Cycle Source Magazine – Custom Motorcycle Culture, News & Builds

Steve Reed Shovelhead Chopper “Geraldine”: A 70s-Inspired Throwdown Build

Chris Callen

Steve Reed’s Shovelhead Chopper “Geraldine”: Built the Hard Way, Just Like It Should Be

Featured in Issue 306 of Cycle Source Magazine

At 63 years old, Steve Reed isn’t slowing down—he’s just getting sharper. A retired engineer out of Wilder, Kentucky, Steve is the kind of guy who never really left the garage. The kind who’s been turning wrenches his whole life and never lost the itch to build something better than the last one. His 1987 Shovelhead chopper, “Geraldine,” isn’t just another project—it’s the kind of bike that only comes from decades of experience, patience, and a refusal to cut corners.

And yeah… this one made the cover.

Raised on Wrenches and Gasoline

Steve grew up the way a lot of the best builders did—learning at his dad’s side with grease on his hands. Race cars, hot rods, small engines, motorcycles—if it burned fuel or made noise, it was worth figuring out.

That foundation never left him. In fact, he still owns the last car his father built, a ’34 Ford Coupe. That alone tells you everything you need to know about where this all comes from. For Steve, it’s not just about machines—it’s about legacy.

From Minibikes to Panheads

Like most riders, it started small—with a minibike. But it didn’t stay there long.

By 14, Steve was racing motocross. By 16, he’d moved to the street. And not just on anything—his first bike was a 1949 Panhead chopper.

Read that again.

Even more impressive? His first full build was another ’49 Panhead. While most guys spend years chasing down one of those motors, Steve had already built one before he could legally buy a beer.

Enter “Geraldine”

The real story behind Geraldine started at the Chopper Friends Throwdown in 2023. Steve wanted in—but he wasn’t about to throw something together just to make the deadline.

He set some ground rules:
matching numbers, no guilt in cutting it up, and a true period-correct 70s style.

After chasing a few dead ends, he finally found the right donor bike sitting in the back of Cherokee County Cycles.

That’s when it got real.

Building a 70s Dream

Steve didn’t just wing the style—he studied it. He dug into the work of builders like Arlen Ness, Dave Perewitz, and Donnie Smith, locking in on what made that era so iconic.

Long lines. Clean stance. No fluff.

The goal wasn’t to reinterpret the 70s—it was to build something that looked like it came straight out of it.

Calling in the Right People

There’s a difference between doing everything yourself and doing things right.

Steve knew where to draw that line.

For frame work, he trusted Rob Roehl at Donnie Smith Custom Cycles to handle the critical modifications while preserving the neck and matching numbers. The motor went to Donny Loos of Don’s Custom Cycles—known by many as the “Shovelhead Whisperer.”

And when it came time for paint, Jim Boitnott at Boitnott Customs laid down a finish that hits exactly how it should—pinstriping and airbrush work that complement the bike without overpowering it.

Built Against the Clock

Steve gave himself five months to finish the bike.

No cushion. No room for excuses.

And like any real build under pressure, things got hectic. Late nights turned into early mornings. Problems popped up when they shouldn’t. At one point, his partner CJ was wiring components in the back of a van on the way to Arizona.

The night before the ride, Steve was in the parking lot of the La Posada Hotel chasing electrical issues well into the early hours.

That’s the kind of stuff you don’t see in polished photos—but it’s the reality behind every bike that actually gets finished.

When It Almost Didn’t Happen

By the time the ride rolled around, Geraldine still hadn’t proven herself.

No real miles. Too many unknowns.

Steve made the call not to risk it.

And honestly—that’s not hesitation. That’s experience.

When It Finally Came Together

But before the weekend was over, something shifted. Geraldine came to life.

Steve finally got to throw a leg over the bike and ride it under its own power alongside the rest of the builders. After everything it took to get there, that moment wasn’t about the show or the crowd—it was about knowing the machine worked.

That feeling… you don’t fake that. You earn it.

The Bottom Line

Geraldine isn’t just a Shovelhead chopper. It’s what happens when a lifetime of experience meets a hard deadline and refuses to compromise. It’s long nights, problem-solving on the fly, and trusting your instincts when it matters most.

And if you’ve ever built anything under pressure, you already know—that first real ride makes every second worth it.

TECH SHEET

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