Article And Photos By: Mark Velazquez
Originally Published In The January 2020 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine
I will always be thankful to this crazy magazine for the people I have met over the years. I hope it is a never-ending ride where I continue to build a list of lifelong friends. The Father and Son team of Russ Jr (father) and his Son Russ III of Black Diamond Cycle, based in Coal Township, PA, have been on my lifelong friends and family list almost as long as I have been working for this rag. We met when I was asked to shoot one of their rides at an Indian Larry Block Party many moons ago. The rest has just been good times! I first heard about this bike from Russ’s daughter Heather, she sent me an almost finished image of the bike. I knew right away; this was going to be a great build and would give me an excuse for a road trip to see the boys! After talking to the team and getting some info on the owner Alex Grabiec, a proud member of our US Army, now back home and an avid rider, I was very much looking forward to making yet another new friend and seeing this Shovelhead up close and personal.
So, who is Alex Grabiec? Like most, he’s just a guy who loves to ride. His first bike was a Yamaha 80 Enduro at the age of 11 years old and his first road bike, a Kawasaki ZX6 in 1990 while stationed in Germany. It’s safe to say that Alex put in his fair share of miles tearing up the Autobahn. From there the transition was made to a H-D EVO Sportster which he brought back to the states in 1994. Since then, Alex has had a good dozen-plus Harley’s and even built a 1979 Ironhead chopper. As of today, his stable consists of a 1974 Honda CR450 chopper with girder front end and custom everything, the ’79 Ironhead, and a ’19 Electra Glide Standard. And of course, the newest edition, the ’72 Shovel chopper that graces these pages.
As the story goes, this build is just about how every Black Diamond build seems to start. A cold winter day and a few beers among friends sitting around Russ’s shop. But on this cold day, things, as expected, took a little twist when Alex saw Russ’s split rocker box Shovelhead sitting on a stand. It wasn’t long before Russ noticed Alex gazing at the engine, so of course he asked. “Nice motor, huh? Bet you wish you could have that one!” And at that point it was game on! It took a couple of weeks, but in the end, Russ agreed to sell the motor and ratchet top. He did it reluctantly but knowing that they are best friends and he’d do all the work on the build eventually, he agreed to sell what was to be his dream build.
After retiring from the Army (thank you for your service), Alex took a contract job in the Middle East to put together the cash for the remainder of the build and viola a year later he returned from the desert to retirement and his dream chopper! I guess when a best friend builds a dream bike for his best friend, things just work out. Alex was open to Russ’s ideas. After walking away with the motor, he returned and dropped off a filthy rolling chassis with a crooked sissy bar and wanted Russ to just install the engine and trans. NOT! After a total redesign, corrections, modifications, and re-engineering, it was more than one could imagine. From shaved Zel Cylinders, Split and Chrome Plated Rocker Boxes, Chrome Cases, Heads/Cases Modified for Custom External Oil Returns, Wheels Balanced, 4 Speed Polished by Russ with Custom Foot Shift, this list could go on for more pages than I’m allowed! The bike was entered in the Appel Mountain East Coast Sturgis Rally bike show, and it took best of show.
The reactions were mostly from other builders and machinists, who were amazed at the detail in the shaved heads, oil return lines, rocker boxes, risers, handlebars, and all of the meticulous detail that went into this project. Of all the bikes Alex has ever owned, he says that this is his single most comfortable bike. Pulling the front wheel off the ground coming into 2nd is a regular occurrence and hammering the twisty country roads in the coal region and Appalachia is a genuine joy – especially knowing no one else can keep up! The day of shooting was a long day with a long drive, but it was perfect. That day my journey was filled with hope. I was surrounded by old friends and made new ones. For that one day we took a step back in time and relived the basics of the American dream in a small town with different people from different walks of life. We talked about life, the struggles, the joys of just being able to be, we talked politics like our parents did, and in the end, it was ok to agree to disagree. And in the middle of this perfect day, sat the ’72 Shovel that brought us together.
PRUDENCE TECH SHEET
Owner: Alex Grabiec
City/State: Coal Township, PA
Fab. By: Russ Nahodil
Year: 1972
Model: Chopper
Value: Yes
Time: 400+ Hours
Engine
Year: 1972
Model: FXD
Builder: Russ Nahodil
Ignition: Dyna
Displacement: 1200
Pistons: Wiseco 10:1
Heads: H-D Modified
Carb: S&S Super E
Cam: Andrews .485
Air Cleaner: S&S Cycle
Exhaust: Paughco
Primary: Open, Evolution Diamond Terminator Clutch
Transmission
Year: 1972
Make: Harley-Davidson
Shifting: Custom Foot
Frame
Year: 2013
Make: CDC, Gardena, CA
Rake: 38
Stretch: 4”
Forks
Type: Slider
Builder: Russ Nahodil
Extension: 4”
Triple Trees: H-D Modified
Wheels, Tires, Brakes
Front Wheel: Bob’s Cycle Supply
Size: 21”
Front Tire: Avon Speedmaster
Front Brake: None
Rear Wheel: H-D Dyna
Size: 18”
Rear Tire: Dunlop K70
Rear Brake: Performance Machine
Painting
Painter: Dave Stuck & Scott Capps
Color: Metal Flake, Black
Type: Shiney
Graphics: AMF HD
Molding: Respective Painters
Chroming: Librandi’s
Accessories
Bars: Russ Nahodil
Risers: Russ Nahodil
Hand: Built-rite
Fuel Tanks: Sportster
Front Fender: None
Rear Fender: Russ Nahodil
Seat: Unknown
Foot Controls: Russ Nahodil
Oil Tank: Horseshoe
Headlight: Swapmeet Special
Taillight: HD molded to fender
Speedo: None
Photographer: Mark Velazquez