Resurrection Of The Burn Out King

May 9, 2016

Article By: Alex Scott

Photos By: Jordan Meredith

Originally Published In The April 2012 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

It is usually not news when someone finds an old, wrecked bike for a steal, attached with grandiose plans to restore the perfect chopper. But it is rare when the perfect plans pan out and even more so when the bike has a frame comprised mostly of body filler and the motor has Natty Ice beer box cardboard for gaskets. Much to his surprise, that is exactly what Tommy Bright Jr. found when he cracked open the engine and started the groundwork on his 1971 Ironhead. Tommy found the bike in his hometown of Newfield, New Jersey, which originally belonged to a local “stoner burnout king.” The allegations were not only surmised from the original condition of the bike but were indeed proven absolutely correct. The motor was bleeding oil from everywhere that it possibly could, and the recycled gaskets were most likely not helping. Tommy spent an entire day solely chipping off body filler from the frame, but it wouldn’t end there. The bike had previously been in an accident and the frame wasn’t straight. The front neck was twisted and needed to go, which is why he cut it off, as well as the downtubes to do the gooseneck and the rake. The shoddy stick welding on the hardtail was next and was completely redone. Adding insult to injury, the bike frame was painted camouflage, which undoubtedly, had to go. Tommy made it a point that the entire bike be rebuilt and refabricated by him. It was a strong goal, d e s i g n e d specifically to keep the original idea he had for the chopper. “In my eyes, this bike is what a ‘70s chopper should appear as: bare bones, just enough fuel to get where you’re going, and just enough oil to lube the motor,” said Tommy. “It has just enough to get you down the road without the fuzz on your back.”

The build took about 10 months even though it was just in his free time at his shop in Vineland, New Jersey. The oil tank was made from essentially scrap lying around the shop, which also contributed to the sissy bar, intake, and controls. The intake was fabricated for dual Amal 930 carbs, originally not knowing if they would work for the Ironhead. Even though he was unsure at first, it is now a feature on the bike and he says it runs better than ever. Even more fabrication went into the tank which was originally an Indian Larry three gallon tank. Tommy sectioned three inches out of it, put a rib through the center of the tank, and added a LA County Choppers 24-karat crown fuel cap on it. The tank is quite a highlight, but it’s hard to find a flaw on such a well-planned and exquisitely built bike. The frame came a long way from its humble, camouflaged beginnings, and perfectly accents the paint on the tank and the seat. Combining all the pieces and factoring in performance, rarely can you find a cleaner daily driver roaring down the East Coast. It is no coincidence that the bike came out looking so good as Tommy is a seasoned builder. While he has completed five separate ground-up builds, he has been building hot rods and drag racers for years. He originally started building by chopping old air-cooled VWs. “In my shop I will work on anything…, says Tommy, “… from cars, trucks, farm tractors, irrigation diesels, etc.” More recently, however, he has switched to motorcycles which are, to him, more enjoyable during the build and after, and also easier on the pocketbook. And it isn’t solely Harleys occupying his shop, but it is populated with BSAs, Hondas and e v e n Triumphs. T h e Ironhead is a great artifact of expert building paired together with great style. Tommy set off to create what the classic 1970s should be, and successfully completed it within a year. He has come a long way from the drag strip and it is easy to see this semi-recent hobby suits him. And although Tommy says his other hobbies include girls, whiskey, tattoos and fighting, he still wants to take the time to thank his friends and family that helped him, and more importantly, put up with him throughout the build.