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Tercer Intento

Article By: Roadside Marty

Photos By: Benji Laney

Originally Published In The August 2013 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

Feature 1a Aug 13 Kerri

I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one to have a great time at the BMR last year. I had the chance to see old friends, make new ones, sample some fine “Mtn. Dew” and do some riding in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. One thing that really caught my eye was this sweet Shovelhead. Even at night when this bike was entered in the show, it just grabbed my attention! I asked around for the owner, Dustin Powell, but he was out enjoying himself so that’s when Michael Lewis of Violent Choppers laughed and clued me in to the real deal about this bike. Dustin happens to be a really good friend of Michael’s which is how Dustin ended up turning it over to him for this makeover. Before we get into the bike, let me tell you a little bit about this cat and his work. Michael Lewis comes from a long tradition of amazing customs. His ol’ man is Rickey Lewis that owns Rick’s Custom Parts. He has a killer reputation for the bikes he builds, and this father and son team is fast becoming known for o n e of the premier events out of the south with their Bama Swap and Drags. It ’s an annual event they started together two years ago. Though not a requirement by any means, some fathers pass their knowledge of bike building on to their sons, and in some cases, their daughters. This was how Michael started his path to building some of the cleanest chops on the scene today. His father schooled him early on what works and what doesn’t, so growing up Michael had an exposure that would help shape his style.

Like many of the great builders before him, Michael either helps or builds bikes for close friends. This is sometimes a great benefit because the owner can see what their bike can become or they can feel comfortable knowing that he might be able to help in some instances. Some builders don’t want their customers involved in the process and in a sense, I can relate to that, but that wasn’t the case with this go around. Michael had a feel for what Dustin was looking for and he nailed it. Over the years, Michael has honed his metal working skills, and those skills are pretty much what he’s known for, but being MMI trained has sure helped As with all of Violent Choppers’ builds , they have to be able to be ridden and ridden hard. Michael’s a firm believer that bikes should ride as good as they look; I totally agree with that. Originally, the bike started life as a 1976 FXE that Dustin’s dad bought new off of the showroom floor at the H-D dealership in Chattanooga, TN.

Feature 1b Aug 13 Kerri

Then Dustin ended up with it in 2008. He wanted something a bit different from stock so he tossed the drivetrain into a Kraftech frame with fat bobs and a p e hangers. As with most custom bikes, he grew a little bored with that style and he wanted a bit more flash the next time around. Tercer intent in Spanish means third attempt, which is what we have here now. He wanted to chopperize it a bit so that’s where Violent Choppers comes in. Michael Lewis, who happens to be Cycle Source’s 2012 Builder of the Year, knew exactly what to do with it. Dustin took the frame to Ronnie Reeves to have the backbone replaced and the down tubes stretched. When the neck went back on, he had somewhat of a St. Louis d-rake stance that made the BKC narrow 39mm trees a perfect fit. Michael then bent a set of stainless bars to keep things tight and narrow plus be tolerable for those long rides. He then narrowed, crowned and Friscoed a later model Sporty tank that sits just right on that new backbone! Greg Burch got the job of covering the hand fabbed seat pan and did an awesome job. Michael then hammered out a tight fitting, rounded rear fender and got to do some of that metal work that Violent Choppers is so well known for. In my opinion, it’s always the small details that make up the whole bike, and you can see that here with the sissy bar and custom lower front fender mount.

Since Dustin was pulling out all of the stops with this build, Michael sent all of the hand fabbed parts to Atlantic Coast Plating in Athens, TN. Their chrome work is always flawless, according to Michael. The tins and the front fender mount. Since Dustin was pulling out all of the stops with this build, Michael sent all of the hand fabbed parts to Atlantic Coast Plating in Athens, TN. Their chrome work is always flawless, according to Michael. The tins and the frame went to Matt Workman in Trenton, GA, to be sprayed with Hot Hues’ razzling red and the standard gloss black which all in all makes for one helluva combination. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a sunny day ride. As Michael put it, he and Dustin had a blast riding and racing through the mountains going to the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley on their way to last year’s BMR. He says it reminds him of why he loves what he does: seeing a customer really enjoying their motorcycle by getting out and riding it! Dustin would like to thank his mom and dad, Unk, his wife Jordan, Michael Lewis, Greg Burch, Matt Workman and all of the Barhoppers for their support along the way. I’d say third time’s the charm on this one!

Feature 1c Aug 13 Kerri

Tercer Intento Tech Sheet

Owner: Dustin Powell

City: Rising Fawn, GA

Fabrication By: Michael Lewis – Violent Choppers

Year: 1976

Model: Choppa

Time: A Few Months On The Latest Version

value: Priceless

ENGINE

Year: 1976

Model: Shovelhead

Builder: H-D

Ignition: Points

Displacement: 74”

Pistons: Round

Heads: H-D

Cam(s): Sifton

Carb: S&S E

Air Cleaner: Goodson Style Knock-Off

Exhaust: Violent Choppers

Primary: Closed

TRANSMISSION

Year: 1976

Make: H-D

Shifting: Foot

FRAME

Year: ??

make: Kraftech

Rake: Just Right

Stretch: Little More Than It Came With

FRONT END

Type: 41mm

Builder: Violent Choppers

Extension: 4”

Triple Trees: Bare Knuckle Narrow

WHEELS

Front Wheel: Chrome Spool

Size: 21”

Tire: Avon Speedmaster

Brakes: Chugottabekiddinmeright!

Rear Wheel: H-D

Size: 16”

Tire: Avon

Brakes: 2000-Up H-D

PAINT

Painter: Matt Workman

Color: Balck and Razzling Red

Type: Hot Hues

Molding: Michael Lewis

Chroming: Atlantic Coast Plating

ACCESSORIES

Bars: Violent Choppers’ Lane Splitters

Risers: None

Hand Controls: Simple

Gas Tank(s): Violent Choppers

Front Fender: Come On Now

Rear Fender: Violent Choppers

Seat: Greg Burch

Foot Controls: Stock Style Chrome

Oil Tank: Chrome Round

Taillight: Bright

Speedo: Zebra Print

Photographer: Benji Laney

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