BREAKING

Tech Tips/ DIY

Twisting A Downtube

Article By: Bobby Seeger

Photos By: Deb Fitch

Originally Published In The April 2013 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

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When Indian Larry was asked to do a second Biker Build-Off, he was looking at what he had to do to go up against Billy Lane. As most know, Billy wasn’t a slacker in building motorcycles, but the thought of doing something he had just come up with was what Larry had in mind. What many people don’t know is that Larry’s motorcycle known as the “Wild Child” is the second ever twisted down tube frame ever made. Timothy White is the owner of the first one that’s called “Rolex.” Anyway, Timothy is still out riding his bike just about daily. It still holds tight and strong as does the “Wild Child,” which has come to stay inside our Indian Larry Motorcycles’ showroom for many world travelers to see, just the way Larry built it.

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The want and/or demand for these type of frames has stayed solid for over 10 years. I honestly couldn’t say how many we’ve even produced in the 10 years except to say quite a few. After Larry had passed on, most of the frames were made in-house, but as the demand got a little greater, we had to outsource. One place we used was in Northern California. This relationship didn’t last since the guy builds chassis and his designs just flat out went to shit. So we made a solid move to keep making them under our roof, one at a time, no skimping on Larry’s design or on the quality. Everyone makes mistakes and outsourcing was one of them, but we learn from our mistakes and we continue to grow. When we get down to a day of twisting the inch and a half square stock, we take our time, start early and go with 4 people on it. This is a handson process, with no machines, two torches and a goal of completing a dozen. Each one is different and yet they are all the same. When a customer comes in for a complete build, we like to schedule twisting around their schedule so they are in on the heat, the twist and the grind. It gives that customer a good feeling having been able to be in on his or her one-off custom, hand built, Indian Larry motorcycle. No rush and no fuss over here. Come check us out. We aren’t shy; we’ll show you around our little Brooklyn shop. Enjoy these photos from the one and only Debbie Fitch!

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