Article By: Milwaukee Mike
Photos By: Missi Shoemaker
Originally Published In The January 2020 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine
In the not too distant past, I met a man through mutual acquaintances that shared an interest in British motorcycles. That man is my very good friend Rob Hultz, better known to the world as Bobby Good Times. This group of britophiles was called the Limey Bastards, and together we have a common interest in keeping old bikes alive. As the years have worn on most of us have diversified our collections, and this is a premier example of those skills coming full circle. The bike on these pages is the 3rd version of it that I have seen. It all started many moons ago as a knucklehead motor on a table in the Hallowed Halls of Bravetown. The caretaker of the machine then was Brian Harlow, he decided at that time to walk across the United States in a Kerouac or Tom Joad type fashion. When he decided to keep on the roll his next choice was Baja, but to do that it meant moola would be needed. So, the knuckle hit the block, and Rob grabbed it up. It languished for a short while until it was time to get it to come to life again. But this time, it would get the full treatment.
The rebuild and restyle of the second incarnation was quite the transformation. It took on a personality of a stellar build and absorbed a lot of energy from all the people who were a part of turning it into the white wizard. It made its debut to the world at Born Free after being picked at Cook’s Corner as the wild card in the Show Class Magazine show. Being as I was there the night of the show it made for a special vibe. It was exciting to see someone I know well win very deserved accolades in this heated contest of extremely beautiful machines and shine like it did the next day in the coral at Oak Canyon Ranch. It also was one of the stars of the original Mama Tried show here in the depths of winter in a low key and in my opinion the best of the shows, but that’s because I am jaded in my old age.
Despite all the accolades and attention, Rob just couldn’t get to giving himself over to being madly in love with his Knuckle. Again, this machine was sent to the corner for a time out. And as life has a way of doing, it got in the way. On top of being a hell of a bike builder Rob is a journeyman master electrician, and the bass player in the well-known Chicago band. Trouble started to fill the days and make them blend into one long period of time. It was time for a change. It was time for redemption. It was time for Space Ghost!!! As the saying goes, third times a charm, I mean just look at this bike! It is pure sex on wheels. From the top of the custom-made King Kustom/BGT handlebars to the bottom of the twin 21- inch wheels and in between a complete laundry list of H-D and custom goodies. Let’s start with the heart, the 1946 Knucklehead motor goes as good as it looks thanks to the Milo treatment it got.
As well as the stock M74b Linkert carb with a Roth bird deflector air cleaner. The stock 4-speed jockey shift transmission moves the world underneath the world, and the fire comes from the Morris magneto and exhaust spews from the upswept HD/BGT/King Kustom pipes. The front end is an original VL I beam springer with that justright stance due to the ½” extension of the front legs. Of course the icing on the proverbial cake is that paint…..that unbelievable beautiful paint! It was put down by our mutual friend ‘Groovy Ghoulie’ Keith Zoller. I mean just look at this bike it screams, Ride Me Love Me! And I know that BGT does both!
SPACE GHOST TECH SHEET
Owner: Rob (BGT) Hultz
City/State: Chicago Illinois
Builder: Rob Hultz
Year: 1946
Model: Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
Value: No redeeming
Time: This version 1 year roughly
ENGINE
Year: 1946
Model: Knucklehead FL
Builder: Milo
Ignition: Morris Magneto
Displacement: 74 inch
Pistons:
Heads: Harley Davidson Knucklehead
Carb: Stock Linkert M74 b
Cam:
Air Cleaner: Roth bird deflector
Exhaust: Up Sweeps/H_D/Rob Hultz/King Kustoms
Primary: Primo
TRANSMISSION
Year: 1946
Make: Harley-Davidson
Shifting: Jockey 4 speed
FRAME
Year: 40’s
Model: Harley-Davidson
Rake: None
Stretch: None
Forks
Builder: H-D/King Kustoms
Type: I Beam Springer VL
Triple Trees: Stock VL
Extension: ó inch front legs
WHEELS
Front Wheel: Akront/H-D Starhub
Size: 21”
Tire: Firestone
Front Brake: None
Rear Wheel: Akront/H-D Starhub
Size: 21”
Tire: Avon Speedmaster
Rear Brake: Stock H-D Mechanical
PAINT
Painter: thee Ghoul Keith Zollar
Color: Sno White / Pearl / Flames
Type: Tasteful
Chroming: George / Star Chrome
ACCESSORIES
Bars: Custom-Rob Hultz/King Kustoms
Risers: Fixed/Custom
Hand Controls: Stock Internal H-D
Foot Controls: LEE Clutch / H-D Brake
Gas Tank(s): Wassell / Custom
Oil Tank: H-D/King Kustoms Narrowed
Front fender: Nah
Rear Fender: Wassell ribbed
Seat: Bates leather
Headlight: Bates style
Tail light: Custom Glass Running Light
Speedo: None
Photographer: Missi Shoemaker
