Article By: Roadside Marty
Photos By: Chris Callen
Originally Published In The April 2020 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine
One of the things I like best about being involved with this fine rag is the opportunity to meet new people and see a lot of bikes. This includes the newest offerings from the heavyweights to meticulous restorations to everyday riders built to lay down the miles, but some of my favorites are choppers like this fine Shovel here! Tyler Elliot really put his heart and soul into this build. He opened TE Customs twelve years ago and other than his dad, Big John, and a few friends helping him out on occasion, he’s a one-man operation that can handle almost anything you may want.
This particular build started out as a stock 1975 Super Glide, but it certainly didn’t stay that way for long. The first order of business was making the stock frame into a hardtail. Tyler cut off the rear swingarm casting mount, bent up some tubing for the hardtail section and plugged the tubes into a set of Knuckle style rear axle plates from Hardtail Choppers. The neck was sliced and raked a few degrees and a filler piece was welded in and smoothed to look as if it was never touched. The rear fender mounts were also custom made. The mid controls were fabbed up from tubing that was molded into the frame with handmade gussets. You might recognize a few stock pieces from the original FX mid controls while the actual control pieces are one-off stainless. To keep the rear chain nice and tight Tyler handmade a skateboard wheel tensioner. Since the traditional mounting point for the controls weren’t being used Tyler welded on a Sportster kickstand and mount while the handmade oil filter mount is mounted where a stock forward control rear master cylinder would go.
The motor still utilizes the stock cases, but the displacement was bumped up to 89” courtesy of 4 5/8 stroker flywheels and .060 over S&S pistons. An Andrews A2 grind cam was slid in while an S&S oil pump replaced the stock unit. The heads were treated to a dual plug conversion as well as a fresh rebuild and the rocker boxes were split. A Daytona Twin Tech ignition is hidden underneath an old Cadillac hub cap that was cut down for a points cover and finally an S&S Super B with an original S&S “mushroom cap” velocity stack with a custom machined backing plate round out the motor. The machine work, head work and flywheel balancing were handled by GMS Racing Engines. Tyler and his Dad assembled the motor. The transmission is a 77 that was completely rebuilt and polished. A Karata Belt Drive clutch basket was machined to accept a custom machined 530 sprocket. The primary chain features a custom machined drive sprocket hub and matched sprocket that’s topped off with a really trick stainless nut and cap combination. A diaphragm clutch is worked by an original HD mousetrap assembly that was painted and polished to match the handmade clutch arm. The stainless shift drum arm is also handmade. Tyler even handmade license plate bracket. All machine work on the primary was performed by Jesse Exler at Jolly Roger Gunstocks.
Tyler liked the look of the 33mm front ends, so he shaved the legs and used 2” under tubes by Forking by Frank. Elliot fabricated the stem nut, fork stop, fork tube top covers and the stainless cap nuts for the handlebar mounts. The handlebars are made from tubing that use a factory internal throttle and other parts that are joined together with handmade brackets to attach under the top tree and bolt up from the bottom. A modified aftermarket headlight bucket handles the lighting which is mounted with a custom bracket. The “perchless” levers bolt to the bottom of the bars and run on sealed bearings. Tyler said the levers are carved and bent from 1/2” stainless rod. One of my favorite parts other than the primary is the front wheel which is an early Sportster “hamburger” drum that was sanded and polished that features a functional scoop that cools the front brakes.
The gas tank started as two 5-gallon Fatbob tanks cut down and joined together horizontally for a streamline look; a rib was center welded to match the rear fender. A hex thread sight glass was welded into the tank and can be removed via a small threaded trim ring. Elliot handcrafted the oil to match the gas tank shape. The rear fender is a 30’s Ford spare tire cover. Tyler fabricated the stainless bezels and uses a clear plastic bullet lens. Josh Littleton of Classic Canvas out of Delaware knocked out the classic black tuck and roll seat that follows the frame lines perfectly. Tyler handled all of the paint and bodywork himself with PPG brand base coat with layers of hand pinstriping, scrollwork, silver leaf and airbrushing. The graphics are completely buried for a smooth and uninterrupted finish. All of Tyler’s hard work paid off with a Best of Show win at the Cheap Thrills show in New Jersey and considering the level of bikes that enter that show, his win is well deserved. You can reach Tyler at www. tecustoms.com or his Instagram is @tecustoms. Thanks for sharing your bike!
CHROMOPHOBIA TECH SHEET
Owner: Tyler Elliott/ TE Customs
City/State: Eighty-Four Pa
Builder: Tyler Elliott
Year: 1975
Model: Superglide
Value: Case Of Iron City
Time: 8 Years On And Off
Engine
Year: 1975
Model: Shovelhead
Builder: GMS Racing Engines/TECustoms
Ignition: Daytona Twin Tec
Displacement: 89 Inch
Pistons: S&S Stroker
Heads: Dual Plug Harley
Carb: S&S B
Cam: Andrews A2
Air Cleaner: Tyler Elliott/ S&S
Exhaust: Swimming Pool Railings
Primary: Open Chain/TE Customs /
Jesse Exler
Transmission
Year: 1975
Make: Harley Fl Rachet Top
Shifting: Foot/1 Down 3 Up
Frame
Year: 1975
Model: Superglide
Rake: Some
Stretch: Handmade Hardtail/Axle Plates
Forks
Builder: Harley /Te Customs/Forking By Frank
Type: 33.4 MM
Triple Trees: Harley Sportster
Extension: 2” Under
Wheels
Front Wheel: Sportster Hub, Excel
Rim, Buchanan Spokes
Size: 21”
Tire: Avon Speedmaster
Front Brake: Drum
Rear Wheel: 67-72 Harley
Size: 18”
Tire: Firestone
Rear Brake: Harley Juice Drum
Paint
Painter: Tyler Elliott
Color: Grays And Silvers
Type: PPG/Oneshot
Graphics: TE Customs
Chroming: None
Accessories
Bars: TE Customs
Risers: None
Hand Controls: TE Customs
Foot Controls: TE Customs
Gas Tank(S):TE Customs
Oil Tank: TE Customs
Front Fender: Nope
Rear Fender: 36 Ford Spare Tire Cover
Seat: Josh Littleton/Classic Canvas
Headlight: TE Customs
Tail Light: TE Customs
Speedo: None
Photographer: Chris Callen