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Feature Bikes

Anne Bonny – Tammie’s Kill Devil Hills Sporty

Published In The December 2013 Issue Of Cycle Source

Article By: Milwaukee Mike Photos By: Sarah Emery

Feature 5a Dec 13 Kerri

For those who have never ridden the far eastern seaboard of these United States, there is a slim ribbon of real estate that starts on the edge of Virginia and continues on and off all the way to Florida. In some places it is known as “beachside” or “spit,” but in the case of N. Carolina, it is known as the Outer Banks. It is from here that this month’s feature bike comes from; in particular, the city of Kill Devil Hills.   This town has a long pirate history It is the place of Blackbeard’s grave and other nefarious activities, as it is on the northernmost edge of the Caribbean. Among those well known figures of the golden age of piracy is the first and foremost female of those days — Anne Bonny.

The name of this bike came easy to Tammie Drayer as she was raised from the age of 4 in this area, and has been immersed in the heritage for most of her days. She felt a bit of a kinship to a woman who lived by her own terms all those many days ago, as she lives the same way. Like Bonny, Tammie can hold her own amongst a crew that is made up of men who generally have a hard time accepting a woman who can ride as hard as or harder than they can. In my book, that makes her a ruler, and I am proud to call her my friend. I also look forward to witnessing her riding the wheels off this machine in the future.

Like the famous pirate, Tammie blazed her own path. She learned how to ride years before doing this build, and when the opportunity arose, she had the skills to handle the bike you see before you. She caught wind of this machine after it was originally built by a local bike guy by the name of Jay Morris. It seems that he pumped up this ‘86 1100 cc Sporty for himself, rode it for a bit and then sold it to a local female who did not have the skills to handle this monster. After some back and forth, Tammie made a great deal and bought the bike for two grand and a bunch of haircuts. This was made possible because she owns Style Davita — the premier hair joint in the Kill Devil Hills area. Gotta love the barter system! Meanwhile, Tammie rode the bike in its stock form for 6 months, but was aching to change it.

During those 6 months, Tammie began talking to Irish Rich at Shamrock Fabrication on all things welding in preparation for what was coming. She had a plan and it involved tearing the bike down and making it a bit slimmer. After spending some time on the left coast, she fell in love with the skinny rigids and their ability to split lanes. Tammie was hooked on her first time out. It is a thrill that can only be experienced in that state — legally — but who are we kidding, with the way people drive these days, it’s a skill that we should all have!

Feature 5b Dec 13 Kerri

So a Led Sled’s weld-on hardtail was ordered and the cutting commenced. Tammie had a bit of help in the form of a local welder — Bill Marchetelli. After only one lesson, the time had come; Tammie welded the hardtail with the help of a homemade jig that her and Bill set up in the shop. She also cut the seat pan out and formed it to prepare for the new seating. Not bad for a first effort, huh? While in the shop, Tammie did a little hunting around and found the antique hinge that graces the front of the seat. It lends a little of that old ship vibe to this bike. The metal was sent to Florida to Tammie’s friend Kim for the leather covering and heavy stitching.

Other one-off pieces on the bike are the original Bates’ fender from the Long Beach swap. It was old, crusty and full of holes, but worth saving and Tammie did just that. She welded it up and straightened it out. The oil tank comes from Garage Company. It has a petcock on the back, which is a bit unusual, but comes in very handy when it’s time to change the oil. The kickstand is an aftermarket unit that is easily obtained almost anywhere, and the old Unity headlight tops the stock frontend, again lending the build that old feel. Keeping in that vein is the Foundry Moto Jesus face, Model A taillight. The cherry on this sundae is the sissy bar that pays homage to Tammie’s profession as a hair dresser. You can see the bull snips that adorn the twisted steel, which were curtain rods in a former life. Tammie and Bill again twisted this in his shop then welded it to the chassis. They still function too; if you squeeze them they will slightly move!

Originally, the plan was to just paint the whole bike black, because it was supposed to be just a rider. But, after a long conversation with Harpoon, the tank and fender were sent out to Cali and given the once over to match the black and copper treatment the engine already had. This again was done to go along with the Anne Bonny theme as she was supposedly a fiery redhead. The frame was done by Tammie herself with hitemp chimney paint.

The only thing left to change was the wheels; two custom rims were fitted so the stock braking controls could be maintained. All in all, a great bike came out of this whole experience, and despite the initial heartbreak, it has now turned into a bit of salvation. Tammie intends to ride it until she breaks it in half, and then she’ll fix it and start all over again. You go get it girl!

Feature 5c Dec 13 Kerri

Anne Bonny Tech Sheet
Owner: Tammie Drayer
City: Kill Devil Hills, NC
Fabrication By: Owner / Bill Marchetelli
Year: 1986 Custom
Model: 1100 Sportster
Time: ‘Bout A Year And A Half
ENGINE
Year: 1986
Model: 1100 Hugger
Builder: Henry J, Divine Cycles, Mark Thompson
Ignition: Points
Displacement: 1100
Pistons: Stock
Heads: Stock
Cam(s): Stock
Carb: S&S Super E
Air Cleaner: K&N
Exhaust: Thunderheader – Tuned
Primary: Stock
TRANSMISSION
Year: 1986
Make: 1100 Sportster
Shifting: Standard
FRAME
Year: Custom
Make: Led Sled Weld-On
Rake: Stock
Stretch: No
FRONT END
Type: Stock
Builder: H-D
Extension:
WHEELS
Front Wheel: 40 Spoke Custom
Size: 19”
Tire: Avon Speedmaster
Brakes: Stock
Rear Wheel: 40 Soke Custom
Size: 18”
Tire: Avon MK II
Brakes: Stock
PAINT
Painter: Harpoon (Tank & Fender) Owner (Frame)
Color: Copper Candy Pearl/Gold Doubloon Metallic
Type:
graphics: Hand Applied Scroll Work
ACCESSORIES
Bars: Drag Bars
Risers: 3” H-D
Hand controls: Old
Gas Tank(s): Stock / Fab by Owner
Front Fender: Nope
Rear Fender: Bates (Thanks Will)
Seat: Leather-Kim Martin / Pan-Owner
Foot Controls: Mids
Oil Tank: A Find At Garage Co.
Taillight: Foundry
Headlight: Unity
Photographer: Sarah Emery -Rockers& Knockers

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