and slightly hints towards the Enduro bikes of the early seventies. The 52 Panhead was fi nished just in time for this years Artistry in Iron show and Zack was honored to set his kickstand down amongst the few greats in attendance at Las Vegas BikeFest this year. Since the show the chromed demon hasn’t had much time to cool down. Zack intends to ride this little rebel all the way into the end of the Pittsburgh riding season and doesn’t promise on stopping then either.

There is something to be said for those that can put in a forty plus hour week at a mind numbing knuckle dragger job and then lock themselves in a garage until god knows when. Few people can appreciate the opportunity of spare time and use it for the creation of pure two wheeled evil. Zack Conway knows that now is the time to progress in the craft he loves and grow Diamonds N Rust Cycles. The bikes he continues to produce, project after project, is a testament to his drive and dedication. Many have already graced the pages of magazines and one even made its way to the Moon Eyes show in Japan. But Conway doesn’t let all the hype cloud his vision, he already has his head down, and as these words kiss your eye sockets a pile of American history for his next mechanized brain child has started to collect on his shop fl oor and is sure, once again, not to disappoint. The future is uncertain, but the darkside is a fun place to play, fear not young gearheads…the force is strong with this one….